Oakley founder is selling his mansion, the most expensive in California

Fantasy and garage. This combination is ideal for start a company and become a millionaire. Accustomed to tech moguls planting the seeds of their multinationals in these spaces—Apple’s Steve Jobs, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, or Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin—there are other fashion visionaries whose bank accounts are hard to come by.

This is the case Jim Jannard (age 75), founder of Oakley in 1975, who just broke a California record by selling the most expensive mansion in state history for $210 million. What started out as a business buying and selling custom designed motorcycle handlebars that felt perfect in the hands even in wet environments has become one of most profitable companies in the field of fashion.

In 1975, his wife was pregnant, they had little money to succeed, and with $300, he took the risk of starting a company he called your dog’s name. From the trunk of his car, he also sold license plates, goggles, elbow pads and gloves during motocross competitions. His star product was the glasses he designed for various sporting events such as cycling and skiing or just walking. Thanks to the cyclist Greg Lemond (62 years old), brand authority has increased significantly.

Gradually it expanded to create casual and sportswear, shoes and accessories that have become the emblem of always sunny California. In 1991, the company already employed 200 people, and four years later it went public. The success was unstoppable. Finally, due to certain health problems and a desire to live in peace, Jannard sold Oakley to 2007 for $2.1 billion Luxottica, the largest manufacturer and retailer of eyewear in the world. He also founded Red Digital Cinema, through which he revolutionized the film industry. For this reason, as of 2021, he is included in the list of the richest people in the United States according to Forbes.

He knew very well how to invest his fortune. Has several islands. Spieden, with an area of ​​210 hectares, stands out. located on the San Juan Archipelago, which became his main residence, and in the South Pacific Ocean – Vatu Vara and Kaibu, belonging to Fiji. He turned both into luxury resorts that are frequently visited by Meghan Markle, Prince Enrique or Nieves Alvarez. He has also purchased mansions in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas and, of course, California’s Pacific Rim.

This latest Palladian style residence has an area of ​​approx. 1400 square meters settled on earth 3.8 ha and just over 300 feet of private beach, which is virtually unheard of in Malibu. Michael S. Smith, the designer who remodeled the White House Oval Office, was responsible for the interiors, which featured ornate columns, wood-beamed ceilings, and steel and glass windows in the official spaces.

In accordance with Timein the main mansion there is 14 bathrooms, 8 bedroomsIt has large pool overlooking the ocean, a professional gym and several small houses for guests and staff have been built in the extensive garden. With the $210 million sale, Jannard surpassed Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who sold their Malibu residence for $200 million.

It is also known that it was put up for sale. another unique mansion in Beverly Hills which stands out as a sort of stone monolith that looks more like a Marvel supervillain’s lair than a high-end residence. Most notable are the curved concrete corridors leading to Brutalist-style rooms, a Stonehenge-inspired carriage house consisting of 5 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms and is on the market for $68 million.

When it comes to family life, Jim Jannard is a man. very jealous of his personal lifeis rarely photographed in the press, and the total number of children he has is unknown because Forbes awards him a 7 and Los Angeles Times, 4.