Comments on: Crazy Connecticut Castle Crushes Competition

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 06:19:22 +0000

@Frodo: Hubby Mark just reminded me... we are not supposed to talk about the elephant in the room. Er, the elephants.

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 00:30:18 +0000

@Emerald63: Geeze... "your" idea.

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 00:29:48 +0000

@Anodean: Unless the town can manage to make the most kick ass haunted house ever out of it, I think you're idea is the best solution, Anodean. Way to accomplish a bit of clear thinking. ;)

By: Anodean

Anodean — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:46:39 +0000

I think the key to buying this property would be to assemble an interested group of well-heeled local folks, to wit, folks interested in getting rid of it – and losses could be mitigated with some research and advance planning.

The “BS” includes reference to unique fixtures the owner claims to have designed and manufactured himself – and the exterior facade certainly backs that up. I’d suggest parting the place out: everything from the weird fixtures no doubt to be found in the basement up to the last weathervane-cum-pointy-gargoyle-roost above the top turret. There’s all kinds of stuff there that would bring a price and do better elsewhere, and everyone will feel better once it’s all gone and the place is down to its foundations – which, along with at least some of the existing site improvements, could likely also be re-purposed as well. :D

By: Frodo

Frodo — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:51:58 +0000

In reply to Emerald63. @Emerald63: Oh my - that begs the question what kind of crime scene one would be purchasing here.

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:46:21 +0000

@Frodo: The "whole" elephant - LOL! But I'm not sure I'd want the sarcophagus... The way this guy leaves things hanging, I'd be willing to bet the person inside was not thoroughly mummified. (O_o)

By: Frodo

Frodo — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 12:48:41 +0000

@Emerald63: I'm with you. If you're going to go for a "castle" this isn't it. This isn't even fantasy, it's more like nightmare. There are two positives, however, if you could call them that: 1) They at least have whole elephant statues. 2) They found the right kind of residence to display a sarcophagus. I wonder if it conveys.

By: Emerald63

Emerald63 — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 01:40:06 +0000

I’ve used the term ‘craptastic’ before, but craptastic to the tune of $45M? No, this is more on the scale of ‘craptasmagorical.’ What a piece of architectural junk. It’s not even a good example of whimsey architecture. And what – for $45M it’s not even landscaped? It has dirt for a backyard? As of 2 years ago (the date the video was uploaded to Youtube) it also had what’s left of a fighter jet – wings removed, hole punched in the canopy – in the front “yard,” along with an RV, construction equipment, and other oddities. Even without the oodles of unflattering personal matters discussed in the various articles, observers can tell “somethin’ ain’t right here…” Money, money, money, little to no taste, and not even much concern about presenting a complete, finished homestead.

Speaking of the personal matters, the bit about the owner/builder having at one time wanted to run a ‘modeling’ agency provides some non-structural insight into the creation of this place. “The [agency’s] Web site displayed pictures of young women listing their ‘ethnic look,’ measurements and details such as the number of piercings and tattoos they have.” And yours for the hiring for only $125/hour, 2 hour minimum. (This is from the first article link.) Modelling… sure. The excerpted paragraph from the no-longer-in-existence website is worth the price of admission all on its own. You’d think 1) someone with that much money would have enough education to write decently, or, 2) would know to hire someone who can.

Although the modeling agency is now defunct, according to the second article link, “the castle is reported to have a TV and media studio where they can broadcast ‘live webcasts’ Did I mention the shower large enough for parties or the glass floor…” All you need to host any of the other myriad business plans the owner has proposed… for his residential-permit-only property.

Anyone wanting to buy this place will be in the same pickle of having to pay for it with funds earned elsewhere. But then anyone with the money to buy this place presumably also has competent business advisers telling the to run, not walk, to, oh, say… anyplace that isn’t here.