Long Branch's Belle Mer has been on and off the market since last year, and remains the Jersey Shore's most expensive listing by far
New Jersey's second priciest home on the market just sliced $5 million off its asking price -- and it's still New Jersey's second priciest home on the market.
Belle Mer, a 14,000-square-foot oceanfront estate in Long Branch, is now being offered for $33.96 million, down from $38.98 million when it hit the market again last month. (It was listed last year for a cool $40 million before being pulled earlier this year.)
The limestone mansion in the Elberon neighborhood was built in 1990s and designed by Anthony Ingrao (he's made Architectural Digest's top 100 architects and designers list) in a grand French Chateau style, with views of the ocean from nearly every room.
It features a double-height entry foyer with a hand-painted ceiling, a formal dining room, a solarium, a billiards room, and grand salon, with heavy use of marble and onyx, and even the bathrooms are gilded. Outside, the large oceanfront pool is flanked by pool houses, and there is a half-basketball court to the side of the expansive motor court.
In case your accountants ask, tell them the property taxes are $181,102 a year.
The most expensive home on the open market in New Jersey remains the Stone Mansion in Alpine, currently listed at nearly $49 million, down from its initial listing price of $68 million in 2010.
Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out TV Hangover, the podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or listen here.