When you think of famous landmarks, you picture timeless monuments that seem untouchable. Yet, over the years, several of these iconic sites have been listed for sale, proving that even history’s giants can become marketable assets.

Why These Famous Landmarks Went Up for Sale

Economic pressures, shifting ownership, and evolving priorities have all turned heritage sites into real‑estate listings. Some were rescued by preservationists, while others changed hands multiple times before finding a new steward.

10 Carter’s Grove Plantation

Carter’s Grove Plantation sits on a historic parcel near Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, overlooking the James River. For centuries it remained in private hands before being donated to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in the 1960s.

The foundation found the estate costly to maintain, closed it in 2007, and sold it to Halsey Minor, a wealthy Virginia businessman. After Minor declared bankruptcy in 2011, the property was put back on the market.

Chicago investor Samuel M. Mencoff purchased the plantation in 2014 for $7.5 million. The Georgian mansion had suffered water leaks and neglected plaster and brick work during Minor’s ownership. Mencoff, a noted preservationist, said he is proud to assume stewardship and intends to work with Colonial Williamsburg to preserve the site.

9 Hollywood Sign

By the late 1970s the original Hollywood sign, erected in the 1920s to promote a real‑estate development, was falling into disrepair. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce needed roughly $250,000 to replace it.

Magazine publisher Hugh Hefner hosted a lavish party at his Playboy mansion, selling each letter for $27,700. The fundraiser succeeded, the old sign was removed, and nine gleaming white letters were raised in its place.

In 2002 investors bought 138 acres near the sign—land once owned by Howard Hughes. Their development plans threatened the iconic view, prompting a “Save the Peak” campaign to preserve the area.

When the campaign fell $1 million short of the $12.5 million goal, Hefner covered the gap, ensuring the sign’s location remained intact. He later called the sign “our Eiffel Tower” and said it represents more than a city—it represents Hollywood dreams.

8 Empire State Building

On May 29, 2013, shareholders approved a $4.2 billion IPO that took the historic New York City skyscraper public. Two groups had clashed over its fate: one wanted a syndicate of 2,800 owners to retain control, while the other advocated bundling the building with 18 other New York properties into a REIT.

The 443‑meter‑tall (1,454 ft), 102‑story tower was once the world’s tallest skyscraper, holding the title until the World Trade Center surpassed it in 1973.

After the September 2001 attacks destroyed the WTC, the Empire State Building briefly reclaimed the city’s tallest‑building crown, only to lose it again to the new 540‑meter (1,776 ft) Ground Zero tower.

7 Alamo

The Alamo began as Mission San Francisco de Solano, built near the Rio Grande in 1700 and later settled in San Antonio, Texas. By the end of the 18th century the mission was secularized and divided among local residents, Spanish and Native American alike.

It became a military garrison, and during the Texas Revolution (1835‑36) Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna’s army laid siege to the Alamo. The defenders—including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie—fell after a 90‑minute battle.

After the soldiers left in 1877, the grounds and compound were sold to various owners. In 1883 Texas bought the Alamo, except for the convento (Long Barrack), whose owner sold it to make way for a new hotel in 1903.

Schoolteacher and preservationist Adina de Zavala raised $75,000 from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, purchasing the convento. Two years later the Texas legislature reimbursed the DRT for the acquisition.

6 Liberty Bell

The replica of the Liberty Bell hanging in the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia has symbolized American freedom since July 4, 1776, when it rang to announce the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The original bell was recast twice—once in 1753 after cracking in London, and again later for a better tone.

Seventy years after the second recasting, the bell was nearly sold as scrap metal. Officials wanted $400 for it, but the cost to lower the one‑ton behemoth from its four‑story perch in Independence Hall would have been higher, saving it from the junkyard.

“It’s pretty much a miracle that the thing still exists,” said UCLA professor emeritus Gary B. Nash.

5 Monticello

Thomas Jefferson, though never formally trained as an architect, studied numerous books on the subject. In 1768 he took on the design and supervision of a house on inherited land, later expanding it after his 1782 return from France.

Jefferson doubled the original house’s size and added extensive gardens with fruit vines. His lavish spending left his daughter, Martha Randolph, heavily indebted, forcing her to sell the estate.

In 1836 real‑estate speculator Uriah Levy bought Monticello, and his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy later restored and preserved the property.

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a nonprofit, purchased Monticello in 1923. Today it operates as a museum and educational institution.

4 Bran Castle

In 2007 Romania’s former royal family put Bran Castle up for sale. The fortress, perched on a cliff near Brașov, once defended against Ottoman Turks and is linked to Vlad the Impaler, the historical inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula.

The royals called it home from 1920 to 1948 before the communist regime confiscated it from Princess Ileana. After a late‑1980s restoration, it became known as “Dracula’s Castle” and a major tourist draw.In 2006 the property returned to Princess Ileana’s son, Archduke Dominic Habsburg, then 69. Local authorities rejected his proposal to sell the castle for $80 million, keeping it as a museum.

Habsburg later listed the castle again, predicting offers could reach $135 million, but no buyer has emerged yet.

3 London Bridge

In 1968 industrialist Robert McCulloch wanted to boost tourism in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He bought the historic 19th‑century London Bridge, which England was discarding because it was sinking about 2.5 cm every eight years.

City councilor Ivan Luckin suggested selling the bridge. McCulloch offered twice the $1.2 million dismantling cost, adding $60,000 to sweeten the deal. The bridge was his.

Each stone block was marked, packed, and shipped to Long Beach, California, then trucked to Arizona. There, the bridge was reassembled, its core reinforced with steel‑rebar concrete.

The entire disassembly, transport, and reassembly cost McCulloch an additional $7 million, but the relocated bridge sparked a tourism boom, and Lake Havasu City’s population “blossomed.”

2 New Scotland Yard

London’s famed Metropolitan Police headquarters, New Scotland Yard, was sold in 2014 to an Abu Dhabi investor for £370 million ($580 million)—£120 million above expectations. The buyer plans to convert the historic building into luxury apartments.

As part of the sale, artifacts from the Met’s private “Black Museum” will move to a public museum. Items include the ricin‑filled pellet fired from an umbrella that killed Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in 1978, and cooking pots used by a serial killer to boil victims.

The Met’s new headquarters will occupy a neoclassical edifice on the River Thames near Parliament.

1 Stonehenge

In September 1915, the British magazine Country Life ran an advertisement offering Stonehenge as a “companion feature” to a 6,400‑acre real‑estate parcel. The Antrobus family of Cheshire had owned the land since 1824, after a series of earlier owners.

When the family’s sole heir died in World War I, the estate was put up for sale. No buyer wanted the entire property, which included a mansion, farmhouse, and gardens, so the land was split into 89 lots for separate auction.

Lot 15 contained the Stonehenge monoliths. Despite its fame, interest was low, and the lot sold for just £6,600 (about $8,700), far below expectations.

The buyer, Cecil Chubb, gave the stones to his wife, who was unimpressed by their chipped state. In October 1918 the couple deeded the site to the United Kingdom, and Chubb received an honorary knighthood. Today English Heritage safeguards Stonehenge for future generations.

Welcome to the biggest site update sale announcement yet! After years of growth and countless memories, the platform is embarking on a fresh adventure with a new partner. This post walks you through the people, moments, and milestones that have defined our story, and introduces the exciting team that will help shape the future.

Site Update Sale: A New Chapter Begins

10 A Farewell to Friends

I want to open with a heartfelt remembrance. Not every friendship endures forever, and in 2018 my brother Stewart passed away. He authored “20 Examples Of Why You Should Enjoy Poetry” and was a tireless commentator under the name Kiwiboi. His encouragement was the spark that got the site off the ground. He left a flood of comments that still brighten our pages, and I miss his presence daily.

We also said goodbye to Jesse Cunnington, pictured here, who contributed three lists and was a longtime commenter known as Trigun472. Jesse was only 25 when cystic fibrosis claimed his life in 2017. One of our Canadian moderators, Judy (Mom424), traveled to his home in Washington and generously purchased a car for him, granting Jesse crucial independence for his medical visits. Judy’s self‑less act will always be remembered, and on behalf of everyone, thank you, Judy.

9 You . . . The Readers

The platform has been blessed with a constant stream of devoted readers. Some linger quietly in the background, while others voice their thoughts daily in the comments. Whether you’re a silent observer or a vocal participant, your commitment has brought immeasurable joy to my life and to countless others.

Our community has forged friendships that have leapt off the screen into the real world. In 2013 I traveled to Los Angeles for a show discussion and unexpectedly ran into several regulars. The night turned delightfully chaotic, with endless cocktails, and the next morning I awoke in the Four Seasons Beverly Hills to find a group of passed‑out readers scattered across the suite floor. The photo captures me with a fan in the early hours of that unforgettable evening.

We’ve even witnessed marriages blossom among our readers—congratulations to Jwjwbean, for example. Personally, I’ve enjoyed two long‑term relationships and am now embarking on a third (and final!) adventure.

8 The Editors

Since 2007 we’ve been fortunate to work with a host of talented editors, many of whom wear multiple hats, including writing. To this day, the brilliant and friendly Darci continues to be a cornerstone of our team. We’ve also been supported by Heather, Micah Duke, and Anthony Sfarra, as well as Andrew Handley, who has worn the hats of social‑media manager, video creator, and all‑around good guy, delivering many of his favorite lists.

Additional assistance has come from Colin Jenkins, Josh Sargent, Kier Harris, and the ever‑intellectual Matt Hayes. Matt joined us when we opened our first Wellington office—pictured is his desk overlooking the beautiful harbor. His contributions were pivotal in launching the traffic surge that followed our redesign.

7 The Crazy Admins

Cyn: Who could forget “Cyn The Admin”? Cynthia, known online as Cyn, was a vivacious part of the community and an enthusiastic moderator. She eventually moved on to greener pastures, but her lively spirit left an indelible mark on our culture.

Oouchan: Long‑time members will recall Oouchan (Amy). She approached moderation with vigor and also championed her political beliefs. Even before the broader conversation about gender spectra, Oouchan passionately explained the evolving world of pronouns to us all.

Patrick Weidinger: Patrick remains a familiar presence in the comments. A quiet yet high‑quality moderator, his contributions are always thoughtful and only surface when truly valuable.

Liam: Liam’s intellect shines through his reasoned comments. As our newest moderator, he’s proven to be an asset both on‑site and behind the scenes, helping with various challenges.

Mom424: Judy, known as Mom424, has been a moderator since the platform’s infancy. She once traveled to New Zealand for an extended stay, where we shared countless drinks, debates, and laughs. Her generosity and friendship have been a true blessing, and I wish her all the best during her recent family challenges. My door is always open for you, Judy.

To every moderator—past and present—thank you for your dedication.

6 Me . . . From Here To Where?

As a child I was obsessed with scents—our family seems to share a heightened sense of smell, and we’re all arm‑chair philosophers. Combining those traits sparked an intense fascination with the psychology of fragrance. Believe it or not, entire books explore this niche field.

Several years after launching the platform, I dove into hobbyist perfume creation. I purchased chemicals, devoured literature, and spent countless hours perfecting blends. Eventually, friends and family began wearing my experimental scents.

In 2020 I decided to launch my own perfume house, Frater Perfumes, and chose to sell the platform so I could devote myself fully to this new venture. I now have twelve complete fragrances in the final maturation stage and plan to begin bottling for sale within a month.

If you’d like to follow my perfume journey, visit Frater.com and sign up for announcements. International shipping will be available.

You can still reach me via email at [email protected]. I keep a low‑profile on social media to preserve my sanity, but I remain active in the comments and may even submit a list or two for Ranker’s consideration.

Now, without further ado, let me introduce the team at Ranker.com!

5 Hi! We’re Ranker. It’s Nice To Meet You

Thanks, Jamie, for giving us the chance to introduce ourselves! We’re Ranker, a list‑making site based in Los Angeles, California, and we love to rank everything. Some of you already know us and recognize familiar names among the writers. For those who haven’t met us yet, we look forward to getting to know each other better in the coming months.

4 Like Jamie, Our Founder, Clark Benson, Has A Longstanding Love Of Lists

Clark is a true list‑man and a serious music nerd. He founded Ranker in 2009 as an alternative to the user‑review sections on e‑commerce sites. Although the focus eventually shifted toward pop culture, the platform now covers topics ranging from sitcom‑home values to the most disgusting ancient foods discovered by archaeologists. Our editorial staff constantly hunts for the next satisfying list that our readers can vote on.

3 We’re Here For All Things History, Creepy, Nerdy, Crimey, And Pop Culture‑y

In many ways, the kinds of lists we publish at Ranker resemble the annals of history. We create rankings about bizarre historical events, fan‑driven theories, real crimes—both solved and unsolved—celebrity culture, and so much more that it’s hard to outline.

The key difference you’ll notice is that we don’t host a comments section for reader interaction. Instead, you directly vote on and rank‑order the items we present. Disagree with an entry? Vote it down. Think it’s spot‑on? Vote it up! Our dream is to build exhaustive, crowdsourced rankings of—well—everything, showcasing the very best of what we have to offer.

2 Please Be Patient With Us As We Transition Things Over

If you’re a writer for the platform, we kindly ask for your patience as we migrate everything into our system. We aim to make the process as seamless as possible, so if anything feels wonky or you encounter a hiccup, please reach out!

1 We’re So Excited To Team Up With !

Clark has been a longtime fan of the platform, watching its evolution from his own perch on the internet. As he puts it: “I have been a fan for years. I respect the quality of the content, yet I am equally impressed by the passion and meaningful interaction of the audience. This blend of excellent writing and a loyal fanbase makes the partnership a perfect fit under the expanding Ranker network.”

Our editorial staff has already been having a blast familiarizing itself with your material. Because we’re vote‑driven, we don’t get the same author‑driven perspectives that your lists provide, and we’ve been enjoying the personality that comes with so much of the content you publish. Together, the Ranker and platform libraries provide complementary material that can keep a reader traveling down a rabbit hole until they reach the center of the earth, travel through it, and keep on reading to the other side—a nonsensical metaphor, but probably a reading experience many of us can relate to.

We look forward to sharing the best of what we’ve made with you, and likewise, showcasing the gems you’ve created for our audience. Here’s to many happy reading adventures ahead!