$100 Million for a Second Home in California? A Russian Billionaire Just Bought One!

by Susan Kime (RSS feed)
Mar 31st 2011 at 10:01AM

Yuri Milner $70 million home in Silicon Valley California

The Russian billionaire, Yuri Milner, has paid $100 million for a second home in California's Silicon Valley, in Los Altos Hills. According to the Wall Street Journal's Market Watch, March 30th, it is the highest known amount paid for a home in the United States.

This home is 25,500 square feet of living area, and was inspired by 18th-century French chateaux (see above). It has 25,000+ square feet of living space with five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a central entry court, ballroom, home theater, wine cellar, spa/gym, a tennis court, car wash, swimming pool and formal gardens. The living areas are all located on the second floor to take advantage of the dramatic San Francisco Bay Bay view. It was designed by the prestigious Hablinski + Manion Architectural & Planning Group.

Mr. Milner's primary residence is in Moscow, where he lives with his wife and two daughters, but he is a frequent visitor to the high-tech enclave in northern California.

The 47-year-old Internet tycoon appeared on the cover of the most recent issue of Forbes magazine and has invested heavily in Facebook, Zynga and Groupon through his investment firm DST Global. His company is said to control about 10 percent, or $5 billion worth, of Facebook's shares. He also has had positive dealings with the Russian online company Mail.ru.

The home was bought from another tycoon, Fred Chan, founder of ESS Technology, who has reportedly decided to live in Hawaii after building the Silicon Valley mansion.

Mr Milner reportedly made the transaction through a limited liability company called La Paloma Property. After years of relative market flatness, this sale has been seen as a sign that the market in high-end properties on the West Coast are becoming more, well, effervescent.

Gallery: $100 Million Home in Silicon Valley

Tags: California, DST Global, ESS Technology, Fred Chan, Hablinski + Manion Architects, luxury homes, luxury homes Los Altos, second homes market in California, Silicon Valley, Yuri Milner, Yuri Milner Forbes Magazine

Filed under: Estates

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

drdomany Apr 1st 2011 4:47PM

way to buy huffpo for 300 mill and then lay off a ton of people. this site is in the hurtbox massively now.

rtjhgkjm Apr 2nd 2011 5:46PM

He won't spend more that 182 days a year in the house. If he does, that will make him a California resident and subject to Governor Moonbeam's taxes.I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsin gles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

alfredschrader Apr 2nd 2011 5:47PM

Good thing he's a billionaire. He can still buy a real home with the rest of the money. Those Chateaux homes are based on centuries-old designs. Who wants to return to the dark ages ? And if I was going to spend 100 million on my residence, and I actually wanted to live a century or two backwards, I'd buy a real French Chateaux in France and at least have access to the vineyards & cheese dairies. There is a lot more "comprehensive" technology to building a truly nice home than simply going with the "French" motif. My uncle Henry, who was the king of the soft drink business in the USA during the 1930's pioneered the new home design with his estate in Corral Gables, Florida. When I was there I took notes, including the design of his rare orchid green house centered in the gardens on his estate. Some of the species or plants & trees were one of a kind from the Amazon....Alfred-

ytkjin Apr 2nd 2011 7:07AM

recent issue of Forbes magazine and has invested heavily in Facebook, Zynga and Groupon through his investment firm DST Global. His company is said to control about 10 percent, or $5 billion worth, of Facebook's shares. He also has had positive dealings with the Russian online company Mail.ruI love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsin gles.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

DORIS GUZMAN Apr 2nd 2011 9:00AM

if i had that kind of money i could find so many other things to do with it but i guess that kind of living is what he and his family are use to so more power to them

raybobolguin Apr 2nd 2011 11:47AM

Did they say Milner ? Hey - he owes me money...........

sixpackdan Apr 2nd 2011 2:22PM

stripes.................now THATS funny!

Macon Apr 2nd 2011 1:12PM

Last time I read, the people in Russia were living in poverty, low to no income,
no jobs.............. This is so typical. It makes me sick.

Next we will hear that he pays no taxes here in the US and is a friend of the
"Bush" family.

Disgusting. No family of 4 needs all of that.

sixpackdan Apr 2nd 2011 2:27PM

Why are you pissed? Because he is smarter than us and knows how to invest? I don't feel bad. I don't feel he needs to support the rest of the world. You jealous? Get off your fat azz and take the risks like he did. I only make an average salary but he made it....good for him. All you that piss&moan your just haters because your really mad at your own sort comings. Don't hate just because he made it and you didn't.

saijjy Apr 2nd 2011 7:11PM

Hmmm socialism? And you thik NOBAMA is not the most corrupt President in History?

Gregory Apr 2nd 2011 1:14PM

Congratulations to Mr. Milner and family. Wow - a gorgeous Mansion which I hope their family enjoys for many years to come. I bet their primary home in Russia is stunning also. I believe this is the first home I've seen online which has its own drive through car wash, now that's thinking of everything. Enjoy!

buckeye3118 Apr 2nd 2011 4:16PM

He won't spend more that 182 days a year in the house. If he does, that will make him a California resident and subject to Governor Moonbeam's taxes.

ppedjr Apr 2nd 2011 5:11PM

How did the Russian economy get in the hands of a select people of a certain tribe?

jsenseney Apr 2nd 2011 6:32PM

time to deny him an entrance visa...so he can't use the residence. ;D

Pennie Apr 2nd 2011 7:59PM

looks like what i allways thought a high class whore house would look

srqwolf Apr 3rd 2011 1:05AM

Perhaps he's 'sheltering' funds in the US. I once had neighbors from Columbia pay cash for a house for their kids to live in while attending college. Their country was in very dire straits (government and military issues) at the time and the family had money, so they invested their savings in a home in the US, away from their homeland and their kids got an education in the US. That way, even if the government had taken all their assets, they had a nice home in the US they could sell and have $ to start over.

pbc444 Apr 3rd 2011 10:02AM

Thinking that this 'thornbush' estate does bear some "roses" (while also thinking NOT one IF had such $$$ available would be own choice)...Indeed will take quite a staff to keep up the "upkeeping" and then one presumes there are property taxes to add to the states revenues....Imagining just HOW one keeps it prepared year round for the occasional visits/etc....like how does one stock the larder at ALL times 'just in case" the 'master' visits/pops in spontaneously/etc...food does have expiration datings..perhaps the staff gets to 'feast" in order to refresh the bounty...lol !!
As to the jiving over 'is HIS $$$/etc..and can spend his wealth however he chooses..that is true but too as well, few WITH such accumulated wealth in their coffers did so 'just ' all on their own and it could be an issue some have on WHAT one considers 'smart' as well...Likely some consider ruthlessness smart and just waiting their OWN chance to be so smart enabling their OWN accumulative 'wealth'....Others just figure that if THEY had such available THEY would perhaps be able to have a comfortable lifestyle without such extravagant accruements and WOULD put those $$$ to 'use' assisting others in basic need/etc. ala 'humanitarianly'.....(envy comes in MANY shades and sizes.....)