_{SOURCE: theclose.com}

Let’s continue with our quest to discover some of the strangest real estate facts.

1. The Most Expensive Home Ever Sold in the United States Is a Penthouse in New York City’s Central Park South

Billionaire Ken Griffin, founder and chief executive of the global investment firm Citadel, purchased the penthouse at 220 Central Park South for $238 million in 2019. The property was unfinished at the time of the conspicuous purchase. When the deal closed, it became the most expensive residential sale in United States history. 

2. John Travolta’s Driveway Is Actually a Runway

Not only is John Travolta an accomplished actor with serious dance moves, he is also a certified private pilot. It was always his dream to live in a place where he could pull his plane right up to the house, and he made that dream come true with his house in Jumbolair Aviation Estates, just outside Ocala, Florida.

3. The Church of Scientology Owns a Ton of Historic Hollywood Real Estate

If you haven’t been paying much attention to who’s been buying up old, historic buildings in the Hollywood area, you might have missed that The Church of Scientology is now one of the largest real estate owners on the block.

4. The White House Is a Relatively New Invention

Generations of presidents called The White House home, but they didn’t officially call it The White House. Instead, they called it the executive residence, executive mansion, or the people’s house.

None of these have the same presidential ring as The White House, so it was Theodore Roosevelt who decided to make The White House official in 1901. It is repainted every four to six years to keep that symbolic white, which requires a staggering 570 gallons of paint!

5. The World’s Oldest Wooden Building Dates Back to 607 AD

This gorgeous Japanese Buddhist temple, built in 607 AD, has endured fires, wars, and centuries of weather, particularly lightning. The Hōryū-ji Temple, known for its stunning architecture and unequaled majesty, was commissioned by Prince Shōtoku as part of his efforts to introduce Buddhism to Japan. It’s believed he erected the temple to pray to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing, on behalf of his ailing father.

The temple is officially registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest wooden building in the world at 1,416 years.

Hungry for more? Well, better check our website from time to time to read more of these fun real estate facts!