Concierge Auctions to Sell Virginia Countryside Merritt-Hutchinson Estate at Auction Without Reserve on May 24

LYNCH STATION, Va., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Concierge Auctions will conduct a live, high-end real estate auction of the spectacular Merritt-Hutchinson Estate in the picturesque Virginia countryside on May 24. Originally offered for $11 million, the property, located at 6797 Leesville Road and 5331 and 5700 Tardy Mountain in Lynch Station, Virginia, will be sold in two parcels to the highest bidder(s) regardless of price. The sale is being conducted in cooperation with listing agent Ron Mangas, Jr. of TTR Sotheby's International Realty.

"The Merritt-Hutchinson Estate is one of the finest privately-owned properties in Virginia," stated Mangas. "The opportunities are endless, as it can be used as a residence, family compound, corporate retreat, income-producing event facility or a host of other options. While in the secluded countryside, it is an easy, scenic trip from a number of nearby cities – 20 minutes from Smith Mountain Lake, 30 minutes from Lynchburg, VA, 1 hour from both Charlottesville and Roanoke, VA, 1.5 hours from Greensboro, NC, and 2.5 hours from both Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC."

When M.T.C. Merritt, worn and wounded after a long battle in the Civil War, traversed to Campbell County in 1873, he fell in love with the site. Wide swaths of Virginia countryside in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains ripe with opportunity lay before him. Finding the call irresistible, he employed a few friends to care for him and the property as he set to work developing it.

Today the portion of the Merritt-Hutchinson Estate to sell at auction is comprised of more than 800 fully fenced acres of soft rolling hills, perfectly manicured pastures and glimmering lakes. The property features six houses with a total of 37 bedrooms and 34 bathrooms, including the Charter House, the estate's original hallmark, which stands atop the foundation Merritt laid more than a century ago; a 30,000-square-foot equestrian lodge with two restaurants, guest suites, horse stalls, and riding ring; four barns including the Goat Barn, which has been used to breed hundreds of rare Boer goats; and an expansive conference facility, which features an indoor tennis court and is suitable to accommodate as many as 1,000 day visitors or 72 overnight guests.

The auction will be conducted in three bidding segments: (1) Parcel I, located at 6797 Leesville Road and 5700 Tardy Mountain, including 418 acres with the Charter House, Equestrian Lodge with restaurants, Guest Cottages, Caretaker House and Goat Barn; (2) Parcel II, located at 5331 Tardy Mountain and including 383 acres with a log cabin-style Chalet, the 5-bedroom Fletcher House and the Conference Hall; and (3) The two parcels together. The properties will sell to the highest collective bid(s).

"The Concierge Auctions process is ideal for storied, high-end properties such as the Merritt-Hutchinson Estate," stated Laura Brady, Vice President of Marketing for Concierge Auctions. "The auction will enable bidders to identify the value in a live, transparent format. Selling without reserve, this is a unique opportunity to own either of the parcels for your bid price, or to purchase both and maintain the over 800 acres intact."

The Merritt-Hutchinson Estate auction will be held live, on-site, on May 24. Attendance will be limited to registered bidders and their representatives. Bidders may participate in person or proxy via telephone or Internet. The property is available for preview daily by appointment. For more details visit MerrittHutchinsonAuction.com or call 800-436-0375.

About Concierge Auctions: Concierge Auctions is the preeminent luxury real estate auction firm serving high-end sellers nationwide.  Building on a centuries-old method for selling the finest art and antiquities, the company combines the latest technologies and marketing programs with experienced personnel to generate the maximum value for the most premier properties in an open, competitive forum.  As a preferred auction provider to Sotheby's International Realty® and other luxury brokerage firms, the company has executed auctions throughout the country, from New York to Hawaii.  The company's database includes more than 100,000 luxury real estate buyers and agents from all 50 states and 38 countries and territories.  The principals of Concierge Auctions have been involved in the transfer of more than $2 billion in luxury real estate sales over the past 10 years.  For more information, call 888-966-4759 or visit ConciergeAuctions.com.

SOURCE Concierge Auctions