This $1 Billion Beverly Hills Estate Is Los Angeles’ Most Expensive Ever

Listed for $1 billion, The Mountain in Beverly Hills is officially the most expensive property in the history of Los Angeles (if not the world). Let that soak in. Yes, billion with a “b”—as in Bezos, Buffett and Bloomberg.

If you’re super rich, audacious and aroused enough to place the winning bid, bring your glamping gear. That jaw-locking price tag is just for the panoramic tract of semi-developed land overlooking all of Los Angeles. There’s no mansion here yet, so pack your architect too.

But what a small inconvenience compared to what you are getting—likely the most exclusive promontory real estate in the USA. One-of-a-kind, The Mountain spans a stupefying 157 acres (nearly twice the size of Disneyland), with an über private road serpentining skyward toward 90210’s largest and loftiest peak, a summit usually visible only by helicopter.

That’s like virtually dropping Disneyland across Mount Baldy (L.A.’s highest peak), where only you have access (no cars, tourists, hikers or Mickey Mouse). That is, assuming you can pass the credit check with flying colors. Did I mention The Mountain costs $1 billion? That’s crazy. Paging Elon Musk—you now have a site where you can build a helipad, Tesla dealership, space observatory or even a rocket launcher for your Mars missions.

An exaggeration, no doubt, but hardly unexpected for such an unfathomable property (it has to be overpriced, right?). The closest rival is way down in Bel Air, a lower altitude where developer Nile Niami is asking for $500 million for The One, a 100,000-square-foot, 20-bedroom estate. News alert—The One might not be the one anymore (although it does comes with a built-in spectacular house).

“The Mountain can fit eight of The One properties with over 125 acres to spare,” says listing agent Aaron Kirman of Pacific Union Real Estate. “If the buyer wants to build a theme park as massive as Disneyland they can with over 100 acres to spare. You can truly create your own kingdom.” That’s Michael Jackson talk.

Off Benedict Canyon, The Mountain is among the most secure perches in the world, with its colossal citadel-style pinnacle of manicured grass, and massive 16-foot-tall, 30-foot-wide pre-built, custom security gate. That’s not counting the buyer’s personal security protocols. Howard Hughes, Dr. Evil and The Sound of Music’s von Trapp family would feel right at home here—these hills are alive with the sound of isolation. And all for…(pinky time) “one billion dollars.”

The unprecedented Beverly Hills hilltop compound boasts 1.5 million square feet of ready-to-build zoned lots, proximity to Rodeo Drive shopping, and birds-eye views stretching from downtown L.A. to the Pacific Ocean to Catalina Island. All neighbors are out of binocular range—the nearest house located a half-click away. This compound may even be paparazzi proof.

“Our likely buyer for this property is an individual who wants to build his or her own compound,” says Kirman. “This is the only opportunity to own your own mountain that looks down at all of Los Angeles. The views will be preserved in perpetuity…”

The Mountain will certainly catch the eye of trophy hunting Russian oligarchs and Middle East royalty. Kirman says the property is ideal for someone looking to make a grand entrance into Los Angeles society.

Secured Capital Partners poured millions into developing The Mountain’s land, positioning it to officially hit the market on August 6. The Mountain includes 17 football field-sized parcels of land, six of which cascade down surrounding elevations—ranging from 2.7 to 12.2 acres, all zoned and ready for residential building.

The buyer will be permitted to build dwellings up to 48 feet tall (12 feet higher than current codes) thanks to a vested grandfather clause. More than 5,000 plants and 500 trees were transplanted to the property, which also features stone aggregate roads leading to a cobblestone drive, extensive landscape lighting around the entire property, and a water feature sculpture garden.

“To be able to claim ownership of the largest property at the highest point in all of Los Angeles will make the buyer the most prestigious billionaire overnight,” says Ronald Richards (Ronald Richards and Associates, APC), counsel and spokesperson for Secured Capital Partners. Ironic considering the buyer will undoubtedly value intense privacy.

Secured Capital Partners transformed The Mountain with vital infrastructure improvements—utilities, electricity, road work, fiber optics. This includes an advanced storm drain system and water retention basin; fire hydrant booster system; and a backup generator that can power 300,000 square feet of buildings during a citywide power outage. You won’t find that at Home Depot.

The Mountain’s land has been owned by various trusts, entities, royalty and celebrities (including talk show host and game show producer Merv Griffin) since the 1970s, but it was never developed until now, according to Kirman. In 2018 ownership transferred from Tower Park Properties to Secured Capital Partners which consolidated multiple parcels into one large real estate diamond to maximize the property’s extraordinary value.

“My team has identified that there are 100 billionaires who would be interested and can afford this property in the world,” says Kirman, who believes the property will set a new Los Angeles and world record. “I’m fortunate to have personal relationships with half, the other half we’ll find.”

Beverly Hills has sprouted many things over the last century—lima beans, water, oil, and movie stars. The modern crop seems to be free-spending billionaires. Oil and water may not mix well. But billionaires and mountain hideaways do.