Minecraft creator Markus Persson paid $70 million for a 22,300 sq ft Beverly Hills mansion in 2014; 12 years later he has listed it for exactly the same price, complete with a private nightclub and a $200,000 candy room

Markus Persson, the Swedish billionaire behind the global gaming phenomenon Minecraft, has listed his extravagant Beverly Hills mansion for $70 million, asking exactly what he paid for the property in December 2014. The 22,300-square-foot estate features eight bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a private nightclub and a candy room that reportedly cost $200,000. According to the Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal, the listing comes as Los Angeles’ luxury housing market faces a different climate from the boom years when Persson first purchased the property. The mansion, perched on approximately an acre overlooking Los Angeles, was built by property developer Bruce Makowsky, known for creating lavish homes packed with unusual amenities. Persson acquired it shortly after selling his gaming company, Mojang, to Microsoft for $2.5 billion.Inside the mansion with a private nightclubThe estate is designed as much for entertainment as for everyday living. Alongside its eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms, the property includes a recording studio, a private nightclub with a DJ booth and bar, a movie theatre, a swimming pool and an elevator. A 2,500-bottle wine cellar is another highlight, while the home’s distinctive candy room was among the features that attracted attention when the property first went on the market.Earlier reporting by Forbes and the Los Angeles Times described additional extravagant details, including an automated, curved glass door opening towards an infinity pool, a large onyx dining table and a garage designed to showcase luxury cars. The house was originally offered fully furnished, with designer furniture and other high-end fittings included in the sale. Persson bought the property after reportedly outbidding celebrity couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé, who had toured the house several times. The couple later purchased a Bel-Air mansion of their own.Why the $70 million asking price stands outThe asking price is particularly striking because it matches the amount Persson paid 12 years ago. Although the median home value in Los Angeles has more than doubled over that period, the ultra-luxury market operates differently from the broader housing market.In 2014, the mansion had been listed for $85 million before Persson acquired it for $70 million. Its current listing price therefore represents no nominal increase over his original purchase price, although the eventual sale proceeds, carrying costs and any changes to the property’s condition will determine the financial outcome.The asking price also reflects the challenges facing sellers of trophy properties. Elaborate amenities and architectural features can make a home distinctive, but they do not guarantee that a buyer will pay the seller’s preferred amount. The experience of Makowsky, the home’s original developer, illustrates that distinction. His other high-profile luxury properties have attracted ambitious asking prices but have sometimes sold for considerably less after extended marketing.The fortune behind the Minecraft creator’s mansionPersson, widely known by his gaming-community nickname Notch, founded Mojang Studios in 2009. The company released Minecraft in 2011, and the sandbox game subsequently became the best-selling video game of all time. Microsoft acquired Mojang in 2014 for $2.5 billion, providing Persson with the fortune that helped finance his Beverly Hills purchase. The deal transformed the independent game developer into one of the technology industry’s best-known billionaire creators.The mansion’s current listing comes with no guarantee that it will sell for the asking price. If a buyer agrees to the full $70 million, the property could become Beverly Hills’ most expensive home sale of 2026, according to the Los Angeles Times. The final price, however, will depend on negotiations and market demand. For now, the listing puts one of Beverly Hills’ most recognisable celebrity-owned properties back in the spotlight, with its nightclub, candy room and elaborate entertainment spaces offering a glimpse into the extravagant side of luxury real estate.Ready to Make a Smarter Property Decision? Build Your Legacy with TOI Homes.