Nearly 7 acres of the Big Sky Movie Ranch in southern California is to go under the hammer in June.
Larry Latham Auctioneers will be offering the land on behalf of Big Sky Ranch Co, a partnership managed by Watt Enterprises.
The 6,711-acre parcel is within one hour’s drive of downtown Los Angeles and will be offered in four lots. The lots range in size from just under 500 acres to nearly 3,000 acres. The entire sale is expected to raise well over $30m.
The Big Sky Movie Ranch is the last of the major working movie ranches. Many popular American television and film productions have been shot on the property, including Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie and The Thorn Birds. The sale and eventual development of the ranch, the auctioneers say, “will follow in the tradition of other famous movie ranches, such as the 20th Century Fox back lot (now Century City) and Warner Ranch (now Warner Center), which have become enormous commercial and residential developments”.
Watt Enterprises are currently preparing 3,000 acres next to the auction lots and the city of Simi Valley. When ready, the extra land will also be sold for development.
The auction will take place on June 13 at the Westlake Inn in Westlake, California. Registration for qualified buyers will commence at 11 am.
