Michael Jackson’s multi-million dollar treehouse, Neverland Ranch, which at one point hosted multiple amusement park rides and tigers (what could go wrong?), is for sale. After Jackson’s death, the grounds fell into ruin, but according to the New York Post, hedge fund “Colony Capital…seized control of the ranch from the debt-ridden singer” and now it’s for sale for $75 million. Proposals for the land include “a Graceland-type thing,” minus the world’s most famous toilet, but the most interesting bid comes from an unnamed-businessman who would turn the Peter Pan-indebted grounds into a rehab center for sexually abused children.
While two bidders’ desire to turn the 2,700-acre property into a Graceland-like attraction might thrill the Gloved One’s fans, another businessman’s proposal for sex-assault rehab would likely have him twitching in his tomb.
The local businessman offered “in the neighborhood of $40 million” for the use, said a source with direct knowledge of the sale process.
“His goal is for the place to be used to help children in a serene setting recover from the trauma of sex abuse,” the source said. “The plan is to have children come there for treatment, and they will also hire trained therapists who would help the victims through the use of equine-assisted therapy, which works to improve the kids’ self-esteem, and it helps them to become more outgoing.” (Via)
One of Jackson’s estate executors told the Post, “We are frustrated, bitterly disappointed and saddened that it has come to this,” adding, “Sadly, Michael lost control of Neverland during his life as a result of advice from a former manager.” Well, serves him right for taking advice from a chimpanzee. Everyone knows gibbons are the money monkeys.
