Land Report Top Ten: January 2013

From the Pacific to the Northeast, here are America’s priciest properties, led by Walton Ranch in Wyoming, which is listed with Ranch Marketing Associates for $100 million. New to the list is Four Peaks Ranch just outside of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Rosenthal – The Malibu Estate & Vineyard in California.

1. Walton Ranch: $100 million

This 1,848-acre working cattle ranch was pieced together by the Walton family beginning in 1958. The family placed the ranch under conservation easement in 1983. Billy Long and Ron Morris of Ranch Marketing Associates have the listing.

2. Big Homer’s Pond: $92 million

Located in the town of West Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard, Big Homer’s Pond (pictured above) is comprised of 266 acres and includes ownership of all developable waterfront, exclusive rights for building on Big Homer’s Pond, and exclusive rights to private oceanfront lying to the east of Long Point Wildlife Refuge. Wallace & Co. Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.

3. Broken O Ranch (Texas): $81 million

Located in Boerne, Texas, the historic Broken O Ranch is one of Texas’ finest ranches on the market today. Featuring breathtaking views that only the Texas Hill Country has to offer, this ranch is also home to an array of wildlife. Trip duPerier with duPerier Texas Land Man, LLC has the listing.

4. Ranch Dos Pueblos: $79 million

This oceanfront parcel is on the market for the first time in three decades. Spanning 2,175 acres just west of Santa Barbara, it’s one of the largest remaining ranches along the breathtaking Gaviota Coast. Kerry Mormann & Associates has the listing.

5. Four Peaks Ranch: $75 million

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, just outside Aspen, Four Peaks Ranch presents a rare opportunity to own a quintessential mountain paradise. Totaling 876 acres, the 18,000 sq. ft. home on this property features unparalleled views of Mt. Sopris, Mt. Daly, Capital Peak and Snowmas. Joshua & Co. has the listing.

6. Dillingham Ranch: $65 million

Located in Mokuleia, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, this historic 2,700 acre estate offers all of the charms and essence of Hawaii, from white sandy beaches to mountain terrain and acres of open green space scattered with coconut trees, monkey pods, and rare plant species indigenous to Hawaii. Zackary Wright with Christie’s International Real Estate has the listing.

6. Sagg Pond Estate: $65 million

Located in one of the Hamptons’ most exclusive enclaves on the banks of the tranquil Sagg Pond, this 33-acre waterfront estate is bordered by dozens of acres of protected land, ensuring privacy and pristine conditions for generations to come. Debbie Loeffler of the Corcoran Group has the listing.

8. Big Creek Ranch: $59.9 million

Only eight miles from Steamboat Springs, 5,034-acre Big Creek Ranch offers rainbow and brook trout fishing along five miles of Big Creek as well as a half-mile of the Elk River. National forest borders 85 percent of the property, offering easy access to an additional 150,000 acres of pristine wilderness, including world-class trout fishing and hunting for elk and mule deer. A mix of forest and meadows provides ideal wildlife habitat and summer pasturage. Listed by Ron Morris and Billy Long of Ranch Marketing Associates.

9. Rosenthal: The Malibu Estate & Vineyard: $59.5 million

Situated 1,400 feet above the coastal fog and four miles from the beach, Rosenthal: The Malibu Estate & Vineyard offers a rare, private wine country lifestyle. Featuring a fully operational vineyard and winery, this Malibu Estate is one of the most sought after properties on the market today. Listed with Kerry Mormann & Associates.

10. Rockpile Ranch: $54.5 million

For only the third time in over a century, this 55,374-acre cattle ranch in the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas is on the market. Since 1992, the Rockpile has been owned by McCoy Remme Ranches (No. 39 on the 2012 Land Report 100). James King of King Land and Water is the listing agent.

Click here to download a copy of the January 2013 newsletter.

Land Report Top 10: Swain’s Neck

Located on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket, Swain’s Neck is a one-of-a-kind waterfront estate.

Sitting on Polpis Harbor, this exclusive 69-acre retreat features spectacular, unobstructed views of the harbor as well as a sprawling main residence which embraces the magnificent views, a charming guest cottage, a private studio/office, a boathouse, a gatehouse with apartment, several fenced-in pastures, a sport court and meticulously manicured grounds and gardens.

The property also offers an array of recreational activities, from tennis and striped bass fishing to scalloping and horseback riding.

Swain’s Neck is listed with Maury People Sotheby’s International Realty for $59 million. For more information, contact Gary Winn at (508) 228-1881 x 115 or at gary@maurypeople.com.

Click here to download a copy of the May 2012 newsletter.

Land Report Top Ten: May 2012

From the Pacific to the Northeast, here are America’s priciest properties, led by $132.5 million Broken O Ranch in Montana, which is listed with Bates Sanders Swan Land Company. New to the list is Dillingham Ranch in Hawaii and Swain’s Neck (pictured above) on Nantucket Island.

1. Broken O Ranch (Montana): $132.5 million

At 123,000 acres, this ranch has been in the making for the past 20 years. With its expansive cattle and farming operation, this ranch currently carries 3,500 mother cows plus 800 replacement heifers and 200 range bulls. The Broken O Ranch also contains Montana’s largest block of irrigated land, approximately 13,000 acres, and has historically averaged 25,000 tons of alfalfa hay and 700,000 bushels of small grain crops annually. Mike Swan of Bates Sanders Swan Land Company has the listing.

2. Walton Ranch: $100 million

This 1,848-acre working cattle ranch was pieced together by the Walton family beginning in 1958. The family placed the ranch under conservation easement in 1983. Billy Long and Ron Morris of Ranch Marketing Associates have the listing.

3. Broken O Ranch (Texas): $81 million

Located in Boerne, Texas, the historic Broken O Ranch is one of Texas’ finest ranches on the market today. Featuring breathtaking views that only the Texas Hill Country has to offer, this ranch is also home to an array of wildlife. Trip duPerier with duPerier Texas Land Man, LLC has the listing.

4. Ranch Dos Pueblos: $79 million

This oceanfront parcel is on the market for the first time in three decades. Spanning 2,175 acres just west of Santa Barbara, it’s one of the largest remaining ranches along the breathtaking Gaviota Coast. Kerry Mormann & Associates has the listing.

5. Dillingham Ranch: $65 million

Located in Mokuleia, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, this historic 2,700 acre estate offers all of the charms and essence of Hawaii, from white sandy beaches to mountain terrain and acres of open green space scattered with coconut trees, monkey pods, and rare plant species indigenous to Hawaii. Zackary Wright with Christie’s International Real Estate has the listing.

6. Big Creek Ranch: $59.9 million

Only eight miles from Steamboat Springs, 5,034-acre Big Creek Ranch offers rainbow and brook trout fishing along five miles of Big Creek as well as a half-mile of the Elk River. National forest borders 85 percent of the property, offering easy access to an additional 150,000 acres of pristine wilderness, including world-class trout fishing and hunting for elk and mule deer. A mix of forest and meadows provides ideal wildlife habitat and summer pasturage. Listed by Ron Morris and Billy Long of Ranch Marketing Associates.

7. Swain’s Neck: $59 million

Spread out on almost 70 acres, Swain’s Neck is an exclusive waterfront estate on Nantucket Island. Featuring spectacular, unobstructed 180-degree views of Polpis Harbor, this property includes a sprawling main residence which embraces the magnificent views, a charming guest cottage, a private studio/office, a boathouse, a gatehouse with apartment, several fenced-in pastures, a sport court and meticulously manicured grounds and gardens. Listed with Gary Winn with Maury People Sotheby’s International Realty.

8. Hana Ranch: $55 million

This 4,500-acre working ranch on eastern Maui surrounds the town of Hana. The property boasts two miles of Pacific oceanfront and rises over 2,200 feet up the slopes of Haleakala. Dan Omer of Island Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.

9. Rockpile Ranch: $54.5 million

For only the third time in over a century, this 55,374-acre cattle ranch in the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas is on the market. Since 1992, the Rockpile has been owned by McCoy Remme Ranches (No. 41 on the 2011 Land Report 100). James King of King Land and Water is the listing agent.

10. Aspen Valley Ranch: $52 million

Billed as the largest ranch near Aspen in the Roaring Fork Valley, this ranch boasts senior water rights as well as over 800 acres and is located just 10 minutes from the Aspen airport. Joshua Saslove of Joshua & Co. has the listing.

Click here to download a copy of the May 2012 newsletter.

Land Report May 2012 Newsletter

Many items to consider from our May newsletter, but let’s stick to page one material. The Land Report Top Ten has a brand-new look with Montana’s Broken O Ranch now crowning the list. The 124,000-acre Bates Sanders Swan listing features more than 20 miles of the Sun River, carries 3,500 mother cows, and produces about 25,000 tons of alfalfa hay and 700,000 bushels of small grain crops annually. At $132.5 million, it’s not a ranch. It’s a hedge fund, one built on a rock-solid agricultural asset.

Two properties have joined the Top Ten: Hawaii’s Dillingham Ranch, our new No. 5 at $65 million, which is listed by Zackary Wright with Christie’s; and Swain’s Neck on Nantucket Island, the new No. 7 at $59 million, courtesy of Gary Winn at Maury People Sotheby’s International Realty. There has been a $5 million reduction on No. 4 California’s Rancho Dos Pueblos, which Kerry Mormann & Associates now has listed for $79 million.

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4 – Irving Family – 1.2 million acres

From newspapers to gas stations, the Irving clan has its hands in a sprawling amount of business. And 1.2 million of the Canadian family’s more than 3 million acres are in the northeastern United States. J.D. Irving, Limited, the family’s forestry business, can trace its beginnings to a single sawmill that opened in 1882, but JDI’s business ventures now include everything from shipbuilding to home-improvement stores to frozen-potato products. And as if that weren’t enough, there’s also Irving Oil, the family’s other major business operation. Irving employs more than 7,000 workers, owns more than 800 retail locations, and runs Canada’s largest refinery. And the place is so expansive that employees ride bicycles to travel inside the refinery. Not bad for a company that started in a small garage in 1924.

Growth, growth, and more growth seems to be the business model that the Irvings have followed. Now run by brothers James, Arthur, and John, the Irving empire has become increasingly dominating, and the rather secretive family has been able to take vertical integration to a whole new level. With such diverse industries in their portfolios, the Irving companies (all privately owned) can use the services and products of other Irving companies, ensuring that profits stay within the family.

With more than a century in business, the Irvings have dealt with their share of controversy: environmental criticisms, accusations of political patronage, and media monopolization complaints, to name a few. But guilty or not, one thing is for sure: There’s no slowing these guys down.