James Jannard Relists His Beverly Hills Megamansion For $66M
I’ve seen some jaw-dropping homes in Beverly Hills, but nothing quite like this. James Jannard—the billionaire behind Oakley sunglasses and RED Digital Cinema—has listed his brutalist, steampunk-inspired mansion for $65.995 million. It’s not just a price cut from last year’s $68 million listing. It’s a second chance to own what looks like a concrete fortress pulled straight out of a dystopian sci-fi film.
This isn’t your usual luxury estate. It’s built with 96 exposed concrete columns, industrial steel, and floor-to-ceiling glass that vanishes into the ground. A literal motorbike stands guard at the entrance. It feels like something between Tony Stark’s hidden lab and an architect’s fever dream. And somehow, it works.
If you’re expecting soft lighting, marble floors, and chandeliers, turn back. This is brutalism on steroids—raw, unapologetic, and oddly beautiful. And it says a lot about the man who built it.
Have you ever seen a home that made you stop and ask, “Who the hell lives here?” Let’s talk about it. Drop your thoughts in the comments—would you live in a fortress like this?
Meet the Visionary: Who Is James Jannard and Why This Mansion Exists
If you’ve ever worn Oakley sunglasses, you’ve already seen a glimpse of James Jannard’s obsession with design and durability. He’s not just a founder—he’s an inventor at heart. After selling Oakley for a staggering $2.1 billion, he didn’t just retire into luxury. He built RED Digital Cinema and quietly reshaped the film industry.
But this Beverly Hills mansion? That’s where his eccentric genius really shows. I’m not just talking about money. I’m talking about creative control. Jannard gave his architects full freedom—what Wallpaper Magazine described as “mad scientist” level freedom. And honestly, it shows in every slab of concrete.
You can tell this wasn’t just another rich guy building a big house. It was someone trying to leave a mark—with brutalist bones and steampunk soul.
The Hilltop Location That Changes Everything
Trousdale Estates isn’t just expensive—it’s exclusive in a way that makes even other Beverly Hills addresses feel ordinary. Built on a 2-acre promontory, Jannard’s mansion sits where few others can: up high, above it all, with no one blocking your view.
And the view? You’re not just seeing the city—you’re floating above it. On a clear day, you’ll spot Downtown L.A., the Pacific, and the Hollywood Hills without stepping off the patio.
You and I both know location is what sells a house in L.A., not just the finishings. This particular spot gives you total privacy, 360-degree views, and a front-row seat to the sunset—no neighbors peeking in. That’s not common, even at this price point.
Brutalism Meets Steampunk: What Happens When You Don’t Compromise
I’ll be real with you—this design isn’t for everyone. But if you’re someone who appreciates art, engineering, or just homes that refuse to blend in, this is a masterpiece.
You walk in and boom—96 exposed concrete columns stare you down like sentinels. The glass isn’t there to soften the space—it’s there to frame the world outside. Nothing about this place whispers. It commands.
Then the steampunk details kick in: a bar wrapped in aluminum panels, mysterious knobs that don’t seem to do anything, a bathtub that looks like it could crush steel (and features an elvish inscription, no less). There’s even a fireplace designed like an engine exhaust system—because why not?
Most real estate articles barely touch this stuff. But you and I both know the soul of a house lives in these kinds of design decisions.
Oprah Winfrey’s $150 million portfolio shows a similar strategy—each property has a purpose beyond value.
A Fortress Packed with Function: Layout, Features, and the “Hidden Tech”
Okay, let’s talk about what’s inside—because this isn’t just a concrete shell.
You get 18,000+ square feet of custom-crafted space. That includes five bedrooms, a full chef’s kitchen in stainless steel, a wine cellar, and a private cinema room. There’s a gym, a floating glass deck, and even a motorbike parked like a sculpture at the entrance.
But the part that really got me? The floor-to-ceiling glass walls that disappear into the ground. I’m not talking about sliding doors. I mean retractable panels that vanish, leaving nothing between you and the pool—or the view. That’s not just architecture. That’s theatre.
You know the kind of houses where luxury is loud but comfort is missing? This isn’t that. Despite the materials, the place actually feels…livable. “It still feels cozy and home-like,” the listing agent Aaron Kirman said—and I believe it.
I came across a few home design threads this week in a WhatsApp channel where people were debating whether brutalist architecture is livable or just theatrical. The Jannard mansion came up instantly—this one clearly blurs that line.
From $19.9M to $66M: What This Price Tag Really Tells You
Let’s break it down.
Jannard bought the land back in 2009 for $19.9 million. At that point, it was just raw hillside. What he built on it—between 2010 and 2016—was never meant to be flipped. It was personal. A statement.
Fast forward to July 2024, and the house hit the market at $68 million. Less than a year later, it’s back—now listed at $65.995 million.
Some folks might see that as a price cut. I see it as a realignment in a luxury market that’s shifting fast. In fact, Mansion Global reported the new listing last week, calling it “a fortress of concrete, glass and steel, tempered by breathtaking views and architectural intent.” And that’s exactly right.
What does this mean for you? If you’re an ultra-high-net-worth buyer—or someone who studies market moves like I do—it means this home is still a solid play. It’s unique, it’s bold, and it’s positioned to hold value because no one else is going to build something like this again.
Very few individuals approach real estate with the same architectural intensity as Jannard—Ken Griffin’s $1.5 billion real estate empire is another example where bold choices define legacy.
Who Buys a Place Like This? The Buyer Profile That Actually Makes Sense
Let’s be honest—this mansion isn’t for someone who just wants a “nice” home. It’s for someone who wants to make a statement without saying a word.
If you’re imagining a buyer, think creative tech founders, Hollywood producers, maybe even a luxury-brand CEO. Someone who sees homes as art, not just assets. Someone who doesn’t need to impress anyone—but enjoys doing it anyway.
You’re not just buying five bedrooms here. You’re buying a fortress that reflects power, design obsession, and complete independence.
It’s also perfect for a collector—the kind who cares more about originality than resale value. And in a world full of glass boxes and neutral palettes, this place is a rebellion that happens to come with its own skyline view.
And if you’ve seen what happened with Dan Snyder’s Maryland mansion, you’ll know that pricing luxury isn’t always predictable—but vision always stands out.
From Malibu to Beverly Hills: How This Mansion Fits Into Jannard’s Legacy
You probably remember Jannard’s record-breaking $210 million sale in Malibu last year. That was the most expensive home deal in California history. It was classical, clean, and quietly extravagant.
This Beverly Hills mansion is the complete opposite, and that contrast tells you everything about Jannard. The man doesn’t just collect properties—he builds legacies.
Where Malibu was polished, this is raw. Where that home blended in, this one stands apart on purpose.
And let’s not forget: Trousdale Estates doesn’t see many listings like this. Most homes here follow a certain “Beverly Hills formula.” This one rips that formula to shreds—and that’s the exact reason it’s special.
Why This Isn’t Just a Mansion—It’s a Moment in Architecture
I’ve toured hundreds of luxury homes. Sleek, smart, solar-powered, you name it. But very few stick with me like this one.
This house isn’t trying to be liked. It’s trying to be remembered. And I think that’s what makes it worth talking about.
In an age of safe, Instagram-ready homes, this is something else. A brutalist shell with steampunk guts and tech‑forward details. You either get it—or you don’t.
But if you do? You already know how rare this is.
And maybe that’s the point. This house doesn’t care what trends are popular in 2025. It cares about identity. About intention. About standing the test of time.
Would you ever live in a place like this? Or is it the kind of home you admire from afar?
Let me know what you think—drop a comment below.
Want more stories about billion-dollar homes, celebrity estates, and design experiments like this one? Explore our latest celebrity real estate coverage on our website.
Disclaimer: Details in this article are based on public listings, news sources, and design publications. Some interior features or pricing may change over time. This content is for informational purposes only and not real estate advice.
