A massive 36,000-square-foot Palm Beach mansion built in 2016 was demolished Tuesday — less than a year after Estée Lauder heir, William Lauder, purchased the home for a whopping $110 million.
The structure, at 1071 N. Ocean Boulevard, was spotted with a notice on its driveway gates last week that referenced the demolition permit being reviewed by the town, stating the owner intends “to demolish” the house, according to the Palm Beach Daily News.
Now known as the most expensive teardown to ever take place on the tony island, construction workers used heavy equipment to rip through the walls of the French Normandy-style mansion, turning the once-lavish property into rubble.
Lauder purchased the home in an off-market deal in December 2021. Prior to that, it was sold in 2019 for $40.8 million to company linked to financier Thomas P. Salice and his wife, Susan.
The property spans two lots, and plans for a new residence that might straddle both have not been submitted to town hall, according to the Daily News.
The Post reached out to Mr. Lauder for comment.
Crews were spotted by the Daily News razing the home next door to a vacant beachfront lot that Lauder also owns through a different entity. The property’s lawn, motor court, and landscape were also removed.
With 242 feet of beachfront views, the now-destroyed home featured seven bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, and was built by Hugh Davis. Separately, it featured two guest apartments.
The roof was changed in 2019 from a red barrel tile to a calmer gray-shingle style.
Previously described as a “one-of-a kind custom estate,” it appears it was not to Lauder’s custom taste.
Other amenities included a library, a home theater, a wine room, a fitness center and a barber shop. Outdoor amenities included a loggia, a summer kitchen, an infinity pool and spa.
Combined, the two side-by-side properties owned by Lauder are situated on more than 2.25 acres with about 375 feet of beachfront.
The mansion had previously drawn criticism from locals at town hall meetings, who saw the estate as too big in comparison to the other homes in the neighborhood.
