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Le Chateau Renaissance Up For Auction

Another huge home is being put up for auction. Le Chateau Renaissance is the former estate of Stephen Hilbert, the one-time head of the firm Conseco in Carmel, Indiana. Conseco, which is now insurance company CNO Financial Group Inc. is putting the home up for auction in a sealed bid auction. CNO took the house in 2005 after a dispute with Hilbert over millions he borrowed from the company to buy its stock. The bid submission deadline is August 27.

We first saw this home in 2006 when it was the the 2006 Decorators' Show House. The estate was once valued at $25 million but was listed at $20 million in 2006. An auction of the household possessions raised more than $750,000 in February 2005. More recently the home was listed at $9.9 million. With no sale, CNO decided to try the auction route instead. The seven-bedroom home is on nearly 34 acres. The 25,000 square foot main residence has a master suite with a private indoor lap pool. Continuing the fitness theme, there is also a sports pavilion with basketball and racquet ball courts, locker rooms designed to resemble Assembly Hall, the basketball arena at Indiana University. An outdoor infinity pool has a double waterfall and separate pool house. There is also a guest house and six carpeted parking bays. The Wall Street Journal reports that Hilbert has left his mark on the place in the form of lighting that bears his initials and murals one of which is a likeness of Hilbert wearing a toga (you might want to paint over that one). Bidders can tour the house until August 20, more details are available on the property website.

Tags: cno financial group, conseco, indiana real estate, le chateau renaissance, luxury home auction, real estate auction, stephen hilbert

Le Chateau Renaissance, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Like the Kips Bay showhouse, the 2006 Decorators' Show House in Carmel, Indiana is a beauty you can make your own. Le Chateau Renaissance is the former home of Stephen and Tomisue Hilbert. St. Margaret's Hospital Guild, the volunteer group that operates the show house made an agreement with Conseco, which now controls the property of their ex CEO, Hilbert. The estate was valued at $25 million several years ago and has been on the market since July (it's now listed at $20 million). An auction of the household possessions raised more than $750,000 in February 2005. The show house will run from April 29 to May 14 and is the first time the whole house has been open to the public. The pool house and sports area which includes a replica of Indiana University's basketball court, will also be on the tour. The show house raises money for programs for Wishard Hospital. The house will have 47 interior design areas and 17 landscape areas. Daily tours are $20 at the door and the opening night party is $100 per ticket so even if you can't afford this elaborate home you can at least go in and check it out.

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Tags: Conseco, estate of the day, indiana, EstateOfTheDay,Indiana, show house, stephen hilbert