Neverland Ranch

Sycamore Valley Ranch,formerlyNeverland RanchorNeverland Valley Ranch, is a developed property inSanta Barbara County, California, on the edge ofLos Padres National Forest. From 1988 to 2005, it was the home and privateamusement parkof the American singerMichael Jackson.The ranch is about 5 miles (8 km) north of unincorporatedLos Olivos, and about eight miles (13 km) north of the town ofSanta Ynez.
Originally namedZaca Laderas Ranch, the estate was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch shortly after it was purchased by the property developer William Bone in 1981.In 1988, the ranch was sold to Jackson, who renamed it afterNeverland, the fantasy island in the story ofPeter Pan, a boy who never ages.Jackson first visited the ranch when he visitedPaul McCartney, who was staying there during their filming of the 'Say Say Say' music video in 1983. According to Jackson's sisterLa Toya, he expressed interest in someday owning the property.
Jackson left Neverland Ranch in 2005, shortly after his acquittal ofchild sexual abuse charges, and never returned; he owned it untilhis deathin 2009. After the property had depreciated for several years, the American billionaire businessmanRonald Burkle, a friend of theJackson family, purchased it in 2020 for US$22 million.
The estate was originally known as the Zaca Laderas Ranch at the time of its purchase by the property developer William Bone in 1981.Bone renamed the estate the Sycamore Valley Ranch and moved there with his family. Bone commissioned the architect Robert Altevers to design the principal buildings on the ranch, and the pair spent two and a half years researching potential designs and ideas. The 13,000-square-foot (1,200 m) main house was completed in 1982, based on a design by Altevers,with formal gardens, a stone bridge, and a four-acre (1.5 ha) lake with a five-foot (1.5 m) waterfall. Bone later said that in building the house he had "...a desire to express everything I had learned in 15 years of home building...I achieved here all the things I wanted to do in my business but could not".He had considered converting the property to a country club but did not do so.
Prior to taking up residence at the ranch, Jackson lived with his family atHayvenhurst. He purchased the estate from Bone in March 1988for an unknown amount. Some sources indicate $19.5 millionwhile others suggest it was closer to $30 million.The property was initially purchased by atrustwith Jackson's lawyer, John Branca, and his accountant, Marshall Gelfand, as trustees, for reasons of privacy. The arrangement was later rescinded by Jackson in April 1988 and he became the ultimate owner of the property.It was Jackson's home as well as his private amusement park, with numerous artistic garden statues, amusement rides, and apetting zoo.
The property included three railroads: one3 ft(914 mm)narrow gaugenamed "Neverland Valley Railroad", with a steam locomotive namedKatherineafterhis mother(Crown4-4-0(2B), built-in 1973), and two coaches. The other was a2 ft(610 mm)narrow gauge, with aC. P. Huntington replica locomotivemade byChance Rides.There was also a custom-made private electric train that was purchased by Jackson for his own children, Michael Jr.,Paris, and Prince II. The train was manufactured in 2001 by a German company Elektro-Mobiltechnik. The train was set up in the yard at Neverland behind the main house and had 100 feet (30 m) of track.
There was also aFerris wheel,carousel,zipper,octopus,pirate ship,wave swinger, Super Slide,roller coaster,bumper cars, and anamusement arcade. The master closet also contained a secretsafe roomfor security.
Some of the events that took place at the Ranch included the wedding ofElizabeth TaylorandLarry Fortenskyin 1991 and the liveOprah Winfreyinterview of Jackson in 1993.In 1995, Jackson and his then-wifeLisa Marie Presleyhosted children from around the world for a three-day World Children's Congress, a series of seminars and workshops on issues facing kids around the globe, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of theUnited Nations.
On November 18, 2003, a search warrant was executed at Neverland Ranch in connection with thePeople v. Jacksontrial after Jackson was charged with multiple counts ofmolesting a minor. Jackson was acquitted of all charges. However, Jackson stated he would never live at the property again as he no longer considered the ranch a home and did not return to Neverland.Jackson's sister,La Toya, wrote of her experience staying at the ranch during her brother's trial in her 2012 memoirStarting Over.The main house at Neverland Ranch was closed as a cost-cutting measure, while Jackson lived inBahrainat the hospitality of Sheik Abdullah, the ruler's son.
Neverland Ranch had a central role in the allegations against Jackson of alleged child sexual abuse; it is one of the main sites where Jackson's accusers have said the alleged sexual abuse took place. The ranch's association with alleged sexual abuse allegations was described as a possible reason for a significant depreciation.
Reports of foreclosure proceedings against Neverland Ranch were published in 2007.A spokesperson for Jackson said that the loan was merely beingrefinancedand Jackson (later his estate) remained the majority stake holder, with a legal retention of 87.5% of the ranch.
On February 25, 2008, Jackson received word from Financial Title Company, the trustee, that unless he paid off $24,525,906.61 by March 19, apublic auctionwould go forward of the land, buildings, and other items such as the rides, trains, and art.On March 13, 2008, Jackson's lawyer L. Londell McMillan announced that a private agreement had been reached with the private investment group,Fortress Investment, to save Jackson's ownership of the ranch.Before the agreement, Jackson owed three months'arrearson the property.McMillan did not reveal the details of the deal.
On May 12, 2008, aforeclosureauctionfor the ranch was canceled afterColony Capital, an investment company run by billionaire Tom Barrack, purchased theloan, which was in default. The selling price was $22.5 million.In a press release, Jackson stated, "I am pleased with recent developments involving Neverland Ranch and I am in discussions with Colony andTom Barrackwith regard to the Ranch and other matters that would allow me to focus on the future."
On November 10, 2008, Jackson transferred the title to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LLC, and neighbors reported immediate activity on the property, including the amusement rides being trucked along the highway.Jackson still owned an unknown stake in the property, since Sycamore Valley Ranch was ajoint venturebetween Jackson (represented by McMillan) and an affiliate of Colony Capital.TheSanta Barbara CountyAssessor's Office stated Jackson sold an unknown proportion of his property rights for $35 million.Subsequent news reports however, indicated that Colony Capital had invested only $22.5 million in the property.In any event, reliable sources indicate that Colony was the majority owner.
Kyle Forsyth, Colony's project manager, described the estate's Tudor-style buildings and savanna-like grasslands as "English country manor meets Kenya." Colony hoped to sell the ranch, located in Santa Barbara County, in its entirety. Subdividing it, said Forsyth, "would destroy it".
The Zipper, Lolli Swing and Spider rides were purchased by Helm and Sons Amusements which also purchased rides for Jackson while Neverland's private amusement park was in operation.Butler Amusements, of Fairfield, California purchased six of the rides.Since their sale, these rides have appeared at county and state fairs across California, Oregon and Washington, sometimes with signs describing their Neverland origin.Archway Amusements Corp of Imperial, Missouri purchased the 65 feet (20 m) ferris wheel which was originally custom made for Jackson in 1990 for $215,000 by the manufacturer Eli Bridge Company of Jacksonville, Illinois.
Some rides were more permanently installed. The Dragon Wagon children'sroller coasteris in operation atConey Island, New York City.The Sea Dragon swinging ship ride was purchased in 2008 byBeech Bend Parkin Bowling Green, Kentucky.The bumper cars were permanently installed at CalExpo, site of the California State Fair.In 2013, the billionaire British businessmanJo Bamfordmade plans to buy the ranch, but never finished the deal.
FollowingJackson's death, press reports during June 28–29, 2009, claimed that his family intended to bury him at the Neverland Ranch, eventually turning it into a place ofpilgrimagefor his fans, similar to howGracelandhas become a destination for fans ofElvis Presley.Jackson's fatherJoseph Jacksonlater denied the reports.Construction equipment and gardeners entered the grounds on July 1, prompting speculation that preparations were being made for something related to Jackson's death, but local officials stated that a burial there would be only allowed if the owners of the ranch would go through a permitting process with county and state government before establishing a cemetery at the site. Jackson's 2002 will gives his entire estate to a family trust.
The ranch was the setting for two media appearances on July 2, 2009.Jermaine JacksontookThe Today Show'sMatt Laueron a tour of the main house,and he was interviewed on the grounds of the house byLarry Kingforhis show.In January 2013, musical artistLady Gagaannounced her willingness to help Jackson's children in keeping the ranch by investing in the property.
The amusement rides and animals–excluding thellamas–were gone by 2009,replaced with ameditativezen gardenand a section decorated withPeter Pan, Jackson's favorite fictional hero.
In May 2015, it was announced that the Neverland Ranch, renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch, would be put up for sale with an initial asking price of $100 million. By that time, Colony NorthStar had completed extensive renovations to the property.Many people, including fans, protested and disagreed with the decision. Jermaine Jackson, elder brother of Michael, wrote an open letter to Colony NorthStar expressing his disagreement with their decision.
As of May 2016, the 2,700-acre (1,100 ha) ranch, jointly owned by the Jackson estate and Colony NorthStar,was put up for sale bySotheby's International Realtywith an asking price of $100 million.The price included the 12,598-square-foot (1,170.4 m) six bedroom Normandy-style mansion, the four-acre lake with a waterfall, a pool house, three guest houses, a tennis court, and a 5,500-square-foot (510 m) movie theater and stage.The train station and railway tracks were also included. According toTimemagazine, the owners were seeking a buyer who did not plan to turn the ranch into a Jackson museum.
Due to a lack of interest, the asking price of the ranch had fallen to $67 million by February 2017.The property was still on the market in early 2018, at the same price, withColdwell Banker.In February 2019, the asking price was reduced to $31 million.The listing agent for the ranch said nothing had changed except the price. The structures and landscaping are still maintained.
In December 2020, the billionaire businessmanRonald Burkle, a friend of theJackson family, purchased the property for $22 million as a "land bankingopportunity".The ranch was evacuated as theLake fireburned nearby in 2024.