The Fabulous Homes of Fascinating People

ELIZABETH TAYLOR’S VIRGINIA FARM

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Burton Warner Fortensky, from her breakout performance in National Velvet at age 12 until her death at age 79 in 2011, was well known for her classic beauty and acting talent.

When Elizabeth Taylor repeated the marriage vows for the seventh time to conservative politician John Warner, many people were surprised. Taylor met Warner during her second divorce from Richard Burton in 1976. Five months later, they were married at Atoka Farm on December 4, 1976, but split in 1982. Warner sold Atoka Farm in 1994.

In December 2015, the 400-acre Atoka Farm again went on the market at $8.7 million – almost twice what Warner received in 1994. A prized estate, it immediately went under contract, but the contract failed to go through and it was taken off the market. Fifty acres were set aside from the original 400 and sold to an adjoining neighbor for $1 million. In April, it was relisted at 350 acres and sold in early June for $7.17 million. John Coles of Thomas & Talbot of Middleburg, Virginia was the listing agent.

Atoka Farm is an excellent example of preserved northern Virginia history with examples of the evolution of generations of architectural styles. Seamed tin-roofs, hundred-year-old boxwoods, split-rail fences, an original log cabin with later added fieldstone and stacked stone walls attest to its past, with some structures possibly originating from an early owner. Joshua Hoge, a Quaker who called the farm Woodland, was a suspected slave runner, assisting slaves on the underground railway after the Civil War.

The farm is located just outside Middleburg, Virginia, and an hour from Washington, D.C. in the middle of Virginia’s renowned horse country. The 1860 field-stone manor home is 7,000 square feet with five bedrooms on three levels and an indoor pool and tennis court. There are also multiple barns, run-in sheds and a half-mile of Goose Creek frontage.

**ELIZABETH TAYLOR PHOTOS COURTESY THOMAS & TAYLOR**

JOE COCKER’S COLORADO HOME AUCTION

Paul McCartney once said of Joe Cocker’s singing, he “ . . totally turned the song into a soul anthem . ,” and it’s that very quality about Cocker that has appealed to generations of music lovers. From the start of his professional singing career with his band, the Cavaliers, in 1960 through his final live performance at Loreley Open Air Theatre in Sankt Goarshausen, Germany in 2013, his performances packed the house wherever he played.

In early 1992, the Cockers purchased 243 acres overlooking Needle Rock and West Elk Mountain and started building their English manor-style mansion of 15,873 square feet. In 1994 they decided to live there full-time. It reminded Cocker of England and he enjoyed replicating the English gardens of his youth. He also collected tomato seeds from around the world and took pleasure in growing as many different varieties as possible. Some of the main features of the home include a 33-foot-tall turret, a foyer with an inlaid marble floor medallion and sweeping staircase, formal dining room seating 18, a cherry-paneled library, billiards room with a wet bar and a 1,500-square-foot master suite with balcony. All first-floor rooms open to a terrace with views of pond and gardens.

In the spring of 2014, the Cockers put the ranch up for sale for $7.85 million. In February 2015, Pam Cocker reduced the price to $7 million. Now, the property will go to auction with no reserve on September 1st with Supreme Auctions.

**JOE COCKER PHOTOS COURTESY SUPREME AUCTIONS**

Lake Mansion Includes 25-foot Chris Craft Boat

Henderson Harbor has attracted people who are looking for a quiet retreat where they can refocus on their families and friends away from the noise and stress of daily city life. Some have built lovely mansions at the water’s edge with plenty of land and mature landscape providing lots of privacy. One such mansion has come on the market that is not only elegant and exquisitely maintained, but comes with major perks. Not only does it come fully furnished – right down to the fully equipped gym, sparkling chandeliers and oriental rugs, but also with a 2005 Chris-Craft boat and trailer that is housed on the private pier with hoist for summer excursions.

Sited on 3.5 acres with 312 feet of waterfront, the 12,181-square-foot mansion has nine bedrooms, eight baths, two kitchens, a library, wine cellar, office, lower game room opening onto the pool deck, connected guest quarters and a large kitchen with granite countertops that open to a family dining area and family room. Spectacular sunset and water views can be seen from all main rooms, including from the private master suite balcony. Additionally, the fully fenced property has a tennis court, an oversized three-car garage, and heated pool.

One of Henderson Harbor’s most elegant retreats, turnkey and with its own boat, is now for sale, priced at $4.5 million.