Why would anyone buy an elegant palatial villa in an exotic locale when you could own America’s ugliest mansion in a posh neighborhood on Long Island for a mere $5.8 million?
That’s the question a Lake Success couple is presumably hoping prospective buyers may be asking themselves about their property at 124 Windsor Gate in Lake Success.
Nelson Leong, an agent with Bayside-based East Coast Realtor, said his firm received the listing for the home and he shown it several times.
Leong said he has fielded offers, but declined to say how close they came to the asking price.
The owners of the home, Cowart and Deeann Levin, declined to be interviewed about the house and its high-profile media history.
The “gas station” mansion as it has come to be known, vaulted to the top of Forbes list as the country’s ugliest manse based on contributing writer Marcelle Sussman Fischler’s story on “America’s Ugliest Mansions” in the July 25 issue of the business magazine.
Under a photo caption that read “Gas Station Home–Lake Success, New York,” Fischier wrote that “With an oversized portico and a four car garage facing the forecourt, this mansion might pass for a hotel – or a gas station. But set in a community audaciously named Lake Success, how could this six bedroom contemporary stucco palace on two acres be anything but over-the-top? It’s on the market for $5,880,000.”
The mansion’s undeniably unique aesthetic has put it in the spotlight in one movie and TV network shows – including an appearance on MTV – as well as commercials and photo shoots since it was built by the current owners in 1994.
“Be the talk of the town. Here is your chance to own not just the biggest property on the block, but in all of Lake Success, Great Neck! This is New York luxury living at its best!” gushes one online real estate site touting the property.
What the Lake Success mansion may lack in classic architectural appeal it makes up for in sheer space.
The house is situated on two acres and boasts six bedrooms and six bathrooms – including five full baths and a half bath. It also has a pool and a wood deck. The dining room features a mahogany table with a high finish that could enable it to double as a mirror with retro lighting and marble floors.
White and ivy green are the dominant colors in the interior where marble floors are a feature throughout, including the kitchen which features marble on the central sink unit.
It also features one living room with three flat screen TVs, a grand piano and a drum set. It also has its own bar (also in white) with two flat screen TVs.
And for anyone who feels like their garage is a bit cluttered, the Windsor Gate wonder has a garage with space for four vehicles.
Of course, there are a few disadvantages, such as its location off a heavily trafficked thoroughfare and a heavy school tax assessment of $35,979.62.
