MONTSORREL STILL ON THE MARKET

The 15-acre Palm Beach spread, “mountain of sorrows,” includes a French Regency-style main house with 44,000 sq ft. It was constructed with a lead foundation to keep moisture from the ocean out. There is a 16,000 sq ft guest-house, pool, tennis court and orchid greenhouse. Some of his collection of museum-quality impressionist paintings and French empire antiques are displayed. The loggia overlooks the Atlantic Ocean with glass walls that rise from the basement to keep out the rain. This palatial estate, featuring emerald green lawns, verdant hedges and lush flower gardens, is one of the most expensive in the US, up for sale for many years for $75MM. There have been complaints in the media about the amount of water consumption used daily for the estate, and that has been voluntarily reduced by about half by owner Nelson Peltz. He had to stop using his helicopter due to noise complaints by neighbors. Mr. Peltz has a reputation of building value for shareholders of companies he invests in; he is on various boards of large corporations. Note that he was a Wharton School dropout, and not noted in school days for math prowess… but he has earned fortunes over the years… a good example of how hard work can succeed.

1920’s SEASPRAY PALM BEACH HOUSE FOR SALE

Located in one of the oldest Palm Beach neighborhoods, it is just steps away from the heart of town. Living space inside and out is 3,574 sq ft including the guest cottage and is for sale for $2.75MM. With tropical landscaping abounding, there are 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths in the 2-story clapboard house. The lovely old-fashioned screened-in porch-and-loggia are 30’ long. The freeform swimming pool with a rough-rock border has heaters and jets that transform the pool into a whirlpool spa.

Like other homes of the 1920’s era, the floor plan revolves around a central foyer and staircase, with hardwood floors and a chair-rail. The living room fireplace has a white painted wood mantel. French Doors open to the porch and there are plantation shutters on the windows. The dining room ceiling is framed with deep crown moldings.

Two bedrooms are upstairs, the master with a window seat and a guest bedroom has a built-in desk and bookcases. The porch floor is Dade County Pine.

The lot measures 75’ x 122’ and has privacy landscaping. Deeded beach rights come with the house. The driveway ends at a wooden gate, and beyond are lush gardens, pool with waterfall, patios and grilling area. The separate guesthouse features one bedroom and bath, a cabana, living room and kitchen. French doors face the patio.

RAPPER 50 CENT 17-ACRE HOME IN CONNECTICUT

Looking for a school district with gifted and advanced placement programs where 94% of the students are college bound? Consider Farmington, Connecticut where there is a fabulous home available. You can get this17-acre 52-room mansion for half price right now, with price lowered to $10,900,000, owned by Rapper 50 Cent. Enter through beautiful wrought iron gates to circular stone driveway. Inside you will find 48,000 sq ft of living space. The estate features both an indoor and outdoor pool, gym and media viewing screen room. There are 21 bedrooms, 25 baths and an 8-car garage for your antique car collection. Floors are carpeted, wood, slate/stone. There is a formal dining room and 5 fireplaces, a Guest House and Balcony. This Professionally Landscaped, Lightly Wooded Cul-de-Sac property features a Full Basement with Walk Out. Farmington is in Hartford County. Property Taxes are $98,949.

HEADING TO NEW YORK CITY… TAKE THE FERRY TO HISTORIC STATEN ISLAND’S 83-ACRE SNUG HARBOR HISTORIC COMPLEX

The Snug Harbor Cultural Center was originally founded in 1801 as a haven for aged, decrepit and worn out sailors, with three buildings built in Greek Revival style. During the next 100 years, the complex expanded to 50 structures in a variety of styles including Beaux Arts, Renaissance Revival, 2nd Empire and Italianate. The 83-acre site also has Victorian decorative components and 900 residents from all over the world. By the turn of the 20th Century, Snug harbor was a self-sustaining community with working farm, dairy, bakery, chapel, sanatorium, hospital, music hall and cemetery, the richest charitable institution in the US. With financial difficulties in the mid-20th C., the number of residents dwindles and once grand structures fell into disrepair. Some were demolished. In the 1960’s the new New York City Landmarks Commission designated the remaining buildings as New York City’s first landmark structures and listed them on the National Register of Historic Places. Merged since 1977 with the Staten Island Botanical Garden, there are several beautiful gardens, all serving different purposes, on the grounds at Snug Harbor. There are visual arts presentations and performances are given on the grounds. See www.snug-harbor.org