by Gouda » Wed Jul 12, 2006 12:12 pm
As good a time as any to leave Aspen...<br><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Saudi prince lists palace for $135 million</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br><br>Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States, is selling his palatial home in Starwood Ranch for $135 million in what is likely the most expensive single-family residence listed in the nation. <br><br>Local officials who are contacted whenever Bandar comes to Aspen said he used to visit three times a year, but since Sept. 11, 2001, he has been here less.<br><br>"They ask us to do very little to almost nothing. But they always advise us of their comings and goings," said Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis, noting that <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>his office is typically provided with vehicle license plates and a roster of the former British Special Air Servicemen that travel with Bandar for protection.</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--> <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.aspendailynews.com/article_14895">www.aspendailynews.com/article_14895</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br><br><!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>For sale: Nation's most expensive home</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br><br><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong> "He has become very close to Aspen,"</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> said Saslove, a friend of Bandar's who has visited the home numerous times. "I'm sure he gave this [decision] considerable thought."<br><br>The prince donated to many local charities and causes, including Aspen Valley Hospital, the Aspen Youth Center, the Shining Stars Foundation, Wintersköl and the Aspen Education Foundation.<br>...<br><br> "There has never been a sale of that size in this area, and to my knowledge it is the largest single-family residential listing in the United States," Saslove said. And "maybe" the world, he said.<br>...<br><br> "It's a very personalized, specialized property," he said. "I'm not sure what you do with that. My sense is the only guy who's gonna buy it is some guy who's in the same financial stratosphere as Bandar."<br><br>And the number of such people is apparently increasing. <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Wagar said the number of billionaires he speaks with now is "phenomenal compared to how many I used to come into contact with just 10 years ago."</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--> <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20060712/NEWS/107120046">www.aspentimes.com/articl.../107120046</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p216.ezboard.com/brigorousintuition.showUserPublicProfile?gid=gouda@rigorousintuition>Gouda</A> at: 7/12/06 10:13 am<br></i>