Jefferson nickel collectors - You can buy Monticello

TopographicOceans

Or a least a replica.

If you're a big fan of Jefferson nickels, you can travel to Virginia, pay $20 and tour Monticello, the home Jefferson built. However, if you're super rich, you can spend millions to build your own version, even if you never plan to spend the night.

Friendly's Ice Cream co-founder Prestley Blake spent $7.5 million to painstakingly build his own Monticello in Somers, Conn. But he only used it once to throw a party for his 100th birthday.

Blake invested the money even though he knew he'd never recoup what he spent on his presidential party pad. The mansion is on the market for $6.5 million, but only to the right person. The owner is so picky, he wants to interview all potential buyers.

Meltdown

That is ridiculously cool.

crazyhounddog

I'd buy it but I short on cash this week.

OldEastside

Ya, that would be cool

Steve

mirabela

That is wicked cool ...

oih82w8

I don't think that I would pass the interview...and that kinda of cash would be another issue.

keets

every American should visit at least two National Historic sights, Monticello and Gettysburg.

golden

<< <i>every American should visit at least two National Historic sights, Monticello and Gettysburg.


>>



I have visited those two and hundreds more.

Overdate

Video

garrynot

I wonder if it's two stories like Monticello.

steveben

i hear some of the front steps are missing though.

crazyhounddog

<< <i>i hear some of the front steps are missing though. >>



Good one!!!!

OldIndianNutKase

Topographic Oceans, your post brings back a great memory of Prestley Blake when he built a magnificent and authentic Dutch colonial mansion in Suffield, Conn. My house would have fit into the attic of this house. The builder even hand carved hunt scenes into the walnut wainscotting in the library. At least three years in construction. But he never lived in it. His wife was showing it off to her friends and they told her that she would be isolated from Springfield, Mass. society way out in Suffield. And she decided she did not want the house. A divorce followed and the house was sold to the CEO of a large pharmaceutical corporation.

I left Connecticut in 1974 and lost track of this house, except for the 24 car garage the new owner added.

It is special to hear that Prestley was able to build another masterpiece away from Springfield society in Somers. Somers is SW of Springfield and Suffield is SE of Springfield. I am sure it is magnificent and well worth the asking price. I hope to find the offering brochure to see the details.

OINK

ricko

Heck of a hobby... building a replica house..... but like coins, a profit is not guaranteed.... Cheers, RickO

Broadstruck

If you type in the address into Goggle Earth you can see the word "COPY" stamped into the roof

Seriously I watched all the construction videos last year and this was one heck of an achievement to have brought from concept to completion in 1 year.

GotTheBug

.

DaveWcoins

From the people I have met over the years who can afford a $6.5 million house, I don't know any who would consent to an interview to see if they are worthy of spending their own money to buy someone else's property.

OldEastside

<< <i>i hear some of the front steps are missing though. >>



Actually Blake's Monticello does indeed have one less step than Jefferson's Monticello.

Steve

johnny9434

interesting to say the least.

Broadstruck

<< <i>From the people I have met over the years who can afford a $6.5 million house, I don't know any who would consent to an interview to see if they are worthy of spending their own money to buy someone else's property. >>



It's not just a house to Prestley Blake as this project was like his baby...

So I can see him wanting it go to someone that apprentices it's history and not see it on Yo MTV Cribs.

Till then it actually selling or the loss are all secondary as he and his wife Helen donate far more to charity each year.