---
title: "Mansion formerly owned by Markus \"Notch\" Persson hits market for $70 million"
url: https://newscentral.site/mansion-formerly-owned-by-markus-notch-persson-hits-market/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Business"
published: 2026-11-03T15:55:51.000Z
updated: 2026-11-03T21:47:51.263Z
id: 51a387ab-9506-4ba0-a8ca-cf35ba15ea5a
source: "Fortune https://fortune.com/2026/11/03/minecraft-billionaire-notch-markus-persson-beverly-hills-mansion-70-million-beyonce-jay-z-prop-40-billionaire-tax/"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/mansion-formerly-owned-by-markus-notch-persson-hits-market/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Mansion formerly owned by Markus "Notch" Persson hits market for $70 million

The Beverly Hills compound spans approximately 22,300 square feet and is being listed by Aaron Kirman and Katia De Los Reyes.

A Beverly Hills mansion once owned by Markus "Notch Persson, the Swedish programmer behind Minecraft, has hit the market for $70 million. This is not the first time this property has been listed for sale - Persson initially purchased it in 2014 for the same price.

The Trousdale Estates compound spans approximately 22,300 square feet and would be one of the most expensive home sales in Los Angeles County if it reaches its asking price. It's worth noting that a nearby mansion sold at auction last month for $130 million, making it the priciest sale in the county so far this year.

The property is being listed by Aaron Kirman and Katia De Los Reyes of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California, alongside Branden and Rayni Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates. Kirman recently told a publication that Persson has simply stopped spending time in Los Angeles and is committed to selling the mansion.

Kirman also acknowledged that luxury markets across the country are experiencing a downturn, with many homeowners being forced to lower their asking prices. He stated that his team is no longer engaging in aspirational pricing, instead opting for more realistic valuations.

The timing of Persson's decision to sell is raising some eyebrows, particularly given California's recent proposal to implement a tax on billionaires. This new development may have an impact on the way Persson and other wealthy individuals approach their real estate holdings.

The Beverly Hills mansion purchased by Persson in December 2014 has been put up for sale, sparking interest among potential buyers. This development comes at a time when California voters are deciding on Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of billionaires who were California residents as of January 1, 2026.

The mansion was originally listed at $85 million and boasted an array of luxury features, including a candy room valued at $200,000. These amenities were part of its initial design by developer Bruce Makowsky. The property's value increased with Persson's subsequent additions, which included a recording studio and a private nightclub.

The sale of the mansion may be influenced by the outcome of Proposition 40, which aims to tax billionaires in California. However, two competing measures on the same ballot could potentially nullify it if they receive more yes votes. This has created uncertainty among potential buyers and sellers.

Persson's purchase of the Beverly Hills mansion was a significant one, beating out a bid reportedly involving Beyoncé and Jay-Z at the time. The deal made him a billionaire, with Forbes estimating his net worth at around $1.5 billion following Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang in 2014.

The sale of Persson's mansion has landed at an awkward moment for California billionaires, who are facing a potential tax on their wealth. The outcome of Proposition 40 and the competing measures will likely have implications for wealthy individuals like Persson.

As California's wealthy elite scramble to reevaluate their living arrangements in light of the proposed billionaire tax, some have already made the move out of state. Larry Page, co-founder of Google, is one such example, having sold his California properties and invested heavily in Miami real estate with a total price tag of $173.4 million.

Meanwhile, other tech moguls are also rethinking their California residency. Sergey Brin, another Google co-founder, has relocated to Nevada and is actively working to influence the outcome of the tax measure by investing $102 million in its opposition. Uber's Travis Kalanick was among those who took a more immediate action, moving to Austin just days before the proposed tax would have taken effect.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, has also been weighing his options regarding California residency. Initially, he had expressed plans to move out of state, but after Meta issued new nonvoting stock, he agreed to remain in California or wherever the company is headquartered for a period of eight years as part of the deal.

The billionaire tax measure, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, would require wealthy individuals to prove residency within the state. Given that it looks back to this date and excludes directly owned real estate from its scope, Persson's sale of his Beverly Hills mansion does not necessarily seem directly linked to the proposed tax.

Persson's stance on AI-generated code has undergone a significant shift in recent months. After strongly warning against its use earlier this year, he expressed openness to exploring vibe coding" as a potential solution due to hiring challenges.

Persson's change of heart appears to be a result of his struggles finding skilled programmers. He initially dismissed the idea of AI-generated code, but after giving it a try, he admitted to enjoying it and even acknowledged that his initial reservations might have been misplaced.

---
Source: [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/11/03/minecraft-billionaire-notch-markus-persson-beverly-hills-mansion-70-million-beyonce-jay-z-prop-40-billionaire-tax/)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/mansion-formerly-owned-by-markus-notch-persson-hits-market/
