Two massive mansions in the Bel-Air district of Los Angeles (LA), California are currently battling to be the most expensive homes ever sold in the United States. It just so happens that these two homes are right next to each other.
The current most expensive house ever sold in the U.S. is in the Hamptons and was sold for $137 million in 2014. One of the Bel Air properties is up to be sold for $188 million. Its neighboring mansion is up for eight million dollars less, at $180 million.
The $180 million property is owned and developed by the famous doctor, Dr. Raj Kanodia. Raj is a plastic surgeon, well known for his rhinoplasties and operations on famous clients such as Kim Kardashian, the Hadid sisters, Britney Spears, and more. Kanodia said he would put $50 million in to the property as well as the $6.8 million that he paid for the lot seven years ago. He claims that the real estate community was skeptical of his big jump, but he continued anyway.
The mansion is about 34,000 square feet with several wall to wall glass doors, and nine bedrooms. It has a Portuguese limestone facade, floating staircase, and a double-height entry. If one kitchen isn’t enough, there are two; a catering and an entertaining kitchen. Not to mention the 2,000 bottle white oak and glass wine room. The home even has its own wellness center and gym designed by Harley Pasternak, celebrity trainer. Its 1.2 acre outside contains a waterfall, herb and vegetable garden, and an outdoor kitchen with a grill and pizza – because two indoor kitchens didn’t quite make it.
Developed by Bruce Makowsky, a twelve bedroom 38,000 square foot home is being sold for $188 million. This house is so fancy, the elevators are line with none other than crocodile skin. Bruce Makowsky is a handbag entrepreneur who dove into developing what could possibly be the most expensive home ever sold in the U.S. It originally came on the market in 2017 at $250 million but was lowered to $188 million in April of this year. Four years ago, Makowsky sold a $70 million home to Markus Persson, the developer of Minecraft.
Dr. Kanodia says that he has “communicated, chatted, and collaborated” with Makowsky several times. “He was laughing at me, saying I’m in the wrong business”, the doctor said. Though there is a bit of competition, Makowsky wishes Kanodia luck, “I hope he gets his price and I get mine”.
Michael Nourmand, a local real-estate agent, explains “The ultrahigh end spec market has softened,” “There are fewer international buyers these days, so the already limited buyer pool has gotten smaller, and the supply of mega mansion homes has increased. Having two properties in proximity is not ideal because it givers buyers more choices”,
The men are confident that there will be buyers for both of their homes. There are other amazing mansions in close proximity as well. Selling fairly close is the home of Jerry Perenchio selling for $295 million. Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault also live on the street.
It is not a race to see who sells faster, but surely both men are eager to achieve their sale.
