It was called “the spike heard around the world.” At least that’s how Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo) described the iconically cringe-worthy moment from the 2000 comedy “Meet the Parents” in which her boyfriend, beleaguered nurse Gaylord “Greg” Focker (Ben Stiller), is roped into playing a casual game of pool volleyball at the luxe mansion of her uber-wealthy ex-fiance, Kevin Rawley (Owen Wilson). After being told to “rush the net on defense,” Greg lands a rather aggressive spike smack dab in the face of Pam’s sister, bride-to-be Deborah (Nicole DeHuff), bruising her eye on the eve of her wedding. Though not nearly as quotable as the notorious dinner scene, the segment remains one of the hit movie’s most famous. And now the Long Island estate where the legendary bit was shot has just been snatched up by new buyers!
Listed by Regina Rogers of Douglas Elliman, the property initially hit the market with a $2,299,000 price tag on June 12, marking the first time the place had been up for grabs in almost two and a half decades! (It last sold in March 1997 for $1.325 million.) Real estate websites show that a full-price offer was just accepted this week, after only a scant 33 days on the market! The quick turnaround isn’t surprising. Listing materials deem the residence, originally built in 1983, a “North Shore treasure” and, even without its major Hollywood cameo, it would be considered such.
Situated at the end of a leafy cul-de-sac at 26 Serenite Ln. in the lofty enclave of Muttontown, the stately abode stands on an immense 2.17-acre lot. (Please remember this is a private home. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the grounds in any way.) Fun fact – the dwelling is located just a little over five miles away from the house used as the Byrnes’ family residence in “Meet the Parents,” which can be found at 93 Pound Hollow Rd. in Old Brookville.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Tucked behind the elegant Colonial façade, you’ll find an impressive seven bedrooms and seven baths (five full, two half) spread across two stories in 5,304 square feet.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman The listing notes, “Interiors are impressive and masterfully crafted with stunning wood floors, millwork and details, introduced in the gracious double-height entry foyer.” Though the inside of the property did not appear in “Meet the Parents,” the description is quite befitting of a home belonging to Kevin, who passionately dabbles in carpentry and fashioned his living room ceiling from wood salvaged from “an old seamen’s chapel in Nantucket.”
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Handsome woodwork does indeed abound at the estate, with substantial framing wrapped around virtually every window and door.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Oversized living spaces include an eat-in kitchen with a large center island, double ovens, a built-in fridge, desk space and an adjacent butler’s pantry.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman The expansive family/game room is well-equipped for entertaining with a formidable rock wall, a built-in bar that seats six, a wall of French doors leading out to the backyard and a fireplace topped with a wooden mantel – the perfect place for displaying an Emmy or six.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Rounding out the attractive living spaces are a rec room dotted with skylights, an office with a wall of built-in shelving, what listing information refers to as a “sky-lit atrium hall” and a wood-paneled formal living room with a fireplace.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman The bedrooms are all well-appointed (albeit heavily influenced by Laura Ashley), especially the owners’ suite which features a spa-like bath with a step-up tub surrounded by a deck large enough to house an easel with art on display!
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman The well-manicured grounds have the look and feel of a park with a huge expanse of lawn, mature foliage dotted throughout and an expansive brick patio.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman The property’s real pièce de résistance, though, is the indoor pool, which is housed in a large natatorium complete with a retractable glass roof, a full kitchen, a bar and a fireplace with a sitting area. So unique is the setting that it is no wonder it found its way to the screen. Interestingly, the pool is the only part of the residence to have appeared in “Meet the Parents” (which is streaming now on Peacock).
Often in filming, multiple locations have to be blended together as one to achieve the desired vision of the production team. Such was the case with Kevin’s palatial homestead, which was actually a mix of two different spots. The house shown in all front exterior and interior shots can be found a good forty minutes away at 5 Laurelwood Ct. in Rye, New York. Though that property does feature a pool, it is nothing compared to the one at the Serenite Ln. pad!
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Sadly, in real life, a game of volleyball isn’t actually possible on the premises. According to the homeowners, the deep end of the pool is too profound for anyone to stand, so the production team had to drain it and then install a makeshift platform that raised the actors above the waterline for the filming of the game scenes.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman A bridge running across the pool also had to be temporarily installed to accommodate the camera, as is shown in the above photos of the filming provided by the homeowners.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman Otherwise, the pool and natatorium look virtually untouched from their onscreen cameo over 20 years ago.
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Image Credit: Douglas Elliman The space is the perfect spot for entertaining and, though volleyball is off the table, the new owners will legitimately be able to quote Kevin while welcoming their guests with the line, “The sun is out, the grill is hot and the pool is luke, so if I can interest you in a swim and a little BBQ, just follow me!”