Our friends at TopTenRealEstateDeals.com have rounded up a hot handful of luxury real estate for sale, from Neil Young's Hawaiian beach house to the Danny Thomas mansion.
#1: Danny Thomas' Mansion
In the late 1960s, Danny Thomas bought approximately two and a half acres on a private promontory in Beverly Hills’ Trousdale Estates. It wasn’t until 1970 that he built the mansion with its Moorish flair. The 18,000-square-foot, eight-bedroom, 12-bathroom home has 360-degree views of all of Los Angeles. After Thomas died in 1991 and his widow passed away in 2000, his three children sold the property for $15 million. The current owner undertook a total restoration and renovation. French architect Jacques Garcia, who was brought in to freshen the home’s decor, enhanced the Moorish design and ornate detail by adding $2.5 million in Baccarat chandeliers and hand-woven carpets. Both are included in the sale. Garcia is well known in Europe, where he has done work for the Rothschilds, Versailles, and the Louvre. Though there is no published price for the Beverly Hills mansion, local agents estimate the price to be $135 million.
#2: Neil Young's Hawaii Beach House
Now for sale is Neil Young’s Hawaiian getaway, which speaks volumes to his love for nature. On its own three-acre peninsula jutting out between two bays in Waialea on the Big Island, it is surrounded by 830 feet of frontage on the Kohala Coast. A rare find today, the 3,000-square-foot main house of 1920s vintage is a glimpse into old Hawaii life with rooms opening to verandas that capture ocean breezes drifting through the two-story, five-bedroom, four-bath house. There are also two guest cottages, two greenhouses, a shaded terrace, and a swimming pool with pool house. In the gardener’s paradise, there are many species of coconut palms, lemon, papaya, pomelo, and mango trees, and a terraced vegetable garden. Since it is close to popular surfing spots and white sand beaches, excellent snorkeling areas can be accessed from the property, which is priced at $24.5 million.
#3: 'Skinner House' 1962
Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills has been a trophy neighborhood for the rich and famous since its groundbreaking in 1954. Designed and built by architect Robert Skinner in 1962, the "Skinner House" is one of the best examples of Trousdale’s mid-century modern aesthetic. Gated and surrounded by mature trees, the home is located on a cul-de-sac and is private with views over the city. Complete with current updates, the classic architecture and glass walls that open to the grounds are typical of climates where people live and entertain both inside and out without barriers. The 8,500-square-foot home has five bedrooms, six baths, a grand living room with double-sided fireplace, an updated kitchen, a family room, an office loft, and a second living room. The upstairs also contains a second master suite. Formerly known as “Versailles on a Hill,” the Skinner House is priced at $12.5 million.
#4: 'Palazzo di Amore'
Palazzo di Amore is a palace-sized, Mediterranean-style villa on approximately 25 acres just two miles above the historic Beverly Hills Hotel and Rodeo Drive in Hollywood. The estate of 53,000 square feet consists of the main house, a full guest house, and outdoor recreation, including a pool, a spa, an outdoor barbecue station, a tennis court, water features, professional landscaping, 27-car garage, large vineyard, and spectacular views of city lights and the Pacific Ocean. The interior of the main house contains 12 bedrooms, 23 bathrooms, state-of-the-art security, formal living and dining rooms, breakfast room, a game room, an office, and a family room opening onto the grounds. The home also has a Turkish spa, discotheque/ballroom with laser light system and revolving dance floor, and a two-lane bowling alley. The wine cellar includes multiple corridors and temperature-controlled rooms for wine storage, and a tasting room that houses 3,000 bottles of the private label estate wine made from classic varietals, including Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot, Rose, and Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyard produces between 400 to 500 cases per year. Originally priced at $195 million or leased at $475,000 per month, it is now priced at $149 million with a lease price of $350,000 per month.
#5: Michigan Hunting Lodge
Located in Upper Michigan, this hunting lodge complex includes a 12,000-square-foot main lodge, a 3,200-square-foot guest/caretaker’s house, a secluded cabin in the woods with an outdoor kitchen and storm tower, two barns for large equipment or horses, a six-bay heated and cooled garage, and a gun and hunting equipment building. Each distinct season was calculated in the design of the property. There are four large ponds well-stocked with fish; deer and elk herds, 800 accessible acres for hiking, riding, and shooting; and a 25-station automated sporting clay range.
The main lodge has eight bedrooms, nine full baths, soaring beamed ceilings, and huge stone fireplaces. It is rustic enough to suit a party of male hunters and elegant enough for the wives to feel like they’re at a five star resort. Included in the sale are all furnishings and a pontoon boat at the dock. 'Valhalla Lodge' with its old-world ambiance, previously priced at $10.9 million, is going to auction on Sept. 26 with no minimum starting bid.
Enjoyed this list of homes for sale? Click here to see the rest of this real estate hot list.
Photos courtesy of toptenrealestatedeals.com
