Inside Hummingbird Nest Ranch, the 123-acre venue once listed for $75 million that's now the Bachelor Mansion

Thu, 07/18/2024 - 11:21

the exterior of hummingbird nest ranch at twilight — Hummingbird Nest Ranch has been chosen as the newest Bachelor Mansion.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch

The latest "Bachelorette" season was filmed at Hummingbird Nest Ranch instead of the normal mansion.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch is a 123-acre property owned by billionaire Kieu Hoang.
The property, located 35 miles outside Los Angeles, was formerly an equestrian ranch.

When fans tuned into the season premiere of "The Bachelorette" on July 8, they were in for a surprise — Jenn Tran's search for love wasn't kicking off at the usual "Bachelor" mansion in Agoura Hills, California, but instead at a ranch 35 miles outside Los Angeles called Hummingbird Nest Ranch.

Hummingbird Nest Ranch is a 123-acre property that was once an equestrian ranch. Now it's an events venue owned by billionaire Kieu Hoang that's used by reality stars, influencers, and TV productions,

Here's a closer look at Hummingbird Nest Ranch and its history.

The Hummingbird Nest Ranch is a sprawling venue in California's Simi Valley.

an aerial shot of hummingbird nest ranch — An aerial view of the Villa, one of the structures at Hummingbird Nest Ranch.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch

Hummingbird Nest Ranch is an events venue that's located around 35 miles outside of Los Angeles.

In July 2024, the property also doubled as the new "Bachelor" mansion.

Jenn Tran on night one of — Jesse Palmer and Jenn Tran on "The Bachelorette."
John Fleenor/Disney

"The Bachelor" premiered in 2001. For the first couple of seasons, it filmed at a mansion in Malibu, but beginning in 2007, almost every season of the franchise (with a few exceptions) has kicked off at a mansion called Villa de la Vina in Agoura Hills.

Those exceptions include Emily Maynard's season in 2012, which was filmed in North Carolina to accommodate her daughter; Clare Crawley's season, which was filmed at the La Quinta Resort in California; Matt James' season, which was filmed at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania; Katie Thurston's season, which was filmed at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort in New Mexico; and Michelle Young's season, which was filmed at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in California.

Those latter seasons were held at their respective locations due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jenn Tran became the first lead in years to begin her journey for love at a new mansion.

jenn and grant on the new season of the bachelorette — Jenn Tran with one of her suitors on "The Bachelorette."
John Fleenor/Disney

Since 2022, the franchise has been back at the classic mansion. That is, until this season of "The Bachelorette," which premiered in July.

In March, Tran had told Entertainment Tonight her season would begin somewhere new.

Tran said that she's been telling herself as the "first Asian American Bachelorette, first PA student" that she is "really breaking the mold this season." She continued, "I feel like a new mansion is the perfect way to break the mold. I'm gonna bless it with some really good vibes."

The new mansion, Hummingbird Nest Ranch, was purchased in the '90s by David Saperstein.

the sitting room at hummingbird nest ranch — An inside look at Hummingbird Nest Ranch.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch

The entrepreneur founded Metro Networks in 1978. Before its sale in 2011, Metro Networks was a broadcasting company that had 2,300 radio affiliates and 170 TV affiliates.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the property is 123 acres. But the main attraction, and where the season primarily filmed, is the 17,000-square-foot Spanish-style mansion.

There are dozens of structures on the property besides the main house.

the gate of hummingbird nest ranch — The gate at Hummingbird Nest Ranch.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch

The LA Times reported that the property has "16 guesthouses, three riding arenas, and a 20,000-square-foot barn." There's even a helipad.

According to Ventura County Trails, the Sapersteins also restored the property's smaller original home from the 1920s, which has a "Mission-style bell tower."

In 2007, Saperstein listed the property for $75 million. It eventually sold for $33 million.

the exterior of hummingbird nest ranch at night — The exterior of the main house.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch

Saperstein put Hummingbird Nest Ranch on the market in 2007 for $75 million after divorcing his wife, and then again for $49.5 million. It eventually sold almost 10 years later in 2016 for $33 million.

According to Land Report, Kieu Hoang, another billionaire, was the buyer. Forbes reported that Hoang, 80, was worth $2.8 billion in 2018.

In addition to "The Bachelorette," shows like "The Mentalist," "Entourage," and "NCIS" have filmed there.

The second and third seasons of "Claim to Face," another ABC reality series, used Hummingbird Nest, as did the "Bachelor" spin-off "Listen to Your Heart."

"Vanderpump Rules" fans may also recognize it as the venue for star Scheana Shay's wedding in 2014.

You can stay at one of four properties on the grounds.

jenn and a contestant playing basketball on the bachelorette — Jenn Tran and a contestant on "The Bachelorette."
John Fleenor/Disney

According to its website, you can rent a two-bedroom cottage for $500 a night, a three-bedroom townhome for $700 a night, a three-bedroom casita for $800 a night, or a four-bedroom casita for $900 a night.

Only time will tell if "The Bachelor" franchise is permanently moving to Hummingbird Nest Ranch.

the exterior of hummingbird nest ranch during the day — The entryway.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch

It's already been announced that the upcoming "Golden Bachelorette" will be back at the classic Bachelor Mansion, but who knows if Hummingbird Nest will return in the future.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Real Estate, Entertainment, the-bachelorette, real-estate, los-angeles, reality-tv

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Inside Hummingbird Nest Ranch, the 123-acre venue once listed for $75 million t…