UnReal Estate: Graceland in California? A Future for Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch
Posted by Annalisa Burgos | June 26, 2009
Everyone dreams of their perfect home, but very few get the chance to actually live in it.
The King of Pop was one of them.
In 1987, Michael Jackson shelled out $17 million for more than 2,500 acres in Los Olivos, Calif. (about 125 miles north of Los Angeles).
He designed his dream home, complete with 22 buildings, including a Tudor-style mansion, a zoo and an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, bumper cars and other rides. The Neverland Ranch — named after the island in “Peter Pan” where children never grow up — was estimated to be worth more than $100 million.
But the dream home later became a nightmare, after Jackson faced charges of molesting a boy on the property. He moved out of Neverland in 2005, and the neglected estate went into disrepair.
By 2008, Jackson had defaulted on the mortgage and faced foreclosure if he failed to pay back a $24.5 million loan. An investment company stepped in at the last minute and bought some of the property rights for $35 million, with Jackson maintaining partial ownership.
Now with the legendary artist’s death, what will become of the Neverland Ranch? Personally, I hope the owners will fix up the estate and turn it into a museum and memorial to MJ, similar to what Graceland became for Elvis Presley.
Because Neverland Ranch was always shrouded in mystery, opening it to the public would allow fans to connect with the pop icon at a new level. After all, what better way to get to know a person than by seeing their home.
And I’m sure ticket sales would more than pay off MJ’s massive debt.
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Kelly Breathe
June 29th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I would love to buy a ticket… that is a fantastic idea!
chandana
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 am
That will be a great idea,every one would like to pay their tribute to this legend atleast this way.jackson ur great *****
Cem Wilson
July 5th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I dont really think that money issues should really be main drive behind restoring neverland ranch
I Think anyone who devoted so much of their time and imagination to such a place calling it Neverland , should have it restored to its former glory , especially for MJs Children .. remembering this was their home for many years
Ive always been very much in awe of Neverland ,
I mean look at the garden from the over head picture of the clock
because Michael Jackson Made Time Stand Still at NeverLand !!!
GOD bless Michael Jacksons Children
Peace be Too You MJ XOXO
shadaneysa
July 5th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
i wonder how do u get there and how can i get a ticket ask michael jackson daughter paris if she ever hade a side kick if no maybe we can be friends chek me out on stardoll ms.strawberry19 18 or 17
vanessa
July 5th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
i love you michael jackson
M Rivas
July 5th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I would love to buy a ticket too
margie
July 6th, 2009 at 6:35 am
me too! i would love to buy more than one tickets . . .
bhavna
July 6th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
I give my all blesses for MJ. I m not accepted that he is no more. He will always live in our hearts. GOD BLESS for him and his children.
kimberly
July 7th, 2009 at 2:52 am
I think it is definitely a great idea for Michael’s HOme to become a museum it’s a way to preserve his creation and dream home and in return for many fans to look back on. After all, he is a legend so why not let his home sweet home last forever.
Jackie
July 7th, 2009 at 4:56 am
REST IN PEACE MJ
Alexander G.Mccargo
July 7th, 2009 at 8:39 am
The neverland was not a place for public program,but it was MJ private place to live his life but i see people buying Ticket for memorial service program.Please the will is a pieace of wish for a dead man, let the lawyer of MJ educate the adminstrator.
I say hello to his three children & mother, may God grant them peace of mind as the goe through the stage of burevement.
Alexander Mccargo
BIVAC INTERNATIONAL
jaya
July 8th, 2009 at 6:35 am
MJ is my favourite i love him so much………….
may his soul in peace………
god bless his children
ANAIS
July 8th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON…
p ferguson
July 9th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
all my prayers be with the family and children of michael’.life is what you make it and michael made his dreams come as true as he could for what he believed and dream it could be.the day i heard about his death i was so shocked and couldn’t believe this had happen to someone i grow up with.the music and the man was like no other and he will be missed but never forgotten.the morning after i was headed to work and i look up to the sky on a beautiful morning and there was a colorful rainbow streching over the horizen as it was the stairway for michael to walk to heaven in peace.god bless and dream your dreams.pam
Kelly hope
July 11th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
michael Jackson you’re a legend.
Gentle Jesus up above
Please give MJ all my love. Xxxx
A RAY OF SUNSHINE CAME AND WENT
AN ABSOLUT LEGEND CAME AND WENT
IN GODS KEEPING HE QUIETLY SLEEPS
THE LEGEND WE LOVED BUT COULD’T
KEEP xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ROB
July 15th, 2009 at 5:18 am
I AGREE THEY NEED TO PRESERVE NEVERLAND MICHAEL WAS A TRUE GIFT FROM GOD ITS A SHAME THAT NOT ALL RELISED IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR MUSIC AND HEART FELT THOUGHTS REST IN PEACE MICHAEL YOU EARNED IT. GOD BLESS
Leslie
July 17th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Neverland should be a musuem for US to bring us closer to Michael. I understand there were people who made him feel uncomforatable in his dream home after his home was violated with lies and false rumers he wanted nothing to do with this place. Even though he would have never lived there again I think he would like to share it with us. To show us “We not alone”
R.I.P. MJJ
zanna
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:08 am
i love u MJ u r a legent lol
zanna
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:09 am
i love u MJ. ur a legend lol.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MSHELIA YAHAYA
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:25 am
I love micheal, he is a true legend, he makes proud of music today and forever. May his soul rest in peace. My regard also to the entire family members especially the children and janet who happens to love micheal so much, i also love her.
slow motion
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:16 am
Michael Jaackson you are really a legend and the king of pop.W ish you a better journey and live long . I love u Jackson