What defines a mansion?

[Rain Man]

I was pondering this last night. When does a house stop being a house and is instead a mansion? Is it raw size? Is it lot size? Is it the presence of particular rooms? Is it architectural distinction?

Unrelated poll coming, but I'm interested in how you would define a mansion.

[Bugeater]

My first thought was if it has rooms you don't need/use, it's a mansion. But then I realized that my house would fall into that category, and it sure as hell isn't one.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

over 5,000sf is how a real estate professional defines it (although sme say 8,000sf, probably because of the increasing size of homes)

[Fish]

I'm pretty sure it's the gargoyle requirement..

[ThaVirus]

Beat the poll.

/that's what she said

[seclark]

my own shitter.
sec

[DeezNutz]

Square footage and finish.

[allen_kcCard]

"US realtors consider, or define, a mansion as a house over 8,000 square feet"

[Dayze]

I'll check with Dane.

[ChiefsCountry]

Square footage anything past 8,000 square feet.

[BlackHelicopters]

Armed security guards 24/7.

[cosmo20002]

I'm not exactly sure what a grotto is, but I think it has to have one of them.

[saphojunkie]

Training camp starts today. Get your fucking head out of your ass with this nonsense.

[Ceej]

No option for bowling lanes.

[loochy]

any house that is bigger and nicer than mine

[Rain Man]

Training camp starts today. Get your ****ing head out of your ass with this nonsense.

I bought a powerball ticket yesterday. This stuff is top of mind for me right now.

[Rain Man]

No option for bowling lanes.

Ooh, that would've been a good one.

[Predarat]

The pools have to have waterslides too, not the crappy blue one slope slides either, I mean real genuine waterslides. A lazy river would be nice too.

[mr. tegu]

It has to look like no one would be comfortable walking around in their underwear because it doesn't look or feel like a home. Because walking through a museum in your underwear is frowned upon.

[saphojunkie]

I bought a powerball ticket yesterday. This stuff is top of mind for me right now.

Daaaaaaaaang. My bad, m'lord.

And +1 for orgy room. OR SHOULD I SAY +5 AMIRITE?

[CrazyPhuD]

To be a mansion this day you need the hybrid orgy/spelunking room.

[tooge]

If it has scantily clad hot broads that cater to a mans every need, then it is a mansion in my book

[FlaChief58]

I'll check with Dane.

Prayers sent

[Old Dog]

Driving range

[Chief_For_Life58]

a garage fridge. once youve got a garage fridge youve made it

[blaise]

We have friends that have this little sort of courtyard where they have a small basketball court. It's not their yard, they have a separate yard. The courtyard sits off the kitchen and then there's other walls of the house around it so that it looks sort of like a little town square.

[luv]

Bar/Pub/Tavern
Home Theater
Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor Pool
Sauna

[Stewie]

When I hear the word mansion I always think of Jed Clampett's place in Beverly Hills. That's the benchmark for me.

[Setsuna]

Where's the square footage option? Fail thread.

[Mile High Mania]

When I think mansion ... it has to be upscale and "larger than your typical big home" and "expensive", often with more bedrooms than a 5 person family requires ... and it would have a number of the items you listed in the poll.

[CrazyPhuD]

Where's the square footage option? Fail thread.

Option fail....mansions aren't measured in square footage....they're measured in acreage.:doh!:

[MTG#10]

Ask Dane for a picture of his storage shed.

[Donger]

I would think a nice echo and at least one 16 year old Peruvian girl servant is requisite.

[mlyonsd]

I would think a nice echo and at least one 16 year old Peruvian girl servant is requisite.
That wakes you up each morning with 2 eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, coffee, and the morning newspaper on a tray that is designed to fit over your lap in bed.

And a skeet range.

[Ace Gunner]

peeing baby statue fountain out front

real men want that garage :]

[Dartgod]

No option for bowling lanes.

Ooh, that would've been a good one.

Yes, this. I selected the "Other" option and am writing in bowling alley.

[Dartgod]

When I hear the word mansion I always think of Jed Clampett's place in Beverly Hills. That's the benchmark for me.

So...cement pond option?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

I'd want a full golf practice facility:

Three holes with six sets of tees each so it can play as an 18 hole course/range, complete with fairway and greenside bunkering and an automated irrigation system.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Anxiously awaiting the "What defiles a mansion?" spinoff.

[ChiefsOne]

12,000 sq ft+ and with a gated property. Their are tons of 8-10k ft houses, but they are not mansions. Exceptions are older places that were considered mansions are grandfathered in.

[Dayze]

large house.

with a Piss Boy .

[007]

I thought this might be a good opportunity for improving the foundations of the southeast corner.

[oldman]

What does Clark have at his house? I think that'd be a pretty good starting point.

[ptlyon]

What does Clark have at his house?

Only soccer trophies

[Fat Elvis]

No mansion is complete without one of these rooms:

http://oranchak.com/skydive/tunnel.jpg