30,000-SF 'Godfather' Mansion in San Simeon, CA
SAN SIMEON, CA --
One of California’s most historic and opulent mansions, a honeymoon love
nest for Jack and Jackie Kennedy, and a big star in movies such as The
Godfather and The Bodyguard, the famous Hearst Estate
has finally sold.
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| Jackie Kennedy |
The only question is
the final price.
Having been on and
off the market during the 40 years it has been owned
by financier-and-attorney Leonard M. Ross, who was forced into
bankruptcy in 2019, the Hearst Estate was listed in August 2020 at $125
million.
In April 2021 the price was dropped to $89.75
million and in June down to $69.95 million.
 |
President John F. (Jack) Kennedy
|
After reaching the June price, the estate
received multiple offers which were reviewed by the bankruptcy court.
A price of $47
million was accepted by the court, but during the final proceedings will be
open to a brief auction in the attempt to garner a higher price before the
gavel falls, predicts TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
 |
| William Randolph Hearst |
Newspaper magnate,
yellow journalist and two-term Democratic congressman from New York, William
Randolph Hearst, the inspiration for the Charles Foster Kane character
in Citizen Kane, and actress Marion Davies began their torrid
love affair in 1917.
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| Marion Davies |
He was 53 and
married while she was a 19-year-old chorus girl when they moved in together at
his world-famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California.
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Beyoncé
|
When he agreed to
downsize from the imposing 69,000-square-foot estate, Davies bought him a
smaller mansion in Beverly Hills - where they lived until his death in
1951.
 |
Hugh Hefner
|
Previously known as The Beverly House,
the mansion has been a frequent filming site used as a backdrop for the
movies The Godfather and The Bodyguard and Beyoncé’s
music video, Black is King.
The home was also
where Jack and Jackie Kennedy stayed during the Southern California
segment of their 1953 honeymoon.
Mrs. Kennedy
was so excited to be staying in such a stunning estate, she wrote a four-page
letter about her stay, which is framed along with photographs that are on
display at the home.
The mansion was later used by Senator Kennedy
as the West Coast headquarters for his 1960 presidential
campaign.
Behind iron gates on
3.5 acres and down an 800-foot driveway past a five-room gatehouse, the
impressive 30,000-square-foot mansion first comes in to
view.
On entering, there is such a volume of space
that one is focused only on its vast size. The living room has
22-foot-arched ceilings that are hand painted.
The room also serves
as a screening room with wooden shutters that can be closed to block out
light. The family room is also used as a second screening room.
There is a
magnificent two-story, hand-carved, wood-paneled library where the pattern in
the carpet replicates the same ceiling pattern.
The billiard room’s fireplace surround is
from Hearst Castle and is one of eight in the house. The pool table is
from 1868 and is one of only three like it still in existence.
An Art Deco
nightclub is on the lower level modeled after Hugh Hefner's former
Beverly Hills club, Touch, with the club’s original etched glass and doors.
Outside the Hearst
Estate, the Olympic-sized pool is fed by two reflecting pools that spill into
the main pool surrounded by terraces, manicured lawns, columned pergolas and
splashing fountains - an area that can accommodate up to a thousand
guests.
Tucked into the
landscaping is a tennis court with its own pavilion. Ancillary
improvements include two staff/guest apartments, a pool house and a two-story,
five-bedroom gatehouse.
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Leonard M. Ross
|
Regardless of what
happens before the gavel hits its mark, Mr. Ross will be saying goodbye to his
exquisite mansion, and it will move forward to welcome a new set of owners and
guests.
The property is
co-listed by Anthony Marguleas of Amalfi Estates, Gary Gold of
Hilton & Hyland, Zizi Pak of Rodeo Realty and John Gould of Rodeo Realty,
all located in Beverly Hills.
CONTACT:
Genelle C. Brown
Content Manager, Media Division
TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
Phone: 336-459-3728
Twitter: @toptenrealestat
facebook.com/toptenrealestat
Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch
Source: TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
Source: www.thehearstestate.com
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5C4Y-QnCxY
Video Credit: Sean Evans, @evvo1991 backtothemovies.com/
