Juniper Hill Inn Sold at Foreclosure Auction.
Windsor VT
The historic Juniper Hill Farm - Maxwell Evarts House (now known as Juniper Hill Inn) located in Windsor, Vermont, was auctioned by the Thomas Hirchak Company on Friday. About twenty people attended the auction, however there were only four registered bidders.
Auctioneer Tom Hirchak opened the bidding at 11:00 a.m. at $1 million dollars. He immediately lowered the bid to $500,000, then $400,000; he finally received an opening bid from Brad Cushing of Salisbury, VT of $100,000. Bidding reached $260,000 and was suspended when the auctioneers needed to consult with their clients. At this point the Attorney for U.S. Bank National Association, Howard Myers of Lebanon NH said the bank was willing to bid $350,000. No bidders met this bid and the Auctioneer Hirchak asked for the final bank offering which was $405,000. U.S. Bank National Association now owns the property and can list it for sale at any price, even for a profit.
Myers said it is a lovely property, "'there is just no draw of anything here in Windsor." He went on to say that if people were interested in revitalizing Windsor and this mansion specifically he would "be happy to talk to them."
The grand 28-bedroom colonial revival was built in 1902 by Maxwell Evarts, a prominent New York attorney and a captain of American industry. US Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, among other prominent figures, artists and celebrities, have been entertained at the mansion.
Of more recent fame, the mansion was featured in 2012 on Fox TV's Hotel Hell. In the 2-part premier episode, celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay worked with then-owners Robert Dean and Ari Nikki to revamp the Inn, giving it further national exposure.
The Inn was highlighted as the New England Living Show House in 2011, chosen by Yankee Magazine as the Perfect Place to End a Winters Day, and mentioned by Rachael Ray on her television program, the notoriety of this property continues more than 100 years after it was built by Evarts for his family as a summer home.
Juniper Hill Inn sits atop 14 beautiful acres overlooking the town of Windsor and the Connecticut River Valley. The 12-thousand square foot, 28-bedroom mansion boasts a grand dining room, bar, great hall, presidential suite, 15 fireplaces, owners’ quarters, and carriage barn, among many features. The most recent assessment of the former inn was just over a million dollars, but the auction company couldn't say what type of offer the bank is looking for.
In March, U.S. Bank, filed foreclosure papers citing they were owed more than $1.1 million. The foreclose sale was granted on June 18 by Superior Court Judge Mary Miles Teachout. The property was purchased in September 2005 by partners Robert Dean and Ari Nikki for $1.6 million from Robert and Susanne Pearl. However, a combination of personal illness, bad economic times, mismanagement, and frozen pipes forced Dean and Nikki to close the inn.
The locals attending the auction were hoping the building's next era will bring back its former glory, and its connection to the community.
The Inn was highlighted as the New England Living Show House in 2011, chosen by Yankee Magazine as the Perfect Place to End a Winters Day, and mentioned by Rachael Ray on her television program, the notoriety of this property continues more than 100 years after it was built by Evarts for his family as a summer home.
Juniper Hill Inn sits atop 14 beautiful acres overlooking the town of Windsor and the Connecticut River Valley. The 12-thousand square foot, 28-bedroom mansion boasts a grand dining room, bar, great hall, presidential suite, 15 fireplaces, owners’ quarters, and carriage barn, among many features. The most recent assessment of the former inn was just over a million dollars, but the auction company couldn't say what type of offer the bank is looking for.
In March, U.S. Bank, filed foreclosure papers citing they were owed more than $1.1 million. The foreclose sale was granted on June 18 by Superior Court Judge Mary Miles Teachout. The property was purchased in September 2005 by partners Robert Dean and Ari Nikki for $1.6 million from Robert and Susanne Pearl. However, a combination of personal illness, bad economic times, mismanagement, and frozen pipes forced Dean and Nikki to close the inn.
The locals attending the auction were hoping the building's next era will bring back its former glory, and its connection to the community.
More images of the Inn and the Auction: http://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/VermontStandard/August-2014/Juniper-Hill-Inn-Foreclosure-A/
Juniper Hill Inn Foreclosure Auction
Thomas Hirchak Company
Windsor VT August 22, 2014
Copyright ©2014 Nancy Nutile-McMenemy
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For The Vermont Standard: http://www.thevermontstandard.com/
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