Everything Must Go In Massive Dean Gardens Yard Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Aug 23rd 2010 at 11:15AM

You may have gone to a yard sale over the weekend but it was likely nothing like this, Dean Gardens, the massive 32,000-square-foot estate in Johns Creek, Georgia had a huge sale. Software entrepreneur Larry Dean basically priced everything in the home that wasn't nailed down. CNN reports that even parts of the home's architecture, including the rotunda in the foyer inspired by the dome of the Brunelleschi Cathedral in Florence, Italy, were up for sale.

Why the fire sale? The new owner, said to be director Tyler Perry, plans to tear down the home and build his own monument to ego on the 58-acre spread. Perry has his studios in Atlanta and owns several other mansions in the area. He bought the home for a song, just $7.6 million far below the most recent listing price of $13.9 million and previous prices of as much as $40 million.

Dean teamed up with Luminocity, an Atlanta group that runs light and dance shows to create one last big spectacle. Luminocity will run 12 performance art light parade events in downtown Atlanta starting in November. The group is also planning cultural arts programs for children. The weekend's events include a Friday night gala for $100 a ticket and Saturday's closing event with wine, food and music for $35. In both cases ticket prices were waived for sales over $1,500.

It's a bit of a sad ending for a home that Dean spent $25 million creating. The property also includes landscaped gardens, an 18-hole golf course, grass tennis courts, an amphitheater and a conservatory. The CNN report says that Perry's new home will be more energy efficient and sustainable.

Gallery: Dean Gardens

Tags: atlanta, atlanta real estate, dean gardens, georgia real estate, tyler perry

Filed under: Estates

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Spectacular Bid Aug 23rd 2010 2:20PM

Yesterday's New York Times had some more telling info on the cost behind this structure which really could vie for the title of the most expensive and hideous residences built in the US.

A fortune of $36 million lost - if you factor out the sale itself - on this. That further ignores lost money had he invested a similar $25M two decades ago into other assets instead of this edifice. Just amazing!

From the NYT: "Mr. Dean said he was mostly relieved about the sale, which will mean the end of $1 million in annual upkeep, which his first wife had been paying in recent years. On top of the $25 million cost of building the house, they spent an additional $18 million over the years to pay for staff, taxes and utilities, for a total of $43 million.

“I didn’t get a dime out of the sale of the house,” Mr. Dean said. “I own all the personal effects. That’s why I’m having the sale,” though some of the proceeds are going to charities. “The $7.6 million went to pay off the back debts. I owed Lynda more than the buyer paid for it. The buyer basically stole the house.” "

Lune Aug 23rd 2010 3:57PM

I loved this place,so sad it's being destroyed.

fatafati Aug 24th 2010 4:04PM

I disagree. Everything goes massive in MIAMI (like Lebron James). lol.

Tyler Perry did hit a home run with this home. Is it waterfront?
waterfront properties have higher value.( or do they?). Steffi Graff just recently sold her Miami home after more than 1.5 yrs on the market.

here's a 7 bed house for $12.5 million

http://www.thekleerteam.com/miami-mls-listing/M1355185.htm