Hillsborough County is making headlines with significant property transactions, including the sale of a large portion of Big Cat Rescue’s land for $19.5 million and the listing of an opulent Thonotosassa estate for $115 million. These deals highlight a dynamic real estate market, attracting developers and luxury buyers alike.
Key Takeaways
- Big Cat Rescue sold a substantial part of its Hillsborough property for $19.5 million to a developer.
- The funds from the sale will support the organization’s mission to protect wild cats and care for its animals in Arkansas.
- A sprawling lakefront estate in Thonotosassa, known as "The Oaks," is on the market for $115 million, making it the most expensive home in the Tampa area.
- "The Oaks" boasts extensive luxury amenities, including a bowling alley, a 22-car automotive museum, and a go-kart circuit.
Big Cat Rescue’s Land Transaction
Big Cat Rescue, a sanctuary previously featured in the Netflix series "Tiger King," has sold a significant portion of its nearly 70-acre property in Hillsborough County. The sale, amounting to $19.5 million, was to a developer who plans to construct approximately 280 townhomes. An additional 11 acres are slated for sale to another developer for the construction of 300 apartments.
The proceeds from this sale are earmarked for the Baskins’ ongoing efforts to combat the extinction of wild cats and to fund the care of their animals at a larger sanctuary in Arkansas. The organization closed its Tampa operations in 2023, relocating its cats to the larger facility.
The Oaks Estate: A New Benchmark in Luxury
In Thonotosassa, "The Oaks Estate" has been listed for an astonishing $115 million, positioning it as the most expensive residential property in the Tampa area. This 87-acre estate, built in 2012, offers unparalleled luxury and privacy.
The French Normandy-style mansion spans over 36,000 square feet and features nine bedrooms and 12.5 bathrooms. Its amenities are extensive, including:
- Two saltwater pools and a dedicated pool house
- A regulation-sized bowling alley
- A state-of-the-art cinema
- A 22-car private automobile museum
- A lakeside go-kart circuit
- A professional fitness center and spa
- A six-stall equestrian facility
- A private, mile-long jogging trail
The estate also includes a two-story guesthouse, a boathouse with a rooftop entertainment terrace, and a fully equipped service compound. The property is secured by a stone-walled perimeter and offers access via helicopter and seaplane. The current owners purchased the compound in 2021 for $16.7 million and later added an adjacent 51-acre parcel.
Sources
- Big Cat Rescue sells large portion of Hillsborough property for $19.5M, FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
- Big Cat Rescue sells off Tampa property, Bay News 9.
- Lakefront Hillsborough estate, with bowling alley and go-karts, listed for $115M, Business Observer.
- Thonotosassa estate for sale considered most expensive in Tampa area at $115 million: ‘It’s really
enchanting’, FOX 13 Tampa Bay. - Inside The Oaks a $17.5 million estate in Hillsborough, That’s So Tampa.