\\The cheapest of the following five mansions goes for $7.495 million, and the prices go up—way up—from there. Many contain a few unusual amenities, while others are loaded with them.
The Sandcastle House, pictured at top
Location: Bridgehampton, N.Y.
Price: $43.5 million
Bedrooms: 10
Square footage: 31,000
Many mansions have bowling alleys. It might even be true that more luxury mansions have bowling alleys than there are luxury mansion-dwellers who bowl. Still, other estates don’t have bowling alleys as modern and beautiful as this one.The mega-mansion pictured at top, built by Hamptons developer Joe Farrell on 11.5 acres, has a lot going on: a heated granite pool with an underwater stereo, and a master suite with 2,800 square feet. The lowest level of the three-level home is the Air Lounge, with a two-lane bowling alley, full bar and disco, rock climbing wall, and a full spa facility. The “recreation pavilion” also features a skateboarder's halfpipe.
With all that, some of the home's best known occupants are perfectly able to entertain themselves: Beyonce and Jay-Z are said to have paid $400,000 to rent the place last August.
(Photos: trulia.com
Full Stage
Location: Los Angeles
Price: $7.495 million
Bedrooms: 5
Square footage: 10,000
Home theaters with comfy seating and a movie screen or an oversize flat-screen TV are old hat. This estate in a gated community overlooking a country club features a full-on theater with a stage big enough for a grand piano. With Hollywood nearby, you never know when an entertainer might drop in.
Whoever does come by can enjoy a full bar and lounge area for pre-concert gatherings, and separate guest quarters if the show runs late.
(Photo: luxuryportfolio.com
Indoor Basketball Court
Location: Highland Park, Ill.
Price: $29 million
Bedrooms: 9
Bathrooms: 15 full, 4 partial
This contemporary mansion just north of Chicago has a professional-grade indoor basketball court. There’s a good reason for that, indicated by the number emblazoned on the mansion's front gates. It is the home of legendary Chicago Bulls ballplayer, Number 23 himself, Michael Jordan.
(Photos: trulia.com
The Primm Compound
Location: Las Vegas
Price: $16.5 million
Bedrooms: 10
Square footage: 21,000
Where can you do “over-the-top” better than in Vegas? This 1991 equestrian compound has a casino with a bar plus an entirely different type of "game room" — a trophy room with light-activated animal sounds. Also on the premises are an indoor-outdoor dog villa, beauty parlor, shooting range, 20-car showroom with deionized-water carwash, and gas station.
(Photos: trulia.com
Collector Garage Mini VillageLocation: Fairfield, Conn.
Price: $19.998 million
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 8 full, 3 partial
Square footage: 22,882
The owner of this mansion not only collects cars, he also has a collection of car-collector garages. Of the three auto barns (plus a maintenance bay), one barn is reminiscent of Elvis’ classic auto museum at Graceland. It comes complete with an antique Mobil gas station with vintage pumps, Main Street-style “storefronts,” and a functioning diner. There is also a vineyard on the grounds and a caretaker’s house that dates back to 1896.