A Historic Estate Hits the Market
Tucked away on 100 acres outside Tallahassee, the estate known as Old St. Augustine Hills is on the market for $9.6 million. The 6,000‑square‑foot cypress home, built on a foundation of custom design, spans more than 6,000 square feet of living space.
The property’s roots trace back to 1960, when retired Navy Captain Albert Gallatin Neal acquired the land. He planted over 4,000 trees, dug several ponds and laid the groundwork for a landscape that would later become a showcase of natural beauty.
For decades, Margaret Neal, Albert’s widow, turned down numerous developer proposals, preserving the property’s integrity. In 2003, the estate changed hands to David and René Hanselman, a couple who would later infuse it with a distinctly baseball‑centric vision.
David Hanselman, a former Florida State University baseball player, saw the land as an opportunity to create a personal retreat. He built a private baseball field with chalk‑lined diamonds, a scoreboard and a lighted batting cage, turning the grounds into a living tribute to the sport.
Design and Craftsmanship
Design contributions from René Hanselman added layers of sophistication. Her eye for detail produced custom molding, handcrafted cabinetry and a striking stained‑glass front door that greets visitors with a splash of color.
Inside, the residence boasts six bedrooms, seven‑and‑a‑half bathrooms and an open‑concept layout that blends modern technology with timeless craftsmanship. Lutron lighting and Sonos audio fill the rooms, while custom cypress post‑and‑beam construction anchors the interior.
Legacy and Landscape
Outside, the amenities read like a resort catalog: a waterfall‑fed pool, a wood‑fired outdoor kitchen, a cook shack and a gardening shed equipped with raised vegetable beds. The property also features duck ponds, spring‑fed bass ponds and landscaped gardens that have been revitalized through prescribed burns and selective timbering.
The estate’s connection to baseball extends beyond the field. Dick Howser, an FSU star who later managed the New York Yankees and guided the Kansas City Royals to the 1985 World Series, spent time on the grounds, as did the family of Margaret Neal, whose son married Howser’s sister. The property thus serves as a living archive of local sports heritage.
Today, the Hanselman family offers the retreat as a rare opportunity for a buyer seeking both privacy and a piece of Florida’s athletic history. With the Gulf Coast just 18 miles away, the land promises a quiet escape without sacrificing access to coastal recreation.