Our Investments 

690 acres, Elbert, CO

Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Dill, a well-known and successful educational entrepreneur, the Diamond D Ranch was their main private residence, located just outside of Colorado Springs. Having purchased a much larger ranch in rural eastern Colorado, the Dills contracted with Open Lands to sell the Diamond D with all equipment, furniture and vehicles in place, to facilitate a much easier and more economical move to their new home.

Open Lands developed the property into a few rural estates, careful to maintain the private and quiet country atmosphere of the Diamond D. All of the homes and barns on the property became private residences and horse facilities for new lucky homebuyers.

As the internationally famous “L’Esprit” Arabian horse complex, this highly improved and world-renowned equestrian estate had entertained and served dignitaries from around the globe for over two decades. Investors and owners included many of the world’s most wealthy people, from Armand Hammer of Occidental Petroleum to well-known Japanese Industrialists.

After closing down the facility for sale, the sellers approached Open Lands to structure a joint venture for the historic sale of this fabulous property, only thirty minutes outside of Louisville. Within sixty days the entire property was sold, attracting buyers from both coasts as well as storied local Kentucky breeders. By staving off a proposed and questionable golf course development, this sale was an excellent example of re-positioning a premier property with a stellar reputation towards those who will appreciate its long-standing in the community.

684 acres, Bowling Green, KY
Owned for over 50 years by the Meng Family this farm was one of the areas most respected, raising purebred Angus cattle and row crops in the country’s heartland. As Mr. and Mrs. Meng were retiring from farming and moving into town, a turnkey sale was desired that would allow for the maximum tax benefits, including a 1031 tax-deferred exchange (to postpone capital gains taxes by reinvesting the sale proceeds).

The entire transaction was completed in less than ninety days, with Open Lands working with the Meng Family so that they received a portion of their proceeds as “cash”, while also deferring taxes. Besides the real estate, this sale included all of the equipment on the farm and most of the household furnishings.

4,000 Acres, Catoosa, OK
This historical property was original developed and owned by William Skelly of Skelly Oil, one of Tulsa’s great oil barons, as a hunting and camping retreat on the outskirts of Tulsa. Over the years, many industrial and river port developments had threatened the property’s pristine valleys and lowlands. The property had even seen many years of decline without any kind of maintenance in place.

When the current owner faced foreclosure, Open Lands purchased the property giving current ownership a reprieve and option to buy the property back. While the “hunting lodge” operation still failed and ultimately declared bankruptcy, Open Lands managed to guide the property through the bankruptcy estate and towards a new beginning. Ultimately, the lowlands were saved and sold to a few very large buyers, each purchasing over 1,000 acres, and development interests were limited to a few smaller parcels on the uplands. 

Owned by the Cox family of the Cox cable and media empire, the Nine Bar Ranch had long been a storied place in Texas history, just 45 minutes northwest of Houston. One of the world’s foremost breeders of Santa Gertrudis cattle, the ranch ran over 2,000 head with extensive support facilities including several homes, sale barns, horse facilities and equipment.

Open Lands purchased the property from the Cox family turnkey, including cattle and equipment and closed the entire transaction in less than thirty days. Working with the seller’s existing employees to insure a happy and smooth transition, Open Lands then developed the property with an eye to large rural estates. Several purchasers acquired large blocks of the property for their own livestock enterprise, including such notables as the racecar driver and team owner A.J. Foyt, and country western singer Clay Walker.

2,800 acres, Meridian, TX

Developed as a Stealth Radar Range by Lockheed Martin in the 1980’s this unique facility had been used for testing stealth technologies during the Reagan administrations. Deep inside the 2,800 acres were two separate runways, a large paint booth and several other buildings used for storage and hanger space for the model planes. A high security area, the property had been officially closed down and mothballed for sale.

Open Lands purchased the facility turnkey, including all of the equipment, office furniture and rolling stock used by the closed facility, and re-developed the property for uses more conducive to the rural Texas countryside of Bosque County, southwest of Ft. Worth. Today, most of the property has returned to supporting an abundant wildlife population native to the region and is also enjoyed by many different users for recreational and retreat purposes, as well as a few small businesses.

1,335 acres, Stephenville, TX

Owner Ken Freeman’s “Firewater” Ranch was primarily a quarter horse and Texas Longhorn operation located outside of Ft. Worth. A country retreat with several homes and a large lake, the family had been trying to sell the property over a prolonged period.

Open Lands structured a joint venture with Mr. Freeman, whereby the property was preserved in several large tracts for new owners. This agreement benefited all parties guaranteeing Mr. Freeman a minimum return and additional compensation for assisting with the property’s sale and transfer. Again, the sale was structured as “turnkey” including all equipment, horses and furniture located at the ranch.

1,000 acres, Charlottesville, VA

Owned by Mr. Eugene Worrell of Worrell Industries, Wounded Knee served as the country retreat and registered cattle farm of this well-respected tycoon. The beautiful rolling hills of this Virginia estate included several historic homes, an old store, a sparkling lake, and horse and cattle barns.

As Mr. Worrell was retiring from the farm business, Open Lands negotiated a turnkey sale that included everything, from furniture in the homes, equipment in the barns, to even his small but select and rare herd of Belted Galaway cattle. The cash transaction, which closed in less than 30 days, allowed for a smooth transition as Open Lands then re-positioned the property for large rural estate buyers from Charlottesville and the surrounding areas. With Mr. Worrell’s and his employee’s invaluable assistance, this property’s rich history has now been preserved for many more generations to come.