Los Angeles Times

Billionair­e gets a closer shave

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An extravagan­t Bel-Air megamansio­n doubling as a monument to opulence just got a whole lot cheaper. The spec house, which listed for a quarter of a billion in 2017, is back on the market for $150 million.

Once the nation’s priciest listing, the estate’s towering price tag has now been shaved twice. Developer Bruce Makowsky trimmed it last year to $188 million. With the latest price cut of $38 million, he’s just trying to be realistic.

“I don’t think anybody’s ready to spend $250 million on a house,” Makowsky said. “At $150 million, it gets opened up to a much wider audience.”

Dubbed Billionair­e, the home has just about everything but a buyer.

Within the four stories and 38,000 square feet are 12 bedrooms, 21 bathrooms, five bars, three kitchens, a candy room, a 40-seat movie theater and a four-lane Louis Vuitton-appointed bowling alley.

Two wine cellars are stocked with Champagne, and an auto gallery is filled with a $30-million fleet of exotic cars and motorcycle­s — including a Bugatti, a vintage Allard and a custom Rolls-Royce. A Hobie Cat sailboat sits on a deck outside. A helicopter tops the roof.

The backyard is anchored by an 85-foot-long infinity-edge pool with a swim-up bar. In addition, there are 17,000 square feet of entertainm­ent decks that take in 270-degree views from downtown to the ocean.

Should the mansion sell for $150 million, it would be the most expensive home ever sold in Los Angeles County — by far.

The current record belongs to an oceanfront property in Malibu’s Carbon Beach that hotelier Peter Morton sold last year for $110 million.

Makowsky said his offering is much nicer, but if the market dictates the most someone will pay, he wants to bring Billionair­e down to a range where it can reasonably sell. That level of wealth exists, he said.

“People are spending $70 million on a private jet or $250 million on a yacht like it’s nothing,” Makowsky said. “Those aren’t their primary homes.”

Branden Williams and Rayni Williams with Hilton & Hyland and Shawn Elliott of Nest Seekers are the listing agents.

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