“Come and listen to my story about a man named Jed...”
Oh, the song that could be heard blaring in living rooms across the country half a decade ago. America’s favorite rag-to-riches tv show, the Beverly Hillbillies was one of the most watched shows of all time. Well, if you were a fan, you will never forget the gorgeous mansion the mountaineers called home. Would you believe that this same home just hit the market for $350 million? Making it the country’s most expensive home for sale.
This historic mansion was the home to billionaire media tycoon, Jerry Perenchio, who passed away in May at the age of 86. Being the business genius that he was, in the 30 years that he lived in the mansion, he purchased five neighboring parcels of land – including the long-time home of Ronald Reagan. This acquisition of land nearly doubled the property to 10.3 acres.
The French style mansion, known as “Chartwell”, was originally built in 1933 by famed architect, Sumner Spaulding. It was a gift for a property developer’s wife. She hated it and never moved in, so it sat empty for about a decade. In the 40’s, the estate was sold to the Kirkeby who rented it out to be used in filming the “Beverly Hillbillies”. Nearly 40 years later, the chateau was sold to Perenchio for a whopping $13.5 million in 1986.
Now, in 2017, this amazing estate – with its huge lot, 25,000-square-foot main house, 5,700-square-foot guesthouse, sprawling 75 foot long pool, 40 car underground garage, lighted tennis court and immaculate gardens – is the country’s priciest listing.
So, who’s ready to pack up their belongings and move to Beverly Hills? Because this mansion, oh lordy, is swank.
