- Two ranches in Montana and Arizona are for sale as a set for $50 million.
- The owners say they want the buyer to be able to combine a modern Western lifestyle in Scottsdale with an “Old West” lifestyle in Montana.
- Together, the ranches span about 7,100 acres and include a swimming pool and sauna, an art museum, shooting ranges, tennis courts, and world-class equestrian facilities.
For Morton Fleischer, “the cowboy is the icon of America.”
That’s why he and he his wife, Donna, set out to create the ultimate Western lifestyle for themselves by building two ranches: one in Arizona and one in Montana.
Now these two ranches, which span about 7,100 acres combined, are for sale as a set for $50 million.
"This is all about the lifestyle," Morton told Business Insider. "The ranches are beautiful, but when you combine them, we're combining a modern Western lifestyle [in Arizona]... with an 'Old West' lifestyle in Montana. Montana is essentially very much like the 'Old West' was, and Scottsdale's the 'New West.' When you combine them, you can live both lifestyles."
For the Fleischers, the Scottsdale ranch, with its swimming pool, sauna, and access to city amenities, is the "New West" while the Montana ranch, a working cattle ranch set on 7,000 acres embodies the "Old West."
The package includes the MorDo Ranch in Scottsdale and Horsethief Basin Ranch just outside of Lewistown, Montana as a joint listing by Walt Danley Realty in Scottsdale and PureWest Real Estate in Bozeman, Montana, as exclusive affiliates of Christie's International Real Estate.
The Fleischers built the ranch in Scottsdale, where Morton's business was based, about 25 years ago. Morton calls Scottsdale "the next Beverly Hills" because of its shopping facilities, top-notch health care, and other amenities.
Later, after hearing of Montana's ranch culture from one of their employees, the Fleischers decided they wanted a real cattle ranch. So about 10 years after they built MorDo, they bought five different parcels of land near Lewistown, Montana to create a true working cattle ranch.
Morton, who said he used to be under a lot of pressure in Wall Street as co-founder and chairman of Store Capital Corp., credits his nature-focused Western lifestyle for his longevity.
"We often like to say we wouldn't have lived this long had we not lived this way," Morton told Business Insider. "Because I think it takes the pressure off and it adds a lot of value to life, and a different kind of value other than monetary value. I'm 81 years old and I firmly believe I wouldn't have gotten this far had we not lived the way we've lived."
But the Fleischers are now ready to pass on their ranches. All of the equipment and staff on both ranches will stay on for the buyer. "This is a package," Morton said. "It's all set for them. They don't have to do anything."
Here's a look at the two ranches that represent different versions of the archetypal Western lifestyle.
The Arizona ranch sits on just under 100 acres of desert near Scottsdale. The Fleischers spend their winters at the Scottsdale ranch and summers at the Montana ranch.
Source: Morton and Donna Fleischer
MorDo Ranch, which is a combination of the Fleischers' first names, is surrounded by sage brush, mesquite and palo verde trees, and orange Ocotillo flowers.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Christie's International Real Estate
"The weather is really good certain times of the year here [in Scottsdale] when it's not so good in Montana, and vice versa is true," Morton told Business Insider. The average temperature in mid-January in Scottsdale is about 66 degrees.
Source: Accuweather
The 8,700 square foot home was inspired by Argentinian estancias, which were built to bring European elements into Argentinian homes. The estancia in Scottsdale was designed to blend in with the vegetation of the Sonoran Desert.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The entryway is flanked by twin peacock statues.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The foyer welcomes guests into the home and leads to the great room.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The great room includes a spacious living area and dining area with wood and stone elements.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
There's also a fireplace in the sitting area along with a pool table.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The "Afrizona room" contains touches of African-inspired artwork including giraffe and elephant sculptures.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
A Spanish colonial collection of ranch gear and other artifacts decorates the hallway right off the foyer.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The kitchen is equipped for gourmet chefs, according to the listing.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Tucked away behind heavy wooden doors, the master suite has its own private library.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The room's tones mirror the colors of the desert just outside the window.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The suite's bathroom includes both wet and dry saunas.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Two private guest suites are attached to the main home.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Each bedroom is uniquely decorated ...
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
... and has a door that leads directly outside.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
MorDo's outdoor swimming pool provides a refuge from Arizona's scorching heat.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
There's also a tennis court on the property.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Several courtyards and patios on the property merge indoor and outdoor living.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The ranch houses world-class equestrian facilities that include a six-stall stable and 16-stall "mare motel," which have housed some of the world's most valuable cutting horses, according to the real estate listing.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The Fleischers built the Arizona ranch to breed, raise, and train quarter horses.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Two corrals and four large pastures provide plenty of space for equestrian activities.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The Montana ranch sits outside Lewistown, Montana, a town of less than 6,000 people which the listing describes as looking like it "might have stepped out of 1950s Western set."
Source: City Data, Christie's International Real Estate
An 8,000-square-foot log home and two guest cabins sit on the property.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The working cattle ranch spans 7,000 acres.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The land is approximately one-third grasslands and two-thirds rolling timberlands.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
23 miles of fence line the property.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The listing describes the main home as "1880s on the outside but fully fitted with 2030 comfort and luxury on the inside."
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The log home's great room features a vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The expansive kitchen allows for plenty of cooking space.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
In the master bedroom, French doors open directly to the outside.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The family room is another place to relax, with its wraparound sofa and TV.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The views of the expansive property can be taken in from the main porch.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
A workshop and saddle storage area is attached to the house.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The main cabin includes two guest suites with kitchenettes.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
There's room for more visitors in the two guest cabins, which sit apart from the main log home.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Each cabin has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Central to each cabin is a great room similar to that in the main home. Each cabin also includes a full kitchen.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Like the Arizona property, the Montana ranch includes a shooting range.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The ranch includes a six-stall barn and numerous corrals for horses.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
All necessary facilities and management are in place to care for equine friends.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
The ranch is capable of supporting 500 cow-calf pairs, according to the listing.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
It could also be used as a summer pasture for cows and yearlings.
Source: Christie's International Real Estate
Elk, deer, wild turkey, and other wildlife can be seen roaming the property, their healthy populations ensured by active wildlife management on the ranch.
