Kimball Castle for sale in Craigslist
 

I was out on Craigslist and came across an ad for Kimball castle, it is selling at $895,000. I did not see this anywhere else on the forum and wanted to share. If it is already out here, I appoligize.

Bring on ice out!


Http://nh.craigslist.org/reb/1093219679.html

Kimball Castle - Ghost Hunters?
 

Wasn't Kimball Castle featured on the SciFi Channel show "Ghost Hunters" recently?

Yes
 

It was, it was in a rehab, or far from being in a completed state

Back on the Market
 

I came across a listing today for the castle... $995,000

Bean Group Listing
This Historic Landmark awaits an opportunistic buyer. Set atop 24 acres on Lockes Hill, The Kimball Castle property abounds with possibilities. Zoned Resort/Commercial, the Castle has been approved for resort development. The breathtaking lake and mountain views, 260 acres of conservation land that borders the property and over 1,750 feet of road frontage on NH Rte 11 provide excellent potential for development. If you prefer this site for a single family residence that also may be an option.

What kind of resort could they possibly build there?
How much work did the previous owners do to elevate the price tag $100k? Was it new construction or repairs?

Hmmmm
 

Kind of weird that the taxes are under $10k, with that much land and view, and sqft of bldg, and the caretakers house, I would have thought the taxes would be higher.

You have to pay the real estate broker - The Bean Group - from something so add 100K. :D

With the land it would be possible to build many things.... to create touristy attration.... remember the castle in clouds? It was once privately owned........ Unfortunately the property was never developed in such away to keep the whole estate intact and make it profitable.

All it takes is some creativity and thought.... Anything is possible.....whether it will succeed or not... Well that is another gamble all together.....

Castle had its chance
 

A number of folks wanted to buy the castle decades ago. But the trust imposed all kinds of restrictions. Now that the castle in in disrepair, the trust doesn't want to end up being forced to tear it down because it became dangerous. The trust decided to off load it.

I see the same situation with the Colonial Theater downtown Laconia.

Digging up an old thread..

What is the local sentiment on the castle these days? I have been intrigued by it and dug into the history a bit for fun. It sounds like the town of Gilford (government and taxpayers) years ago voted not to preserve/restore the structure itself and basically wanted to wash their hands of it.

These days it sits in such poor condition that it is going to fall down, not a matter of if, a matter of when. The carriage house already has. One of these days someone will most likely knock it flat as it is not cost effective to rebuild it. Is there a fear that will happen or do people really care one way or the other these days?

I've heard no discussion here in Gilford for many, many years. It's too bad it hasn't been put into some sort of "trust" that could raise the money to have it rehabilitated. I recall there was some sort of effort made maybe 15 years ago or so, but memory fails on the details of the plan, and the result.

Your post made me curious as to what sort of shape it was in. So I climbed the hill from the small parking area off Rt 11 and snapped a few pics from behind the stone wall that seems mark the property line.

Pictures aren't great because I wasn't willing to climb the wall, and possibly be trespassing. Detail is not real good, but I can tell you it looks to be in rough shape. All of the windows I could see from the spot I was in, are broken out. Some frames and all are gone.

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Those pictures are actually quite flattering compared to what it looks like up close. I saw it up close a few months ago. A few of the walls are bowing out badly, one of them has major chunks missing. The floors inside have holes, in some places they will not bear weight at all. No windows left, doors are boarded up. Trash everywhere.

I think it changed hands about 10 or 12 years ago and the new owner had an open house one weekend. I took a tour of the castle and it was pretty shabby, but at that time it looked like someone with big pockets could have brought it back. The new owner was trying to decide what to do with it. It sounds like it has deteriorated significantly since that time.

Price drop!


http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...438?source=web

Castle History
 

Here's a little history: http://www.kimballcastle.com/castle-history.html :look: NB

More: http://www.kimballcastle.com/site.html

Kimball Castle
 

We have driven up to it several times in the last few years. Such a beautiful spot and such a horrid waste to allow something like this to fall apart. I wish I had seen it in its prime. The "BONES" of the castle are still beautiful but from outside looking in - the elements have been allowed to completely destroy it... The views from that hill are spectacular - would have made a tremendous bed and breakfast, I am not a contractor, but I doubt it is saveable... such a shame.

The price dropped to its current $749k on Jan 9th. Prior to that it was $879k.

The trustees
 

They had several solid buyers in the past. I do know originally the last descandent willed the property 'to the birds' and that the Audodon Society were to be the director. Things must have happen since, as right now, they are trying to sell the castle and 20 acres.

My guess, is that they don't want the expense to tear it down?

While snooping around yesterday, I found this little item. It seems the Castle is on the list of "National Register of Historic Places". I wonder if that would have any bearing on the saleability of the Castle..ie Covenants, etc. (Can't do dis, must do dat...) :look: NB

Number 24 on the list in Belknap County, NH:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa..._New_Hampshire

It has no bearing at all on the saleability, future use, the ability to tear it down, etc.

The castle is privately owned, and has not been governed by the original trustees in some time. It was bought for resale intent, which flopped. The plans to create a resort bombed, even though they were approved by the town and state. The cost alone to put the new road in from Route 11 directly up the hill was an estimated $2mil.

Links to the trustees
 

http://www.kimballcastle.com/index.html

This link has not been updated since 2007. From the article written on the castle, the town of Gilford is the current owner. The AG office has been after the town to do something.

This link gives you an idea how bad the castle is and from the looks of it, The town might as well give the castle away!

http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/kimball.htm

I also recall that SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" were seeking permission to explore the castle.

That is incorrect. Even in 2007 the town was not the owner. I have a copy of the deed on my desktop. The current owners, who are out of Nashua bought it in 2001 from Historic Inns of New England LP, who bought it from the town previously.

There is also an annual stipend that the owner of the parcel have to pay the town of Gilford for the next 30+ years, around $2500 per year. This was negotiated back when Gilford sold it originally.

Gilford has to approve changes in use, as it is zoned resort commercial presently, as does the State AG of Charitable Trusts.

Man from the Virgin Islands
 

My dad was involved with dealings with the estate back in the mid 1970's when a real estate mogul from the US Virgin Islands wanted to completely restore the property and the surrounding gardens to its original splendor, and respect the will of Charlotte, 'no commercial developments'. Bob, I remember his name had deep pockets and fought for a year to purchase the property. He even went as far as leasing the property and not buying it with intent to leave the land to the sanctuary. He just wanted to live in the castle during the summer months.
I think he purchased the property at the old steamer dock and the 'guest house' property next to it on Old lake Shore Road. They were originally part of the property. My dad did some restoration work on the old guest house.
I had the opportunity to explore the interior of the buildings at the time and they were truly beautiful. You can follow the garden path down to the 'bypass' and it continues down to the lake.

From what I heard the trustees did not want anyone living in the castle.

[QUOTE=SteveA;178814]I've heard no discussion here in Gilford for many, m
Pictures aren't great because I wasn't willing to climb the wall, and possibly be trespassing.


Wow. Does that place look spooky. Looks like the home of Frankenstein.
All we need now is a dark foggy night

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