Turns out, Elon Musk knew what he was doing.
The surprise announcement that the captain of industry was eliminating nearly all material possessions, including a sizable portfolio of mansions, and sans agent at that, drew more than a few snickers. Real estate, after all, is serious business; it’s not unusual for high-end properties with competent representation to linger on the market for a few months or years before connecting with the right prospect.
But don’t tell that to Musk—he sold one of his homes in Bel-Air this month, according to the Wall Street Journal. The property was on the market for only a short time—about a month—when the buyer, online gaming billionaire and Chinese citizen William Ding stepped in with $29 million to offer against the $30 million asking price. One Bel-Air property down, a handful to go; and, factoring in Musk’s 2015 purchase price of $20 million, a tidy profit into the bargain.
The Chateau-inflected, 17,000-square-foot behemoth has apparently been Musk’s main residence since 2012, although his residential purchases in this corner of Bel-Air represent a cluster—six, in fact—and where he hung his hat at any given time could have hypothetically been the subject of a luxurious period of whimsical reflection. It contains seven bedrooms and at least eight baths.
The home’s interiors occasionally riff on 19th century French style, but ornament isn’t exceptionally heavy. The interior details include dome ceilings, crystal chandeliers, wrought iron, crown moldings, and a variety of warm and cool tones. The living room—a large space, with a fireplace and very high ceilings—comes off well, as does the kitchen, which features a red brick ceiling and walls, and plank hardwood flooring and custom hardwood cabinetry.
The property’s grounds feature carefully groomed landscaping, with extensive lawns, gardens, a pool and sunlounge, and a tennis court.
If you’re interested in helping Musk shed more properties, you might want to consider Gene Wilder’s former residence or one of his other fine homes in L.A. If Silicon Valley is more your style, check out his Hillsborough lair.
Ding’s net worth exceeds $25 billion, while Musk’s net worth is north of $40 billion. Both are 48 years of age.
