Step inside this lottery winner’s mansion in the mountains
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
A mountain retreat fit for a millionaire
Winning the lottery is pretty high up our wish list but receiving a $180 million (£142m) payout is something most people can only dream of. Back in 2014, one lucky construction executive from California found himself in that exact situation and he wasted no time investing the money in building a stunning mountain-top mansion with its own home cinema and steak house. Now up for sale for a cool $26 million (£20.5m), let's take a tour around this incredible property.
The offering
So, what kind of property will $180 million lottery win buy you? Well, this canny businessman decided to invest in a luxury venture which he calls the Eagle Crest Estate. Not content with the existing plans for a huge house, he bought up another 865 acres, a buffalo farm, a steakhouse serving his grass-fed buffalo steaks and a Wild West saloon.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Remote luxury ranch
Nestled in the remote California wilderness in San Bernardino County, this incredible one-of-a-kind mansion is perched on the top of its own 9,000-foot mountain. With 16,000 square feet of living space, the dreamy ranch-style home is the perfect luxury retreat for the mega-rich to escape the hustle and bustle of the world below.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Grand entrance
Upon arrival, you're greeted by a spacious double-height hallway that sets the tone for the rest of the house. The dramatic dark wooden staircase and sweeping flagstone floor create an entrance befitting of a grand chateau, complete with a ranch-style antler chandelier. The house may have looked quite different if it hadn't been for the lucky lottery winner – he expanded the plans for the mansion when he struck a deal to buy up the project.
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Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Show-stopping ceilings
With cathedral-like ceilings and curved timber beams, it’s not hard to see why this space is called the Great Room. Stunning full-height glazed doors open up onto a wraparound deck that looks out over the mountain peaks.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
State-of-the-art kitchen
The traditional country-inspired kitchen has an array of state-of-the-art appliances so that this lottery winner can cook up a storm in style. Marble flooring and hand-picked antique furnishings add an air of opulence to the large open-plan room.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Formal fireside dining
The home's formal dining room has a cosy, intimate feel, with a stone feature wall and a built-in wood-burning stove – perfect for family dinners during the colder winter months. Decorative wooden beams and a chandelier made from branches add an extra rustic touch.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Arrive in style
If you don’t fancy taking the stairs to the upper floors, you can always hop in the elevator. Spanning all three storeys, the lift features classic wooden panelling plus a brass plaque engraved with the name and logo of the estate – fancy!
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Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Bedrooms fit for royalty
The luxury chalet has five bedrooms, plus an additional one-bed apartment with its own entrance and fully-equipped kitchen. A huge master bedroom houses a king-sized bed, while a fireplace set into the stone feature wall helps keep the room toasty in the cooler months. Come evening, you can recline in the snug sitting area and watch the sunset over the verdant valley.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Wow-factor wardrobe
Just off the master bedroom is a walk-in wardrobe with enough space to make a Kardashian jealous. Fitted out with hanging rails, storage cupboards and even jewellery compartments, the room also has a sizeable safe in the corner to keep your most prized possessions safe and sound.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Opulent ensuite
This spacious ensuite oozes tranquility. Granite countertops and oak cabinets provide ample space for storing essentials, while a huge backlit mirror makes this the perfect spot to get ready to face the day. The walk-in shower comes complete with a rainfall head for a truly luxurious experience.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Creative decor
We love this quirky nautical-themed bedroom which, rather unconventionally, features two rowboats suspended from the ceiling. Sumptuous leather armchairs offer the perfect place to relax in the evening, while a bear skin rug completes the rustic woodland scheme.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
His-and-hers bathroom
Decked out in pale oak finishes, this bathroom features stylish his-and-hers sinks, so you'll never have to vie for the mirror again. There's even a chaise longue in case all that pampering becomes a little too much.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Lavish cinema room
Perfect for movie marathons, the amazing home cinema room has been decked out with an expansive screen and 17 leather seats, complete with plush padded headrests and handy cup holders in the arms. Cool purple strip lights and wall-mounted speakers complete the luxurious scheme.
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Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Professional home gym
This well-stocked gym has an impressive array of equipment, from a vast selection of weights to running machines and a punchbag. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows frame spectacular views over the Californian countryside – suddenly that gruelling workout doesn't sound so bad!
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Let off some steam
What newly-made millionaire doesn't want their own sauna? Once they’ve finished working out in the gym, there's the option of taking a long, indulgent steam. The sizeable space is finished in traditional wooden panelling for the ultimate Scandi-inspired escape.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
A Jacuzzi with a view
A dip in the sunken Jacuzzi is the perfect way to round off a day of hiking through the all-season trails in the mountains. You'll never tire of the home's natural surroundings, with their abundance of wildlife, waterfalls and towering Sequoia and Redwood trees. We can't imagine a better view than this!
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Colourful outdoor living areas
This show-stopping property isn't short of outdoor living space either. Step just outside the Great Room and you’ll find yourself on the delightful terrace, featuring vibrant floral-patterned chairs, a red sun umbrella and pot plants in complementary tones. Decorative iron balustrades zone off the patio from the rest of the sprawling grounds.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Manicured gardens
Staggered across several levels, the tiered gardens have been perfectly landscaped to create a private oasis in the wilderness. Incorporating sun loungers and small paved areas, there's plenty of space to sit and soak up the afternoon rays, while quirky footstep-style paths add a playful touch.
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Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Tranquil grounds
The chalet’s immediate grounds are just as spectacular as the scenery. Designed with indoor-outdoor living in mind, there's an outside kitchen, a stream and apple orchard. Two crystal clear ponds offer a tranquil spot for reflection after a long day exploring the woodlands.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Mountaintop vistas
The home’s wraparound terrace provides the ideal vantage point to take in those breathtaking mountain panoramas, stretching all the way from Little San Gorgonio through to the Salton Sea and Catalina Island in the distance.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Working the land
It’s not all kicking back and relaxing though, because this home comes with a job thrown in. Within the expansive grounds, you'll find a 45-strong buffalo ranch, along with a caretaker's house and two barns for equipment and hay storage. There are even several trailers, a tractor and a fire truck included in the sale so you can get right to work.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Steakhouse and saloon
If all that wasn't enough, you'll also be the proud new owner of the Oak Glen Steakhouse, which serves up meat from the buffalo herd, and a popular bar called the Wild West Saloon. With both located within the estate, your morning commute will be pretty swift!
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Plentiful parking
If you're a big fan of entertaining, you'll be relieved to know there's no shortage of parking spots on this vast lot. The property comes prepared with a roomy 4,100-square-foot, six-bay garage and an additional carport.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Powered by the sun
Despite all of its luxury facilities and indulgent extras, this enormous estate won't cost the earth to run thanks to its clever network of solar panels. With sunshine plentiful on the high peaks, it's converted into energy which powers the mammoth property – and no doubt cuts down the sizeable utility bills!
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Development potential
This lot is primed for future development too. If you travel down the rocky peak to 4,500 feet, you’ll find a clearing ready for a helipad so you can jet off at a moment's notice. The sale also includes 2.5 acres of vacant land so there's plenty of space to explore new business ventures.
Adrian Van Anz and Jason Speth
Truly unique California living
Listed by Strong Realtor, this vast mountain estate has been labelled one of the most beautiful and interesting properties in America, and for the bargain price of just $26 million, it could be yours!
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