He’s Got Balls and Money

Well, money is an understatement. And most likely you wouldn’t know his name. He is Ira Rennert, builder and owner of the largest house in America. It is in Sagaponack,  an exclusive area of the famed Hamptons.

Inside its 66,000-square-foot main house there are reported to be 29 bedrooms, 30 bathrooms and his garage would accommodate more than a 100 cars–and still somehow, he managed to get a construction permit as a single-family home. The people in the neighborhood with an average home value of a mere 3 - 5 Mil aren't too happy with what they consider an eyesore.

The house has a dozen chimneys as well as a 91-foot long formal dining room, a basketball court, two bowling alleys (yes two!), two tennis courts, two squash courts, and a $150,000 hot tub. Its property taxes in 2007 were $397,559.00. Based on these taxes, the home is valued at a $190 million, making it the most valuable home in the Hamptons, and among the most valuable in the United States.

You can read about the controversial house here.

To his credit, he has given some of his small fortune away. My reason for mentioning him here is that in order to make that much money, you have to make some smart business decisions and do some really great advertising.

But my real question is, TWO bowling alleys? One note here, there is a perfectly good bowling alley in East Hampton about a mile away from his house. But then again, who wants to bowl with the common folk?

Ironically, I totally understand the situation. First you have to remember which of the 29 bedrooms is yours, could take some time. After all, you do have to find your bowling shirt and shoes. Then if you did want to venture out to the local alley, you have 100 cars to choose from. That is a really hard choice.

Then, you have to decide WHICH alley on your compound to bowl in. What if you like the one in the west wing better, but your bedroom is on the other side of the 66,000 square foot house? Or maybe in one of the outbuildings as you can see from the picture. That could mean finding a jacket (in winter) and also maybe carrying your balls.

I totally understand Michael Jordan having a basketball court, but this man is in his late 70s and yet he needs two bowling alleys? And how often does he get to play? I mean, I worry about my cable bills, he worries about his ball cleaner.

Ok, maybe I’m a little jealous. I just get to bowl using my Wii.