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Health & Fitness

BLOG: Marble and Crystal...in the Garage?

Have you ever dreamed of having a ballroom in your home? Check out this mini palace located right here in San Juan Capistrano.

If you think that San Juan Capistrano is just a quaint, charming little town compared to places like Newport Beach, you might be in for a surprise. Nestled in the quiet hillsides are some very lavish and opulent estates.

One such property is the Villa Rosa Rugosa and someone just got the deal of a lifetime. Originally listed in 2008 for $15 million, the new owners will move in for less than a third of that price closing last week at $4.7 million. 

Of course the $15 million asking price included furnishings, art, and a 1911 Steinway Grand Piano all of which is gone now but all in all still a pretty darn good deal. 

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The custom estate was built in 2003 and has been featured on TV, part of garden/home tours and hosted many events.

The house is probably best known for its garage. Designed to hold some 10-plus cars, which doesn’t sound too out of the ordinary until you see it and realize that when you pull out the cars, it doubles as a ballroom, complete with marble floors, gold ceilings, crystal chandeliers, a bar and men’s and woman’s restrooms with multiple stalls! The ultimate venue for a party or even a wedding reception. And wait, if you’re getting married, no need to book a church; you can say your vows in the small chapel which is just outside overlooking the golf course. Sweet.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After being on the market for most of 2008 and all of 2010, the property was listed in May of 2011 for $5.4 million as a short sale, but it never sold. The bank then foreclosed on the property last December for $3.5 million. It was then relisted by the bank at $4,995,000 and sold almost immediately.

Situated on just under an acre right on the Marbella Golf Course, the grounds feature a huge pool, spa, waterfalls, grotto, fountains, outdoor loggia, pool house, lush gardens and a guest casita.

With seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and another seven “half” bathrooms, this is no ordinary place. The interior has incredible finish work with huge columns, marble, carved wood, iron, chandeliers and murals on the ceilings.  Beyond the standard rooms and gourmet kitchen, there’s a movie theater, wine cellar and more than 13,000 square feet of living area. 

But unless you’re lucky enough to get invited to the next shindig, these incredible pictures are as close as you can get now.

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