Markus "Notch" Persson, the visionary behind the immensely popular game Minecraft, has relisted his Beverly Hills mansion for $70 million. Persson originally purchased the estate in 2014 for the same price, famously outbidding power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z and setting a record for the highest-priced home sale in Beverly Hills at the time. Despite the significant appreciation in the Los Angeles housing market over the past decade, the listing price remains unchanged.
Persson, who became a billionaire after selling his 70% stake in Minecraft to Microsoft for $2.5 billion in 2014, is selling the property because he does not frequently visit Los Angeles, according to listing agent Aaron Kirma. The sale comes at a time when California is considering a proposed one-time 5% wealth tax on billionaires, a measure set to appear on the ballot in the upcoming November 3 elections.
The 22,300-square-foot mansion is situated on approximately one acre of land in the exclusive "Billionaire's Row" area. It boasts panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. The opulent residence features eight bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, an elevator, a swimming pool, a dedicated wine room, and a home theater. Persson has become a more controversial figure in recent years, facing criticism for public remarks on social issues. Microsoft has previously stated that his personal opinions do not align with the company or its development studio, Mojang.