George Hall’s 18,000-square-foot house, as seen from the Navesink in 2008. Below, the Gooch estate next door. (Photo above by John T. Ward; below from Monmouth MLS.Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Less than three years after dropping $12 million for one of Rumson’s grandest homes, hedge fund tycoon and Kentucky Derby horseman George Hall has put the place up for sale.
Hall’s 18,000-square-foot West River Road residence, formerly owned by Heisman Trophy winner Pete Dawkins, hit the market last week for $17.2 million.
Well-heeled shoppers for a Navesink River crib might also want to check out Mickey Gooch’s place next door, with an asking price of $16.5 million.
With 18 rooms, five bedrooms, nine full or partial baths and a six-car garage, Hall’s house has become something of a barometer of superwealth – or ambition, at least. Four years ago, Dawkins listed the house at $29.9 million, which would have made it the priciest house in Monmouth County, had it sold at the ask. But after cutting the asking price to $19.9 million, Dawkins unloaded it to Hall for $12 million in 2011.
The 10.4-acre spread, known as Long Point, is assessed at $11.75 million. Last year’s property tax bill? $153,000.
Hall is chairman of the Clinton Group and has had horses in several Kentucky Derbys.
Next door, Gooch’s home has been on the market since last July for $16.5 million. Gooch is the founder and chairman of GFI Inc. and the owner of Red Bank-based Two River Times.
Gooch waged a prolonged legal battle against a plan Dawkins to build a ginormous pool house that Gooch said would encroach on his property. Dawkins won in 2008 with a state Appellate Court ruling.
