With a worldwide record-breaking opening, the last chapter in the Harry Potter movie series “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2? is laying ground to be one of the most memorable — and lucrative—movie endings of all time. For starters, the box office hit blew the midnight showings record out of the water, making $43.5 million in the U.S., up from Twilight’s $30 million in 2010 and set a new worldwide opening weekend record grossing $475.6 million.
o, who does Mr. Potter have to beat for the ultimate title of highest-grossing film in the world? Currently James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ holds the title which grossed nearly $2.8 billion in 2009. Titanic is slated second grossing $1.84 billion in 1997.
The cast, crew, and, of course, fans are sad to see the wizarding world come to an end but many have faith the magic will live on. For us non-magical folk, the easiest way to keep Harry Potter alive may be to buy a Hogwarts-worthy home. As it turns out, there are a plethora of castles for sale in the U.S. that could easily be a stunt double or close cousin to the infamous school of wizardry.
92 Fordyce Rd, White Salmon, WAFor Sale: $1.2 million
Ten miles north of the Oregon border into Washington state, a large stone castle rises up above the White Salmon river. With a stone tower and curved windows, the building looks straight out of the Middle Ages. However, this castle, listed on the White Salmon real estate market, is only 23 years old.
Built in a typical 13th-century Gothic-castle style, the house features a full dining hall, lookout tower and a detached kitchen, where several hundred years ago, the servants would have tended roasting meat on a spit.
934 Orange Center Rd, Orange, CTFor Sale: $790,000
For a stone castle, anything under a million is a great deal — just ask any wizard. This 3,355-square-foot castle was built in 1939 and has been completely renovated while retaining its very “old-world charm.” In case you ever want to spend a night outside the 4-bed, 4-bath stone castle, the Orange, CT property also includes a small guest house.
249 Croton Dam Rd, Ossining, NYFor Sale: $5,000,000
An abandoned castle in need of renovation is just the sort of place a wizard could hide out safely from prying Muggle eyes. Built in 1927, the 4,337-square-foot castle has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The property sits on 50 wooded acres and is sold “as is” for $5 million, ironically listed on the New Castle real estate market.
4720 Grosvenor Ave, Bronx, NYFor Sale: $2,995,000
Built in 1899, this stone mansion listed the Bronx real estate market was designed by architect Norman Foster for shipping line owner Giuseppe Cosulich, possibly as a copy of Cosulich’s family chateau in Croatia. Although over a hundred of years old, the castle is filled with 21st century Muggle updates like Sub-Zero kitchen appliances, Mitsubishi air-conditioning, Bose sound system and flat-screen TVs that all but make the need for Harry’s kind of magic obsolete.
271 Hunting Ridge Rd, Stamford, CTFor Sale: $1,099,000
Dubbed Chateau Rochamore (“love rock”), this Stamford castle will make you feel like you’ve been whimsically whisked away to Hogsmeade Village in the winter months. The custom-designed stone castle is a gem among North Stamford real estate and noted as one of the city’s “most significant estates.” Completed in 1906, the 4,800-sq ft castle contains 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 6 wood-burning fireplaces, and a great room with a three-story high beamed ceiling. The 3-acre property also includes an in-ground swimming pool and 3-car attached garage.
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/hogwarts-worthy-american-castles-for-sale.html
