Michael Jackson’s former home, Neverland Ranch, is now for sale, according to the Wall Street Journal. Real estate investment firm Colony Capital announced its intention to sell the property last summer, and now the sprawling, 2,700-acre ranch can be acquired for the sobering sum of $100 million.
Earlier reports suggested that the property might become a state park, or even a Graceland-like shrine to the the King of Pop. Instead, Colony Capital decided that it would perhaps be wiser not to create a tourist attraction from the residence/amusement park that became synonymous with numerous allegations of child sexual abuse. Probably better just to sell the estate outright.
While many of Neverland Ranch’s more well-known curiosities—including those amusement park rides—have already been dismantled or auctioned off, the estate still offers unique amenities to the well-heeled tycoon. In addition to the 12,000-square-foot Normandy-style mansion, there’s a train station, a large floral clock, swimming pool with cabana, and, or course, the creeping sense of malaise, as one ponders the metaphorical significance of a private stage that’s outfitted with trap doors, ostensibly for entertaining children with magic.
The agents handling the listing are acutely aware that showings for the $100 million estate could easily devolve into a de facto free tour of the late singer’s monument to his own arrested development. Therefore, “extensive prequalification” is being conducted and showings are being minimized—which is real estate-speak for telling the 99 percent to “just beat it.”