Neverland Ranch

Coordinates: 34°44′43.516″N 120°5′17.75″W / 34.74542111°N 120.0882639°W / 34.74542111; -120.0882639

Neverland Ranch gates

Neverland Valley Ranch (renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch)[1] is a developed property in Santa Barbara County, California, located at 5225 Figueroa Mountain Road, Los Olivos, California 93441, first opened in August 1994. It is most famous for being the home of the late entertainer Michael Jackson.[2] Jackson named the property after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, a boy who never grows up. Michael's first encounter with the ranch came when he visited Paul McCartney, who was staying there during their filming of the "Say Say Say" video. According to La Toya Jackson, Michael expressed interest to her in someday owning the property at that time.[3]

Today, the ranch is owned by the Estate of Michael Jackson, with Colony Capital LLC maintaining a 12.5% undivided stake in the property.[4]

The ranch is located about 5 miles (8 km) north of unincorporated Los Olivos, and about eight miles (13 km) north of the town of Santa Ynez. The Chamberlin Ranch is to the west, and the rugged La Laguna Ranch, is to the north. The Santa Barbara County Assessor's office says the ranch is approximately 3,000 acres (1214 hectares).[5]

Residence of Michael Jackson

Amusement rides in August 2008
Train station in July 2009

Michael Jackson purchased the property from golf course entrepreneur William Bone in 1988[6] for a sum variously reported to be 16.5 to 30 million US dollars.[7] It was Jackson's home as well as his private amusement park and it contained a floral clock, numerous statues of children, and a petting zoo. The amusement park included two railroads: one 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge named "Neverland Valley Railroad" with a steam locomotive named Katherine after his mother (Crown 4-4-0 (2B); built 1973 with two coaches), and the other a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge named "Neverland Express" with a locomotive named C. P. Huntington made by Chance Rides.[8] There was also a Ferris wheel, Carousel, Zipper, Octopus, Pirate Ship, Wave Swinger, Super Slide, roller coaster, bumper cars, and an amusement arcade. The master closet also contained a secret safe room for security. Jackson was also an avid art collector.

Neverland Ranch was searched extensively by police officers in connection with the People v. Jackson trial after he was charged with multiple counts of molesting a minor in 2003. Jackson was acquitted of all charges. However, Jackson stated he would never live at the property again as he no longer considered the ranch a home. He stated he felt the 70 police officers had "violated" the property in their searches.[9] In 2006, the facilities were closed and most of the staff were dismissed, with a spokesperson stating that this was the reflection of the fact that Jackson no longer lived there.

Financial status

Reports of foreclosure proceedings alleged to have commenced against Neverland Ranch on October 22, 2007 were published.[10][11] However, a spokesperson for Jackson said that the loan was merely being refinanced and Jackson (later his Estate) remained the majority stake holder, with a legal retention of 87.5% of the ranch.[12][13]

Former zoo buildings, July 2009

On February 25, 2008, Jackson received word from Financial Title Company, the trustee, that unless he paid off $24,525,906.61 by March 19, a public auction would go forward of the land, buildings, and other items such as the rides, trains, and art.[14][15] On March 13, 2008, Jackson's lawyer L. Londell McMillan announced that a private agreement had been reached with the private investment group, Fortress Investment, to save Jackson's ownership of the ranch.[16] Before the agreement, Jackson owed three months' arrears on the property.[16] McMillan did not reveal the details of the deal.

On May 12, 2008, a foreclosure auction for the ranch was canceled after Colony Capital LLC, an investment company run by billionaire Tom Barrack, purchased the loan, which was in default.[17] In a press release, Jackson stated, "I am pleased with recent developments involving Neverland Ranch and I am in discussions with Colony and Tom Barrack with regard to the Ranch and other matters that would allow me to focus on the future."[18][19]

On November 10, 2008, Jackson transferred the title to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LLC, and neighbors reported immediate activity on the property, including the amusement rides being trucked along the highway.[1] Jackson still owned an unknown stake in the property, since Sycamore Valley Ranch was a joint venture between Jackson (represented by McMillan) and an affiliate of Colony Capital.[20][21][22][23] The Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office stated Jackson sold an unknown proportion of his property rights for $35 million.[24][25]

Kyle Forsyth, Colony's project manager, describes the estate's Tudor-style buildings and savannah-like grasslands as "English country manor meets Kenya." Eventually, Colony hopes to sell the ranch, located in Santa Barbara County, in its entirety. Subdividing it, says Mr. Forsyth, "would destroy it."[26]

Since 2009, the Neverland Ranch rides Balloon Samba, Jeeps, Wave Swinger and Dinos have been featured attractions at the California State Fair in Sacramento.[27]

Death of Michael Jackson

Fans visiting the makeshift memorial set up outside the Neverland Ranch entrance shortly after Jackson's death.

Following Jackson's death, press reports during June 28–29, 2009, claimed that his family intended to bury him at the Neverland Ranch, eventually turning it into a place of pilgrimage for his fans, similar to how Graceland has become a destination for fans of Elvis Presley.[28][29] However, the singer's father Joseph Jackson later denied the reports.[30][31] Construction equipment and gardeners entered the grounds on July 1, prompting speculation that preparations were being made for something related to Jackson's death, but local officials stated that a burial there would be only allowed if the owners of the ranch would go through a permitting process with county and state government before establishing a cemetery at the site. Jackson's 2002 will gives his entire estate to a family trust.[32]

The ranch was the setting for two media appearances on July 2, 2009. Jermaine Jackson took The Today Show's Matt Lauer on a tour of the main house, and he was interviewed on the grounds of the house by Larry King for his show.

In July 2010, California Assemblyman Mike Davis floated the idea of California acquiring the property and running it as a state park. This idea has been introduced before, as such a park could attract thousands of Jackson fans from around the world, bringing in revenue for the state and local area. However, then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had called for the closure of many state parks due to lack of funding, and local residents oppose the idea because of the traffic congestion and other problems that a major tourist attraction would bring to this rural area.

In October 2010, reports came out that Michael Jackson's children intended to buy the property.[33]

In January 2013, singer Lady Gaga announced her willingness to help Jackson's children in keeping the ranch by investing in the property.[34]

Restoration

Following the death of Michael Jackson in 2009, the neglected Neverland Ranch fell into disrepair. Saddened by a return trip to her childhood home in 2010, Jackson's daughter, Paris, resolved to acquire and restore the property in early 2013.[35] The amusement rides were replaced with a meditative zen garden, and a section decorated with Peter Pan, Michael Jackson's favorite fictional hero. The Jackson children intended the garden to be used for the enjoyment by sick children. [36]

Former rides, 2008.

In May 2015, it was announced that the Neverland Ranch would be put up for sale with an initial price tag of $100 million, but many people including fans have protested and disagreed with the decision. Jermaine Jackson, elder brother of Michael wrote an open letter to Colony Capital expressing his disagreement with their decision.[37]

As of May 2016, the ranch is being sold by Sotheby's International Realty with an asking price of $100 million.[38][39]

References

  1. 1 2 "Neverland Never More", by William Etling (author of Sideways in Neverland: Life in the Santa Ynez Valley), EdHat.com, 2009.
  2. ↑ Toumi, Habib (January 23, 2006). "Jackson settles down to his new life in the Persian Gulf". Gulf News. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
  3. ↑ La Toya Jackson; Jeffré Phillips (2012). Starting Over. Simon & Schuster. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-4516-2059-7.
  4. ↑ "MJ Estate Second Accounting". Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Dispute shuts down Jackson ranch". BBC News. 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
  6. ↑ Soriano, Cesar G (2003-11-24). "At Neverland, they believe". USA Today.
  7. ↑ "Vegas Hosting Big Jackson Family Auction.". Fox News. Associated Press. 2007-05-29.
  8. ↑ "Surviving Steam Locomotive Search". steamlocomotive.com.
  9. ↑ Clements, Jo (2009-01-05). "Michael Jackson silences rumours of money trouble by renting a $100,000 a month mansion". Daily Mail. London.
  10. ↑ "Neverland in Foreclosure?". TMZ.com. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  11. ↑ "Foreclosure Detail Report" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  12. ↑ "MJ Estate Second Accounting". scribd.com.
  13. ↑ "Jackson 'will not lose Neverland'". BBC News. 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2007-11-10.
  14. ↑ Notice of Trustee's Sale, Santa Barbara County Recorder via Fox News Record no. 2008-0010131, February 25, 2008
  15. ↑ "Neverland Ranch Set for Auction". Forbes. Associated Press. 2008-02-26. Archived from the original on March 17, 2008.
  16. 1 2 "Michael Jackson 'saves Neverland'". BBC News. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  17. ↑ "Foreclosure auction on Jackson's Neverland Ranch is canceled". CNN. Associated Press. 2008-05-13. Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  18. ↑ "Neverland Ranch Note Sold to Colony Capital" (Press release). Business Wire. 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  19. ↑ "Neverland Ranch foreclosure auction canceled". Google News. Associated Press. 2008-05-12. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  20. ↑ Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch Is Sold. TaleTela. Retrieved on 2011-05-18.
  21. ↑ Neverland May Be Jacko's Ticket to Vegas. TMZ.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-18.
  22. ↑ Archived December 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  23. ↑ Adams, Susan (2009-04-14). "Ten Most Expensive Michael Jackson Collectibles". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2012-05-25.
  24. ↑ Michael Jackson Lets Neverland Fly Away. E! Online (2008-11-12). Retrieved on 2011-05-18.
  25. ↑ People - Entertainment. smh.com.au (2008-11-13). Retrieved on 2011-05-18.
  26. ↑ smith, Ethan. (2009-06-13) Economic Reality Prompts a Makeover at 'Neverland' - WSJ.com. Online.wsj.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-18.
  27. ↑ Archived January 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  28. ↑ Michael Jackson wanted to be buried at Neverland mansion The Daily Mirror June 28, 2008
  29. ↑ Michael Jackson's funeral could be bigger than Elvis's and Princess Diana's, as up to a million mourners pour into LA The Daily Mail 28 June 2009
  30. ↑ Michael Jackson will not be buried at Neverland Ranch New Musical Express 29 June 2009
  31. ↑ Michael Jackson's Family Still Considering Funeral Plans MTV website June 29, 2009
  32. ↑ "Jackson family says the singer's will has surfaced". Yahoo News. Los Angeles: The Associated Press. June 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  33. ↑ "Michael Jackson's children 'want to buy back Neverland'". Daily Mail. London. 2010-10-17.
  34. ↑ "Lady Gaga wants to restore Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch". NME. London. 2013-01-16.
  35. ↑ "'Neverland has never looked better': Michael Jackson's children restore ranch to former glory as it's revealed rest of family abandoned site". London: Daily Mail Reporter. 2013-04-30. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  36. ↑ http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-1173-zqltps/sycamore-valley-ranch-los-olivos-ca-93441
  37. ↑ "Michael Jackson's Onetime Neverland Lists for $100 Million". Wall Street Journal. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  38. ↑ http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-1173-zqltps/sycamore-valley-ranch-los-olivos-ca-93441
  39. ↑ "Sycamore Valley Ranch". Retrieved May 5, 2016.
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