Michael Jackson’s “Wonderland” Compound

The late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, kept much of his life under wraps, including his real estate dreams. Scarred by the negative memories associated with his Neverland Ranch and subsequent child abuse accusations, the star vowed never to return. But what most people didn’t know was that Jackson was planning his next real estate conquest in the months before he died.

According to the Las Vegas Sun and Realtor Zar Zanganeh, Jackson was on the verge of making a major real estate purchase by buying a 10-acre, 15,000 square-foot Mediterranean/contemporary place in Las Vegas he called “Wonderland.” Zanganeh took Michael and the kids to see the property on multiple occasions and says the family was making plans to purchase the $16.5 million home once Jackson returned from his London tour and reconciled his pocket book.

From Zanganeh:

“He got so excited, the minute we drove through the gates here he got that feeling of Neverland,” said Zanganeh, a Realtor with Fine Vegas Estates. “As soon as he stepped out of the car, he said, ‘Zar, I love this place. I’m calling it Wonderland.’”

What attracted Jackson to this Las Vegas, NV compound? Security. The estate was built by casino mogul Gary Primm and his now ex-wife. They were frightened by the kidnapping of fellow casino tycoon Steve Wynn’s daughter, Kevyn, and were committed to building a safe, secure home for their children. The property was custom-designed with three fierce gates — one each for the main home, the guest home and a service entrance. Secret tunnels, fences, bulletproof doors, buried phone lines, and a panic room are examples of the extreme safety precautions taken by the Primms.

“Safety was by far his biggest issue,” he said. “Michael wanted to make sure that his kids were very safe. He was always nervous that someone could perhaps kidnap the kids, or something awful could happen, so safety was the biggest factor for him in finding a home, says Zanganeh.

Wonderland, located at 7000 Tomiyasu Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120 incorporated many playful, childlike elements of Neverland, as well as luxurious amenities fit for a king. The short list of extras includes:

• Equestrian facility with eight stalls and two wash bays
• Doggie villas
• Barn, complete with two horses, a pony and a pig
• Indoor shooting range
• Workout gym
• In-home beauty salon
• Theater room, with seating for 16 and three screens
• Golf driving range
• Basketball and tennis courts
• Greenhouse
• Swimming pool with water slide and grotto guest suite
• 20-car, museum-style, showroom complete with a deionized-water car wash and gas station
• 1,500 square-foot separate staff quarters for the Nanny and personal assistant
• Famous neighbors (Wayne Newton and the Sultan of Brunei)

Jackson had planned to do his comeback London tour, return to the U.S. and buy Wonderland — perhaps even get a regular show on the Vegas Strip so he could have a steady income for his children. Those plans quickly faded when he died unexpectedly on June 25.

>>See all 46 photos of Jackson’s Wonderland.