Hartland Mansion put on market for $3.5 million — PHOTOS

Anyone who has driven down Sixth Street just south of Charleston Boulevard may have noticed it — an oversized bright white building with cherry red accents surrounded by a decorative iron fence.

The façade is symbolic of what’s found behind the oversized doors of this 31,000-square- foot residence: Unique, eclectic and one-of-a-kind.

This is one of those “Only in Las Vegas” things — the Hartland Mansion. And it’s now for sale for $3.5 million or $113 per square foot.

Story of the Hartland Mansion

Upon entering Hartland Mansion’s front doors, your eyes naturally go up, toward the elegant white dual curved staircase and skylight.

The “Gone with the Wind”-inspired staircase leads to the second floor and two suites that offer minibalconies overlooking the grand entry’s black-and-white checkerboard-tiled floor, piano, gold-clothed chairs and floral display.

The foyer also provides a glimpse of what is found throughout the home: art, cherubs and golden accents.

Its glamour, grandeur and elegance reflect the mansion’s former owner, Toni Hart, a musician whose family recorded more than two dozen gospel albums and who died in 2014.

The Hartland Mansion’s story began decades before Hart purchased it in 1980.

“Originally, in the ’40s, there were two separate houses where Hartland Mansion now is, and Sixth Street was the street to live on. In the early ’70s, these two houses were built together and the owner (Lawrence Arvey) sent his architect to Disneyland to replicate the Plaza Inn on Main Street on the home’s exterior,” listing agent Zar Zanganeh of Luxe Estates &Lifestyles said.

Toni Hart purchased the home before renovations were complete in 1980 for a reported $190,000. (A 2010 New York Times article and 2009 CBS News article stated that Arvey had been sentenced to life in prison for sex crimes but was out on bond and left town.)

“After Toni bought the home and moved in, there were two fires — one in 1980 and one in 1981 — that leveled the home. Toni made the decision to rebuild the house using the original design, and she decided to expand it from 13,000 to 31,000 square feet, taking seven years to complete,” Zanganeh said, adding that one of her children, Larry, also a musician, helped her with the interior design of the mansion with eight bedrooms and nine full baths plus four half baths.

“Toni was from Texas and loved things shiny and on a grand scale. She wanted a Texas-size residence and business,” Zanganeh said. “The property is being offered to a unique buyer who might want a corporate retreat, gigantic Old World home, events center or a one-of-a-kind piece of Las Vegas history.”

Now by far the largest home on the block, the two-story compound with a basement and guest home has two different types of permits — a portion of the property is residential and a portion is commercial — which allowed it to not only be Hart’s home but also an entertaining and event space.

One-of-a-Kind Design

The eclectic design and “largeness” is obvious as one goes beyond the grand formal entry with its high ceilings, use of gold accents, cherubs and angels, artwork and decorative touches, even in its 13 bathrooms.

The oversized living room sets the stage in the mansion’s design with high coffered gold-accented ceilings, chandeliers, statues of angels, and displays of collectibles

Its music room gives a glimpse of eclectic design with black-and-white floors, colorful chairs and accent pieces and a chandelier hanging from a black-and-white draped ceiling. It provides insight into the family’s history as musicians and the celebrities who have visited the home over the years with its prominent displays of celebrity photographs; records and awards; and various music instruments, including a shiny Liberace-esqe mirrored piano.

The “Elvis Room” is representative of the home’s past and gives a nod to Elvis Presley, who is said to have stayed at the home when owned by Arvey. You know it’s the Elvis Room because a cutout of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll is in it.

The “Velvet Room” is just that — a bedroom incorporating velvet in its design.

The master suite was designed for Toni Hart and features a poster bed with what resembles a white picket fence and white swan planters at the foot of the bed. The suite also features a royal bedspread adorned with beadwork, family photographs, a red popcorn maker and a master bath lit by another chandelier.

The “Grand Party Room” is the place for entertaining and a venue where hundreds of weddings, proms, bat mitzvahs, parties and charity events have taken place over the years. At its center is an indoor pool with tilework depicting bold black stripes and an abstract flower garden.

The area offers ample room for 400 guests, stage, bar and proximity to a commercial-grade and catering kitchen.

A guest house sits out back, away from main mansion, and is where Toni Hart once operated a neighborhood café.

Impressive Guest List

Equally interesting are those who have visited the property over the years. According to www.lasvegashartlandmansion.com, “Ginger Rogers danced here. Michael Jackson moonwalked here. Willie Nelson sang here. Engelbert Humperdinck dined here. Cee Lo Green, Miss Piggy and the Muppets filmed a music video here. Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone made a movie here. Jackie Collins launched a book here.”

It has been used in the filming of several projects including: “Casino” with De Niro, Stone and Joe Pesci; “Stewie” with Pat Morita; “All I need is Love” video with Green and the Muppets; “CBS Sunday Morning” with Bill Geist; and “The Rachael Ray Show.”

Others who have visited since Hart rebuilt include Gene Simmons, Trick Pony, Frankie Valli, Paul Anka, Debbie Reynolds, Don Rickles, Andrae Crouch, Rip Taylor, Jean Smart, Stephanie Zimbalist, Andrea McArdle, Curtis Blow, Delores Hall, Ozzie Osbourne, John Schneider, the Smothers Brothers, Martin Scorsese, Paulina Porizkova, Bruce Vilanch, Scott Whitman, Jacqueline Stallone, Tommy Hilfiger, local business leaders, along with a long list of politicians.

Those who are said to have visited the original residence from the 1940s through 1978, include celebrity icons like Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Liberace, Peter Lawford, Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor, Mae West, Esther Williams, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietriech, Groucho Marx, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, Joey Bishop and Ronald Reagan.

The Mansion’s Future

The future of the Hartland Mansion is unknown. It is offered for sale for $3.5 million through probate. According to realtor.com, the residence was listed in December 2009 for $8.5 million and delisted in June 2010.

“Previously, they had investors interested in purchasing the home, and Toni turned down an offer of $15 million in 2006,” Zanganeh said. “This was her home and she lived here until the end.”

Zanganeh said the mansion will offer its new owners many opportunities with its residential and commercial zoning, and the possibility to expand its use.

“There is an adjacent motel that is independently owned. If this motel were purchased along with the mansion, the owner could create a hotel, commercial and residential area with Strip frontage,” Zanganeh said.

The Hartland Mansion will be featured locally on KTNV-TV, Channel 13’s “Valley View Live!” in early June and on the nationally syndicated OK! TV.