Mansions for sale with massive secrets
Hidden diners, basement speakeasies and more...
In the auspicious world of luxury homes, sprawling square footage and state-of-the-art amenities are pretty unremarkable. For a plush property that truly stands out from the crowd, it's all about what's hidden from view. From indoor trampoline parks to hidden opera venues and secret speakeasys, these magnificent mansions for sale harbour unexpected features that have to be seen to be believed. Click or scroll on to discover their secrets...
Custom Calabasas estate, California, USA: $3.8 million (£3.1m)
Californian mansions are known for their lavish amenities—we've all heard about The One, haven't we? From luxe swimming pools and bowling alleys to Louis Vuitton furnishings, we're used to seeing plenty of bling, but some properties on America's west coast come with features that you simply wouldn't be able to guess existed. From the outside, this property is ordinary enough, but head inside and things take a turn for the unusual...
Custom Calabasas estate, California, USA: $3.8 million (£3.1m)
Positioned on a two-acre lot inside the gated community of Hidden Hills West Estates, the house measures an impressive 11,000 square feet and across its three floors, you'll find a double-height entrance hall, numerous formal living rooms, a massive quartz kitchen, six bedrooms, and six bathrooms—some of which are draped in black marble. Everywhere you look you'll spot high-end details, such as hand-blown Murano glass light fixtures. So far, so normal...
Custom Calabasas estate, California, USA: $3.8 million (£3.1m)
But head into the home's basement and you'll be greeted by this incredible home theatre—not the movie kind, the Broadway variety! Complete with velvet seating and a huge stage, the room looks to have been designed for putting on private am-dram shows.
Custom Calabasas estate, California, USA: $3.8 million (£3.1m)
According to listing agent, Holly Hatch of The Agency, the seating was sourced from Italy and dates back to the 18th century. Reportedly, the person who built the home loved opera and would have people come from all over the world to sing in his house. In fact, Andrea Bocelli apparently performed on this stage. If you've got $3.8 million (£3.1m) going spare, then you could soon be hosting award-winning singers yourself.
393-acre estate, Arkansas, USA: $4.8 million (£3.9m)
Over in Fayetteville, Arkansas, lies this 393-acre estate. In fact, the property has the largest contiguous tract of land in the city and the previous owners certainly put that land to good use.
393-acre estate, Arkansas, USA: $4.8 million (£3.9m)
The 7,764-square-foot home was finished in 2016 and features five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, endless living spaces with vaulted ceilings and walls of glass, and even a luxurious basement, kitted out with games, a bar, and a pool table.
393-acre estate, Arkansas, USA: $4.8 million (£3.9m)
There's a movie theatre and gym, too, as well as a 606-square-foot guest house and 4,125 square feet of outdoor patio space—perfect for whiling away the hours.
393-acre estate, Arkansas, USA: $4.8 million (£3.9m)
But outside is where things get really interesting because this property comes with its very own race track. The 1.2-mile-long asphalt course is perfect for go-carts and could even be used as a way of generating extra income. Plus, there's a huge garage and shop building, where you could store and repair your favourite toys. On the market with RE/MAX for just shy of $4.8 million (£3.9m), this home was designed for a true petrolhead.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Mid-century marvel, California, USA: $11.8 million (£9.8m)
This magnificent property in Palm Springs is just one of the countless mid-century modern homes in the Californian city, but trust us when we say this one is unlike any of the others. Built in 1972, it can be found inside the private gated Rose Hill enclave of Las Palmas Heights.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Mid-century marvel, California, USA: $11.8 million (£9.8m)
The pad has an 8,000-square-foot interior and as soon as you take one look at it, it's clear this is no ordinary mid-century home. That’s because it was designed by Buff & Hensman for Jerry Zarowitz, the former Caesar's Palace executive who was imprisoned for bribing New York Giants football players to influence the NFL championship game in 1946. Throughout, there are plenty of Caesar's Palace-inspired design details, including the trademark Roman-esque patterns in the flooring.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Mid-century marvel, California, USA: $11.8 million (£9.8m)
Since Zarowitz’s day, the house has been thoughtfully upgraded, but luckily the previous owner kept plenty of elements we're sure the former gambling magnet would have loved. This includes a mini in-house casino, complete with roulette and blackjack tables. There's also a bar and a grand piano to keep any guests at the tables for as long as possible! Other amazing extras include the home’s media room and custom three-sided glass wine cellar.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
Mid-century marvel, California, USA: $11.8 million (£9.8m)
Plus, the backyard is home to a miniature putting green, perhaps a nod to the many world-renowned golf courses that can be found in Las Vegas. Celebrities including Frank Sinatra and two U.S. Presidents have stayed here, too, according to the listing. We can certainly see why! The dreamy house is for sale right now for $11.8 million (£9.8m), but you know what they say— the House always wins!
Summit Sotheby's International Realty
One of America's biggest homes, Utah, USA: $17.5 million (£14.5m)
With its 50,738-square-foot interior, this is one of the biggest homes in America. Located at the end of Hobble Creek Canyon in Springville, Utah, the mega-mansion is currently on the market for a cool $17.5 million (£14.5m), but for their money, the new owner will gain plenty of amazing extras.
Summit Sotheby's International Realty
One of America's biggest homes, Utah, USA: $17.5 million (£14.5m)
The pad is situated on a bluff, with jaw-dropping views of the Wasatch Mountains, but you'd be forgiven for being totally distracted by what's going on inside! There’s a grand foyer with a 20-foot ceiling, massive chandelier, and elegant dual staircases, as well as a formal living room, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms—including a huge master suite. There's even a resort-style indoor pool with a waterslide, waterfall, lazy river, rope swing, hot tub, and kitchen.
Summit Sotheby's International Realty
One of America's biggest homes, Utah, USA: $17.5 million (£14.5m)
But that isn’t all. There’s a children's playroom with a pirate ship, slide and ball pool, an area outside that was designed as a shooting range, a two-lane bowling alley, a 27-seater movie theatre, and a games room, so there's definitely something for the whole family.
Summit Sotheby's International Realty
One of America's biggest homes, Utah, USA: $17.5 million (£14.5m)
The home would be perfect for a sports star, too, since it comes with a full-size indoor basketball court, a fitness centre, and a sauna for unwinding after working up a sweat. Plus, with 156 acres of land just outside your front door, you'd be able to do whatever you liked with this extensive estate.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Mediterranean-inspired mansion, Texas, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
Built in 2016, this pricey mansion certainly lives up to the state slogan, that everything is bigger in Texas! The property is situated in the city of Southlake and is currently up for grabs for just shy of an eye-watering $20 million (£16.5m). However, for your money, you'll gain almost four acres of land, 31,234 square feet of living space and some truly mind-blowing extras.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Mediterranean-inspired mansion, Texas, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
Stepping inside, you'll be greeted by extraordinary rooms, decked out with the finest fixtures and finishes. With its open floorplan, endless natural light and living spaces that any celebrity would be more than happy to occupy, the pad is luxurious in every way. Across the home's three floors, there's a gorgeous two-storey lounge, a chef's kitchen, seven bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Mediterranean-inspired mansion, Texas, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
A party house if we’ve ever seen one, the luxe property comes equipped with a full-size indoor basketball court, a bowling alley, arcade room, gym, glass-enclosed trampoline park, batting cage, putting green and movie theatre, all located on a spectacular entertainer's floor.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Mediterranean-inspired mansion, Texas, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
There’s plenty more, though. The house also boasts a yoga room, a beauty salon, a wine room, and two heated saltwater pools—one with a hidden slide that’s located inside faux castle walls. If we lived here, we'd want for nothing...
Renovated historic home, California, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
This luxurious mansion might look like a new build, but it was actually constructed back in 1917. The palatial property lies in Los Angeles, California, and was redesigned by real-estate agent, Tyrone McKillen and his cousin Kane Olszowski, with every whim in mind. According to Mansion Global, the pair bought the property in 2021 for $7.5 million (£6.2m) and following a truly spectacular renovation, the pad is back on the market with an inflated asking price of just under $20 million (£16.5m).
Renovated historic home, California, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
Measuring 11,000 square feet, the Italian Renaissance home, known as Villa Vendome, now boasts a lovely mix of period features and modern design details. Marble casements, limestone floors, original crown mouldings and bleached mahogany bookcases have been paired with a state-of-the-art gym, a 75-foot lap pool and chef-grade kitchen appliances.
Renovated historic home, California, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
Across the home’s four floors, you’ll find a gorgeous foyer, a living room with a 13-foot ceiling, a mahogany-clad library, a home office with original panelled walls, a formal dining room, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The primary suite is located in its own wing and boasts automated window coverings, a statement fireplace, a wall-mounted TV that doubles as a piece of art, a walk-in closet and a marble and gilded ensuite. There's also a playroom with a secret reading loft. But that isn’t all…
Renovated historic home, California, USA: $20 million (£16.5m)
The basement level harbours an amazing movie theatre and a secret speakeasy, located behind a concealed door. The bar wasn’t a new addition, either—in fact, the developers believe the space was used during the Prohibition era. It was given a makeover, but its original hand-cut, walnut bar with an onyx top was retained. The stained-glass window in the room was taken from another part of the house and reshaped to fit. How's that for cool?
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California
Villa Bellezza, California, USA: $24 million (£19.8m)
Another amazing Californian home is this one. Known as Villa Bellezza, the lavish mansion lies in Calabasas, where celebrities including Will Smith, Khloé Kardashian, and Britney Spears live. However, listed for a cool $24 million (£19.8m), this deluxe home is unlike any you might have seen before...
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California
Villa Bellezza, California, USA: $24 million (£19.8m)
For starters, the home has a 1.3-acre garden, which was created by Hollywood icon James Dean and features a pool, a spa, and a life-sized chess board. Inside, there's 15,745 square feet of space and every single room is decorated with eye-catching textiles and architectural details. You'd be forgiven for thinking the estate is historic, but the Italianate home was actually finished in 2010, after a six-year construction project.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California
Villa Bellezza, California, USA: $24 million (£19.8m)
There are seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, a formal entry that leads to a 150-foot-long gallery hallway with a soaring cross-vault ceiling, a library, and a dazzling great room with a 28-foot ceiling, covered in hand-painted frescoes. Elsewhere, there’s a movie theatre, a 1,100-bottle wine cellar and tasting room, a beauty salon, a gym, and a five-car garage. The rooms benefit from some of the finest craftsmanship and interior design in the world.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California
Villa Bellezza, California, USA: $24 million (£19.8m)
From extraordinary crown mouldings to custom-carved travertine fireplaces and marble floors, no expense was spared during the creation of this home. Yet the piece de resistance has to be the Marie Antoinette-inspired primary suite. Draped in the finest fabrics, it has a private patio, a beauty room with palladium windows, a Roman bath, a custom-built closet, and a kitchenette. How's that for surprising?
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
Mountaintop estate, Colorado, USA: $24.8 million (£20.5m)
As secluded as it is spectacular, this majestic mountaintop estate is positioned on almost 75 private acres in Evergreen, Colorado. As well as occupying one of the most beautiful lots in America, the property also benefits from 22,864 square feet of living space and plenty of lavish extras that were clearly designed for a VIP.
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
Mountaintop estate, Colorado, USA: $24.8 million (£20.5m)
For starters, the enormous home enjoys 360-degree views from almost every living space. There’s a double-height lounge, decorated with built-in aquariums and a marble-clad bar, a black marble kitchen, seven bedrooms and 12 bathrooms—some of which have glass taps in the shape of swans. Oh, and there's even a Star Trek-inspired movie theatre, kitted out with stadium seating. According to Realtor, the room cost $2 million (£1.6m) to build and at the time, was "the loudest theatre on the planet."
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
Mountaintop estate, Colorado, USA: $24.8 million (£20.5m)
The high-altitude home even comes complete with its very own barber shop and beauty salon—a convenient addition that will mean the new owner doesn't have to leave the house in order to get their hair cut or have a manicure. The room is adorned with mirrors and benefits from a wash station, pedicure chair and television, so you can stay entertained while being pampered.
LIV Sotheby's International Realty
Mountaintop estate, Colorado, USA: $24.8 million (£20.5m)
The lavish home also has a wine cellar and an indoor pool with two impressive waterfalls, an entertainment system and a hand-painted ceiling made to look like the night sky. There's also a 27,000-square-foot auto hangar that has everything a car fan could want: an office, a mechanic’s shop, sleeping quarters, a bathroom and arena-quality speakers and lighting. Plus, there's room for 110 vehicles. Listed with LIV Sotheby's International Realty for a cool $24.8 million (£20.5m), this mansion is truly a millionaire's paradise.
Big Tree Farm, Indiana, USA: $47.9 million (£39.6m)
This sprawling private estate can be found in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, which is very apt when you see all of the home's magical extras. As well as a 550-acre garden and 50,762 square feet of living space, this mega-mansion harbours plenty of billionaire bling. In fact, it took the former owner 35 years to create this one-of-a-kind retreat. Let's take a closer look...
Big Tree Farm, Indiana, USA: $47.9 million (£39.6m)
Known as Big Tree Farm, the main custom-built log home has 15 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a double-storey living room, and a huge kitchen, all decked out with rustic stone fireplaces, exposed timbers, and plenty of leather furnishings. But the house isn't all that exciting when you find out what lies in the backyard. In a separate structure, you'll find a private gas station, complete with pumps, a mechanics garage, and an auto showroom. But that isn't all...
Big Tree Farm, Indiana, USA: $47.9 million (£39.6m)
The luxurious home also boasts a retro American diner, complete with a counter, red leather booths, iridescent surfaces, and neon lights. Akin to the Hard Rock Cafe, the diner's walls are overflowing with movie and music memorabilia, including guitars, records, and signed posters. It's also climate-controlled, so any patrons stay nice and cool while they're tucking into their fries.
Big Tree Farm, Indiana, USA: $47.9 million (£39.6m)
There's even an entertainment barn, equipped with a saloon-style bar. Other highlights include the home's Kentucky Derby-themed guest house, fitness centre, and games room, which is decked out with old-school arcade machines and foosball tables. If you've fallen in love, the property is currently for sale with Talk to Tucker for a staggering $47.9 million (£39.6m).
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