Beverly Hills Mansion Turns to Organic Farming

If you wanted to live in Beverly Hills, you had your chance when the spectacular Palazzo di Amore hit the market in November last year for $195 million.

The trumped up estate dropped $46 million from its price tag and went down to $149 million in September, according to CNBC.

Still, no takers.

So now you can still live in the 35,000-square-foot main house, 15,000-square-foot entertainment center, and detached guest house on 25 acres for just $475,000 per month, according to thebillionaireshop.com.

So what’s an owner to do, particularly when he and his family live across the country in Palm Beach, Florida?

“We’re going to grow tomatoes, potatoes, onions, corn,” said Jeff Greene, the real estate magnate who owns the property. “We’re going to talk to a local farmer who is going to take the product and sell in a local market. And, of course, we’ll eat the organic foods.”

Whaaaaat?!

Yes, the man who “made a fortune betting against subprime mortgages” and “bought the estate out of receivership for $35 million in 2007 from Saudi businessman Mishaal K. Adham and his wife, while it was under construction,” according to The Wall Street Journal, is adding a two-acre organic farm to his prime and pricey property where he married his wife Mei Sze Greene the same year with Mike Tyson serving as best man.

In fact, the name Palazzo di Amore, aka “palace of love,” is a nod to the couple’s nuptials, says WSJ.

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But back to the farm.

Greene’s intent is for his organic farm’s yield to be sold at a local market. “We’re going to grow tomatoes, potatoes, onions, corn,” he said. “We’re going to talk to a local farmer who is going to take the product and sell in a local market. And, of course, we’ll eat the organic foods.”

And what of the fact land in the area is valued at $10 million per acre, at a minimum?

“Right now, part of the land is not really being used at all, so why is it crazy?” he told CNBC.

Indeed, the estate includes a vineyard one passes by on the quarter-mile driveway leading to the main home. The working vineyard produces six types of wine, according to Forbes.

Perched atop Beverly Hills with expansive views of Los Angeles, the mega-mansion features 12 bedrooms, 23 bathrooms, a finished wine cellar, a traditional hammam (Turkish-style spa), disco/ballroom, revolving turntable-style dance floor, DJ booth, laser-light system, 50-seat private screening room, bowling alley and game room, and garage parking for 27 cars.

Among its recent additions is “a $1 million grand entry complete with a new gate, turnabout and guard station and lounge area that connects the tennis court to other recreational facilities,” according to according to thebillionaireshop.com.

And if that’s not enough, the 25 acres also offers a “spectacular 128-foot reflecting pool and fountain, a waterfall, a swimming pool, a spa and a barbecue area,” not to mention that fact that the “entertainment complex can house up to 250 guests and sports state-of-the-art video and audio equipment.”

Need a new home or a place to go, anyone?!