Investment Exec Whose Connecticut Mansion Burned Down in Turkey-Frying Accident Relists Eccentric Boca Raton Estate for $23 Million

The wealthy financial executive whose Connecticut mansion was razed to the ground by a turkey-frying fire on Thanksgiving Day in 2024 is attempting to turn his holiday woes around by relisting his wildly eccentric Florida estate at a significant $2.75 million discount in an attempt to lure in a buyer.

Thomas H. Shrager, the managing director at investment advisory and fund management firm Tweedy, Browne Co., had originally put his eccentric Boca Raton property on the market for $25 million on Nov. 8, 2024.

At the time, the property quickly gained attention on social media, where users were quick to point out the estate’s many distinctive design details, turning the home into a viral sensation.

But just days later, another property in his portfolio—a $4 million mansion located in Weston, CT—was entirely gutted by a devastating garage fire that was “the result of frying a turkey” indoors, according to local authorities.

More than 30 firefighters from multiple departments across the surrounding areas worked for 16 hours to contain the blaze, with images obtained by Weston Today revealing that the only thing remaining the following day was a smoldering pile of debris.

At the time, Weston Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief John Pokorny told Realtor.com® there were about 40 guests at the house when the fire broke out, but no injuries were reported.

“Fire personnel located a well-involved garage fire that was rapidly extending into the residence,” the fire department said in a statement. “Firefighters attempted an aggressive fire attack—however, their efforts were thwarted by dangerous fire conditions and structural collapse.

“The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Weston Fire Marshal—however, based on the preliminary investigation, it appears the fire began in the garage and was the result of frying a turkey.”

The picturesque 9,378-square-foot home was located on a 2.07-acre lot and had 11 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms. It was purchased in 1999 for $2.35 million and was estimated to be worth nearly $4 million.

Records indicate that Shrager still owns the Weston abode, which is understood to have served as his primary residence until the horrifying blaze rendered it uninhabitable. The LLC under which the property is registered now lists its address as Shrager’s Florida property.

It’s unclear whether the financier is planning to rebuild his Connecticut home, however he appears to be making an attempt to recoup some holiday cheer by putting his Boca Raton estate back on the market just days before Thanksgiving—with a new asking price of $22.25 million.

The property previously spent 11 months trying to find a buyer, before it was delisted altogether in October. It has since been put back on the market with a new listing agent, Sheldon Jaffee, of Lang Realty.

It had previously been confirmed to Realtor.com that the fire at Shrager’s Weston home would not affect the sale of his Boca Raton property, although it’s unclear whether the executive has been living in the Florida estate since his other dwelling was destroyed.

The Boca Raton estate is certainly a world away from the traditional Colonial-style property that Shrager owned in Connecticut.

From the outside, color abounds at the waterfront estate, which features a distinctive blue roof and a fish-shaped swimming pool complete with a tiled spa that makes up the creature’s tail.

Yet that eccentricity is just a small taste of what is to be found inside the home, which is described in its listing as an “exceptional crown jewel” and a “one-of-a-kind estate.”

“Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac, [it] exemplifies the finest artisans from around the world,” the description goes on.

Indeed, every room in the property appears to take on a different, and unique, theme, creating a kind of funhouse that unfolds with every step you take inside the dwelling.

Even the entryway is a riot of color, with vibrant tile work on the floors and an intricate ocean-themed mural on the ceiling, complete with a shark figurine and model seagull hanging down from the artistic display.

But perhaps the most eye-catching feature in the space is the enormous painted slide that flows down from the upper level, mirroring the curve of the staircase—a fun-filled way of descending to the lower level should stairs seem too mundane.

“The best part is you don’t have to climb down the stairs as there is a hand-crafted wooden Dragon Slide from the second floor to the foyer,” the home’s original description noted.

A second staircase in the home was designed make it feel as though you are “climbing a tree to a treehouse,” according to the first listing.

Interestingly, the new listing description that accompanies the property’s return to the market makes no mention of the property’s quirkiest details, simply describing it as “a true work of art.”

However, the listing images reveal many of the strangest details about the estate, including an array of dragons that are found in almost every room, whether painted on the walls and ceilings, adorning the dining table that is shaped like a Norse boat, or carved into several of the wooden furniture pieces.

Mermaids, frogs, and horses can also be found throughout the property, even in the bathroom of the “peacock master bedroom,” which has been accessorized with an enormous ceiling mural depicting a merman and his mer-children.

The primary bathroom also features an outside shower, a six-person hot tub, and a sauna. There’s also a “health room with a crystal bed.”

Among the more traditional amenities in the home are multiple swimming pools, spacious balconies, and an enormous kitchen, complete with top-of-the-line appliances, although even this space has not been spared a themed overhaul, with vibrant blue tile adorning the walls and painted fish on many of the cabinets.

“In the middle there is a 20-sitting Norse carved table with Helga and Magnus dragons protecting it,” the original listing revealed.

“There are tile murals, stained glass windows and ceiling paintings all over the house, also thematic. The kitchen is dedicated to the elements of air and a story of its power is depicted on its ceiling.”

The home also features a game and entertainment room, complete with its own bar area and a reproduction of a Salvador Dali painting on the ceiling, as well as several spacious dining areas, ideal for those who want to host guests.

There is a “mermaid living room and foyer, a reading room, a library and a pottery kiln room for making pots and stained glass,” the original listing noted, as well as a “hidden alcove” where a button can be found to activate the “Harry Potter ladder” that leads to the attic.

The property also offers an outdoor shower and solar panels. Access to that shower is through a metal circular stair—however, there is also an option to descend via the custom fireman pole.

“Six fireplaces, three resort-style private, heated pools, a summer kitchen and bar, detached guest suite, all surrounded by lush vegetation, add to the charm and value of this home, capturing the energy [and] making it an absolute standout,” the description goes on.

The home also comes complete with 256 feet of private water frontage and “unlimited dockage” in what is described as a “no wake zone,” which means boats moving around in the waters around the property must do so at an “idle” speed to ensure no wake is created.

“A true work of art with a unique impression of varietals and a passion for detail, this property offers an extraordinary world-class lifestyle,” the new listing description concludes.