ranch

Aspen Contractor Says Abramovich Stiffed Him

Filed under: Estates, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

A contractor in Aspen, Colorado has filed a lien against Roman Abramovich, claiming the Russian billionaire stiffed him on work performed on Wildcat Ridge (above), the oligarch's $36 million ranch perched above Snowmass Village. The modern 11-bedroom mansion has a dramatic folded plate roof and a large moss rock wall dividing the east and west wings of the building, and uses geothermal wells to heat the interiors and indoor pool. Vogelman West Associates, a masonry and stone contractor, filed the lien in Pitkin County against Abramovich Roman Trailhead Property Management Inc. after trying to collect on an outstanding $5,000 invoice, the Aspen Daily News reports. Given the relatively paltry amount of the debt, we assume one of Abramovich's minions simply forgot to take care of it; then again, he didn't get rich by writing a lot of checks.

Tags: Aspen, Colorado, ranch, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, wealth, Wildcat Ridge

Casino King Bill Harrah's Former Ranch in Reno for Sale at $75 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Rancharrah, an incredible 150 acre equestrian estate located in Reno, Nevada that belonged to casino king Bill Harrah has been listed for sale at $75 million via Distinctive Homes Sotheby's International Realty. Harrah's eldest son, John Harrah, purchased Rancharrah from the family trust in 1991 and under John's direction it has become one of the most exquisite equine facilities in the nation. The main house, originally built in 1934, was torn down and a new house was built based on the original floor plan. The new six bedroom residence features a dramatic central stairway and the use of exceptional materials and finishes throughout. The luxe amenities include numerous fireplaces, barn, carriage house, exercise room, art studio, gardens, horse facilities that include a huge indoor arena, pastures, stables, staff quarters plus a private lake and mountain views. There is 36,000-sq.-ft. of living space in all.

Gallery: Rancharrah

Tags: Bill Harrah, casinos, equestrian, equestrian estate, estate, lake, Nevada, ranch, Reno

Waiki'i Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is an interesting case of a style of architecture in a different place. We usually see massive log cabins in Wyoming or Montana but Waiki'i Ranch is in Kamuela, Hawaii. The 53-acre working ranch includes a four-bedroom main house, a one-bedroom guest cottage and a seven stall stable. There is also a riding arena and a tractor barn. The main house is constructed of massive cedar logs, hand selected from the forests of Canada. Not a single nail was used in the joining of the logs. The house was constructed initially in Canada then deconstructed and recreated in Hawaii log by log with precise joinery, chiseled by hand for a perfect fit. The ranch has 360 degree views of the ocean all the way down the Gold Coast north and south with views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai and the mountains of North Kohala but inside you'd think you were tucked into a Big Sky hideaway . This property is listed at $18.5 million.

Gallery: Waiki'i Ranch

Tags: estate of the day, hawaii real estate, kamuel kai, ranch

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Six Top Luxury Ranches For Sale

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Is this the time to indulge your hankering' and buy yourself a not-so-modest spread in Wyoming, Montana, or Colorado? After all, just three months ago, Texas billionaire Kelcy Warren picked up the Boot Jack Ranch in southwest Colorado for a mere $46.5 million; the ranch was originally listed two years before at $88 million. At the time, it was the highest price residential sale in the country for 2010 -- a short-lived record surpassed by a Bel-Air home a few weeks later.

But if a guy like Warren can get half off the price of a ranch with of 3,000 pristine wilderness acres, 6 lakes and 7 miles of world-class fly fishing on the West Fork of the San Juan River -- not to mention the 14,000-square-foot home -- might now not be the time for the rest of us to get in touch with our inner cowboy?

Lest you think Warren got the only real deal out there: A Bozeman-area ranch, once listed at $39 million, just closed escrow at $11.5 million. Another ranch in southwest Montana, which at its peak listed for $60 million, just sold for below $30 million. In southern Colorado, a ranch that once sported a price tag of $100 million, has a new owner who paid about $46 million for it.

But before you jump in the saddle, you might want to hold your horses, literally. There's more than meets the eye about what constitutes value in ranch land and it's not just acreage alone.

(First, let's eliminate those ranches that Luxist readers likely wouldn't consider: The ones that are in the middle of nowhere, have no pretty views, and their value is based on things like the dependability of the precipitation, the strength of the grass and the quality of livestock water. i think we can safely eliminate most of Western Nebraska and Eastern Montana, maybe even Eastern Colorado.)

What features drive up the price of a luxury ranch? Oddly enough, it's privacy.

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Tags: bell ranch, bullis creek ranch, dana ranch, escape ranch, florida real estate, gutierrez cattle ranch, montana real estate, oregon real estate, ranch, ranches for sale

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The Classicist: Rash of New World Records Says "The Rich Are Back"

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Art, The Classicist, Wealth

Following an incredible number of record-breaking sales of some of the world's most expensive items, from cars to art to watches, diamonds and estates, that have taken place just in the past two weeks, we are hereby making an official declaration: The Rich Are Back. While the economic recovery has been slow to materialize in some quarters, those with the money to make multimillion-dollar purchases are suddenly not shy about dropping the coin. The megabucks deals mean an optimistic outlook has finally taken a firm hold, and the wealthy no longer feel the need to pinch their pennies in the fear that more hard times could be lurking right around the corner. We say it's about time too.

In one hectic twelve-day period, from May 3 to May 14, we saw the record-breaking sales of a $106 million Picasso painting; a $50 million mansion in Bel-Air; a $46 million ranch in Colorado; a $40 million Bugatti; a $32 million Warhol self-portrait; a $26 million Jasper Johns painting; an $18 million Ferrari; an $8 million blue diamond; and a $5 million Patek Philippe chronograph – about $330 million worth of the world's most expensive possessions. The astonishing sales have given an immediate boost to the art, classic cars, real estate and collector's timepieces markets, many of which faltered in the wake of the economic downturn, losing billions of dollars in value. Here's a rundown of the nine history-making deals as they unfolded over the twelve-day whirlwind of wealth disbursement; see the gallery for images:

Gallery: The Return of the Rich

Picasso, <i>Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust</i>

Tags: Andy Warhol, art, auction, Bel-Air, Bootjack Ranch, Bugatti, Chris Evans, Christies, chronograph, classic cars, Colorado, contemporary art, diamond, estates, Ferrari, Ferrari 250 GTO, Jasper Johns, Michael Crichton, Pablo Picasso, Patek Philippe, Picasso, ranch, real estate, The Rich, world record, worlds most expensive

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N Bar Ranch Listed at $45 Million

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

If you've got a spare $45 million you can get into the ranching business. The Wall Street Journal's Private Properties reports that billionaire software entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Siebel is selling his 62,000-acre Montana cattle ranch for $45 million.

The N Bar Ranch is located about 90 miles north of Billings, Montana and is one of the state's oldest and largest cattle ranches. The ranch has a carrying capacity estimated at over 2,000 animals and offers a varied landscape that includes meadows, pastures, timber and open range. It also has extensive wildlife and fishery resources with elk and deer, antelope, wild turkey, pheasant, and more in residence. The N Bar Ranch is also crisscrossed with perennial streams and wild trout habitat. It has a 2,500-square-foot farmhouse, a guest house and an airstrip. The listing pics showcase the incredible wildlife and vistas that this ranch has to offer. The listing is here.

Tags: ranch, ranch for sale, RanchForSale, Tom Seibel, TomSeibel

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Steve McQueen Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Steve McQueen didn't live too long in this 15-acre ranch in Santa Paula, California but it does reflect a bit of the spirit of the King of Cool. McQueen and his third wife, Barbara Minty moved to the ranch in 1979 and were married in the home's living room in January 1980, sadly, McQueen died later that year. This ranch includes an 1892 house with unique details like stained glass windows and vintage fireplaces. The home has been updated since McQueen's time at the ranch and has a new kitchen and wine room. Some rooms, however, still look in need of a bit of a refresher.

The ranch's property includes three acres of Syrah vineyards, fruit trees, an equestrian facility and an airplane hanger where McQueen once kept his extensive car and motorcycle collection and his biplane. This property is listed at $1.95 million.

[via the LA Times Hot Property]

Gallery: Steve McQueen Ranch

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Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, ranch, steve mcqueen, SteveMcqueen

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Live a Luxurious Ranch Lifestyle at Maytag Mountain Ranch in Colorado

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Green, Real Estate Developments

You can always buy a ranch fill your closet with Western togs, but if the Old West has always captured your imagination, you can take it one step further and buy a homestead at Maytag Mountain Ranch in Hillside, Colorado.

This working cattle ranch, a project of slow food advocate Russ Maytag, is set on 3,000 acres at the foot of Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and 100 acre homesteads are for sale. Purchase one of the 14 lots still available -- priced from $879,000 to $1.5 million -- and you also get a 1/27th ownership share of the still-operating cattle ranch, which raises certified organic produce and livestock. The income from the ranch provides income for the housing association, plus, your kitchen will be stocked with your very own dairy, grass-fed beef and produce, and if you want, you can even participate in the ranching. (And if you don't, you can leave it to the ranch staff.) Owners get one month's use of the association's two guest cabins, as well as access to a "Cookhouse", or a clubhouse, which is available for hanging out and parties.

And what would a homestead be without a horse? If you don't have your own, the Ranch Association owns six, and there's room to board your own steeds on site.

Gallery: Maytag Ranch, Colorado

Tags: colorado, ranch, ranch for sale, RanchForSale, slow food, SlowFood

Bill Gates Buys Buffalo Bill's Ranch for $9 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the world's richest man, has reportedly purchased Irma Lake Lodge in Wyoming, a 492-acre ranch that once belonged to Western legend "Buffalo Bill" Cody, for $8.9 million. The deal was done via Gates' investment manager, the Cody Enterprise reports. The Shoshone Forest borders the beautiful property (above) on two sides and the terrain varies from open knolls to thick conifer forests, aspen groves and rocky outcroppings. Dotted across the ranch are four lakes and three picturesque ponds.

Named by Buffalo Bill after his youngest daughter, Irma Lake is the largest body of water with approximately 12 acres. The estate includes a 15,000-square-foot contemporary log cabin-style main residence (below) with with expansive open spaces and patios, a five-bedroom guesthouse, stables, Buffalo Bill's original cabin, a caretaker's house, and a dairy cabin. In addition to amazing views, there are several species of fish to be found on the property as well as "some of the finest big game hunting the west has to offer."

Gallery: Irma Lake

Tags: Bill Gates, BillGates, fishing, hunting, lake, ranch, Wyoming

Bell Ranch Expands Land, Cuts Price

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

I first covered the offering of the Bell Ranch in 2007. The New Mexico ranch is still on the market and the deal has gotten better. The Bell Ranch, which was assembled by William N. Lane nearly 40 years ago, is now being offered with an additional 40,100 acres of canyon country and productive pastureland. The additional acreage contains abundant habitat for deer, turkey, bear, and an emerging population of elk, plus water features unique in the region. This brings the Bell Ranch total to 290,100 +/- contiguous fully-deeded acres, or over 453 square miles.

The Bell Ranch features Bell Mountain and a a 10,832-square feet hacienda with swimming pool and tennis courts The property includes a general manager residence and lake house, ranch offices, stables, barns, garage and storage facilities. Cowboy camps are located throughout the property. The Bell Ranch airfield (8,200' x 75' lighted dirt airstrip) has a large hangar.

The ranch is now listed a per-acre price that is 22 percent below its original listing price. At $99 million or $341 per acre for the land, and $4 million for the livestock and equipment, The Bell Ranch offers a lot of room to roam for your $103 million. The property was listed at $115 million when I covered it in 2007.

Gallery: Bell Ranch

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Tags: bell ranch, BellRanch, cattle ranch, CattleRanch, new mexico, NewMexico, property, ranch

Val Kilmer Asks $33 Million for New Mexico Ranch

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

After failing to sell parcels of his 6,000-acre Pecos River ranch in New Mexico, actor Val Kilmer has now listed the entire estate for $33 million. The 49-year-old star, who recently announced that he may run for governor of New Mexico next year, says he's listing the property so that "someone who has the time and the finances" can maintain and preserve it, the Wall St. Journal reports. Back in 2006 my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported that Kilmer was offering an 1,800 acre parcel for $18 million.

The ranch, which features six miles of trout fishing, canyons, pine forests, a stable and a rock quarry, is about 25 miles southeast of Santa Fe. The main house is a 5,600-sq.-ft. log and stucco contemporary with four bedrooms. There are also two one bedroom guest houses and a two bedroom foreman's house. The star of The Doors and Batman Forever assembled the impressive property, which remains largely unspoiled, about 13 years ago.

Gallery: Val Kilmer's Pecos River Ranch

Tags: actor, celebrity, celebrity real estate, CelebrityRealEstate, fishing, New Mexico, NewMexico, ranch, river, Val Kilmer, ValKilmer

Lance Armstrong's Texas Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Bicycle champ and serial dater of celebrity blond beauties, Lance Armstrong is putting his Texas vacation home on the market. Armstrong, who also has a fancy home in Austin, owns a 447.8 acre ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. The ranch includes ownership in Deadman's Hole, a beautiful swimming hole that has a giant waterfall. According to the Real Estalker, the 17 neighboring landowners all have deeded rights to the swimming hole. In 2005, Armstrong ran afoul of his neighbors when he started building a dam on a creek on his property that feeds into the swimming hole. The neighbors said that the dam construction ended up muddying the clear waters of Deadman's Hole. Armstrong paid around $850,000 to solve the whole mess including clean-up costs and legal fees.

The ranch includes a four-bedroom main house built in 2003 as well as a one bedroom guest house. The main house has great views of the surrounding countryside. Built for entertaining, the home has an open floor plan with a kitchen, dining room and living room in one central area. The second floor features a cozy media room for watching television. The outdoor space includes a grill, patios and dining and lounging options. The guest cottage matches the main house in its rustic charm. There is also a pool and a spa and the acreage includes seven miles of bike trails. This home is listed at $12 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Lance Armstrong's Texas Ranch

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Tags: celebrity real estate, CelebrityRealEstate, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, lance armstrong, LanceArmstrong, ranch, texas

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Flying G Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Real estate agents Hall and Hall usually specialize in ranches across the West but the 5,000-acre Flying G Ranch is located near Okeechobee, Florida, about 60 miles northwest of West Palm Beach. The Flying G is a 5,000+/- acre shooting/working cattle ranch located about eight miles north of Okeechobee City, Florida, the beef capital of Florida and it can hold 1,000 cattle. There's a five-bedroom lodge and cottages for guests and employees. The Wall Street Journal's Private Properties reports that one co-owner is Tucker Frederickson, the top NFL pick in 1965 and the other owner is real-estate developer Stephen Myers. There are areas for quail shooting and the land includes deer, turkey and wild hog populations. Other features include a six-stall horse barn, fire pit and barbecue which will accommodate 30 people. The property also includes a five -stand clay course, rifle and target range, bass pond and 400' zip line, dog kennels, bird flight pens and a helicopter pad. All yours for $50 million.

Gallery: Flying G Ranch

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Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, florida, ranch

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Three Forks Ranch Opens For Guests

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The Three Forks Ranch located on a huge 200,000 acre spread along the Colorado-Wyoming border, is a new ranch destination combining fly fishing, horseback riding, sport clay shooting and other rugged activities, along with the sumptuous experience of a luxury resort and spa. The 30,000-square-foot lodge has 15 rooms and details like giant-beamed cathedral ceilings and European hand-carved paneling. The 15 guest rooms have antique oriental rugs, silk-linen wallpaper, Bellisari Italian linens, Chadsworth & Haig robes and L'Occitane toiletries and all rooms in the lodge have views of the Little Snake River Valley.

The lodge's Oxbow dining room offers gourmet meals, afternoon teas and wine tastings. The Roaring Fork Spa has hot tubs, soaking pools, and four massage and treatment rooms, with treatments such as Little Snake River Stone Therapy, Sportsman's Relief Massage and the Catch-and-Release Body Wrap.

The owners of the Three Forks Lodge have gone to great lengths to restore the fish population. A plan led by hydrologist Dr. Dave Rosgen of Wildland Hydrology was developed to reduce erosion, plant new vegetation and develop wetlands, creating the largest privately funded river restoration in U.S. history and a pristine fly-fishing environment. The Three Forks Ranch fishing guides offer custom fishing opportunities for novices and those with more skills. Fishing for brook, cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout is all catch-and-release. The summer fly-fishing season runs through October 31, 2008 and the winter season which begins December 15, 2008 offers cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, alpine skiing excursions to nearby Steamboat Springs, sleigh rides and dogsledding. All rates include lodging, meals, guide, horseback riding, hiking, four-wheeling, and sporting clays and one massage treatment. A four-night room in a deluxe room costs $5000.

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Tags: fly fishing, luxury, ranch, spa, three forks ranch, ThreeForksRanch, vacation, wyoming

Upper Mesa Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

We don't have any interior pictures on this one but you won't be spending millions of dollars for a 2,500-square-foot, three-bedroom home anyway. With Upper Mesa Ranch, located in the San Juan National Forest in Archuleta County, Colorado, the worth is the land. The property is 340 acres with water rights and it includes a two-acre, trout-stocked pond, ample horse property, trails for riding, hiking and cross-country skiing and a wide variety of wildlife that includes elk, eagles, turkey and bears. It is located 30 minutes from the town of Pagosa Springs.

The house is knotless-cedar custom home with a 500-square-foot loft, three-car garage and covered deck for taking in the views over the unspoiled landscape. The property also includes a horse barn with three stalls, tack room, porch and outdoor corral and a gazebo. It is listed at $8,000,000.

Gallery: Upper Mesa Ranch