A 2,000-year-old Roman mosaic holds court in this Colorado estate seeking $6.7 million

In the grand foyer of a massive villa nestled in the mountains of Bellvue, Colorado, history greets visitors at the door.

At the center of the foyer lies a 2,000-year-old octagonal mosaic that once adorned a Roman building — a relic now anchoring the space and linking the rooms beyond.

Surrounding the unique mosaic, four statues stand like guardians representing the elements: earth, air, fire and water.

For owner Mervyn Jacobson, the design was intentional. “I was trying to create a space where all the passageways intersect,” Jacobson told Homes.com News. “Then I saw this mosaic at a Sotheby’s auction in London, and it was perfect.”

Jacobson, 83, is a retired doctor and medical researcher with a love for older things.

He infused his passion for history into Stove Prairie Ranch and the Villa — a 10,422-square-foot estate with five bedrooms, five and a half baths and a $6.7 million asking price.

“I have always been interested in Greek and Roman history and Middle Ages history,” Jacobson said.

During his time in the medical field, Jacobson became involved with projects in areas including animal reproduction and genetics.

After some time in his career, Jacobson started thinking about his next dream.

“I love Colorado,” he said. “I had properties in Colorado ... I wanted to have a dream escape home.”

He looked everywhere until he finally found this location for the villa, he said. “It had everything I wanted: a beautiful location and wonderful history.”

Stove Prairie Ranch was established in 1896 with the first homestead on the property and what may be Colorado's oldest operating schoolhouse. Jacobson purchased it with the land but deeded it back to the school.

The property is a bit of a social center for the surrounding community, according to Jacobson. “A lot of local organizations have their functions here,” he said.

The property features a wedding venue and buyers have the option to purchase more than just the villa, including an additional 103 acres, according to the listing.

Jacobson brought Stove Prairie’s history to life in the library of the villa, commissioning five local artists to create a ceiling mural that tells the area’s story. Each artist contributed six paintings, forming a sweeping timeline from the area's prehistoric days to the present.

"According to legend, the name 'Stove Prairie' was derived from several iron stoves abandoned on the prairie as pioneers realized they would have to lighten their loads in order to cross the Great Continental Divide," according to a website recounting the ranch's history.

“The last group of paintings is the current ranch with the view out the window,” Jacobson said.

Other pieces of history Jacobson placed in the villa include the 350-year-old wooden beams lining the ceilings and fossils embedded in the walls of an upstairs bathroom.

He began building the villa in 2007 and completed the home in 2009.

“Unlike local houses, I chose not to use drywall. I’m going to build this to last,” he said.

He wanted to preserve the property’s natural beauty while ensuring its security against the elements. To achieve this, the structure was built using two feet of concrete block and granite sourced from the site, making it highly resistant to fire.

The house sits on a flattened section of land, but the surrounding slope allows rainwater or floodwater to flow naturally downhill on both sides.

From snowy mountains to vibrant flowers, the home is adorned with art that Jacobson has created.

“I used to go to medical school in the daytime and art school at night,” he said.

This, too, is an element of his personality reflected in the house.

On the third floor of the villa lies an art studio with several windows that allow for natural light, as well as balconies offering views of the surrounding mountains and forest. “It was designed specifically to allow the light to come in irrespective of the weather conditions in the daytime.”

Jacobson doesn’t reside in the villa full-time.

“I commute between my home in Melbourne, Australia, and my home here in Colorado,” he said.

However, the villa is a beloved place for him because of the history of Stove Prairie, and “everything in here is something that I've created,” he said.

“It’s like a dream come true. I can’t blame anyone for anything because I did it all and it’s just for me. It’s perfect.”

Jacobson reflects fondly on his experiences at the villa, describing the peacefulness and natural beauty of the surroundings. He enjoys watching wildlife, such as bobcats passing by the back window and deer grazing in the front garden.

“I’m 83. I don’t really want to escape or lose it, but I need to do planning of my estate,” Jacobson said.

The ideal buyer would be someone who shares Jacobson’s values for privacy, nature and history.

“Everyone loves it,” listing agent Lorraine Schaeffer with NorthWest Real Estate in Loveland said. “We’ve had a number of interested buyers. We’re just waiting for that one to make the offer.”

Schaeffer added that the property’s unpaved road is one element prospective buyers have asked about.

Jacobson "likes the natural aesthetics and didn’t feel a need to" pave it, she said.

The villa has been on the market for about a year and has seen a $5 million price drop, Schaeffer said. She added that there are other purchasing options for the property if people want more than just the villa. Additionally, some furnishings are included in the sale, such as the four statues in the foyer. Other artwork or furnishings are available for purchase.

Even after the villa sells, Jacobson plans to come back to the world he has created.

“Part of my mentality is nurtured here,” he said.