Zebras and Lemons and Art, Oh My! Tuscan-Style Village Flourishes on SoCal Ranch

A spectacular spread in Lake Elsinore, CA, designed to replicate a luxurious Tuscan villa, has hit the market for a whopping $22,950,000.

And the magnificent 1,225-acre property is almost as breathtaking as the house itself.

There are elaborate fountains, Renaissance sculptures, a chapel, and even a giraffe. Yes, the sale includes an actual giraffe, along with 12 zebras, six African antelope, “a shy Kudu” antelope, and some Andean llamas.

Filled with 23,000 certified organic lemon trees and 1,000 olive trees imported from Italy, the ranch also houses a 51-acre exotic animal preserve, two gun ranges, a greenhouse, a wine gazebo, and a private lake.

And somehow, there’s more. Also included are a two-story guesthouse, an art studio and gallery, dog kennels, an equestrian center, a 2,200-square-foot garage, a 2,200-square-foot workshop, and a 2,100-square-foot “employee triplex,” according to the listing.

And let’s not overlook the helicopter pad.

Tuscan-style village

The property’s first owner was Bruce Brown, maker of the classic surfing film “Endless Summer,” says listing agent Jody Neal, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

The property, which was originally built in 1979, is now owned by Dick Marconi, a former race car driver, founder of Marconi Automotive Museum, and creator/supplier of Herbalife supplements.

When Marconi purchased the home in 1994, he wanted to transform it into a one-of-a-kind, Tuscan-style village.

“He got a lot of the statues on the property from Southern Italy,” Neal says. “He also brought in the olive trees from Italy.”

Everything about the property is over the top. A lion-guarded entry leads to a stone-arched bridge that spans what’s known as Lago Di Cigno (“Swan Lake”).

The 5,048-square-foot home features doors from Hearst Castle, a wine-tasting room, a swimming pool with its own indoor kitchen, and a primary suite with lakefront views.

The colossal ranch also boasts a 2,000-square-foot art studio and a separate 2,175-square-foot art gallery, which features Marconi’s paintings, illuminated by museum-quality lighting.

He “created his own painting technique called color fusion,” Neal explains.

On-site chapel

One of the property’s most stunning features is the on-site chapel with a full-size replica of La Pieta, the Michelangelo sculpture at the Vatican in Rome. The statue can be purchased separately.

Exotic animals

The Marconis were inspired to create their own exotic animal preserve after coming home from an African safari.

Now, a 51-acre slice of savanna life sits on the property.

As for the next owner, Neal believes they “will be looking for a combination of things: privacy, elbow room, a unique property, and an off-grid Italian villa that could serve as a family compound.”

The Marconis have a vision for who the ideal buyer will—and won’t—be.

“We are working with buyers who are individual families,” Neal says. “We do not want to turn it into a retreat. It’s an heirloom property. We have had to turn away developers, because we are looking for someone who wants the property to stay as is.”

There has already been quite a bit of interest in the property, and the home was under contract at one point; but the prospective buyer backed out because of “their conditions,” Neal says.

In the meantime, Neal and the Marconis will continue waiting for the family who is perfectly suited to embrace this rare and beautiful dwelling.

“I specialize in selling ranch properties, but what they have done here is just amazing,” Neal says. “There is nothing quite like it.”