We’ve been following this story for years about the 16,330sf house in Olivenhain, and now it’s finally on the market, listed for $2,700,000. The basics are covered in the video, but this article fills in some of the extra details: Link to NYTimes article
I could see it being turned into a bed and breakfast. Or a nice place to park the exchange students in the area. Still, in current form it reminds me of a monastery.
The first thing that crossed my mind when seeing the sacrifice room was “basketball court.”
To be honest, that place was a monstrosity. There wasn’t anything there that I really liked. And what were those decorations along the bottom of the walls? Were they actually power outlets? If so, what’s the size of the electrical service for that place? It must have its own shed!
$165/sqft – It’s a steal!
Heavens Gate II
I heard Heidi Fleiss may be starung up again?
Yes, the whole place looks like a Spanish Mission. Bleah.
It’s too small to be an orphanage, too ghastly to be a B&B (and good luck with the zoning/permitting on either), far too large to be a single-family dwelling, and the second floor pretty much rules out a senior center.
strange place to ……….
That entire story makes me sad. So much energy and money was put into that house, and it really shows, IMHO. It’s supposed to be very energy efficient, too. The walls are made of thick styrofoam (with rebar), and everything was computer controled, IIRC.
Would be a good hangout for a biker gang.
Wonder how the neighbors would like that.
I agree with ca renter, I love what they did to the place and the intent. It seems that despite the thought and taste that went into the house, the leader of the project was more of a dreamer and not enough of a businessperson. It really is too bad.
Who build a bomber like that sans the sweat lodge?
Place still looks great, but can’t believe they paid $4 million to build this. But I guess it wasn’t her money so what’s the harm in overpaying.
The looting always sounded like an inside job. Not necessarily her, but someone who knew about the house. Vandals don’t just randomly wander around for vacant lots to unbolt upgrades.
Shadash nailed it. The buyer isn’t going to be someone interested in starting an orphanage. It is likely to be someone who refers to it as a “compound.”
Wow, that courtyard was beautiful, like your own private Spanish village square. I loved the details, including the imported doors and accents. Someone did that right, which is not easy to pull off.
And man. KEEP the ballroom. How many people have an actual ballroom these days? Imagine the parties!
Many counties and cities have mandated use exceptions allowing some residential properties to be operated as small, private caregiving facilities for the elderly that require 24 hour care. There are several successfully operated homes in upscale desert areas with only 4-5 residents. Very expensive, but the only solution for some families. This home seems like a perfect fit for that use.
Desert Realtor-most of the suites were upstairs-not good for the eldery.
What would the going rate to rent out one of these suites on a monthly basis, just to make it a boarding house type of thing? According to my math, you would have to charge a grand or so a month to be profitable at $2.7 million. Maybe one could provide meal service as well, but still, I’m not sure if you could get 17 people to pay a grand each for just a room and a bathroom (Each bedroom does have a private bathroom, right? 17 beds/17 baths?)
At the price of the complex adding a couple of elevators would not be that expensive. For assisted living it would not be that steep.
Didn’t this not sell at the steps for like 1.8 mil or something like that?