Pizza has been around for at least a couple of thousand years. Inspired by the portable lunch food of Roman road builders, the food item has undergone numerous makeovers since then. One of these makeovers might very well be represented by the establishment of one of the nation’s biggest and most successful fast-food pizza chain restaurants. The fast-food chain tycoon, Richard Freeland, made his fortune in Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut outlets. Despite his passing, his family is the proud owner of a truly awe-inspiring mansion: the House that Pizza Built.
Upon entry of the mansion, you are welcomed by this grand foyer with a couple of beige pillars and a round wooden table in the middle underneath the circular indoor balcony above. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the elegant living room of the mansion that has a fireplace across from the gorgeous sofa set and wooden coffee table on a light area rug that covers the hardwood flooring. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This angle of the formal dining room shows the elegant dining room cabinet on the other side of the dining set with its own lighting to pair with the flanking wall-mounted lamps of the wooden wall. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is agrand and formal dining room that has a large rectangular wooden dining table surrounded by matching wooden chairs that has cushioned seats and backs topped with a couple of small chandeliers. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the informal dining area with a more intimate elliptical wooden dining table topped with a regal chandelier and surrounded wooden chairs with red cushions to match the area rug. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The charming and homey kitchen has a rectangular kitchen island across from the cooking area that is topped with a charming vent hood and housed in wooden cabinetry. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The primary bedroom has a grand four-poster bed that is complemented by the elegant wallpaper of the walls and the warm yellow light of the table lamps, wall-mounted lamps and chandelier. You can also see here that the bedroom also has its own office area and a reading area by the arched windows. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The luxurious bathroom has a light pastel hue to its walls and floor that makes the wooden structure of the vanity stand out. Beside this is the walk-in shower area with a glass door. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is a more intimate bathroom with a bathtub inlaid on the corner with the same marble material as the backsplash and divider of the vanity area. The walls are also adorned with elegant wall-mounted lamps and a circular window above the bathtub. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The spacious walk-in closet has large wooden structures dominating the walls with racks, cabinets and dreawers. The middle of the beige floor is adorned with a pillar supporting the full-sized mirror. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
At the upper floor is a den with a tall wooden ceiling with exposed beams paired with large arched windows and carpeted flooring that elevates the various sitting areas and living room. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the indoor balcony with intricate wrought iron railings and a large majestic chandelier hanging in the middle that matches well with the wall-mounted lamps. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
The large bar looks like it was originally a part of a five-star hotel with its rich wooden elements and cushioned stools. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the home office and library that reaches to a second level. The office has a rich wooden desk that pairs well with the walls and built-in cabinetry. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This angle of the office and library showcases a beautiful fireplace with a stone mantle that stands out against the rich and luxurious tall wooden walls with tall windows and transom windows to bring in natural lighting to balance the dark wooden walls. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the view of the mansion from the vantage of the lake. You can better appreciate here the lush landscaping that surrounds the house filled with tall trees. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
This is the aerial view of the mansion showing its large property, wide driveway, isolation and privacy that is given by the surrounding mature trees. Images courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.
Built in 1997, in Fort Wayne by Freeland – who died in 2013 – the 6,720 square foot home exists on a 50-acre plot of land. It contains 16 bedrooms and 27 bathrooms. The structure cost $35 million to construct and is now on the market for sale listed at $30 million.
Coming up the main drive to the front of the house, it looks rather Gothic with multiple spires, arched stone windows, and bigeminal chimney pipes dotting the apex of the roof.
As we ingress via the entryway of The House That Pizza Built, we find ourselves in palatial surroundings with large marble columns, arched, porcelain lined recesses, an exposed upper level with a wrought iron banister, classically inspired sculptures, marble tile flooring, and a pile of old pizza boxes in the corner. (Just kidding.)
The main living room or sitting room is as elegant as can be, with delicately tiled and beautifully polished hardwood flooring. Crown and vertical molding all around the room speak to classical architectural sensibilities, and the furniture is graceful and contemporary- hearkening back to the mid to late 19th century.
The dining room is equally delicate with not one tomato sauce stain to be found. The dining table seats 10 and is rendered in subtly but beautifully detailed oak construction. An unusually ornate fireplace stands behind the head seat and appears to be made of gloriously detailed red marble. Now, we’ve never heard of red marble before, but that is what it looks like and it is stunning.
The kitchen truly is a marvel with marble tiled flooring, a full complement of chromed and steel appliances, and all-redwood cabinetry. In the center of it all is the king of all kitchen islands. It appears to be six by twelve feet and about four feet high, standing on finely crafted wooden legs. It would appear that this “kitchen island” is actually a massive table lined with cabinetry of its own.
In the primary bedroom, we find an even more refined sense of interior decor has been expressed. The headboard and the high arched windows are decked in what looks like very expensive drapes. Light browns dominate the scene to create a feeling of warmth and comfort.
One would not anticipate so much high taste and class to be expressed by a fast-food chicken and pizza chain owner. But the home of the late Richard Freeland is a revelation and has proven us to have been far too quick to judge.
Jon Dykstra owns an interior design company in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He's fascinated by architecture and interiors. He also enjoys gardening at his "house in the burbs" and "homesteading" at his off-the-grid boat-access cabin.
Combine all that with a love of writing and Homestratsophere.com was born. He balances his working time between running his interior design company, working on his off-the-grid cabin and publishing homestratosphere.com.
