A race car driver's former home is Jupiter's most expensive listing

In the upscale waterfront and golf community of Admirals Cove in Jupiter, FL, the ultimate trophy home is looking for some deep-pocketed new owners.

Recently listed for a whopping $49 million, the massive waterfront home is by far the most expensive house for sale in Jupiter at the time of writing, with the runner-up asking a little over a third of its worth. That one — set in the same Admirals Cove community — is priced just under $17 million.

But this isn’t the house’s first rodeo; when it was listed in 2021 by its then-famous owner, former race car driver and racing team owner Johnny Gray, it became the first mainland home in Northern Palm Beach County to break the $30 million mark. Back then, it was asking $32.5 million.

Since then, the larger-than-life house — which comes with almost 20,000 square feet of ultra-luxurious living space, the finest amenities, a pool that cost more than $1.5 million to build, and enough water frontage to park a mega yacht — has been heavily remodeled and expanded.

It’s now listed with Rob Thomson of Waterfront Properties & Club Communities, the same agent that repped it the first time around.

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The former home of race car driver Johnny Gray

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

Up until a few years ago, the sprawling Jupiter mansion was owned by Johnny Gray, a former professional race car driver who now co-owns the David Gilliland Racing team, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, alongside NASCAR driver David Gilliland.

Gray, a retired NHRA drag racer-turned-oil company executive, began drag racing in the early 1990s, climbing the ladder from the National Hot Rod Association’s Competition Eliminator division to Pro Stock and later, the Funny Car category with Don Schumacher Racing. He retired in 2013, with his family — son, Shane, and grandson, Tanner — now carrying on his legacy.

Johnny Gray sold the property in mid-2021 for $24,000,000, public records show. The buyers were identified by the industry press as Sarah Ann and George McMahon. George founded and served as CEO of Bryan, Texas-based Utility Fleet Sales.

With 365 feet of water frontage, it can accommodate a mega yacht

The property spans nearly 1.5 acres of prime, protected waterfront with 365 feet of Intracoastal water frontage, offering spectacular water views.

Its generous frontage means it can easily accommodate larger boats, including a mega yacht.

Building something similar would cost more than $85M

Per the listing, a trophy property like this could never be built again in Jupiter due to its size.

“Priced $5 million below 2024 appraised value and $35 million below replacement cost, which today would be in excess of $85 million,” the listing states, adding that “This offering provides a truly unique opportunity that literally can’t be recreated today at any cost.”

The $49 million offering: The specs

Now, what goes into a house to warrant a $49 million asking price? Quite a lot, as we’re about to see.

The Admirals Cove mansion features nearly 20,000 square feet of living space, a million-dollar movie theater crafted by an associate of film legend George Lucas, an air-conditioned 22+ car, state-of-the-art garage with indoor parking for a tour bus, a trophy room, a million-dollar winding pool with swim-up bar, two Jacuzzis, a waterfall, a dock for a 160ft. mega yacht, and other amenities.

Remodeled and expanded in 2023

The 2016-built house has just undergone a $12 million+ renovation meant to both remodel and expand the property, completed in 2023.

The renovation was carried out by the same award-winning team at Turtle Beach Construction that built the home, ensuring the same quality level and craftsmanship were maintained.

Grand, two-story living room

The interiors are nothing short of spectacular, reflecting the price point with lavish furnishings and finishes.

Standout spaces include the grand, two-story living room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, an opulent dual staircase with iron railings, and the apartment-sized primary suite.

Sports lounge room with 5 TVs

The house was clearly built with entertainment in mind, featuring entertainment areas galore.

Among them is a sports lounge room with 5 TVs for the ultimate game day experience, but there’s also a custom bar and movie theater built during Johnny Gray’s ownership by an associate of legendary director George Lucas.

Arcade room with golf simulator

The entertainment-ready space that caught our eye was the arcade and game room, fitted with everything one might need for a good time, including a shuffleboard and golf simulator.

The palatial primary suite overlooks the resort-style backyard

The massive primary suite is almost like a retreat in itself, with its generous proportions, adjacent rooms, two bathrooms, private terrace, and seating area overlooking the extensive backyard.

And has separate bathrooms & walk-in closets for the lady and gentleman of the house

Not only does the primary suite come with two closets, but it also comes with two large baths, each specifically tailored to meet specific needs.

“Her” bathroom has a hair salon and boutique-style closet

The two bathrooms and adjacent closets have starkly different designs, with “her” amenities boasting a clean, crisp white design.

The bathroom has a water room with a large infinity-edge soaker bathtub with underwater LED lighting, a large steam shower, and a stylish hair salon with a wash station that opens up to a boutique-style closet with a hidden washer and dryer.

“His” bathroom opens up to “a closet fit for a king”

As for “his” bathroom, it has a sophisticated, wood-toned design with a custom glass tile and marble shower, opening to a closet fit for a king, as well as a hidden washer and dryer.

The pool alone cost more than $1.5M

The expansive waterfront pool, which cost more than $1.5 million to build, features not one but two hot tubs, a pedestrian bridge that crosses the pool with cascading waterfalls, fire bowls, a swim-up bar, and drop-down TV.

But the entire outdoor area is resort-level

All the outdoor areas enjoy 180-degree views of the Intracoastal and across to a park and beautiful white sandy beach preserve that will not be built on. Several loggia seating areas provide shade and comfort all year long.

And features two outdoor kitchens

In case future owners would like to take full advantage of the sprawling outdoor space and its enviable waterfront location, there are two outdoor kitchens to accommodate events of all sizes.

It even has a showroom garage

Paying tribute to its race car former owner, the house has a showroom-level garage that can fit a 45′ motorcoach and 22+ cars. The space has marble flooring, an air compressor system, three double-car lifts, storage and workspaces, a restroom, and even a laundry room for when things get messy.

Located in Jupiter’s ritzy Admiral’s Cove community

The potentially record-breaking property at 176 Spyglass Ln is part of the exclusive Admirals Cove, one of Jupiter’s premier communities featuring a luxury lifestyle centered around high-end boating, yachting, and 45 holes of pro-style golf.

Jupiter has been increasingly attracting star power in recent years. High-profile residents include golf legend Tiger Woods, retired NBA star Michael Jordan, and Donald Trump Jr. and girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle. So we’re looking forward to seeing who will move in next, especially with Jupiter’s finest mansion now on the market.

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