indiana real estate

Zionsville, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates

If you need room to roam today's home has it. The home is on 62 acres of land in Zionsville, Indiana that is zoned with four building sites for future homes. The property also includes a 15-acre stocked lake. Sitting on the lake is an intriguing three-bedroom home. It is a converted barn that has been turned into a luxury residence with some unique lines. There is a double-height great room described in the listing as a "party arena." The home also comes with storage for cars, boats, ATVs and other toys. This home is listed at $3.5 million.

Gallery: Zionsville, Estate of the Day

Tags: estate of the day, indiana real estate, zionsville

Continue reading “Zionsville, Estate of the Day”

Conseco Mansion Sells For a Song To Lucas Motor Oil President

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

It seems to be a good week for unloading hard-to-sell megahouses. First we heard about the sale price for Dunellen Hall, now in Indiana the pink palace known as Le Chateau Renaissance has sold for $3 million to Forrest Lucas, founder and president of Lucas Oil motor oil. The home is the former estate of Stephen Hilbert, the one-time head of the firm Conseco. Conseco, which is now insurance company CNO Financial Group Inc. put the home up for auction earlier this year. CNO took the house in 2005 after a dispute with Hilbert over millions he borrowed from the company to buy its stock.

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. WIBC says that Lucas and his wife Charlotte toured the home in 2008 but didn't make an offer. He opened negotiations five weeks ago after hearing that the property might be divided into smaller units. At first his bid of $3 million was rejected but after another deal fell through an arrangement was made.

Tags: carmel, estate, forrest lucas, indiana, indiana real estate, lucas oil

Continue reading “Conseco Mansion Sells For a Song To Lucas Motor Oil President”

Le Chateau Renaissance Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Auctions

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

Historic Indiana Hotel Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Real Estate Developments

A historic hotel in Muncie, Indiana will be auctioned off next month. The Roberts Hotel will be auctioned July 14 by Indianapolis-based auction company, Key Auctioneers. The eight-story hotel has hosted five presidents and numerous celebrities since opening in 1922, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The court-ordered auction will take place July 14 at 10 a.m. at the hotel. Local businessmen, including namesake George Roberts, commissioned architect Charles W. Nicol to design a grand hotel that would be "the showplace of Muncie." For most of its history it was the most elegant hotel in the area. The red brick exterior has indigenous Indiana limestone ornamentation and the inside includes ornate plasterwork and a two-story lobby with nine skylights.

Tags: hotel auction, hotel for sale, indiana real estate, muncie, MuncieIndiana

Continue reading “Historic Indiana Hotel Up For Auction”