Nelly’s Abandoned Mansion Sits Eerily Empty On This Missouri Hill — Take A Look Inside

If you were to tread gently through the Missouri wood, you may well be hit with an unsettling sight. There’s a crumbling mansion that sits right in the middle, you see — one that wouldn’t look out of place in a scary movie. Upon seeing it, expect your imagination to run away with you. What horrors could be lurking within its white walls? What would happen if you stepped inside? Well, turns out you’re more likely to bump into a celebrity here than meet a grisly fate. That’s right: this spooky home once belonged to none other than the rapper Nelly, and he’d left it eerily abandoned.

All on his own

We know what you’re thinking. Why would a star buy a mansion in the middle of a creepy forest? Think of how scary things must get when the sun goes down. There could be anything lurking outside, and the house’s isolated location means there’d be no one around to hear you scream. Perhaps that’s why Nelly decided to desert the property.

As remote as you can get

The mansion itself sits at the top of a hill, with miles of trees stretching across the horizon. It’s as remote as you can get. And coupled with the fact that it’s abandoned, it seems like the last place you’d want to end up if you got lost in the woods.

Exact location

Where in Missouri can you find this lonely abode? Well, it’s in a secluded part of the city of Wildwood, which is roughly 30 miles outside St. Louis. Not the most famous of locales, right? Mind you, Nelly spent much of his youth in the state, so that could explain why he chose to put down roots there.

Worth millions

Anyway, Nelly bought the mansion in 2002. It was still pretty new at that point, as the last brick had only been laid in 1998. And given how grand the property was back then, it’ll be no surprise to hear that it was very expensive. The mansion went on the market for nearly $2.5 million, although we don’t know if Nelly actually coughed up that eye-watering sum.

Way above average

Either way, that number is a far cry from usual house prices in Missouri. According to the real estate company Zillow, homes in the state sell for $213,181 on average at the time of writing. Pretty telling, wouldn’t you say? This mansion really is something. What happened to it, though? Why’s it been abandoned?

Not going to plan

Well, Nelly had a clear idea in mind when he first bought the place. He wanted to renovate the mansion with one of his pals, who worked as a building contractor. But the work didn’t get completed in the end. Now, the estate has been left to crumble for 20 years!

Too busy

Perhaps that’s because Nelly’s been busy with his music? In the same year he bought the mansion, you see, the rapper’s career went supernova. His sophomore album Nellyville topped the Billboard 200 in its first week of release. To date, it’s gone six times platinum.

Not a priority

Remember “Hot in Herre”? You could barely escape it in 2002! And Nelly capitalized on that hit by releasing another couple of albums over the next two years. It’s no wonder, then, that he didn’t get around to renovating that mansion.

More distractions

But Nelly’s music wasn’t the only thing keeping him away from doing up his home. There was a budding movie career, too. The star appeared in the 2005 comedy The Longest Yard alongside Adam Sandler. He also went on to feature in four episodes of CSI: NY from 2008 to 2009.

No time for interiors

Nelly’s next big-screen acting gig didn’t crop up until 2014, though, when he starred in the indie drama Collection. Perhaps that’s because he was busy doing what he does best: making hot tracks. Yep, he dropped another three albums between 2008 and 2013. So, yeah, the rapper wasn’t exactly sitting around doing nothing while his mansion fell into ruin.

Still blanking the mansion

But what’s Nelly been up to recently? He seemed to have dropped off the radar a bit, so one would assume he’d finally turned his attention to that huge mansion. That wasn’t the case, though. And avid fans of the singer will point out that he actually popped up in 2020 to compete on Dancing with the Stars. The musician did an excellent job and went on to finish in third place, behind Nev Schulman and Kaitlyn Bristowe.

Reclaiming the fame

Nelly’s also set to star in an upcoming movie called Clear Lake, where he’ll be portraying the iconic musician Chuck Berry. Oh, and in August 2021 he released a new album called Heartland. So maybe more tracks are on the horizon. But what of the mansion?

Back to the mansion

Finally, fans will be pleased to hear, Nelly switched his focus back to the Missouri mansion. But not in the way you might expect. Instead of fulfilling those renovation plans, the music star decided to cut his ties to the abandoned house and put it up for sale.

What it’s like inside

Now, before we take a look inside, you may be wondering how big the house really is. Well, in total, the estate covers a whopping 12 acres of land. And the mansion itself measures close to 10,800 square feet. To say it’s massive would be an understatement.

Beautiful but creepy

We’ve already seen that the mansion sits in somewhat creepy surroundings. But don’t let that put you off. In fact, when you stand back from the entrance and take it all in, you may be able to tell that the house has something of a Tuscan aesthetic. Not what you’d expect to find buried deep in the Missouri woods, now, is it?

Spacious garage

The garage on the left-hand side is incredibly spacious, with enough room to fit three vehicles. And on the right side of the house, you may just notice a balcony that overlooks the yard. It’s a nice touch, but it’s not the main thing that’s grabbing our attention. We’re talking, of course, about the sheer number of windows out front.

So much light

Two giant sets of windows flank the front door. And behind the balcony on the right are three more panes, with the one in the middle doubling as a pair of doors. Window cleaners could make a fortune scrubbing this place down!

Fit for a king

As you walk through the front door, though, you step into a truly stunning hallway with marble-effect floor tiles. And those many arches? Just as breathtaking. It’s incredible to think that this place remained untouched for as long as it did.

Look up

But before we move on, crane your neck up. There’s a small balcony on the second floor that looks down on the hallway. That’s pretty cool. And just have a glance at that ceiling. It’s so high! Your ears would surely pop if you climbed up there.

Living space

And once you stroll through the foyer, you enter a sprawling living space that’s sure to blow your mind. Our eyes are caught by that red, recessed shape on the left. Could this be an unfinished water feature from the renovations?

An impressive view

Anyway, if you head past this, you’ll also see the large fireplace built into the wall. But the most incredible feature here has to be the back windows. They’re absolutely huge! The view isn’t too bad, either. From here, you can look over the surrounding woodland for anyone — or anything — that dares to come near...

Not as nice upstairs

Speaking of the ceiling, this one has wooden beams running through it. But as we’re about to find out, not every room in the mansion looks as polished as this one. Don’t believe us? Let’s head upstairs, then. And to get there, you need to climb a spiral staircase.

Needing TLC

As you enter one of the bedrooms, it’s clear that the work on the mansion hasn’t been completed. Sure, there’s a fireplace in here, but that’s about the only thing that looks to be finished! That said, you can still take advantage of the stunning views.

Scruffy and unfinished

And when you head into the master suite, you’ll spot more debris on the ground. Yep, that’s a half-completed floor safe. Well, we hope it is, anyway. If not, it looks as though it’s been ripped open... The surrounding walls also show plenty of scratches and scrapes, highlighting the remodeling that still needs to be done here.

Priorities

At least there’s been work on the walk-in wardrobe in the master suite. Some cabinets have been assembled along the walls, with metal railings to hang a selection of Nelly’s audacious clothes. There’s a cool little window in this space, too, that adds a bit of natural light.

Big bathroom

How about the bathrooms, though? Are they in better shape? Kind of. Stroll into one of the bigger suites, and you’ll notice that it’s almost been completed. The cabinets and bathtub are fitted, while the shower cubicle is nearly done. The floor’s in place too, as are a set of mirrors in the corner.

Needing a plumber

Then again, there are bits of piping and debris in the tub in one of the other bathrooms. The faucets don’t seem to have been installed, either. It’s quite a contrast. Anyway, do you fancy a better look at the view outside? Follow us to a balcony on the second floor.

The best yet

Beyond the black railings, you have a tremendous view of the trees. You can also access part of the roof, as it slants down to the balcony on the right-hand side. Imagine chilling in this space on a warm summer evening. It’d be awesome.

Storage space

It’s time we headed back downstairs, though, as there’s still plenty to see. Let’s start with the garage. As we mentioned earlier, it’s large enough to house three cars at once. Maybe even more if they were all the size of Nelly’s race car that you can see in the middle there.

Rotting away

Next to the garage doorway, there’s another small living space. This, too, seems to have seen better days, if the rot on the window frame is any proof... And on the other side, you’ll spot an opening to a corridor leading back into the mansion — specifically to the kitchen and family area.

Heart of the home

Most of the cabinets appear to have been installed in the kitchen, and there’s a gorgeous marble island sitting in the middle of the room. But there’s just one problem. None of the electrical outlets on the walls are fitted! That’ll be another little job for a handyman before someone moves in.

A blank canvas

Away from the kitchen, there’s a doorway to the right that leads back to the unfinished water feature. The family room is also on the left. This is essentially a big open space, but you’d have to use your imagination to see kids happily playing here. For one thing, no floor has been laid yet.

Some nice features

There is a fireplace here, though, and some ceiling fans overhead. Wooden beams are up there as well, in an echo of the living space from earlier. You can see the continuity, even if the place isn’t finished. Now, there’s only one place indoors left to see, and that’s the basement. Fancy a peek? We double dare you...

Not creepy at all

Don’t tremble on the spiral staircase, as we’re not leading you to danger! At the bottom, you’ll enter a very large room that has its own bar nestled in the back corner. Nice! Further in, you’re sure to spot one more fireplace on the right wall. And as you wander around, you begin to appreciate the sheer scale of this home.

Popcorn at the ready

You see, the basement houses what appears to be a spare living space as well as a home theater. And the screen itself seems to have already been fitted. We can just imagine Nelly settling down here in the evening, popcorn in hand. It could be the perfect place to watch The Longest Yard — or any other movie, of course!

Display room

Plus, if you head a little deeper into the basement, you’ll find what looks like a display room tucked away. Glass shelves are dotted along each wall and even above the doorways. Maybe Nelly was planning on moving in and knew he’d need somewhere to store his Grammy Awards. Or maybe he had a secret collection of figures? Whatever the room’s purpose, though, it’s a snug space.

Sprawling estate

Do you know what’s not snug, though? The backyard. There’s a huge swimming pool out there and a basketball court down the slope. Just this part of the estate alone is bigger than a lot of people’s houses. And even though the mansion itself is in disrepair, these extra features had to impress a lucky buyer, right?

A bargain

Well, Nelly got a pretty good idea of the demand for his home after he put it on sale at the knockdown price of $600,000. Someone jumped at the chance to buy it, bidding on the estate only a week later. Sometimes, though, it takes a lot more effort to sell an abandoned celebrity mansion. The former house of NBA star Ken Norman had to be reduced to a pittance before someone was willing to snap it up. And when you see what it’s like inside, you’ll understand why.

Built around a smaller house

The property in question was bought for $430,000 by Los Angeles Clippers star Norman in 1989 — although it looked a lot more humble at the time. Yes, the home was initially a relatively small one. But as Norman continued to establish himself as an NBA favorite, and reap the financial rewards in the process, he began to build around it.

Five bedrooms and bathrooms

By 1997 the home boasted an area of 7,152 square feet. It also housed five bathrooms and bedrooms, an outdoor court where Norman could shoot some hoops, and an indoor swimming pool. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune newspaper nearly 20 years later, friend Kendall Gill still appeared in awe of his fellow NBA star’s vision. 

Truly luxurious

Gill said, “To me, it was his masterpiece. He incorporated the old structure into the new structure. It was kind of cool how he did it... About a third of the old house was left. The fireplace was left from the old house, right in the center. It was truly luxurious.”

Los Angeles Clippers

Norman certainly had the money to fulfill his vision. He was reportedly paid over $21 million during his decade-long stint in the NBA. The star’s basketball career began at the University of Illinois before he was drafted by the Clippers. Norman also played for the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks before bidding farewell to the game in which he made his fortune.

Addicted to refinancing

But it’s fair to say that Norman wasn’t the most financially astute NBA star. In fact, he refinanced his dream home not just once but on a staggering eight different occasions. The last time Norman did so was in 2006 when he took out a loan to the value of nearly $1 million.

Federal tax liens

Norman’s inability to take care of his vast fortune eventually caught up with him. In 2010 he was issued with a federal tax debt of nearly $130,000. And just three years later he was hit with another bill for almost $243,000. Shortly after, Norman’s dream home was put on the market for a mere $300,000.

Enter at your own risk

The real estate agent tasked with selling the rundown property certainly couldn’t be accused of deceiving potential buyers about the state of the house, that’s for sure. Its unusually honest listing contained the stark warning, “As is, in need of repairs throughout, severe mold in property. Enter at your own risk!”

Hell of a teardown

Gill also didn’t beat about the bush in his chat with the Chicago Tribune. He said, “I do know, structurally, there were some problems. There was leakage in the roof and the basement. Whoever buys that thing is in for a hell of a rehab — or a teardown. That’s going to be a tough pill to swallow.”

Kendall Gill

Former Charlotte Hornets player Gill once showed off his own Flossmoor house on that early ‘00s MTV favorite Cribs. And the NBA star also revealed that he often gets mistaken as the owner of friend Norman’s old pad. When asked if he’d ever purchase the property, Gill replied, “You’d have to give me a hell of a deal.”

Old neighbors

By this point the property’s surroundings had drastically changed, too. When Norman first bought the smaller house in the late 1980s, he could count a house of worship described as a “toaster church” among his neighbors. The nearby golf course, whose origins date back to the pre-war era, was also under different ownership.

Church to drugstore

But over the years the Cherry Hills course fell into a similar state of disrepair. It was eventually bought by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District in 2003 who tried to give it a new lease of life. And the place of worship, last inhabited by the Cathedral of Joy, had been turned into a drugstore.

Uninterested district

There was talk that the district might purchase the property, given that both its west and north sides bordered the golf course. But Debbie Kopas, a Homewood-Flossmoor Park executive director, told the Chicago Tribune that the moment had passed. She said, “Probably back when we first acquired Cherry Hills, it would have made sense. At this point, we’d only take it as a donation.”

Fish maintenance

Kopas also spoke fondly of the property’s former owner, adding, “It’s sad. Kenny, when he lived there, was a great neighbor (to the district). He had a koi pond, and so did we. When something was being done to his pond, we’d take care of his fish, and he’d take care of ours. Maybe, if it’s sold, we’ll get another great neighbor.”

Value for money

Norman’s one-time pride and joy did eventually get a buyer, but for a figure far below the original asking price. Ed Moody, the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, stated that the house was bought for just $182,000 in 2018. That’s also just a fraction of the $1.35 million sum at which the same home was valued nearly 20 years previously.

For His Glory

So who exactly decided to take a property in such an obvious state of deterioration off the market? Well, according to official records, the new owners are For His Glory, a limited company based in the Kentucky city of Frankfort. As for what they’re planning to do with the place, well that remains a mystery.

Decisions to be made

Yes, the Chicago Tribune asked Randy L. Pertler, the firm’s principal agent, about the purchase in 2019. And he wasn’t exactly forthcoming in his answer. Keeping his cards close to his chest, Pertler replied, “There are a lot of decisions that need to be made regarding the property and our plans for it.”

The wow factor

Perhaps the work previously carried out by For His Glory hints at what’s to come. Pertler has uploaded several YouTube clips showing off restoration projects in various Chicago areas such as Tinley Park and the neighborhood of Beverly. In one such video, the agent refers to a new staircase as “This is one of our ‘Wow!’ factors. We try to do seven wow factors, and this is one of them right here.”

An abandoned eyesore

But for now the one-time home of NBA star Norman is still very much an eyesore. In 2018 website Atlas Obscura published a piece about its dilapidated state which read, “Now abandoned, the mansion merely hints at its former glory.” Still, the dwelling has become something of an unusual tourist attraction for basketball fans and intrepid urban adventurers alike.

Intrepid explorer

One such curiosity-seeker is Zach from YouTube channel Rooted Expeditions. On his Patreon page the man describes himself as “a follower of God who wants to just explore, dig up history, and show the world what I find.” And in 2020 he showed the world what he found when he headed to Norman’s abandoned mansion.

Rooted Expeditions

The first video uploaded from the Rooted Expeditions team begins with shots of the property’s exterior. You can see the basketball hoop that Norman and his buddies no doubt enjoyed shooting three-pointers in back in the day. But several years after it was last used, its frame has now completely rusted.

Vandal hotspot

Poor Norman’s old home has obviously become a major hotspot for the area’s vandals over the years, too. The walls surrounding the house are now entirely covered in colorful graffiti. And the walls inside the actual property are also adorned with charming messages such as “Pls die,” and infantile drawings.  

Collapsed flooring

The first room that the team properly explore appears to have once been a lounge. Its fireplace is one of the few features still relatively intact. But the rest of the area is filled with shards of glass, exposed woodwork, and damaged flooring, much of which has completely caved in.

Rusty pool

It’s hard to imagine that the next area Zach and his crew enter was once used for swimming. The only water left in there is the mucky kind that looks like a breeding ground for all kinds of nasty bugs. And the rest of the pool structure is caked in rust, mud, and broken fixtures and fittings.

Don’t open

After a brief detour into the basement, which is unsurprisingly empty, the team then enter a doorway bearing the ominous graffiti message “Don’t open.” What ghoulish, dangerous, or incriminating things could be in there, you may ask yourself? Well, rather disappointingly the only notable feature inside is a covered-up bidet.

Forest green

Norman certainly appeared to have been fond of one particular color. The walls of both the lounge and the upstairs landing were painted in a striking shade that in a certain light could be described as forest green. Perhaps that was in honor of the Milwaukee Bucks, one of Norman’s former basketball teams: they often play in that color. 

Walk-in wardrobe

And Norman also made sure he had plenty of space to hang his basketball kit. Next to the main bedroom lies a massive walk-in closet — one which could probably have accommodated an entire NBA team’s wardrobe. Of course, in its current dilapidated state you wouldn’t want to store even your oldest rags in there.

Giant shower cubicle

The main upstairs bathroom looks like it was the height of luxury back in the day. There’s a jacuzzi tub with impressive views of the nearby golf course, a giant mirror, and a shower cubicle big enough for at least half a dozen people at once! Sadly, now it just resembles a junkyard.

Smashed windows

There are also some nice views of the Flossmoor area in what appears to be the main bedroom. But thanks to the numerous smashed windows, they will also now be accompanied by the sound of nearby traffic. In fact, there’s barely a window that’s been left intact in the whole building.

Covered in moss

Step on to the generous-sized balcony outside the main bedroom and you can enjoy all of the greenery even more. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of unwanted greenery — in other words, moss — covering the floor. You’ll also have to be careful to avoid all the shards of glass scattered about the area. 

Shovel in bath

Things get particularly weird when the team head to one of the rooms without any natural light. The area in question appears to have had its windows boarded-up and the shovel in the accompanying ensuite makes it look like a serial killer’s lair. That blood-red paint on the walls just outside doesn’t help matters, either.

Quirky chandelier

Alongside the various fireplaces, there’s also another original feature that has somehow remained relatively unscathed: a rather quirky-looking chandelier. Hanging from the first floor, the fixture still has all its light strands of varying sizes in one piece. But some would say it’s as much of an eyesore as the rest of the building.

Pitch-black garage

You sure have to be careful when navigating the pitch-black garage. The space has at least one exposed manhole that could easily be fallen into by a particularly slim explorer. And again, the lack of natural light makes the area resemble the final terrifying scene from The Blair Witch Project.

Banana-yellow kitchen

Zach and his buddies finish their tour of the property’s interior with a look at the kitchen. You won’t be surprised to learn that this is also painted in a bold color: this time banana yellow. And it still has at least one appliance in there, a refrigerator adorned with smiley faces.

Squatters

The Rooted Expeditions crew aren’t the only YouTubers to have explored the abandoned multi-million dollar mansion. In fact, that same year another user, Ryan Nicpon, braved the area to give his followers a glimpse. On his trip, the basement area is flooded with dirty water. He also finds evidence that the property may have attracted some squatters.

Nickelodeon studio

Norman’s bold use of color is also commented on by Ryan. “It looks like a Nickelodeon studio,” the YouTuber says while navigating the various pink, red and green-painted spaces. It’s hard to disagree with him. The former NBA star certainly couldn’t be accused of playing it beige, that’s for sure.

Capri Sun

But strangely, Ryan seems more excited about finding a Capri Sun in a compartment than anything else in the undeniably eerie house. The expiration date of August 2013 suggests that it was, in fact, Norman who had bought the strawberry and kiwi-flavored juice drink. Thankfully, Ryan refrains from having a sip.

State of disrepair

While venturing out into the open spaces, Ryan remarks how sad it is that the place has fallen into a state of disrepair. He later concludes, “Checking this place out in person, I can really begin to appreciate how amazing this must have been back in 1989. I’ve really enjoyed checking it out.”

Hall of fame

So what’s happened to Norman since he was forced to put the fruits of his labors on the market? Well, details appear to be pretty scarce. But we do know that in 2015 the former Los Angeles Clippers star was inducted as a player into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.