Week of May 17, 2010
If You List It, They Will Come
The iconic, much-loved and much-visited cornfield and baseball diamond used in the 1989 film Field of Dreams is for sale. Near Dyersville, Iowa, the 193-acre property is a private sale listed at $5.4 million. And while it doesn't boast a swimming pool, it does have the classic wraparound front porch and swing seen in the film, two barns, a cornfield, two souvenir stands and the iconic baseball diamond.
For more than 20 years, the property has been a mecca for movie buffs, baseball fans and dreamers. As Kevin Costner's character in the film says, "This is perfect."
The property's owners, Don and Becky Lansing, are selling with the idea of retiring in mind. Since the film's premiere, the Lansings have preserved the property for guests to enjoy and visit at no charge. In an effort to keep it pristine and agrarian-based, they have minimized commercialism and taken on much of the land’s care and maintenance themselves.
Field of Dreams was named the sixth best film in the fantasy genre by the American Film Institute and its line, “If you build it, he will come,” is #39 in the organization’s list of top 100 movie quotations of all time. The movie was also nominated
for Best Picture and Best Score at the 1989 Academy Awards.?
Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Make that a baseball diamond, in Iowa, to be exact. Universal Studios built the baseball diamond in just four days during the summer of 1988 to use along with the property's farmhouse, for Field of Dreams. The property attracts approximately 65,000 visitors per year, including many sports legends and politicians.
The asking price of $5.4 million on the 193-acre property is well over the $900,000 to $1 million the land would bring at current values in the same and neighboring Iowa counties, according to The Des Moines Register.
The baseball field occupies about 3.5 acres," according to owner Becky Lansing, adding, "It's hard to imagine an owner wanting to do away with the field."
The Lansings and real estate agent Ken Sanders have ruled out a public auction that commonly is used to sell Iowa farmland.
Sanders, a former major league pitcher, says he has received several inquiries about the property. "It would be easy to guess a baseball player, a movie buff or even someone from the film's cast," Sanders speculates.
"But the movie's reach has been so widespread, potential buyers don't necessarily fall within those demographics," he said. "It could end up being a nonprofit organization, a land trust or a foreign investor. We might all be surprised."
More information.
If You List It, They Will Come
The iconic, much-loved and much-visited cornfield and baseball diamond used in the 1989 film Field of Dreams is for sale. Near Dyersville, Iowa, the 193-acre property is a private sale listed at $5.4 million. And while it doesn't boast a swimming pool, it does have the classic wraparound front porch and swing seen in the film, two barns, a cornfield, two souvenir stands and the iconic baseball diamond.
For more than 20 years, the property has been a mecca for movie buffs, baseball fans and dreamers. As Kevin Costner's character in the film says, "This is perfect."
•Aerial View, Field of Dreams
The property's owners, Don and Becky Lansing, are selling with the idea of retiring in mind. Since the film's premiere, the Lansings have preserved the property for guests to enjoy and visit at no charge. In an effort to keep it pristine and agrarian-based, they have minimized commercialism and taken on much of the land’s care and maintenance themselves.
"Our family is proud to have preserved the Field of Dreams for baseball lovers, movie lovers, and baseball movie lovers, all these years," write the Lansings. "Now it's time for us to relax in the bleachers, join the spectators, and watch as this magical place continues to grow."
•This is Perfect
Field of Dreams was named the sixth best film in the fantasy genre by the American Film Institute and its line, “If you build it, he will come,” is #39 in the organization’s list of top 100 movie quotations of all time. The movie was also nominated
for Best Picture and Best Score at the 1989 Academy Awards.?
•Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend
Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Make that a baseball diamond, in Iowa, to be exact. Universal Studios built the baseball diamond in just four days during the summer of 1988 to use along with the property's farmhouse, for Field of Dreams. The property attracts approximately 65,000 visitors per year, including many sports legends and politicians.
•Porch of Dreams
The asking price of $5.4 million on the 193-acre property is well over the $900,000 to $1 million the land would bring at current values in the same and neighboring Iowa counties, according to The Des Moines Register.
The baseball field occupies about 3.5 acres," according to owner Becky Lansing, adding, "It's hard to imagine an owner wanting to do away with the field."
•Not Just Any Porch Swing
The Lansings and real estate agent Ken Sanders have ruled out a public auction that commonly is used to sell Iowa farmland.
Sanders, a former major league pitcher, says he has received several inquiries about the property. "It would be easy to guess a baseball player, a movie buff or even someone from the film's cast," Sanders speculates.
"But the movie's reach has been so widespread, potential buyers don't necessarily fall within those demographics," he said. "It could end up being a nonprofit organization, a land trust or a foreign investor. We might all be surprised."
More information.