Mystery Shrouds Sale of Beyoncé, Jay-Z’s Baroque New Orleans Church – The Hollywood Reporter

Intrigue and all of the makings of a Lifetime Authentic Film encompass this historic church-turned-mansion that’s in the marketplace within the Backyard District of New Orleans. In actual fact, the place has almost 99 issues — and transparency isn’t one!

As an example, why did the asking value inexplicably leap by $1 million, from $3.5 million to just about $4.5 million, after lower than one week in the marketplace? Why are the present itemizing pictures recycled from 2015, when the property final bought, although the construction was broken by an alleged arson fireplace in July? Who began the fireplace, and why? Why is the place listed as an FSBO (on the market by proprietor), however the proprietor’s given telephone quantity is registered to a Mississippi-based immigration lawyer? The itemizing additionally tells potential patrons to go to a sure property advertising web site, however the website doesn’t really exist — and that’s only for starters! (The ornate Spanish-style construction can be totally blurred on Google Maps, due to course it’s.)

Maybe essentially the most attention-grabbing tidbit concerning the mansion, which is called La Casa de Castille: It could by no means have been occupied by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Beyoncé (née Knowles), however it’s undoubtedly owned by the music superstars. Deeds present the property is registered to Sugarcane Park LLC, an entity arrange by Beyoncé’s Parkwood Leisure firm and managed by her mom Tina Knowles. Per data, prior proprietor Sandra McNamara bought the property to the moguls in early 2015; it’s not clear how a lot the Carters paid, however the place had been asking $2.6 million. (McNamara acquired the property in 2001 for simply $500,000, in keeping with Orleans Parish Assessor’s Workplace data.)

Other than the house’s uncommon current historical past, it’s now out there solely on Zillow, and that’s fairly attention-grabbing in itself. The unique itemizing quoted an unnamed “Grammy winner” who apparently mentioned of the property, “The acoustics and vibes are nice. I did my greatest writing ever whereas watching the sundown from the rooftop backyard!” Per that itemizing, the place has additionally hosted weddings, occasions and main company executives inside its baroque confines. And to sweeten the proverbial pot, the sellers have additionally supplied to color the construction the brand new proprietor’s alternative of colour earlier than the deal closes.

Sited only a half-block from town’s famed St. Charles Avenue, the 1927 constructing’s façade is marked by a trio of huge arched home windows and an elaborate Churrigueresque crown. As soon as a Presbyterian church, the construction later grew to become a ballet faculty earlier than it was transformed to residential use circa 2000; though it’s believed to retain the unique hardwood flooring, columns, moldings and church pews, the place clearly has undergone a dramatic transformation.

At this time, there are six bedrooms and 7 baths unfold throughout 13,300 sq. ft of residing house. Additionally on the premises are three one-bedroom flats — every about 1,000 sq. ft — with discreet separate entrances from a facet avenue, plus a rooftop backyard with downtown views. The enormous house is visually dominated by its 26-foot-tall nice room, the church’s former sanctuary, that boasts lustrous hardwood flooring.

It’s unclear if these areas have been altered previously few years, however different circa-2015 highlights included a crimson-walled eating room, a loft-like seating space, library with built-in bookshelves and a luxurious government workplace. There’s additionally a spacious — if decoratively dated — kitchen outfitted with high-grade Viking home equipment and granite counter tops. Upstairs, an enormous proprietor’s bed room suite holds a non-public sitting room, walk-in closet and toilet with a clawfoot tub.

The Carters, who collectively have an estimated internet price that tops $1.5 billion, additionally keep a $26 million house in East Hampton, N.Y., an $88 million Bel Air mansion and a lavish Tribeca penthouse acquired by Jay-Z manner again in 2004.

This story first appeared on Filth.com, which options further pictures.