Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch has been pulled off the market after failing to sell for almost 5 years.

 Look inside the 2,700-acre property that was once asking $100 million.

michael jackson ranch
Jackson's former property was listed for $100 million in 2015. 
Jim Bartsch
  • Michael Jackson's famed Neverland Ranch has been pulled off the market after almost five years of price cuts, renovations, and a new name, Compass confirmed to Business Insider.
  • The rebranded Sycamore Valley Ranch was last asking $31 million — less than a third of its original asking price.
  • Jackson's former ranch boasts a 12,598-square-foot main residence, two guest houses, a lake, a 50-seat movie theater, and a Disney-themed train station.
Michael Jackson's famed Neverland Ranch has been pulled off the market after almost five years and multiple price cuts.Originally listed for $100 million in 2015 under a new identity as Sycamore Valley Ranch, the ranch was discounted to $67 million two years later, and then relisted again for $31 million in 2019.
The 2,700-acre property in Los Olivos, California, where Jackson lived for more than 15 years, includes a French-Normandy style main residence, two guest houses, a lake, a 50-seat movie theater, a 14-foot lagoon-style pool, a dance studio, barns, staff facilities, and a Disney-themed train station.
Kyle Forsyth of Compass, one of the former listing agents for the ranch, says that the agents representing the ranch found interested potential buyers, but no deal could be reached with the seller, Colony Capital.
Colony Capital, the private investment firm that manages the ranch, "has not re-listed and recent inquiries for showings have been declined or gone unanswered," Forsyth said. 
Jackson, who bought the property for $19.5 million in 1987, defaulted on a loan after financial hardships and entered Neverland into an ownership agreement with Colony Capital in 2008 for $23 million, according to ABC News.

Welcome to Sycamore Valley Ranch, the former Neverland Ranch that once belonged to Michael Jackson.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch
Jackson originally purchased the property for $19.5 million in 1987.

The 2,700-acre property was put up for sale for $100 million in 2015, but it has since been taken off the market after almost five years of price cuts and renovations

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch
The ranch was last on the market in 2019 for $31 million — a nearly 70% discount from its original asking price.
Kyle Forsyth of Compass, one of the former listing agents for the ranch, told Business Insider that the agents representing the ranch found interested potential buyers, but no deal could be reached with the seller, Colony Capital.
Colony Capital, the private investment firm that manages the ranch, "has not re-listed and recent inquiries for showings have been declined or gone unanswered," Forsyth said.

The ranch spans 2,700 acres in Los Olivos, California, about 130 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

michael jackson ranch
Bill Dewey

Under Jackson's ownership, Neverland Ranch was a Peter-Pan inspired fantasyland with an amusement park, exotic animals ...

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

... and a Disney-themed train station.

michael jackson ranch
The Disney-themed train station at Michael Jackson's former ranch. 
Jim Bartsch
Jackson famously threw parties and held events at the ranch, including a 14th birthday party for Kim Kardashian, who called the ranch "the most magical place on earth."

But in 1993, Jackson and his home made headlines when child sexual abuse allegations were brought against him.

Michael Jackson
Hector Mata/Associated Press
He would go on to defend himself against more lawsuits over the next decade, which contributed to his mounting debt. By 2008, he faced foreclosure on Neverland Ranch.

After he defaulted on a loan, Jackson entered Neverland into an ownership agreement with private investment firm Colony Capital for $23 million in 2008.

Michael Jackson
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
SourceABC News

Colony Capital spent millions restoring the ranch after Jackson's death in 2009.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Neverland Ranch was rebranded Sycamore Valley Ranch and put on the market for $100 million in 2015.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch
SourceABC News

It was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch for the rolling hills, majestic sycamore trees, magnificent oaks, and manicured grounds that the Santa Ynez Valley is known for.

Michael Jackson
Phil Klein/Reuters
There are several possible reasons why Sycamore Valley Ranch had trouble selling.
michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch
Most obvious, of course, is the property's well-publicized connection with Jackson.
"It was priced where it was in the beginning to capture a celebrity trophy buyer, someone that was willing to pay the extra money because it was Michael Jackson's," real estate expert Michael Corbett, the host of Extra's "Mansions and Millionaires," told Yahoo Entertainment. "Unfortunately now, since there's been a lot of negative press, someone is probably not going to purchase it for that reason ... Now someone's going to buy it because it's an amazing piece of real estate."
The property's location could also be unappealing to some buyers. According to Zillow real estate expert Brendon DeSimone, the property sits about 130 miles northeast of Los Angeles and five miles from Los Olivos, which is outside of the proliferation of the area's highest-end homes.

Village Properties real-estate broker Wayne S. Natale told Bloomberg that it's typical for properties listed for more than $3 million in Santa Ynez Valley to be on the market for two to three years.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch
But Jackson's former ranch was priced well above $3 million and sat on the market for nearly five years.

The Sycamore Valley Ranch is secured by a gate, and a long, scenic road weaves through the property grounds.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

The property boasts a 12,598-square-foot French-Normandy style residence with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

The mansion is crafted with exposed timber beams, brick and stonework, five fireplaces, and 18th-century French oak parquet flooring from two chateaus in France.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Entering through the front doors brings you inside to the spacious main foyer. The door to the right connects to the kitchen.

Michael Jackson
Phil Klein/Reuters

Large golden chandeliers hang over the lofted main entryway.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

Down a few sets of stairs from the foyer is the main living room with two fireplaces.

Michael Jackson
Phil Klein/Reuters

Walking back through the main foyer under an arched doorway brings you to the newly renovated kitchen.

Michael Jackson
Phil Klein/Reuters

Though the main house is unoccupied, a full-time staff keeps the kitchen pristine.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press
Sycamore Valley Ranch has a guest house about 150 feet from the main house.
michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Walking through the kitchen to the main dining room, you'll find more wall-length windows that offer a view of the backyard.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

A hallway lined with windows connects you from the dining room to other rooms on the first floor.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

There are eight bathrooms in the main residence. This one features a copper bathtub.

Michael Jackson
Phil Klein/Reuters

Down the hallway is the first-floor master bedroom where the King of Pop slept. The master includes a private loft and two baths, two walk-in cedar-lined closets, and a private outdoor garden.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

A massive walk-in closet connects you to the master bedroom and bathroom. Jackson stored valuables in a "secret room" hidden around the corner in his closet, according to the Associated Press.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

The master bathroom sports a sunken bathtub and is surrounded by large windows.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

Exiting the master bedroom will bring you back to the hallway. Continue down the hallway back to the foyer and you'll find a staircase.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

Moving up the stairs to the second floor, you'll find four bedrooms. Here is an upstairs bedroom with polished oak flooring.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

Walking down a hallway will lead you to another bedroom with white carpeting and walls lined with shelves.

Michael Jackson
Phil Klein/Reuters

Coming back down the stairs to the first floor, you'll see doors across the main entryway that lead you to the back grounds of the ranch.

Michael Jackson
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

The property's grounds include two guest houses, a lake, a 50-seat movie theater, a tennis court, a lagoon-style pool, a pool house, barns, and separate staff facilities.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Next to the pool house is a sunken, lighted tennis court with a viewing area.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

The grounds of the property are extensively manicured ...

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

... full of stone work and colorful flower beds.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

The property features a four-acre lake with two fountains, swans, boat stops, and a private beach.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Whimsical statues can be seen around the grounds.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Other playful touches include this tree, which has a set of steps to climb up.


A gazebo complete with lighting and a grill offers a space for outdoor entertaining.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Although Sycamore Valley Ranch no longer has exotic animals like elephants, you can still find pigs, lambs, and a llama on the property.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

The ranch's large red barn was built originally for Clydesdales.

michael jackson neverland
Jim Bartsch

Neverland Ranch used to include an amusement park. But Colony Capital turned the area into a "zen garden" when it purchased the ranch in 2008.

Michael Jackson
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

But the owners did decide to keep Jackson's famous Neverland train station during renovations.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Train tracks weave all around the property ...

Michael Jackson
Phil Klein/Reuters

... along with train stops.

michael jackson ranch
Jim Bartsch

Children and adults both used to ride in the train when Jackson threw parties, like during this holiday celebration in 2004.

Michael Jackson
Associated Press

Jackson lived on the ranch for more than 15 years.

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