The owner, who survived the hurricane but lost a very nice peacock statue, sold the property, returned 25 years later to visit and noticed that the peacock statue was back on the front lawn. There is this impressive steel and lead peacock statute that was on the front lawn that got wiped out to sea during a hurricane. Leno: Seafair is also called the Hurricane Hut by the locals and history buffs because there was a huge hurricane-in fact, many hurricanes-that killed a bunch of people. Hofmann: Can you tell me about the history of Seafair? They all get to stay there and it’s great. Leno: Since I’m from the area, it’s a great meeting place for all my relatives to come and have fun. Photography provided by Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty – Michael Osean photographer Seafair features stunning ocean views of the Atlantic and an infinity pool. If I couldn’t have bought it as-is, it would have taken forever to make it a home because I wouldn't have furnished it. I’m not constantly moving tables and chairs. So, when I go there, it’s like going to a hotel. I like that this house was beautifully furnished with the best of everything, and everything was included in the price. Let me see another one.’ I didn’t want to do that. I wouldn’t have bought something where I had to look at swatches of fabric and hold them up to the wall and say, ‘No, not that one. You’re right in the middle of Beverly Hills, but there is no view and the same amount of land, 9 acres. I’ve got neighbors in Beverly Hills with homes down the street from me that cost $168 million, and there is not even any water. There is no equivalent in California to that house for less than $100 million. Leno: For the price of a condo on Wilshire Boulevard, I got a castle in Rhode Island on the ocean. Hofmann: How does Seafair compare with properties in Beverly Hills? The home has 12 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms and features a paneled library, a formal dining room and a. But if you always buy what you like, you’ll always be happy because you did it for the right reasons. I have cars that I bought that are not as valuable, but I don’t like them any less than the McLaren. I bought my McLaren F1 in 1998 for $800,000 the last offer I got was $17.5 million. Obviously, I like it when things go up in value. If they go up in value, that’s fine, but I don’t want a sell them, so it makes absolutely no difference to me whether the price goes up or down. I buy things because I like them, and if they go down in value, I still like them. The thing about me is I don’t buy things for investment. Leno: I have no idea if this was a smart business move. Hofmann: The house had been listed for $19 million not long before you bought it, so it looks like you made a smart business move. So, we get the owner on the phone, and I said, ‘Will you sell the house as-is, with everything, all the furniture, the ketchup in the refrigerator, the salt shakers and just walk away?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I’ll walk away.’ We agreed on a price, and I bought it. Then, I asked him to get the owner on the phone. I asked if we could look around, and the guy gives me a tour. Is this house for sale?’ And the caretaker said the house was for sale but not listed currently. Jay Leno!’ Then I said, ‘Hey, it’s nice to meet you. The caretaker answered and said, ‘You’re Jay Leno. Mavis and Jay Leno arrive at the 2014 Carousel Of Hope Ball in Beverly Hills. We all looked at each other and said, ‘The gate is opening. Just as we drove by, the gate opened and the gardener came out. It looks like a castle.’ So, I said to Mavis, ‘Do you want that house? Let’s see if it’s for sale.’ I turned the car around to go back to the house. It is unbelievable.’ And I said, ‘You’re right. I had my cousin with me and we were driving along and Mavis said, ‘Look at that house. We were driving around Ocean Avenue, which is kind of like 17-Mile Drive, a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove in California. I was with my wife, visiting family in Newport in October 2017. Jay Leno: No, I wasn’t planning on moving back east. Michelle Hofmann: How did you come across Seafair? Were you looking for a second home? (Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) GC Imagesĭuring a moment away from shooting his sixth season of CNBC’s automotive show Jay Leno’s Garage, Leno spoke to Forbes about finding Seafair, owning a historic home and the secret to never having buyer’s remorse. LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 18: Jay Leno and his Dusenberg are seen on Augin Los Angeles.
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