Posted on 06/02/2016 4:02:59 PM PDT by Daffynition
SOMERS, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut home that is a replica of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello has been sold at auction for more than $2.1 million, far below the $7.7 million it cost to build just two years ago.
The mansion was built by S. Prestley Blake, a co-founder of the Massachusetts-based Friendly's restaurant chain and a longtime admirer of Jefferson. The 101-year-old ice cream magnate has never lived in it, but held functions inside.
The listing agent, Sherri Milkie of William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty, tells The Republican newspaper of Springfield, Massachusetts, that the 10,000-square foot home in Somers was sold Tuesday to a local doctor. She did not disclose a name. Jack Hoyt, project sales manager for Concierge Auctions of New York City, says the buyer plans to move into the home.
(Excerpt) Read more at ctpost.com ...
From: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/friendlys_co-founder_s_prestle.html
**On the outside, the Blake’s Monticello is as authentic as Bill Lapante [the builder] could make it.
He obtained handmade bricks in Virginia. He had soffits under the eaves custom molded so they looked like the carved wooden soffits Jefferson used. The balustrades, decorative railings ringing the roof, are also designed to look like those at Monticello. The roof is a composite material made to look like slate.
“In this front elevation, everything is to scale,” LaPlante said.
More than a year ago, Blake flew Laplante and his father to Virginia for a day-long private tour of Monticello. The Laplantes came back with a book-length copy of Monticello’s plans and photos of other, similar, Monticello-inspired projects all over the world.
Laplante had trouble with the windows. Jefferson’s Monticello doesn’t look like a two-story home, even though it is, because of the placement of the windows.
Laplante also rotated the design. The iconic image of a domed Monticello is actually the back of the house. In Blake’s Monticello the dome is over the front entryway.
Laplante also shortened the dome a bit to fit with the surroundings and left it open in the center with just a fiberglass inner dome visible when visitors enter through the front door.
Jefferson had a room built into Monticello’s dome.
Jefferson’s Monticello had underground passageways to slave quarters and outdoor kitchens. None of those were replicated. In an nod to modern life, Blake’s Monticello has a three car garage in back.
Inside, Laplante built a modern home.
“It has everything a buyer is looking for in a new custom home at this price,” Laplante said. “It has all of the arches, all of the columns and all of the woodwork.”
That includes seven bathrooms, most with walk-in showers done in custom tile.
Jefferson’s Monticello had five privies adjoining the main house.**
Plus, a geothermal system ...TJ had wood heat. ;)
It’s just what the market will bear.
Put that building on the waterfront in Fairfield County, CT and $7M would be a *bargain*. Trump bought his mansion for $4M...sold it for $14M...and it currently on the market for $45M
I live in S. Orange County CA.
$2 Million is chump change for that kind of Craftsmanship and Square Footage. Where I live that kind of Money gets you a 5,000 Square Foot Spec House built with 2x6’s and 5/8 Drywall on a Slab Foundation.
Too bad I missed winning the Powerball by six numbers.
You appear to think I’m criticizing him. I’m not. Using assets in the best legal ways to avoid being overtaxed by an out-of-control government is what we should all be doing.
He has led a remarkable life
That is a wonderful book cover. Looks like a formidable man. I am so eager for the private sector to be revived. This secular pc religion is false.
I agree .... seems as if he took on some of the spunk of WF Buckley, jr and Steve Fossett.
His company [Friendly’s was super wonderful when they first opened] ...they were clean, reliable, nice service ....then they became suspect, surly and dirty. Many here in NE closed.
Their ice cream disappoints in quality....I think it can no longer be called *ice cream*, but now a *frozen dairy dessert*. ;(
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