Tucked away on Old St. Augustine Road just outside Tallahassee, a 100‑acre estate that has been a private sanctuary for generations is now on the market for $9.6 million.
The land’s story begins in 1960, when retired Navy captain Albert Gallatin Neal acquired the parcel and, together with his widow Margaret, turned down repeated developer offers that sought to subdivide the acreage.
Over the ensuing decades the grounds have been shaped into a distinctive landscape that blends natural Florida scenery with purposeful amenities: a full‑size baseball field illuminated for night play, a batting cage, spring‑fed ponds, wooded thickets and orchards that have supplied fruit for family gatherings. The field has hosted visits from former Kansas City Royals manager Dick Howser, a family friend who often stopped by to enjoy the game.
In 2003, David and René Hanselman purchased the estate, raising their four children amid its historic charm. The couple worked with designers to imprint their taste on the home, commissioning custom millwork, a nine‑foot magnolia chandelier and interior details that echo the property’s heritage.
The residence itself showcases original artwork by Paul Tamanian, a stained‑glass front door crafted by Karen Pritzel, and a wood‑panelled living room anchored by 25‑foot cypress beams, creating a space where art and architecture converse.
Beyond the house, the estate carries layers of regional history, sitting on the historic El Camino Real corridor and atop the ancient Cody Scarp, a shoreline that records centuries of coastal change.
A Legacy Ready for a New Chapter
After 23 years of family life, the Hanselmans have decided to downsize and are listing the property through Jon Kohler & Associates. The sale promises to transfer stewardship of a rare blend of sport, art and natural beauty to a new custodian.