I've been researching the Hilton House ever since I first laid eyes on it. It sure is a beauty.
What surprises me is that it seems the house has been sitting empty and vacant for years.
I know the original owner, Charlie Hilton, was a pioneer and visionary of Panama City Beach - he built Pier Park, several hotels, and golf courses. He passed away several years ago. His son, Chip Hilton, also passed away.
His daughter, Julie Hilton, is an attorney and donated some money to a local college. It also seems like she does not use the property. The shrubbery is very overgrown and the palm trees haven't been trimmed back in years.
On the South Walton Tax Assessor website, the house address is 289 Paradise by the Sea and is under the name Lela Hilton as Trustee. I think Lela is Charlie's wife (now widow). She is around 92 years old.
Keep in mind the property has one huge main house and one smaller guest house. The property taxes on the guest house are over $50K a year and the property taxes on the main house are over $100K a year. So the home and guest home cost $150K a year just in taxes alone!
I wonder why Julie and her mom Lela are hanging on to the house if they never use it and it's costing them $150K a year in property taxes. Was Charlie's estate so vast that they can continue living off the dividends and stock market appreciation? Or maybe they are still living off the hotels Charlie built? Who knows? I wonder if they will ever list it to sell it and one day we will see it on Zillow soon as I would love to see the interior.
Anyone else fascinated by the Hilton House?
