Two New Orleans homes owned by actor Nicolas Cage were sold at foreclosure auction for a total of $4.5 million.

New Orleans Civil Sheriff Paul Valteau said Regions Bank based out of Birmingham, Ala., made the only bids on the two homes, purchasing Cage's French Quarter home for $2.3 million and his Pataniya Street property for $2.2 million. The French Quarter home (which Cage claimed was the “Most Haunted House in America”) was appraised at $3.5 million and the Pataniya Street home at $3.3 million.

The auction came amid significant financial troubles for Cage, 45, including $5.5 million the Ghost Rider star owes in mortgage payments. Cage, who also owes $151,730 to the city of New Orleans in real estate taxes, has blamed his troubles on his former financial manager, Samuel Levin.

On July 14, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service filed documents in New Orleans in connection with a federal tax lien against property owned by Cage in Louisiana, concerning unpaid federal taxes. The IRS alleges that Cage failed to pay over $6.2 million in federal income tax for the year 2007. In addition, the IRS has another lien for more than $350,000 in unpaid taxes dating from 2002-04.

Cage filed a $20 million lawsuit on Oct. 16, 2009, against Levin, alleging negligence and fraud. The lawsuit states that Levin "had failed to pay taxes when they were due and had placed [Cage] in speculative and risky real estate investments 'resulting in (the actor) suffering catastrophic losses'."

Homes Cage owns in California and Nevada also face foreclosure auctions.

Williams & Williams, the premier brand in real estate auction, on behalf of the City of Pontiac, Mich., announced Monday that the auction for the Pontiac Silverdome was won by a family-owned real estate company based in Toronto, Canada with a high bid of $583,000. The winning bidder plans to refurbish the stadium and utilize it for men’s Major League Soccer and women’s professional soccer teams. The successful bidder’s name is not being released until final details are worked out and the sale closes.

Fred Leeb, the emergency financial manager for the City of Pontiac stated a number of reasons why he deemed the auction a success.

* We recognized the problem and made the tough decision to base the sale on reality rather than dreams of higher sale prices and procrastination.

* The Silverdome will now be in the hands of professionals who can devote their time to transform this high-profile property into a vital asset instead of enabling it to continue to languish as an empty facility. Any improvements will be for the benefit of Pontiac because the property, of course, will stay in Pontiac, the property isn’t moving anywhere.

* The ongoing maintenance cost of $1.5 million a year will be eliminated and the property will go back on the tax rolls.

* The City staff will go back to working on our extremely successful union negotiations, cost reduction efforts, revenue improvements and other positive aspects of our turnaround that is already underway.

* Pontiac will become more prominent as a great place for new business due to its favorable business climate and the host of tax incentive programs that are available in very few cities in the entire country.” 

“This future-focused investment is good news for the City of Pontiac and is an exciting step forward for the community, city and state,” Leeb said. “It was our goal to sell the Silverdome by the end of the year and relieve the city of its annual financial burden of $1.5 million to maintain the Dome. Williams & Williams did an amazing job marketing and attracting global buyer interest in this property.  We couldn’t have asked for a better partner in this effort.

"Williams & Williams designed and executed a worldwide, multi-media advertising and publicity campaign that attracted interest from 84 countries and generated over 150 inquiries from potential buyers. We knew that it was going to be very tough so we reached out globally to find a creative buyer group that probably would have to look beyond the typical entertainment venue, apartment complex, or shopping center concepts."

“We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to find a new steward for the Silverdome on behalf of the City of Pontiac and the State of Michigan," said Dean Williams, chairman and CEO of Williams & Williams. "There was interest from around the world in this property and, of all of the possible outcomes and uses, we are pleased the Dome will build on its past and be revitalized as a major sports venue. ”

“Samson,” the Tyrannosaurus rex that failed to sell at a Las Vegas auction last month, has a new owner and may be on public display soon, the auction house announced.

Thomas Lindgren, the co-director of natural history auctions for Bonhams and Butterfields, wouldn’t say who bought the dinosaur or how much was paid, but said the private owner hopes to have the fossils on display in a museum by Christmas.

“They’re negotiating right now with a number of different museums that have interest,” Lindgren said. “We shouldn’t have to worry about her disappearing into a private collection, which certainly was a worry for a while.”

While he wouldn’t identify the price -– whether to reveal that information is left up to the new owner –- Lindgren said the successful offer was “somewhere in the $5 million area.” The bidder paid cash, Lindgren said.

Samson is considered the third most-complete T. rex ever found, with 170 bones, or about 56 percent of the body.

The dinosaur was put up for auction Oct. 3 at the Venetian resort along with almost 50 other items. The T. rex got a final bid of $3.6 million at the auction, short of the minimum price set by the owner.

A painting by pop artist Andy Warhol, "200 One Dollar Bills," brought $43.8 million at auction, more than three times its highest presale estimate of $12 million.

The piece, one of Warhol's first silk-screen paintings, sold at Sotheby's on Nov. 11, 2009. The auction house did not reveal the names of the buyer and seller.

Bidding for the seminal work was spirited and fast. Auctioneer Tobias Meyer opened bidding at $6 million, which was immediately doubled. Five more people in the room jumped in, competing until a phone bidder was declared the winner.

The current record for a Warhol is $71.7 million for "Green Car Crash, sold at Christie's in 2007.

Executed in 1962, the painting was once owned by taxi tycoon Robert C. Scull, who purchased it directly from Warhol's dealer. The current owner bought it in 1986 for $385,000.

It was the highest price fetched at the Contemporary Art sale, which totaled $134.4 million, well above the high presale total of $97.7 million.

Other Warhol paintings also drew strong prices.

His 1965 "Self-Portrait," which the artist gave to Cathy Naso, a receptionist who worked at his Factory, sold for $6.1 million. It had been estimated to sell for $1 million to $1.5 million. Naso, who attended the auction, was 19 years old when Warhol gave her the painting inscribed to her. She displayed it briefly and then stored it in a closet, where it remained until this year.

"I think I am dreaming," Naso said. "Andy has made me famous for 15 minutes and I've come to realize that 15 minutes of fame is more than enough."

Williams & Williams, the premier brand in real estate auction, in partnership with Auction Network, will conduct two days of commercial real estate auctions in Baton Rouge, La., and Natchez, Miss., on Nov. 17-18, 2009. Interested buyers can bid onsite or online.

Kicking off with a live Studio Auction at 5pC on Nov. 17 at the Eola Hotel in Natchez and ending with a second Studio Auction at 4pC on Nov. 18 at the Hilton Capital Center in Baton Rouge, Williams & Williams will auction 10 choice commercial and historic properties as well as development land on behalf of Bob Dean Classic Properties.

“There is global appeal to both Baton Rouge and Natchez,” said Bob Dean of Bob Dean Classic Properties. “I selected Williams & Williams to auction my properties due to the company’s proven ability to bring the global market to each property to achieve the highest possible market value.”

The Natchez Studio Auction will offer buyers a rare opportunity to acquire historic properties including the 131-room Eola Hotel on the National Register of Historic Places; the Guest House, an intimate bed and breakfast; and The Prentiss Club, a private event hall for social gatherings.

The Baton Rouge Studio Auction will offer the Dean Tower, a 14-story Class B office building in Baton Rouge's mid-city corridor; the six-story Regions Bank Building; the Commerce Building, an eight-story, downtown office building providing approximately 115,000 gross square feet; the historic Cangelosi Home and assemblage; and Choctaw warehouses, as well as 77+/- acres of development land.

Williams & Williams will also auction two former senior care facilities in Lake Charles, La., and Opelousas, La., via absolute without reserve auction.

“Baton Rouge is one of the top 20 strongest metros in the United States,” said Pam McKissick, Williams & Williams President and COO. “This is a huge opportunity for successful business or redevelopment in Baton Rouge’s thriving business district and the excitement of auction will attract buyers from around the world.”

Natchez Auction Preview: The Prentiss Club

Currently used as a private event hall for social gatherings, the Prentiss Club was chartered as a private men's club in 1903 by the state and “was created for social and literary purposes only.” The club was named in honor of noted orator and attorney, Sergeant S. Prentiss. A portrait sculpture of him adorns the façade of the building.

Designed by Soule and MacDonald of New Orleans and built by local contractors (Stietenroth and Dowds), the Renaissance Revival building is solidly constructed of brick, stone, iron, tile and terracotta and distinguished by a columned Loggia leading to a 72 foot long tiled terrace. The jewel of the elegant reception hall is a handsome double staircase, which leads guests to two ornate bedroom suites upstairs, along with an ornate ballroom.

The Prentiss Club was the center of much of the social activity of the city prior to the opening of the Eola Hotel in 1927. For a time it was used as a Masonic Temple. In 1976, then owner, Deposit Guaranty Bank, applied to demolish it for a parking lot. Three local women purchased the building and are owed a great debt for rescuing one of the few fine 20th century buildings in the city.

A deposit of $100,000 is required to bid on this property. Furnishings do not convey with the real estate.

Natchez Auction Preview: The Eola Hotel

Built in 1927, renovated in 1998, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 131-room Natchez Eola Hotel offers its guests the ambiance and charm of the Old South with the convenience of modern amenities. The Natchez Eola Hotel is graced with elegant interiors, arched doorways, crystal chandeliers, marble trim, stately columns, Mississippi River view balconies and a New Orleans courtyard with an original fire-and-water fountain.

Grand and stately, the Eola Hotel is furnished throughout with fine antiques, original oil paintings, statuary fountains and lush florals. Step out of the Eola's courtyard into the heart of historic downtown Natchez, where you'll discover Natchez Under-the-Hill, riverboat gambling, and the city's renowned Antiques Row, all within walking distance of the Eola. Horse-drawn carriages will deliver you to the door of magnificent antebellum mansions graced with innumerable white columns, rich Italian marble and moss-laden trees.

Named "Eola" after the developer's daughter, the Natchez Eola Hotel opened on July 1, 1927. Local newspapers hailed the hotel as a symbol of civic progress. Beginning in 1932, the Eola became headquarters for the annual Natchez Spring Pilgrimage.

The hotel enjoyed years of prosperity and celebrity visits, but by the 1960s, was showing its age. It quietly closed in 1974. Then, in 1978, under new ownership, a major restoration project commenced. Six and one-half million dollars later, the landmark hotel reopened. Elaborate chandeliers, columns, arched doorways, marble trim, and the famed "Peacock Alley" were returned to their original splendor. Preservation efforts sensitive to the original architecture earned the Natchez Eola membership in the National Register of Historic Places. The premier historic hotel property in Natchez, Miss., the Eola once again is a command center to the annual antebellum home pilgrimages. The hotel hosts the annual Natchez Antiques Forum.

The tallest building in downtown Natchez, the seven-story Eola Hotel overlooks the city from the corner of Main and Pearl Streets. Just two blocks from the Mississippi River, and one block from the city's new convention center, the hotel is within easy walking distance of most of the city's attractions, restaurants, and nightlife.

The Natchez Eola Hotel offers the finest convention and meeting facilities in the area. The greatest care has been taken to create functional spaces that do not sacrifice the elegant ambiance of this historic hotel. With +/- 3,995 square feet of meeting space, the Eola Hotel provides meeting spaces that range from small boardrooms that seat a dozen individuals to a grand ballroom, which can accommodate 400 guests. Lé Grand Pré Ballroom, on the mezzanine, offers a beautiful space for private dinners and receptions. The Grand Pré seats up to 250 people for banquets and 400 people for receptions. The ballroom can be divided into four private rooms that will accommodate groups from 15 to 110 people.

Rooms are handicapped accessible along with smoking and non-smoking. Some rooms come furnished with refrigerators, microwaves, ice machines, and fireplaces, along with balconies and/or connecting balconies. The premium suite comes with a jacuzzi and fireplace. Other amenities include: data ports, voice mail, cable television, radio & alarm clocks, coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards.

A deposit of $100,000 is required to bid on this property. For this property, there may be an additional fee (to be determined) to the high bid for personal property conveying with the real estate.

Natchez Auction Preview: Bed & Breakfast

The Guest House, an intimate hotel/bed and breakfast, has 16 exquisitely appointed and furnished guest rooms. Located in the heart of the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River and originally built in the 1840s, The Guest House offers visitors a unique and unforgettable Southern hospitality experience of the true South. The Guest House was originally a one-and-a-half story, Greek Revival townhouse built for Samuel and Jane Newman in the mid-1840s. As originally built and documented in historic photographs, the Guest House resembled the nearby John Smith House, a smaller brick cottage at the corner of North Pearl and Jefferson Streets.

In 1902-03, the second story was completed, which is the reason for the difference of windows between the first and second floor. Since the Victorian Era renovation, many architectural features were changed from the original Greek Revival architecture. Fireplace mantels and door moldings were "modernized" into the Victorian style and the front pediment and four massive columns added. The enlarged and remodeled building also featured a swimming pool at the rear where the courtyard exists today.

The dedication to preserve the original architecture style and décor of the property, the Guest House is celebrating its 26th year as a fine hospitality establishment in the heart of historic downtown Natchez.

A bid deposit of $100,000 is required to bid on this property.

For more information visit williamsauction.com

Williams & Williams, the premier brand in real estate auctions, is selling the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., and 127^+/- surrounding acres, through an Absolute, No Reserve Auction in partnership with CB Richard Ellis on behalf of the City of Pontiac.

Willimas & Williams is accepting sealed bids for the Silverdome Auction through Thursday, Nov. 12 at 4p EST. At that time, the City of Pontiac, in its sole discretion, may declare the high bidder the winner and end the auction or the city may elect to invite no more than the top five high bidders to a live “best and final” outcry auction held in Pontiac on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 at 1p EST at the Marriott Hotel.

Considered an excellent high-profile redevelopment opportunity, the Pontiac Silverdome, an 80,300-seat stadium, is prominently situated on 127^+/- acres accessible by I-75 and M-59. The “gateway site” will lend interested buyers an array of development options.

“We are excited about the Pontiac Silverdome Auction and finding a new owner to become a key member of our community,” said City of Pontiac Emergency Financial Manager Fred Leeb. “The decision to sell via absolute auction illustrates our commitment to sell the stadium and convert an expense into a vibrant future development.”

Interested bidders should contact Dan Falls of Williams & Williams at 918.362.6558 or go to www.williamsauction.com/silverdome for bid package.

Aaron Taylor never thought it would come to this.

Taylor, a former All-America offensive lineman at Nebraska, is being forced to auction off his 1997 Outland Trophy and seven national and conference championship rings because of bankruptcy.

“It’s all kind of surreal,” Taylor said. “I never thought I’d be in this situation.”

Taylor and other investors filed for bankruptcy when their Omaha restaurant, Scarlet and Cream Letter Club, failed in 2007. The Outland and rings were on display there and they're included in Taylor's assets under Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws.

Taylor thought he could buy the trophy and rings back but he couldn’t agree on a price.

Taylor helped the Cornhuskers to national championships in 1994, 1995 and 1997. He became an All-America at guard and center and is one of seven Cornhuskers to win the Outland, awarded to the nation's top interior lineman.

Al Capone's legend of bootlegging, gangland slayings and tax evasion lives on more than 60 years after the Chicago gangster's death. Now comes a footnote that is a sign of the times: foreclosure.

A Wisconsin lodge that may have been one of Capone's old hideouts goes on the auction block this week with a starting bid of $2.6 million.

The two-story stone lodge, tucked away on 407 acres in Couderay, Wis., was owned by the Capone family in the 1920s. It will be auctioned Thursday on the steps of the Sawyer County Courthouse, three hours from Minneapolis, Minn., according to an ad in the Chicago Tribune.

The property includes a 37-acre lake and eight-car garage.

The Tribune ad was placed in September by the Chippewa Valley Bank. The property,owned by Hideout Inc. owner Guy Houston, went into foreclosure in April 2008. The Houston family purchased the property in the 1950s and transformed the home into a touist spot. Visitors paid a few dollars for a walking tour of Capone's reputed hideout. The lodge is fortified with stone walls at least a foot thick and a guard tower. There is a separate facility that resembles a jail on site.

A New York art gallery has temporarily removed an Andy Warhol portrait of Michael Jackson from the auction block. The Vered Gallery in East Hampton says enormous interest prompted the decision. The auction was to close Sunday.

The 30-by-26-inch painting shows a smiling Jackson in a red jacket from his Thriller days. Pre-sale estimates ranged anywhere from $1 million to $10 million.

There's renewed interest in all things Jackson since his death. His albums are back at the top of the charts.

Gallery co-owner Janet Lehr says in a statement she wants to offer the 1984 work to "the greatest number of prospective purchasers." She did not immediately return inquiries for comment Monday. The portrait is reportedly owned by a New York collector.
 

The annual charity auction of a steak lunch with billionaire investor Warren Buffett, which raised a record $2.11 million last year, is off to a slow start. The high bid was just $70,100 as of Tuesday in the 10th annual fund-raiser, which began Sunday on eBay. The auction ends Friday.

It was unclear how the recession will affect this year's bidding. In previous auctions, a flurry of activity typically drove the winning bid higher in the last couple of hours.

The winner and up to seven friends may dine with the world's second-richest person at New York's Smith & Wollensky steakhouse. The auction benefits San Francisco's Glide Foundation, which offers housing, job training, health and child care, and meals for the poor.

Zhao Danyang, the hedge fund manager who paid more than $2.11 million to have lunch with Buffett last year, said he owed his firm's 600% return over the past six years to lessons he learned from Buffett and his books.