Long before Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Acorn and Smart TVs, Blockbuster Entertainment was the go-to place to stock up on a weekend’s supply of movie videos.
OK, so it's not a celebrity home but every 90's child will remember the anticipation of heading to a Blockbuster's store to collect the must see film, or rummaging through it's discount video bins to purchase old films at ridiculously low prices. The size of the chain gave Blockbuster the financial ability and heft to offer new releases and variety which other video-rental shops could not.
The brainchild of entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga, Blockbuster cornered the video rental market. One of the fruits of his success was his opulent Florida-style mansion called Tarpon Point on its own peninsula jutting out into the New River in Fort Lauderdale which he purchased in 2005. Listed for sale at $26.95 million, Huizenga’s home has now become a landmark to Lauderdale’s prolific boating community and tour boats.
Slow down for the wild peacocks as you head toward the stunning entrance in the high-end Rio Vista neighborhood. Sited on over an acre at the tip of a point about one mile to Fort Lauderdale’s luxury condos and best beaches, the grounds are surrounded on three sides by 600 feet of waterfront, which is perfect not only for tying up one’s mega yacht, but for watching the New River boat traffic, waterfowl, manatees and tarpons.
With an overall 21,057 square feet of living space, the home has 10 bedrooms, 18 baths and is thoughtfully divided into three living zones for optimum comfort for family and guests alike. A structure of massive size, the central portion is designed to entertain groups of any size without disturbing others in the family wing or guest wing. The family wing includes offices, bedrooms, private kitchen and family room. The guest wing also includes the staff quarters. Spectacular river and terrace-pool views are enjoyed throughout the house. On the cutting edge of technology, there is an electronic locking system, state-of-the-art security system for doors, hurricane protected windows, emergency generators, an elevator and dock facilities.
H. Wayne Huizenga had the rare status of being the only entrepreneur to launch three Fortune 500 companies: Waste Management, Blockbuster Entertainment and AutoNation. He was also owner or part owner of the Florida Marlins, Florida Panthers and the Miami Dolphins. At its peak in the early 2000s, there were over 4,500 Blockbuster stores in the U.S., now just one is left which is in Bend, Oregon. Huizenga passed away at the age of 80 in March.
The palatial estate of Blockbuster Video creator, H. Wayne Huizenga, on the historic New River in Ft. Lauderdale, is on the market priced at $26.95 million. The listing agent is Kelly Drum of Drum Realty, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Photo credit: Aerial view - John Floyd, Sr., all other photos, Keith Douglas Photography.
Article provided courtesy of TopTenRealEstateDeals
