The real estate market is witnessing a notable listing, as the Rancho Santa Fe mansion, once belonging to the late Guggenheim executive Scott Minerd, is on sale with an asking price of $16.95 million. Following Minerd's sudden passing in December 2022, his impressive $400 million estate, featuring a collection of luxury properties, has become embroiled in a contentious legal dispute.
Minerd's death was attributed to probable cardiac arrest, as reported by Vanity Fair, per Realtor.com. He left behind real estate holdings, including a set of Miami penthouse apartments and the aforementioned California mansion. However, two unnamed multimillion-dollar California homes are the fulcrum of the fiery dispute where Teri Chiota and Alex Figueroa, two of Minerd's confidants, claim he promised the properties as a symbol of gratitude for their unwavering availability.
According to Vanity Fair, Chiota cared for Minerd's rescue dog, while Figueroa, who alleged a romantic relationship with the financier, was his trainer. They assert that these homes were pledged to them, but Robert Fedoris, representing Minerd's estate, disputes this, citing a lack of evidence substantiating Chiota's claim to the properties.
As per Barry Estates, the estate in question, 18127 Via Roswitha, is a six-acre slice of the Covenant, a historically rich locality noted for its status as a planned community. Featuring six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a pool of luxury amenities, the property also recently underwent extensive upgrades, including new landscaping and transforming a four-stall barn into guest casitas. The upgrades are surprising, given the home was bought and relisted within six months. "This is a perfect example that life is about change," Jason Barry of Barry Estates explained, emphasizing client desires. He also assures the home's fire insurance coverage, a concern for California buyers, as cited by Realtor.com.
