(TNS)—The L.A. area’s unusually hot ultra-luxury real estate market ended 2014 with yet another mega-sale. Swedish video game billionaire Markus Persson bought a Beverly Hills mansion built by handbag tycoon Bruce Makowsky for $70 million.
Although the transaction failed to eclipse last year’s high point for a Los Angeles home sale price—that was the $88.3 million recorded for the Westside Fleur de Lys estate—the deal surpassed the $55 million that Ellen DeGeneres received for the Midcentury Modern Brody House and the $40 million that Dr. Dre dropped on a Brentwood estate with a moat.
The 23,000-square-foot home Persson bought features an automated 54-foot curved glass door that opens the living room to an infinity pool with iPad-controlled fountains and panoramic views.
The purchase included the contents used to stage the home—and not just the furnishings and electronics. Even cases of Dom Perignon in the 2,500-bottle wine room were part of the deal.
There are vodka and tequila bars, a candy room valued at $200,000, an 18-seat tiered screening room and an 18-foot onyx dining room table for 24 that features place settings by Roberto Cavalli at a cost of $3,700 each.
Artwork includes a replica of James Dean’s motorcycle and a chromed Ma Deuce machine gun. The home has eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms.
A black-tile and mirrored garage has a lift to move cars down to the lower lounge level where they create a museum-like display behind glass on one side of the room.
Persson, 35, sold his company, Mojang, to Microsoft Corp. for $2.5 billion in September. “Notch,” as he is known in the gaming community, created “Minecraft,” which has a worldwide following.
Among those considering the home, which was listed at $85 million, were superstars Jay Z and Beyonce, who toured it multiple times.
©2015 Los Angeles Times
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