Iconic Mansions That Won’t Sell

Contrary to popular belief, luxurious mega-mansions are among the houses that have trouble selling. Despite their beauty, these once-coveted properties have gone without a buyer due to various reasons, such as a previous owner’s tarnished reputation, or the property’s own history.

The following celebrity homes have been unable to be sold no matter how much they’ve been devalued. Which means people are shying away from these mansions not because of price, but because of the baggage that comes with it. Discover the most astounding mega-mansions that are struggling to find buyers.

First Hit the Market: 2011

Total Space: 4,195 square feet

Original Value: $14.8 million

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are a long-standing Hollywood couple with a lucrative side business – their Malibu beach house. The Balinese-inspired property, located on Broad Beach, was listed for sale in 2011 for $14.8 million, but despite its beauty and its history of fetching $95,000 per month in rent, it has had trouble selling. The seventies-era estate boasts a flagstone courtyard, a remodeled chef’s kitchen, a two-story great room, and a grand foyer with a large chandelier.

First Hit the Market: 2020

Total Space: 13,344 square feet

Original Value: $48 million

Tommy Hilfiger, the fashion designer and millionaire, is selling his Greenwich, Connecticut mansion for $47.5 million via Sotheby’s International. Originally named Chateau Paterno, the castle was built in 1939 by Yale graduate Greville Rickard for real estate magnate Charles Paterno. Later, art collector Joseph Hirshhorn used it to display his 6,000 sculptures and paintings. The 13,344 sq ft mansion, with water and rose gardens, a four-bay garage, greenhouse, and guest cottage, has received no offers yet, surprising agents.

First Hit the Market: 2012

Total Space: 56,000 square feet

Original Value: $29 million

Michael Jordan’s 56,000 square-foot mansion in Highland Park, Illinois has been on the market since 2012, but has struggled to find a buyer. The initial asking price was $29 million, but has since dropped to less than $15 million with no takers. Jordan even tried offering a pair of rare, vintage Air Jordans with the house, but still no luck. According to Chicago Mag, the asking price is too high, even for such a large property. The market for luxury properties like this is limited and not everyone is interested in the fitness perks, such as the basketball court, of the property. The high-profile nature of the house has also caused “culture clash” among realtors, as reported by The Real Deal.

First Hit the Market: 2020

Total Space: 13,377 square feet

Original Value: $15.995 million

In 2016, Kathy Griffin showed People her LA home, which she called her “dream house.” In 2020, she put it up for sale for $16 million. The mansion features 8 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a wine cellar, private theater, an infinity pool, pavilion and lounge in the backyard. The master suite has a balcony, 2 walk-in closets, and fireplace. Griffin has listed her home with the star realtors of Million Dollar Listing LA, Josh and Matt Altman from Douglas Elliman.

First Hit the Market: 2017

Total Space: 4,000 square feet

Original Value: $10

A historic New Jersey house measuring 4,000 sq ft is for sale for only $10, but there’s a catch. The house must be physically moved off the land as the town’s planning board approved a subdivision for the property. So, the buyer must buy the land back from the city to move the house, which would not be a cheap option.

First Hit the Market: 2021

Total Space: 4,000 acres

Original Value: $14 million

Kanye West’s 4,000-acre Wyoming ranch, known for being the inspiration behind his album and fashion label, is up for sale for $11 million. The property initially cost $14 million, resulting in a $3 million loss. The ranch is located 52 miles from Yellowstone and offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. With Kanye seemingly no longer interested in owning the property, it’s likely to find a buyer soon.

First Hit the Market: 2018

Total Space: 6,000 square feet

Original Value: $4.4 million

Antonio Banderas purchased a 6,000 sq ft Central Park apartment from his ex-wife Melanie Griffith but has been unsuccessful in selling it since 2018. Despite its desirable location, the property with an asking price of $7.45 million remains unsold. Banderas continued to try to sell the apartment as of July 2020 but had little hope of finding a buyer.

First Hit the Market: 2014

Total Space: 5,000 square feet

Original Value: $4.5 million

Sylvester Stallone, the actor known for his roles in Rocky and Rambo, purchased a mansion in La Quinta, California for $4.5 million in 2010. The home features 4.5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, and its design is a blend of Tuscan and Mediterranean styles, influenced by Stallone’s Italian ancestry. It has coved ceilings, hardwood floors, arched entryways, a wine room, and a formal dining room, among other luxurious amenities. Despite its beauty, Stallone has had trouble selling the property. He first listed it in 2014, then took it off the market the following year, and re-listed it at a lower price of $3.87 million. Currently, the home is listed for $3.999 million.

First Hit the Market: 2015

Total Space: 17,129 square feet

Original Value: $17 million

Jennifer Lopez’s grand and luxurious California mansion features all the amenities a pop star could desire, including a dressing room for Hollywood events. In 2015, she listed the 17,000-square-foot Hidden Hills estate for $17 million, which boasts nine bedrooms, a dance studio, a 20-seat theater, a gym, and a spacious recording studio. Despite its opulence, Lopez struggled to sell the property and had to reduce the price by $4.5 million to $12.5 million. While she owns other homes in New York, Miami, and Bel Air, those are reportedly not for sale.

First Hit the Market: 2018

Total Space: 7,800 square feet

Original Value: $6.8 million

The Italian-style villa in the Post Office area of Los Angeles has had a unique ownership history. Pop star Britney Spears purchased the property for $6.8 million in 2007, following her split from rapper Kevin Federline. However, she sold the home five years later for just $2.126 million, incurring a significant loss. The property is now back on the market, listed for $8.95 million in 2018. The villa boasts six bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, a saltwater pool, home theater, and a vaulted chandelier, among other luxurious features.

First Hit the Market: 2010

Total Space: 3,334 square feet

Original Value: $3.695 million

Penelope Cruz had trouble selling her Hollywood Hills mansion featuring three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Initially listed for $3.695 million in 2010, the price was later reduced to $3.1 million. It finally sold in 2012 for $2.88 million, a decrease of $250,000 from its purchase price. Despite its attractive features like carved wooden doors, a private courtyard, French doors, floor-to-ceiling windows, bamboo floors, and a gourmet kitchen, the property taxes of $42,877 per year proved to be a challenge.

First Hit the Market: 2012

Total Space: 8,500 square feet

Original Value: $7 million (2009), $22.495 million (Current)

Rihanna, singer-turned-business-mogul, purchased the sprawling mansion known as Janice Place for $6.9 million in 2009. With a current property value of nearly $22.5 million, the mansion boasts 8 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a sauna, theater, private library, and a spacious living room with high ceilings. Despite its luxurious features, Rihanna faced challenges with moisture leaks in the mansion, leading to extensive renovations. Frustrated with the issues, she eventually sold the property for $5.03 million, much less than her original purchase price.

First Hit the Market: 2011

Total Space: 1,300 square feet

Original Value: $1.245 million

Actor John Krasinski, best known for his role as Jim Halpert in The Office, once owned a quaint 1,300-square-foot starter home. After moving on to new projects, Krasinski put the home on the market in 2009, first listing it for $1.245 million. However, by 2011, he reduced the price to $945,000. The charming home, built in 1926 in an English country-cottage style, features high ceilings, hardwood floors, French doors, three bedrooms, and three bathrooms, including a detached guest studio apartment. The identity of the final buyer and their purchase price remain unknown.

First Hit the Market: 2011

Total Space: 6,700 square feet

Original Value: $2.5 million

The Mediterranean-style mansion that was a central part of Tori Spelling’s reality show, “Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood,” was sold by Spelling in 2011 for $2.5 million to L.A. Galaxy star Jermaine Jones. In 2017, Jones listed the Encino mansion for $4.5 million, nearly twice its initial value, due to various upgrades and improvements made during his ownership. The gated property now features a chandelier, outdoor cabana with kitchen and bar, and has nearly doubled in value.

First Hit the Market: 2020

Total Space: 13,500 square feet

Original Value: Unknown

Wynn has invested $16 million in renovations for his luxurious Las Vegas mansion, according to the Los Angeles Times, though the purchase price remains undisclosed. This double-gated, six-bedroom, 10-bath property situated on 1.4 acres boasts copper ceilings and silk carpets, and is listed for a staggering $25 million, making it the priciest property on the Las Vegas market in 2020. The mansion features a spa, gym, movie theater, private balcony in the master suite, and golf course views, but its high price tag may result in a longer stay on the market.

First Hit the Market: 2017

Total Space: 3,948 square feet

Original Value: $4.25 million

Actor Brendan Fraser’s Hollywood home was listed in 2017 and remained on the market before finally being sold for $4.013 million, which was lower than the asking price. The property spans over 9,000 square feet and Fraser lived in the house from 1996 until 2017, during which he gained fame for his role in the hit “The Mummy” franchise. The mansion features luxurious amenities such as a pool, gym, home theater, and a photography darkroom for aspiring photographers.

First Hit the Market: 2013

Total Space: 22,460 square feet (753 acres)

Original Value: $20 million

With a net worth of $135 million, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are among the wealthiest and longest-standing couples in the entertainment industry. They owned a 22,460 square foot castle in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, which came with five bedrooms and ten bathrooms. The property, which was situated on a 750-acre plot, also featured a 12-stall barn and was on the market.

Initially priced at $20 million, the sale of the Leiper’s Fork mansion faced challenges due to the limited amenities in the rural town of Leiper’s Fork, with a population of just 650 people and limited attractions such as a distillery, church, and a restaurant called Country Boy.

First Hit the Market: 2010

Total Space: 8,100 square feet

Original Value: $3.2 million

Joey Lawrence, best known for his role in the TV show Blossom, has been trying to sell his Spanish estate in Encino, California for over a decade. The six-bedroom, nine and a half bathroom home, which features multiple saunas, a movie theater, and a master suite, was originally listed for sale in 2010 for $3.2 million. However, despite multiple price reductions, it hasn’t sold yet. Lawrence most recently listed the home in 2016 for $2.249 million, after purchasing it in 1994 for under $2 million.

First Hit the Market: 2019

Total Space: 19,000 square feet

Original Value: $44.8 million

Matt Lauer, former NBC anchor, listed his waterfront estate for sale in 2019 at a price of $65 million. The property, which was previously owned by actor Richard Gere and purchased by Lauer for $36.8 million, sits on six acres of land. It features a private beach, pond with a bridge, deepwater dock, island-inspired tea house, two guest cottages, and a main home with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, as well as a large screened-in porch. Despite its picturesque location, Lauer has faced difficulties with getting the property listed due to his controversial departure from NBC. The real estate firm Corcoran removed the property from its website after the news broke in 2017, and it is uncertain when or if the sale will happen.

First Hit the Market: 2002

Total Space: 4,000 square feet

Original Value: $8 million

Helen Hunt, the Oscar-winning actress, supervised the renovation of a Hollywood Hills estate that she and her husband purchased in 1997. Although she never lived in it, the property once belonged to the legendary Hollywood icon, Errol Flynn. The estate was listed for roughly $9 million, but a buyer is reported to have acquired it for a lower price of $8 million.

First Hit the Market: 2013

Total Space: 9,000 square feet

Original Value: $115 million

Billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen has struggled to sell his Manhattan duplex penthouse, despite being a renowned business mastermind. The 9,000 sq. ft penthouse, which features an art gallery and five bedrooms, was originally listed for $115 million in 2013 but has since seen a significant price reduction to $57.5 million, a 50% decrease. Despite being a serious art collector with a $1 billion collection, Cohen has yet to find a buyer for this luxurious property.

First Hit the Market: 2014

Total Space: 6,500 square feet

Original Value: $44 million

Alan Wilzig, the businessman and entrepreneur who served as the inspiration for Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in “The Wolf of Wall Street”, is also a semi-professional race car driver. He listed his Tribeca townhouse for sale in 2014 at a price of $44 million, but struggled to find a buyer. Eventually, he reduced the price to $18.75 million in October 2018 in an effort to attract potential buyers.

First Hit the Market:1994

Total Space: 7,800 square feet

Original Value: $825,000

The Charming Forge Mansion, located in Womelsdorf Berks County, Pennsylvania, was built in the 1700s and serves as a piece of history. The seven-bedroom, four-bathroom estate was once the ironmaster’s residence and office, and was later acquired by Baron William Henry Stiegel who transformed it into its current form. Despite spending over two decades in the mansion, financial difficulties led the Baron to sell it at auction. The property was restored in 1994, and it’s rumored to be haunted due to its age and history.

First Hit the Market: 2010

Total Space: 6,500 square feet

Original Value: $14.5 million

Rumors are circulating that Prince Harry has his sights set on Mel Gibson’s French country-style mansion in Malibu. Despite being listed for over a decade, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom property has yet to find a buyer. Initially priced at $14.5 million in 2010, the price dropped to $11.8 million by November 2011, only to be removed from the market until 2019 when it was relisted for the original asking price. Gibson had purchased the home from actors David Duchovny and Tea Leoni in 2008. The high property taxes may be a factor in the slow sale of the property.

First Hit the Market: 2010

Total Space: 30,000 square feet

Original Value: $60 million

The Stone-Wall Mansion, with its fairy-tale-like history, has seen a decline in value and has been on the market for many years. Despite its long-standing history of single ownership, the property has been taken on and off the market over time. Despite this, the mansion boasts an array of features and amenities. It was built for steel magnate Henry Clay Frick II and sits on 60 acres of land. The persistent decline in the list price is attributed to property taxes rather than ghost stories by the developer, Richard Kurtz. At its current $32.9 million price, the taxes on the property still present a significant financial burden.

First Hit the Market: 2015

Total Space: 8,500 square feet

Original Value: $7.749 million

Denise Richards is a multi-faceted actress, model, and entrepreneur who rose to fame in 1989 and has since accumulated wealth in the millions. Born in Illinois, she moved with her family to California at the age of 15 and has since lived in various luxurious mansions across the state.

In recent years, Denise has become a prominent member of the cast of the popular reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Her mansion in Hidden Hills, California has been on the market for over a decade as she relocated to Beverly Hills for the show’s filming.

First Hit the Market: 2016

Total Space: 6,700 square feet

Original Value: $329,000

The SK Pierce Mansion, located in Gardner, Massachusetts, was built in 1875 by Sylvester Pierce, the founder of the S.K. Pierce & Sons Furniture Company. This 6,661 square-foot Victorian mansion is known for its paranormal activity and has drawn a following of ghost hunters who give it a 4.8/5-star rating on Facebook. Despite its appeal, the mansion remains unsold and is a popular attraction for those seeking an eerie experience.

First Hit the Market: 2017

Total Space: 3,156 square feet

Original Value: $3.2 million

The French Provincial Castle at 4720 Grosvenor Avenue in New York City is a unique piece of architecture in an otherwise modern cityscape. Built in 1926, the castle boasts 3,281 square feet with five bedrooms and five bathrooms, and is now on the market for $2.7 million. The builder, the owner of a shipping line, wanted to recreate the look of his family estate in Croatia. The castle was designed by renowned architect Frank Forster.

First Hit the Market: 2015

Total Space: 10,000 square feet

Original Value: $20 million

Despite his status as a pop culture icon, Billy Joel’s 10,000 square foot mansion in Florida has remained unsold. The eight-bedroom property was listed for sale in 2015 for $20 million, but the price has since dropped to $16 million and then to $11 million. Despite the inclusion of furniture, the property has yet to attract a buyer.

First Hit the Market: 2017

Total Space: 5,200 square feet

Original Value: $8 million

John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are a highly regarded celebrity couple in Hollywood and are considered #relationshipgoals by many. Although most people would love to live in one of their homes, they need to have millions in their bank account to do so. In 2017, the actors put their Brooklyn townhouse up for sale for $8 million, after having purchased it the previous year for $6 million. Located in Park Slope, the house is a dream home but it took over a year for them to finally sell it, accepting an offer of $6.5 million, barely making a profit.