Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch Up for Sale Amidst Shocking Controversy
To say that the King of Pop’s Sycamore Valley Ranch (Los Olivos, California), otherwise known as Neverland, is a famous piece of property is an understatement. In the spirit of all honesty, however, one must admit that it may just be as infamous as it is famous. Just days before the controversial HBO documentary Leaving Neverland exploring Michael’s alleged cases of abuse airs, the $2,700-acre property that acts as the historical background of the film has been put up for sale yet again.
Tumultuous Listing
Located a few miles off Santa Barbara, the truth is that M. J’s estate listing has not been a bed of roses. Appearing initially way back in 2015, it carried with it an asking price to the tune of $100 million. The price took a cut to $67 million in 2017, before the luxurious space was temporarily taken off the market. Its reintroduction brings with it a further price cut, with the estate now going for $31 million.
According to Suzzane Perkins, the agent representing the property, the humongous price tag of $100 million is the reason why her agency, Compass, failed to match the estate to the perfect buyer on its initial listing. She goes on to suggest that drought, mudslides, and recent wildfires at the estate’s locale have also contributed to the lack of a sale to some degree. At the current slashed price, however, Perkins’ colleague Kyle Forsyth is comfortable that finding the right buyer will now be much easier.
The estate, co-owned by Michael’s estate and a Colony Capital-managed fund, comprises of a 12,598-square-foot Normandy-style main house, lavished with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms. The ranch also boasts of three distinct guest houses, a stylish pool and pool-house, basket and tennis courts, a movie theatre, and its very own fire department. A lake, four acres wide and complete with a waterfall also embellish the landscape. The once prominent amusement part, however, is long gone.
Nostalgic Menagerie
Towards the estate’s rear side, Michael’s menagerie sits empty, reminding one of the star’s collections of live wild animals, including his orangutans, the elephant he received from close friend Elizabeth Taylor, and the llamas. The King of Pop’s game room is also situated on this side, famous for his astounding video game collections and machines, most notably Pinball, Jurassic Park, Mortal Kombat, and X-Men. Going by the grapevine, these collections are not part of the package on sale, as are other M. J’s memorabilia in the ranch.
Before his untimely death, Jackson had called Neverland his home for over 15 years, having acquired the property for a reported $19.5 million in 1987. He had, however, moved out of the property in 2005, after being accused of heinous crimes.
Following HBO’s two-part documentary of two men detailing their alleged abuse at the hands of the pop star in the ’80s and ’90s, the Jackson estate has sued the network for $100 million.
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