Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of duPont REGISTRY and duPont REGISTRY Homes Blog's Reynolds Fuller

Thoughts of fairy tales and happily ever after, spring to mind upon arriving at the luxurious Crantzdorf Castle in the land of East Tennessee. Reminiscent of a medieval castle and modeled after the “Palacio dela Magdalena” in Spain, this enchanting estate is unrivaled in its craftsmanship and originality. “It’s really a unique home, and there’s a lot of detail in the house,” says Winston Johnson, broker and owner of LUX Mountain Realty, LLC. “It’s an exceptional house.”

The 20,000-square-foot home boasts nine bedrooms, ten-full bathrooms, three-half baths, private maid’s quarters including a kitchen, four-car garage, indoor basketball court, and luxurious home theater. Theo Kalomirakis, who is referred to as the “Father of Home Theater” and the “Home Theater King,” designed this state-of-the-art theater. Also located within the 13 acres of gated property on Boone Lake are a boathouse, gazebo, large pool, and sixteenth scale racetrack of Bristol Motor Speedway including night racing with Italian racecars.

“There is no other home like this home,” says Steve Grindstaff, owner of Crantzdorf Castle. “It all has great features.” European craftsmen and architects spent more than ten years creating this captivating castle with its soaring ceilings, stained glass, Italian marble floors, and luxury hand-cast moldings. “The ceilings were all hand carved by two craftsmen from Greece,” Grindstaff says. “They worked on them only for three-and-a-half years.”

From the Italian foundation to the original Napoleon bed, the luxury house is rich in antiques from top to bottom. "We searched Red Baron's in Atlanta and private auctions to choose every piece of artwork, furniture, and upholstery to fit the theme of every room,” says Ashley Grindstaff, wife and homeowner. “Our castle is different from other cold and dull castles. Our castle is a warm and inviting home. Decorating is my passion. I enjoyed the hunt to find the right pieces to make our castle colorful. When you walk through our 22-foot tall front doors, from the Music Conservatory in Paris, France, you know you have walked into a home built and decorated with love.”

Although the luxury property has more than enough amenities to keep anyone enthralled, if venturing beyond the property is on the agenda, the estate is within minutes of shopping, entertainment, arts and crafts, excellent healthcare, outdoor activities, and the airport. “You’re within 45 minutes of the ski slopes,” Grindstaff says. “You’re on a lake. You’re secluded but still in the mix.”

Having entertained more than 700 guests at one time, this luxury home is perfect as a corporate property as well as a single-family residence Johnson says. “It’s just a one-of-a-kind, beautiful property with a great view and location.” Offered at $19,500,000. View the luxury listing here.

View this home on the cover of the duPont REGISTRY virtual magazine here.