Snider estate an opulent slice of ‘heaven’
Late Flyers owner spared no expense on his private family home — now for sale
How much would a billionaire spend to build the perfect home?
If it’s the late Ed Snider, former owner of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, no pennies were pinched in the creation of his luxurious retreat in Montecito, on the California coast.
“I had no budget from Mr. Snider and I exceeded it,” his contractor told listing agent Santiago Arana.
Built in 2001, the grand, Italianstyle residence is currently on the market for $45 million (U.S.) following Snider’s death in April 2016 at age 83.
“It is one of the most amazing estates I’ve ever seen,” says Arana, managing partner of the Agency, a global luxury real estate marketing company.
Having unlimited resources may allow you to build whatever your heart desires, points out co-listing agent Mauricio Umansky, founder of the Agency who appeared with wife Kyle Richards on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
“But you can’t buy taste or class,” he points out.
And that’s where Snider shone in the decisions he made for his opulent family home, say the business partners in a phone interview from California.
“It’s a super well-designed house with no expense spared,” Arana says. “But it’s not over the top.”
The self-made magnate wanted a private sanctuary and entertainment mecca “that would bring him serenity on the west coast,” Umansky explains. “A home that he could enjoy to its fullest.”
Designed by California architect David E. Martin in the style of a romantic villa from Italy’s Lake Como region, the palatial abode commands attention.
Entering the property along the dramatic, half-kilometre driveway through beautifully landscaped grounds, “you get a sense of oldworld elegance, serenity and complete privacy,” Umansky says. “It’s like ‘Oh my God, I’ve arrived in heaven.’ Everything is just perfection.”
One of the most impressive features is the master suite which sits “like a king” in the middle of the building, according to the duo.
At 2,000 square feet, it’s the size of an average house and comprises a sitting room, spa bathroom and showroom closets. Glass doors open to terraces that offer panoramic views of the ocean on one side and mountains on the other.
Formal public rooms in the twostorey home include a library with leather-panelled, beamed ceiling and sophisticated dining room with French doors and classic detailing. Murano glass chandeliers and wall sconces abound throughout the house.
With a newly added chef’s kitchen, expansive terraces and a Europeanstyle pool, the estate is designed for indoor and outdoor entertaining.
“He was a big entertainer,” Arana says of the chairman of Philadelphiabased sports and entertainment behemoth Comcast Spectacor.
On the lower level, recreational offerings range from a games room and old-fashioned bar to a home theatre where friends and family watched Flyers games from terraced reclining seats, and a 1,800-bottle wine cellar.
Outside, the grounds of almost 10 acres received years of attention from world-renowned landscape architect Robert E. Truskowski.
Dating back to 1919, the property in an enclave of elite estates includes a restored art deco-esque backyard, lush flower gardens, tennis court, organic fruit and vegetable orchard and reflecting pond.
A “magnificent” fountain is reminiscent of the Central Fountain at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to Umansky.
There is an additional selling point for would-be buyers who want to rub shoulders with the stars: the exclusive neighbourhood is oozing with celebrities including Rob Lowe, Kevin Costner and former tennis great Jimmy Connors. Oprah Winfrey lives next door although she recently tut-tutted realtors for sharing that well-known fact.