Billionaire Minecraft Creator's $70 Million Home Sets Record

Swedish billionaire Markus Persson, creator of the Minecraft video game, plunked down $70 million for a Beverly Hills mansion and all of its furnishings, it was announced today.

It’s the highest price ever paid for a home in Beverly Hills, according to John Aaroe Group, a luxury residential brokerage that represented the 35- year-old Stockholm native.

Persson, who sold his company, Mojang, to Microsoft for $2.5 billion in September becoming one of the youngest billionaires in the world, programmed his father’s home computer when he was 7 and created his first game at the age of 8. Within the gaming community, he’s known by his nickname “Notch.”

The 23,000-square-foot house he purchased -- with cases of Dom Perignon thrown in as part of the deal -- features exotic electronics such as an automated 54-foot curved glass door in the living room that opens onto an infinity pool with iPad-controlled fountains. Located on a promontory in Trousdale Estates, the estate was built on spec.

“Marcus fell in love with the house, its sleek contemporary design and its spectacular panoramic views that sweep from downtown L.A. to the Pacific Ocean,” said Katia De Los Reyes, from the firm’s Sherman Oaks office. “The fact that the house also was completely furnished in such great style was another major selling point for him.”

Sally Forster Jones, president of Aaroe International Luxury Properties in Beverly Hills, represented the buyer along with De Los Reyes.

“Overseas buyers are an increasingly important market for ultra-luxury trophy properties in Los Angeles,” she said. “These international buyers like L.A.’s high-profile and glamorous lifestyle, the fabulous weather and the opportunity to put some of their assets in a safe haven.

“Trophy properties in L.A. are underpriced compared with other world cities, so buyers can enjoy the lifestyle now and know they will make a solid profit in the future,” Jones said.

The mansion features vodka and tequila bars, a candy room, 18-seat tiered screening room, three high-definition 90-inch television screens, and 18- foot onyx dining room table that seats 24 and includes place settings by Roberto Cavalli at a cost of $3,700 each.

The home has eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms -- all equipped with Toto Neorest toilets at a price of $5,600 each.

• City News Service
• Photo Credit: Casey & Sayre