Walt Disney quietly assembled more than 27,000 acres in Florida through secret transactions for about $5 million, averaging roughly $182 an acre; after the buyer’s identity emerged, the land became Walt Disney World

Walt Disney quietly assembled more than 27,000 acres in Florida through secret transactions for about $5 million, averaging roughly $182 an acre; after the buyer’s identity emerged, the land became Walt Disney World

Walt Disney’s plan for what would become Walt Disney World began with a remarkably quiet real-estate operation. According to Disney’s D23 archives, the Florida Historical Society and the Walt Disney Company, Disney Productions spent about 18 months secretly assembling more than 27,000 acres in Central Florida before publicly acknowledging that it was behind the purchases. … Read more

Philip Rietveld assembled nearly 1,500 acres of Illinois and Indiana farmland over his lifetime; after his death in 2026, his family sold 23 tracts for $22.46 million, with one fetching $32,600 an acre

Philip Rietveld assembled nearly 1,500 acres of Illinois and Indiana farmland over his lifetime; after his death in 2026, his family sold 23 tracts for $22.46 million, with one fetching $32,600 an acre

Over a lifetime of careful acquisitions, Philip Rietveld built a portfolio of nearly 1,500 acres of productive farmland across Illinois and Indiana. After his death in 2026, his family moved to sell the holdings through a two-day, two-state auction that drew bidders from seven states. The 23 tracts changed hands for a combined $22.46 million, … Read more

In 2005, a Minnesota couple bought 20 acres beside Montana’s Stillwater River; 17 years later, they had assembled 655 acres and placed the entire property under conservation protection for bears, wolves and elk

In 2005, a Minnesota couple bought 20 acres beside Montana’s Stillwater River; 17 years later, they had assembled 655 acres and placed the entire property under conservation protection for bears, wolves and elk

When Doug and Carolyn Kohrs first visited Montana’s Flathead Valley from their home in Minnesota, they were drawn to the landscape along the Stillwater River. In 2005, they bought 20 acres beside the river, already believing that the land should remain protected. Over the next 17 years, the couple gradually assembled 655 acres of rich … Read more

In 2005, Derek Jeter assembled three Tampa waterfront lots for $7.7 million and built a 22,000-sq-ft mansion; after selling it for $22.5 million in 2021, the home was marked for demolition

In 2005, Derek Jeter assembled three Tampa waterfront lots for $7.7 million and built a 22,000-sq-ft mansion; after selling it for $22.5 million in 2021, the home was marked for demolition

One of the Tampa Bay area’s most expensive homes, once owned by former baseball star Derek Jeter, has become a puzzle. Derek Jeter’s estate at 58 Bahama Circle stands exactly as it did when Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen vacated it five years ago, except now it is owned by a cryptocurrency trust and no … Read more