Vermilion mansion for sale at $19.5 million

VERMILION, Ohio - "We think that it will sell in fairly quick order because it's so unusual."  So said Scott Street, owner of Street Sotheby's International Realty, in reference to the 20-year-old, 160 acre, Waterwood Estate in Vermilion.

The 38,000 square-foot mansion is on the market for $19.5 million.  And Street said there are already a number of serious buyers who have toured the property more than once.

The previous owners, Don and Shirley Brown, died in a plane crash in early 2010.  Don Brown was an inventor who patented the 'drop-ceiling' and other inventions.

Street gave NewsChannel5 a tour of the property and pointed out the many features which make it unique -- including: a pod-like design where individual rooms are linked by glassed-in walkways, mechanical turntables used to give diners rotating views of Lake Erie, two indoor swimming pools, two hot tubs, nine fireplaces, elevators, a wine grotto, a barber shop, a man-made cove and 180 foot boat dock, an on-site machine shop, garage space for at least eight automobiles -- even a landing pad and helicopter hangar.

According to Street, the home cost about $30 million to build.  Erie County tax records show annual taxes levied on the property exceed $71,000.

Street said there is a staff of 20 employees who work at the estate.

He declined to comment on specific Hollywood stars who might be interested in the property, but said Sotheby's would market the property to individuals of that stature.

Here is a link to Sotheby's Waterwood Estate listing.