Askew Estate Finds a Buyer

Fayetteville businessman J.B. Hays, a semi-retired oral surgeon and real estate developer, was the big winner at a local real estate auction last month.

Hays paid $1.57 million for the South Mountain property north of Fayetteville Country Club that is known as the Askew Estate.

Hays made the purchase in the name of Starr Road Development and Investment LLC.

Armstrong Bank in Springdale provided financing.

The property had for years belonged to the late John and Nona Askew, noted for their philanthropy. They built the Evelyn Hills Shopping Center in Fayetteville in 1959, and later sold the property in 1990 for $3.2 million.

The 7.31-acre Askew property, sold through Blackmon Auctions Inc. of Little Rock, includes an approximately 6,100-SF estate home originally built in 1933, with swimming pool and pool house, and a 1,347-SF guest home. Both properties are made of native stone and enclosed by a security gate.

Hays’ purchase also includes approximately 46 acres to the north and west of the estate that belonged to the Askew family.

Hays said he is speaking with engineers about developing a residential area that would include 30 to 40 estate lots. He said he’ll keep the two homes for personal use.

A spokesman for Blackmon said more than 150 people registered for the event.