Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch for sale with drastic price cut
TODAY -- Pictured: Neverland Ranch-- NBC News' Matt Lauer gets an exclusive behind-the-scenes of Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson lived for 15 years, getting a rare look inside the private world of the King of Pop (Photo by Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU
The Neverland ranch in California that once belonged to late pop icon Michael Jackson has returned to the market for $31 million, a fraction of the $100 million it once sold for in 2015.
The Santa Barbara County property -- now called Sycamore Valley Ranch -- is being listed by Compass. According to The Wall Street Journal, the property was pulled from the market in 2017, a few months after the price was slashed to $67 million.
TODAY -- Pictured: Inside Neverland Ranch -- NBC News' Matt Lauer gets an exclusive behind-the-scenes of Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson lived for 15 years, getting a rare look inside the private world of the King of Pop (Photo by Trae Patton/
That’s largely because of the hefty price tag, in addition to negative effects from a drought in the state at the time of the listing. Now, the listing agents are attributing the dramatic price decrease to years of drought and other natural disasters.
TODAY -- Pictured: Neverland Ranch-- NBC News' Matt Lauer gets an exclusive behind-the-scenes of Neverland Ranch, where Michael Jackson lived for 15 years, getting a rare look inside the private world of the King of Pop (Photo by Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU
In the listing, Neverland is described as the “ultimate ranch retreat,” with six-bedrooms, an expansive covered outdoor barbeque area, pool, tennis court, three separate guest homes, a 5,500-square-foot movie theater with stage, several barns, animal shelter facilities, corrals and a maintenance shop.
391113 03: An aerial view of a section of singer Michael Jackson''s Neverland theme park June 25, 2001 in Santa Ynez, CA. (Photo by Jason Kirk/Getty Images)
The 2,700-acre property, which still maintains some of its iconic features, like a clock that spells out “Neverland”, is sure to draw attention this week. On Sunday, HBO is slated to premiere its two-part, four-hour movie “Leaving Neverland,” a documentary about two men who say they were sexually abused by Jackson as children.
The Jackson family has denied the accusations from James Safechuck and Wade Robson, calling them “opportunists” and “admitted liars.” Last week, Jackson’s estate filed a lawsuit, alleging a breach of contract against HBO.
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Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the Jackson estate, told the Journal that the timing of the listing is unrelated to the film.
“It’s time for new stewardship,” he said.