Property Description: This is an amazing 63-acre (25.7-hectare) estate of a former Middle Eastern billionaire, with unfinished main house, swimming pool, entertainment pavilion, guest quarters, stables for 20+ horses, training/show ring, etc., and a truly unbelievable view from the top of a mountain! It's a landmark of the Orosi Valley with an interesting background story.

It has tremendous potential for a wide range of uses but needs lots of TLC and some energy.

The top plateau consists of a complex of three separate structures with a swimming pool in the center. The unfinished, 12,000-ft2, two-story main house opens into a massive living/social area (with bar and fireplace) opening onto a large, winding balcony with a truly breath-taking view of the entire Orosi Valley with the Irazú Volcano perfectly framed in the background. The large master bedroom has the same spectacular view along with a fireplace, bath and winding staircase leading down to a private office/living area. The dining area also has the same lovely view. There are also three other bedrooms (each with bath), a large kitchen area (with lots of pantry space, etc.), and another massive social area downstairs (with dual staircase leading upstairs). The house is still in gray (unfinished) but the construction is solid.

To the front of the house is an 82-foot by 46-foot swimming pool. To one side of the pool is a separate, massive, open entertainment/party pavilion (with great views) with stairs leading down to four dressing areas, four toilet areas and a space designed for a sauna. This structure, too, is in gray and needs a bit of work but, overall, is in good condition. Finishing off the complex is an unfinished structure with four guest rooms (with baths) to one side, and worker's quarters and laundry area to the other side, with garage space in between. It is designed to be two stories but the second floor was initiated but never completed.

On a lower level of the property is a fantastic equestrian center, with a huge training/show ring (with spectator area), stables for 20 horses, and an administrator/caretaker house. This area mostly just needs a good bit of cleaning. Only the roof to the spectator area is in need of repair.

The land is mostly rolling terrain that could very easily be divided into numerous 1-3/4-acre (or more) lots on which upscale mountain homes, weekend retreats, etc., could be built (with the lots likely being valued at around US$70,000 each, according to an appraisal of the property). Or there would be room to build countless cabins for a tourist project. The property has a good water source as well as electricity.

The estate was initiated by the billionaire around 1988 but most of the structures were never completed (there's a long, interesting story behind it all that I will be glad to tell you when you come to see it!). So the property would need a good investment to get into good shape but the potential of the property is limited only by your imagination. It would be an unbelievable private estate (with private equestrian center), as originally planned. Or it could be a world-class mountaintop resort, with its own equestrian center, mountain activities, plenty of room to build private cabins, etc. Or it could be a very nice residential development with upscale country homes, weekend cabins, etc, either to be privately owned or sold as timeshares. A similar project is underway on an adjoining property (although on land not as nice as this property) and they have been receiving good interest. Or it could be well-suited for any number of other uses. You just have to see it for yourself and let your mind run wild. It is truly a landmark property with an interesting background story.

The surrounding area is gorgeous, with coffee plantations below and virgin forest further up the mountain (with a private reserve nearby). Just a bit further up the valley is the entrance to the Tapantí National Park (6,000+ acres of gorgeous virgin rainforest with fantastic birdwatching and home to jaguars, monkeys and other forest creatures). The general Orosi Valley is rapidly growing in touristic appeal and has numerous attractions, including world-class whitewater rafting and kayaking, public thermal baths (there are several hot springs throughout the valley), a five-star hot spring spa/resort, Lake Cachí and the Cachí Dam, several cultural landmarks (such as the oldest church still in operation as well as the ruins of the very first church), quaint traditional towns, and the scenic beauty of a valley that many guidebooks say is the prettiest in the country. And, unlike many other areas of the country, this valley will always retain its tranquil personality, protected from rampant growth due to the valley being surrounded by national parks, rivers, etc. Just a short drive away is the Lankester Botanical Gardens, the Irazú and Turrialba Volcanoes, the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles in Cartago (home to the country's patron saint and the destination of a yearly pilgrimage that attracts over a million people). It's a fantastic area!

An appraisal was performed on the property, estimating the value to be US$917,600 (and that was several years ago - property values have increased since then). Asking US$950,000