Longview Estate, New Hampshire’s most expensive home, has gotten another price cut to $19.8 million, down from $25.8 million, according to property records. Located on Lake Winnipesaukee, in Alton, Longview Estate was originally listed for $49 million in 2014—this is the home’s third price cut.
The compound, the value of which is assessed at around $23 million by Belknap county, is owned by Sandra Bahre and her son Gary Bahre, according to property records. The Bahres developed all of the structures on the estate from 2000 to 2005.
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Mr. Bahre said that the estate consists of two main houses, one for his parents and one for him. Set on 16.56 acres, with 1,594 feet of water frontage, the compound’s two homes have a combined interior space of 63,000 square feet. Privacy was a high priority for the owners; the property is set far from other residences in the area and is accessed through a gated entrance and a long driveway to the main house, according to the listing.
The property used to be a boys’ camp, and has "wonderful grandfathered features that you could not replace," said Kristin Claire, of LandVest Inc., the listing agent for the 12-bedroom 26-bathroom estate.
Other highlights of the exterior include multiple docks, two boathouses, a cottage stone amphitheater, a pool with a waterfall and an adjoining grotto, a helicopter pad and a tennis court, as stated in the listing.
Meanwhile the interiors feature two ballrooms, 23 fireplaces, pub and billiards rooms, two elevators, two libraries, two movie theaters and high-quality finishes including marble, granite and intricate wood moldings, according to the listing.
Despite its size and various luxury amenities Longview’s previous price was, "so far above the market," said Ms. Claire. However, now the price seems to be set to sell. Nevertheless, New Hampshire’s highest recorded residential sale to date was $8.72 million, according to sales records on RedFin, significantly less than Longview’s new asking price.
The Bahre family, founders of the New Hampshire International Speedway, were known for hosting annual summer parties. Many of the celebrities in attendance at the party left signatures on the walls of the guest bathroom in the entertainment barn.
"One of the things I’m going to miss most is that bathroom," said Mr. Bahre. "The walls were like a guestbook."
He described many legendary summer soirées that often ended in musical concerts from celebrity guests like Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler and country singer Reba McEntire. One summer the two performed, "Great Balls of Fire" together at the request of Mr. Bahre. "I’ve seen like oodles of concerts and that was really the coolest thing I’ve ever seen musically," Mr. Bahre said.
Other notable guests have included singer Diana Ross, economist Nouriel Roubini, country singer Trace Adkins, race car driver Jeff Gordon, and 1960s-rock icon John Fogerty.
Longview is, "very much geared toward entertaining," Ms. Claire said.
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Since selling their stakes in the speedway, the Bahres no longer have ties to New Hampshire, so they decided to sell the property, Ms. Claire explained. The family now "simply don’t have the use for it," Mr. Bahre said. "It needs a family and children for the activities that you can do there."
He also cited his parents’ age and the large size of the property as reasons why now is the perfect time to sell.
While the homes are being sold as a bundle that makes up the Longview Estate, they are also available individually for $9.9 million each, Ms. Claire said.