A 35-acre estate hidden by an iron door offers a glimpse into the colorful life of Marvin and Héléne Gralnick.
The couple, who founded the Chico’s FAS women’s store and once designed their garments, put their beloved circle of relatives up for sale at Fort Myers.
Although they have held a special position in their hearts for years, they are in a position to move forward.
For Marvin, in particular, it was a position of inspiration for painting.His colorful, playful and benevolent art hangs on the walls of exclusive assets, and is also at stake.
“You can see all his art. People think it’s like a museum when they come in,” said board agent Joan Crompton, a genuine real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Global Luxury in Naples.
Art includes everything from an “America” multimedia piece, transfers from American icons like Barack Obama and Marilyn Monroe, to a red, white, blue creation that highlights Mona Lisa’s face with her now notorious half-smile and an American eagle, with scribbled messages from “Be kind” to “What’s all the fuss?”
Although the estate is less than 10 miles from Chico’s FAS headquarters, it feels like a world, with majestic palm trees bordering the lush personal entrance.Simply put, Compton describes the assets as a “perfect tropical oasis.”
“It’s beautiful,” she says. “It’s so unique.”
The Gralnicks retired from the Board of Directors of Chico’s FAS in December 2006.At the time, his chain, which began promoting Mexican folk art and fabric sweaters with an 800-square-foot store on Sanibel Island in 1983, had more than 900 retail stores.points of sale across the country.
The store has discovered its niche by promoting casual clothing that is easy to use and easy to care for, and stylish accessories, for women 35 and older.Today, the company is publicly traded, with more than 1300 retail outlets operating in brands: Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma.
For Marvin, his retirement from retail has only accelerated his interest and love of art.
There are about 70 paintings on the property, some “very large”, Marvin Gralnick in a text.
He estimates that he has created “more than two hundred paintings” in the enclosure.Then why do you need to sell it?
“We love the space and the ideal location in the Fort Myers area, but we no longer want to be near Chico,” Marvin said.
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Gralnicks Estate is located in a densely wooded domain near the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and the Metro Parkway, near McGregor Baptist Church, with seven directions.
The value of the total property? About $6.6 million.
The Gralnicks began rebuilding assets in the 1990s, buying them from various owners.At the time, genuine properties were much less expensive and there was very little progression nearby, Crompton recalled.
There are several buildings on site, adding the main space and guest space, which the Gralnicks had built by tradition.Together they span more than 8,900 square feet under the air.Designed by architect Joe St.Cyr, with zen and laughter in mind, it spans 10 acres.
The concept of design of the main space, and the guest space, “is not a design concept,” Marvin said.
“Space represents us, our travels and the undeniable and sublime way of life we enjoy,” he said.
Marvin and Héléne, who met in Mexico in 1971 and married a year later, traveled a lot, picking up design and inspiration along the way.
The main space includes homemade and imported doors from all over the world.
Other design features? An open floor plan with bamboo floors, vaulted ceilings with traditional skygentles and industrial-sized sliding glass doors that form a saltwater pool, allowing soft herbs to flood the house.
Next to the pool, there is a cabin, sauna and steam bath.A personal pond and waterfall offer a serene view nearby.
The main space also features a gourmet kitchen with a Viking double fuel stove and stainless metal cabinets.There is a wood-burning fireplace as well as a giant gallery room to demonstrate art, and a studio with a loft at the time of the earth for works of art.Creation.
“It’s a very, very, smart shopper’s house,” Crompton said.
A few steps from the main is the 900-square-foot guest house, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and many of the same design features, from imported entry doors to an enveloping terrace.
Underneath the guest house, there is one for 3 cars.
The estate has an art studio in a giant concrete building, which is located on 10 acres to the right of the main house.
That’s all.
There are also:
In addition, there is a 5-acre nature reserve, which the Gralnicks donated to Lee County, and is available through the back door of the 10 acres that come with the original house, ranch and art studio.
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The list offers an opportunity to “invest in a domain that is itself an art painting,” Crompton said.
It would be the best position for a yoga retreat, he said, or for a company focused on fitness and wellness.
The entire asset is closed for privacy, with a security system.
There is an opportunity to buy parts of the enclosure, it’s 10, 20 or 25 acres, Crompton said.
The main residence, the guest house, two garages and the cabin, all made of galvanized metal, can charge $2.9 million.
“For $2.9 million, you can have a fabulous home that, in the existing market, would charge $10 million,” Crompton said.”In Naples, some of those houses charge $1,000 depending on the foot.”
In the Fort Myers area, this is not an opportunity every day.
“It’s a very elegant, fashionable house, ” said Crompton. You’d see it in California or Beverly Hills, so the fact that we have this in Fort Myers is a great gift.”
Although the domain has generated interest and some offers, none has been a success, so far.
“Marvin needs it to pass it on to someone who can enjoy the house,” Crompton said, “because it’s hard work of love for him.”
“The assets are exclusive and very special,” Marvin said. You want a customer who appreciates the qualities that make it so exceptional.”
Although the Gralnicks are willing to sell the property, they’re going to southwest Florida.
They stay at their part-time homes on Captiva Island, as well as other homes besides North Carolina.
For now, they spend time at home in the remote highlands of Guatemala, a position they love.
“We discovered the beautiful Lake Atitlón in Guatemala more than 30 years ago by buying hand-woven textiles for Chico,” Marvin said.”We appreciate the unique qualities of the Mayan people.”
There will be an open space at Fort Myers Estate in Gralnicks on Bromley Lane on Saturday at 1 p.m.at 5pm Other is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, at the same time.
The genuine real estate agent also offers personalized video tours for those who cannot or do not need to make face-to-face visits to the property.
For more information, coldwellbankerhomes.com/fl/fort-myers/10681-bromley-ln-e/pid_36442796.