‘Minecraft’ creator Markus Persson buys $70-million mansion
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.
Ben Bacal of Rodeo Realty and Branden Williams and Rayni Romito of Hilton & Hyland/Christie’s International Real Estate were the listing agents. Sally Forster Jones and Katia De Los Reyes of John Aaroe Group represented Persson.
Sale price holds significance
Dick Clark’s romantic getaway in Malibu has sold for $1,777,777.
No, that’s not a typo. Sevens held particular significance for the late Clark and his wife, Kari, who was the seller. They were married on 7/7/77. How’s that for a poetic ending to a long-running love story?
Designed by architect Phillip Jon Brown to blend in with the mountaintop, the custom-built home gives the appearance of having been carved out of stone. Free-form walls enclose windows that bring in ocean views.
The one-bedroom, two-bathroom house features vaulted ceilings in the living and dining rooms, a bar, a fireplace and a wine cellar.
The nearly 23-acre site is zoned for equestrian use.
The legendary television personality, who died in 2012 at 82, hosted “American Bandstand” for more than three decades starting in the 1950s as well as game shows and “The Dick Clark Show” (1958-60). His “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” show ran for decades.
He started Dick Clark Productions in 1957 and sold it in 2007 for $175 million.
Diane Carter of Coldwell Banker handled the transaction.
He finds his Slytherin house
Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” films, has joined the ranks of Hollywood Hills West homeowners with the purchase of a contemporary house for $1.275 million.
The single-story home has an open floor plan, living room and master bedroom fireplaces, a den with built-ins, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,732 square feet of living space. Walls of glass open to a covered patio, outdoor living room and poolside deck.
The backyard of the 6,163-square-foot lot contains a swimming pool and a guesthouse/studio with a kitchen and bathroom.
Felton, 27, is in the crime series “Murder in the First” and stars in the World War II movie “Against the Sun,” due out this month. Besides the “Harry Potter” films and video games, he was in the 2011 movie “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.”
The property previously sold in 2010 for $760,000.
Joann Dresner of Keller Williams was the listing agent. Eli Karon of Teles Properties represented Felton.
A sale was his Christmas story
Peter Billingsley of “A Christmas Story” fame sold his Hollywood Hills home just before the holiday for $1.375 million.
The glass-walled contemporary, built in 2005 and incorporating Midcentury Modern design elements, has an open-concept main floor with cityscape and wooded views. The living room area has a fireplace and a bar.
A deck off the kitchen features a built-in barbecue and a seating area for al fresco entertaining.
The upper level master bedroom includes a sitting room, panoramic city views and a bathroom with a soaking tub and a steam shower. There are two more bedrooms and another bathroom on this level.
Guest quarters include a bedroom, a bathroom and a bonus room with a separate entrance.
A roof deck tops off the 2,200-square-foot home.
Billingsley, 43, starred as Ralphie in the 1983 classic “A Christmas Story.” He still has his striking eyes, neither of which has been shot out by a BB gun.
In more recent years, the actor-producer has been an executive producer for the series “Sullivan & Son” and “Pursuit of the Truth” and such films as “Iron Man” and “The Break-Up.”
He bought the property in 2002 for $374,000.
Karen Lower of Coldwell Banker was the listing agent. Robert Cipolloni of Engel & Volkers represented the buyer.
‘Mad’ man is moving on
Actor Kevin Rahm has sold his house in Studio City for $900,000.
Set on a cul-de-sac and surrounded by mature trees, the 1951 Traditional-style home features an open floor plan, two brick fireplaces, a formal dining room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The single-story house, with a porch-sheltered front door, retains a midcentury charm throughout its 1,521 square feet of living space.
A four-hole putting green, redwood deck with multiple seating areas and terraced gardens take up the backyard of the 9,440-square-foot property. There are mountain views.
Rahm, 43, has appeared on “Mad Men” since 2010. In the last year he has also been on “Surviving Jack” and in the film “Nightcrawler.” He also had a long-running role on “Desperate Housewives.”
The recent father bought the property in 2002 for $610,000.
Scott Nell of Keller Williams was the listing agent.
Twitter: @LATHotProperty
