Remember those two mansions that were vying to be most expensive property in America?

Well, if you want to include the sales of estates, then they’ve been severely beaten out by 64 hectares of grass and a security gate.

Listed as “The Mountain of Beverly Hills” (sounds like the title of a dismal Hollywood flick), this estate in Los Angeles is going on the market for a ridiculous $1 billion on August 4.

That’s around R13 billion here in SA, so you’d be able to buy that Bishopscourt forest property about 140 times for that price.

Here’s another angle of this pricey, uh, “property”:

Lovely. A sperm-shaped piece of land on which you can build your dream abode.

Or fort. Or amusement park. Whatever is your fancy, you can plonk it here.

Forbes tells us more what this property offers:

Off Benedict Canyon, The Mountain is among the most secure perches in the world, with its colossal citadel-style pinnacle of manicured grass, and massive 16-foot-tall, 30-foot-wide [4,8m by 9,1m] custom security gate.

What a great party piece that is.

The buyer will be permitted to build dwellings up to 48 feet tall [14,6m] thanks to a vested grandfather clause. More than 5 000 plants and 500 trees were transplanted to the property.

Stupendous. Who needs a house to live in when you’ve got trees?

It also features stone aggregate roads leading to a cobblestone drive, extensive landscape lighting around the entire property, and a water feature sculpture garden.

No doubt it’s a great view to take in from your house – oh, wait.

The Mountain’s land has been owned by various trusts, entities, royals and celebrities (including talk show host and game show producer Merv Griffin) since the 1970s, but it was never developed until now, according to listing agent, Aaron Kirman.

In 2018, ownership transferred from Tower Park Properties to Secured Capital Partners which consolidated multiple parcels into one large real estate diamond to maximise the property’s extraordinary value.

“Our likely buyer for this property is an individual who wants to build his or her own compound,” says Kirman. “This is the only opportunity to own your own mountain that looks down at all of Los Angeles. The views will be preserved in perpetuity …”

The Mountain will certainly catch the eye of trophy hunting Russian oligarchs and Middle East royalty. Kirman says the property is ideal for someone looking to make a grand entrance into Los Angeles society.

I’m sure handing over R13 billion for this property is more than grand entrance-worthy.

Oh, to be living the American Dream.

[source:forbes]