Mitt Romney plans to quadruple his California house.
As if former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney isn’t busy enough with campaigning and fund raising for the race for the republican presidential nomination, he has added an extensive renovation to his “to do” list.
In 2008 the Romneys purchased the La Jolla, California oceanfront property for a healthy $12 million! The 3,009 square foot single-story Spanish-style home was built in 1936. According to the La Jolla Historical Society, the home was among the first built in the Barber tract neighborhood. Currently there are 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms.
Throughout the years the house has seen a handful of renovations and several owners. In the mid 1980s the property was extensively renovated. A couple of its previous owners were actor Cliff Robertson and the founder of Jack in the Box, Bob Peterson.
The home includes direct access to the beach. The water can be viewed throughout the house, but the best view is from the master bedroom. The master and the living room both open to a deck where you can access the private lap pool.
The presidential candidate has filed an application with the city of San Diego to tear down the existing single-story house and replace it with a two-story much MUCH larger house… 11,062 square foot structure to be exact!
Romney and his wife would like to expand the house because they feel it isn’t big enough for their family. They stated that the current house isn’t adequate for their five married sons and their 16 grandchildren.
The former Massachusetts governor is getting some heat for his $12 million purchase. The beach house is intended for part-time use and news of Romney wanting to bulldoze the house just to build a mansion in its place is hard for most struggling Americans to swallow. But then again, the multi-millionaire is free to spend his millions as he wishes.
In the past few years the Romneys have unloaded some real estate. They sold their 6,400 square foot Colonial mansion in Belmont, Massachusetts where the couple raised their five sons for $3.5 million. In 2009 they sold their 9,500 square foot Utah ski lodge for $5.25 million.
They still own a townhouse in Boston, which is the couples’ primary residence. The Romneys purchased the townhouse in 1997 and have made additions and improvements to the property since then. They added tennis courts, a boat house and additional bedrooms. They also own a $10 million lake front summer house on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.
The Romney campaign said construction on the house will not begin until Romney’s campaign ends.
John is the Vice President here at JohnHart, and as such is responsible for managing and directing the firm towards obtaining its ultimate goals.
He is also one of our main contributors on the Blog. (please see his profile page on the main site for more information.)
