Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson is making headlines in the luxury real estate market again, but the asking price of his Beverly Hills mansion is raising an interesting question. More than a decade after purchasing the extravagant property following Microsoft’s $2.5 billion acquisition of Mojang, Persson is putting the residence back on the market at a price that has barely moved.
The listing brings an unusual chapter in the history of one of Beverly Hills’ most talked-about celebrity homes back into focus. The property has undergone significant changes during Persson’s ownership, including the addition of entertainment facilities that make it considerably different from the mansion he originally bought in 2014.
Markus Persson Lists His Beverly Hills Mansion for $70 Million
Markus “Notch” Persson has listed his sprawling Beverly Hills mansion for $70 million, matching the exact nominal price he paid for the property in December 2014.
Located in the prestigious Trousdale Estates neighbourhood, the approximately 22,300-square-foot residence occupies nearly an acre and offers extensive views stretching from downtown Los Angeles towards the Pacific Ocean.
The mansion features eight bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, two swimming pools and a private elevator. However, its size is only part of what makes the property stand out.
During his ownership, Persson added a multimillion-dollar professional recording studio and a private nightclub, transforming the already extravagant residence into an elaborate entertainment space.
The property is now among the most expensive homes currently listed in Los Angeles County. If a buyer agrees to the full asking price, it could become the most expensive residential sale in Beverly Hills in 2026.
For now, however, the $70 million figure remains an asking price rather than a confirmed sale value.
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Why Notch Is Asking the Same $70 Million He Paid in 2014
Persson’s original purchase came shortly after Microsoft announced its agreement to acquire Mojang, the Swedish game studio responsible for Minecraft.
On September 15, 2014, Microsoft announced that it had agreed to purchase Mojang and the Minecraft franchise for $2.5 billion. The acquisition was subsequently completed in November.
According to Microsoft’s annual report, the company acquired Mojang Synergies AB on November 6, 2014, for $2.5 billion in cash, net of cash acquired.
Persson purchased the Beverly Hills mansion in December that year for $70 million. At the time, the transaction was reported as a Beverly Hills residential sales record, making it one of the most closely watched luxury property deals of the period.
Now, approximately 12 years later, he is offering the same property at the same nominal purchase price.
That does not necessarily mean Persson would break even financially if the house sells for $70 million. Taxes, maintenance, financing if applicable, improvements and other ownership expenses would all influence the actual financial outcome. The additional facilities installed during his ownership would also form part of the property’s current offering.
Consequently, the matching figures should not be interpreted as proof of a financial gain or loss.
Inside the 22,300-Square-Foot Trousdale Estates Mansion
The property was developed by Bruce Makowsky, a developer known for building large speculative luxury homes.
Speculative homes are constructed without a specific buyer already committed to purchasing them. Makowsky’s projects became known for combining expansive residential architecture with elaborate entertainment features.
The mansion Persson purchased in 2014 was already packed with unusual amenities.
Its original features included:
- Eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms: The residence offers extensive accommodation across approximately 22,300 square feet.
- A 2,500-bottle wine cellar: A dedicated space for an extensive wine collection.
- An 18-seat movie theatre: A private cinema designed for home entertainment.
- A candy room: A particularly distinctive feature that was reported to have cost approximately $200,000 at the time.
- A car lift: An additional feature included in the property’s original luxury setup.
- An elevator: Providing access throughout the expansive residence.
- Swimming facilities: The property now features two swimming pools.
Large expanses of glass and open living spaces are central to the home’s design, helping maximise its elevated position and panoramic Los Angeles views.
The combination of architecture, location and entertainment facilities has helped the mansion maintain its distinctive identity in Beverly Hills’ luxury property market.
The Recording Studio and Private Nightclub Added by Notch
The mansion did not remain exactly as Persson purchased it.
During his ownership, the Minecraft creator invested in additional entertainment facilities, including a multimillion-dollar professional recording studio and a private nightclub.
The recording studio includes a separate drum room. Listing agent Branden Williams said Persson hosted artists there, highlighting how the facility was used beyond being simply another luxury feature.
The nightclub comes with its own DJ booth, bar and dance floor, creating a dedicated entertainment area inside the property.
These additions have given the residence a different character from its original 2014 listing.
Rather than simply offering extensive living space, the mansion now combines residential luxury with facilities designed for music, nightlife and private entertainment.
The candy room, meanwhile, remains one of the property’s most recognisable original features, having attracted considerable attention when the house first entered the market.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z Also Wanted the Beverly Hills Mansion
Persson was not the only high-profile name interested in the property when it was available in 2014.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly toured the mansion multiple times and were among the prospective buyers interested in acquiring it.
According to reporting by the Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal, Persson ultimately prevailed over the celebrity couple and purchased the residence for $70 million.
The reported competition helped make the transaction particularly notable, bringing together the worlds of technology, gaming, music and celebrity real estate.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z eventually purchased a different property in the Beverly Hills area, acquiring a Bel-Air residence for a reported $88 million in 2017.
That purchase was separate from Persson’s Trousdale Estates mansion and has no connection to the current listing.
Why Is Minecraft Creator Markus Persson Selling His Mansion?
One of the obvious questions surrounding the listing is why Persson has decided to sell a property that originally attracted so much attention.
According to listing agent Aaron Kirman, the explanation is that Persson does not spend much time in Los Angeles and is committed to selling the residence.
Kirman provided that explanation to the Wall Street Journal. The publication also reported that Persson did not respond to a request for comment.
The timing of the listing has nevertheless attracted attention because it comes shortly before California voters are scheduled to consider Proposition 40 on November 3, 2026.
The proposed measure has prompted online speculation about whether Persson’s decision could be connected to California’s proposed billionaire tax.
However, there is currently no verified evidence establishing that the mansion is being sold because of the proposal.
The official California voter guide describes Proposition 40 as a proposed one-time tax of up to 5% on certain taxpayers with more than $1 billion in covered assets.
Importantly, the covered assets include businesses, securities, art, collectibles and intellectual property, while real property is excluded.
This distinction makes it misleading to present the Beverly Hills listing as an established tax-avoidance move.
The publicly reported explanation remains much narrower: Persson reportedly spends limited time in Los Angeles and wants to sell the property.
Beverly Hills Luxury Real Estate Market Adds Context to the $70 Million Price
The decision to relist the mansion at its 2014 purchase price comes against a changing luxury real estate market.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the median Los Angeles home value has more than doubled since Persson purchased the property. However, the ultra-luxury segment has become more challenging than during the speculative mansion-building boom of the mid-2010s.
The Wall Street Journal also reported a slowdown in the luxury property market, with listing agent Aaron Kirman acknowledging the changing conditions.
Kirman said:
“We all know that the luxury markets across the U.S. are slower than they used to be.”
He also added:
“We’re not doing aspirational pricing anymore.”
The comments help explain why the mansion is not automatically being offered at a substantially higher price simply because more than a decade has passed since its original purchase.
The broader Beverly Hills market has also experienced price growth.
According to Redfin data cited by the Wall Street Journal, the median single-family home price in Beverly Hills reached $8 million for the three months ending September 30, 2026, representing an 18.8% increase compared with the same period a year earlier.
However, that figure reflects the overall single-family housing market and is not a direct valuation benchmark for Persson’s exceptionally expensive property.
Listing Agents Explain Why the Mansion Could Be Worth $70 Million
The property’s representatives believe its unusual combination of architecture, location and amenities supports the asking price.
Branden Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates highlighted the difficulty of recreating a comparable residence today, particularly because of construction costs and zoning considerations.
Kirman also discussed the appeal of properties in the ultra-luxury category, explaining:
“What makes the ultra-luxury market so fascinating is that buyers at this level aren’t simply looking for a home. They’re looking for something that sets them apart and cannot easily be replicated.”
These comments represent the perspectives of the listing agents rather than independent property valuations.
The mansion is being represented by Aaron Kirman and Katia De Los Reyes of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California, alongside Branden Williams and Rayni Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates.
Ultimately, the $70 million figure reflects the seller’s asking price. Whether the market agrees with that valuation will become clearer if a buyer makes an offer and the transaction progresses towards completion.
Could Notch’s Mansion Become Beverly Hills’ Most Expensive Home Sale of 2026?
A full-price sale would place Persson’s property among the biggest residential transactions in the Los Angeles area this year.
The Los Angeles Times reported that a completed $70 million transaction would make the mansion the most expensive home sale in Beverly Hills in 2026.
It would also become the second-most expensive residential sale in Los Angeles County this year, behind the $130 million purchase of Casa Encantada in Bel-Air.
That property was purchased by former PayPal executive Peter Thiel at a foreclosure auction in September.
The distinction between a listing and a completed transaction is important here. Persson’s mansion has not yet sold, meaning neither the Beverly Hills record nor the potential Los Angeles County ranking has been established for this property.
For now, these figures represent what could happen if the residence attracts a buyer willing to pay the full asking price.
Minecraft’s $2.5 Billion Deal That Changed Persson’s Life
The story of Persson’s Beverly Hills mansion is closely connected to the commercial success of Minecraft.
Persson founded Mojang in 2009, and Minecraft eventually became the Swedish studio’s defining game.
Microsoft announced its agreement to acquire Mojang and the Minecraft franchise in September 2014 for $2.5 billion. The transaction was completed later that year, after which Persson left the studio.
The acquisition transferred control of Mojang and Minecraft to Microsoft, allowing the game to continue developing under its new ownership.
More than a decade later, Minecraft remains an important part of Microsoft’s gaming business.
In September 2026, Mojang announced The Sift, a new dimension planned for Minecraft Java and Bedrock Edition in 2027.
The developer described it as the first new dimension to be added to Minecraft in more than 14 years, following the Overworld, Nether and End.
The Sift was also featured in Minecraft Dungeons II, which launched on September 29, 2026. Mojang introduced the dimension through the Dungeons II experience before announcing its planned arrival in the main Minecraft game.
Although these developments highlight how the franchise continues to evolve under Microsoft’s ownership, they have no established direct connection to Persson’s decision to sell his former Beverly Hills residence.
Another Celebrity Mansion Listing
Readers following major celebrity property listings can also compare this sale with another Beverly Hills mansion currently attracting attention. Our Dr. Phil Beverly Hills mansion listing report examines the $67.5 million listing and the separate business developments surrounding it.
Conclusion: Will Notch Find a Buyer for His $70 Million Mansion?
Markus “Notch” Persson’s Beverly Hills mansion has returned to the property market with a $70 million asking price, matching the amount he paid in December 2014 after Microsoft’s acquisition of Mojang.
The approximately 22,300-square-foot Trousdale Estates residence has evolved during his ownership, gaining a multimillion-dollar recording studio and a private nightclub alongside its already extensive collection of luxury amenities.
Persson’s listing agent says the creator does not spend much time in Los Angeles and is committed to selling. Meanwhile, the property’s asking price could put it at the top of Beverly Hills’ residential sales market for 2026 if a buyer agrees to the full amount.
For now, the mansion remains on the market, and its eventual selling price is still unknown. What makes the listing particularly interesting is that, after nearly 12 years, one of Beverly Hills’ most recognisable luxury properties is being offered for exactly what its famous owner originally paid.
Source and Research Disclaimer: This article has been prepared based on research of the sources provided below, including reporting from the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com, alongside official information from Microsoft, the California Secretary of State and Minecraft. The article reflects information available in those sources at the time of writing. Reported statements, listing-agent comments, proposed records and asking prices have been presented according to their respective sources and should not be interpreted as independently established facts beyond the information provided.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times: Minecraft creator asks $70 million for Beverly Hills mansion
- The Wall Street Journal: Minecraft Creator Lists Beverly Hills Mansion for $70 Million
- Realtor.com: Minecraft Creator Lists Beverly Hills Mansion for $70 Million
- Microsoft: Minecraft to join Microsoft
- Microsoft: 2015 Annual Report
- California Secretary of State: Proposition 40 Official Voter Information Guide
- California Secretary of State: Proposition 40 Official Title and Summary
- Minecraft: September 2026 Minecraft Live Recap
- Minecraft: Minecraft Dungeons II Gameplay Announcement
Featured Image Credit: Official GDC / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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