Tennessee Castle & Racetrack!

Tennessee Castle & Racetrack!

Tennessee Castle & Racetrack!

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Tennessee’s Crantzdorf Castle, a replica of Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander, Spain, and built by imported European craftsmen, is more than just another man cave for good old boys. It also sports a one-sixteenth scaleversion of the nearby Bristol Motor Speedway, making the property a study in contrasts. The castle was built by auto dealership owner, Steve Grindstaff, over a ten-year period, who apparently was torn between aspirations of grandeur and his deep seated affection for the backwoods bootlegging background of NASCAR - each 180 degrees opposite of the other. Another point of contrasting interest is its location in Johnson City where the 2010 Census listed the median income at $37,047 and median house value at $37,047. Having fulfilled his fantasy, Grindstaff was given a reality check by his wife, newly pregnant with twins, who pointed out that she had no intention of taking care of a 24,000 square foot house while chasing after babies.

Steve bought her a nice reasonable house for their soon-to-be new family and put the castle up for sale at $28.5 million. With no takers, the price was eventually cut to $19.5 million. Still with no takers, the house was put up for auction with Concierge Auctions that included a collection of Steve’s sports cars to race on the track. Immediately there were three interested buyers so the auction was cancelled. However, none of the three potential buyers bought the castle. It was eventually purchased by Kenneth Wayne Thacker for $3.36 million – an 88% discount from the original asking price.

The palatial 24,000 square foot Crantzdorf Castle also has a 4,000 square foot climate controlled garage for the car collector and the replica Bristol Motor Speedway. The castle’s 22-foot entry doors were imported from Paris with other imported materials such as marble, imported hand carved bar from England along with handmade crown moldings and stained glass windows throughout. There are nine bedrooms, fourteen baths, a 22-foot tall grand fireplace, a pub, billiards room, finished basement and attic. There is an indoor basketball court, a swimming pool with lake view, covered veranda and gazebo.

NASCAR fan’s castle originally priced at $28.5 million – now $4.3 million.

Source: www.alliancesothebysrealty.com