A home that feels less like a typical mansion and more like a modern-day fortress, a structure so imposing yet artistically profound that it commands attention from the moment you approach its gates. We are talking about the James Jannard House, a striking Brutalist masterpiece located in the heart of Beverly Hills. Currently listed at $65 million, this isn’t just a place to live; it is a statement of power, design, and unparalleled luxury.
James Jannard, the visionary founder of Oakley, has never been one to follow the beaten path. His creations, from revolutionary eyewear to high-end cinema cameras, have always challenged the status quo. His home is no different. Purchased originally in 2009 for $19.9 million, Jannard spent years meticulously crafting this estate, finally completing it in 2016. The result? A property that stands as a rarity in the luxury market, often compared to Stonehenge due to its monumental scale and raw aesthetic.
This 18,000-square-foot estate offers more than just space; it offers a lifestyle. Situated to capture panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin stretching all the way to the ocean, the home is a concrete sanctuary. After initially listing the property at $68 million, the price has been reduced to $65 million, signalling a prime opportunity for the right buyer.
Architectural Marvel: A Brutalist Statement
When you think of Beverly Hills real estate, you likely picture white stucco villas or Spanish Colonials. The James Jannard House shatters that mould completely. It is a celebration of Brutalist architecture, a style that emphasises raw materials, structural visibility, and a monochromatic palette.
The Trousdale Estates Promontory
The house sits on a prime 2-acre promontory in the coveted Trousdale Estates. This neighbourhood is legendary not just for its celebrity residents but also for its strict building codes that protect views. This means the sweeping vistas you see from Jannard’s home are legally protected—no one can ever build something that blocks your sightline of the Pacific Ocean.
Concrete, Aluminium, and Glass
The structure itself is a fortress of raw concrete, industrial aluminium, and vast expanses of glass. It feels indestructible. One of the most talked-about features is the oval motor court. Reminiscent of a futuristic Stonehenge, the arrival experience is defined by 96 oversized columns that evoke a sense of ancient grandeur, combined with modern engineering.
But it isn’t just about looking tough. The house is designed to breathe. Retractable glass walls are engineered to descend entirely into the ground. This isn’t just “opening a window”; it is removing the barrier between inside and outside completely, allowing the California breeze to flow through the concrete halls.
A Modern Fortress
For fans of cinema, the home evokes the vibe of a Bond villain’s lair or a superhero’s headquarters. It appeals to a specific type of buyer: someone who values privacy, security, and a design that looks like it could survive an apocalypse while still hosting a vanity fair after-party.
Key Architectural Features
Feature Description Unique Aspect
Exterior Design: Stonehenge-inspired oval motor court with metal gates. A futuristic fortress vibe that ensures total privacy from the street.
Structure 18,000+ sq ft, 5 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms. Constructed with raw concrete-block walls and industrial aluminium ceilings.
The View Unobstructed sightlines from the LA Basin to the ocean. Located in Trousdale Estates with legally protected view corridors.
Engineering Retractable glass walls. Walls disappear into the floor for seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Grand Tour: Entry to Living Areas
Let’s walk through the front door. Or rather, let’s pass through the monumental gates and enter the sanctuary. The entry experience of the James Jannard House is designed to intimidate and impress in equal measure.
The Foyer and Great Room
Upon entering, you are greeted by a light-filled foyer that sets the tone for the rest of the residence. It is vast, open, and echoes the industrial chic of Jannard’s professional life. A focal point here has been a custom motorcycle display, showcasing Jannard’s love for machinery and speed.
As you descend into the main living area, the scale of the room hits you. The centrepiece is a massive, dual-sided industrial fireplace. It anchors the room, providing a sense of warmth amidst the concrete and glass. This isn’t a cosy cottage fire; it’s a roaring statement piece that divides the space without closing it off.
Dining and Entertaining
The flow of the house is masterful. The living area bleeds into a spectacular show kitchen and dining room. The lighting here is sculptural, hanging from the aluminium ceilings like art installations.
But what makes this space truly world-class is the connectivity. With the touch of a button, the glass walls vanish, and the living room extends out to the infinity pool. It creates a single, uninterrupted environment where you can entertain guests with the glittering lights of Los Angeles as your backdrop.
The Secondary Kitchen
For a billionaire, one kitchen is never enough. While the show kitchen is for coffee and casual conversation, the house boasts a full commercial-grade secondary kitchen. This space is designed for events with 100+ guests. Whether you are hosting a charity gala or a private launch party, the infrastructure is already in place to handle high-volume catering without disrupting the main living quarters.
Private Quarters: Where Concrete Meets Comfort
You might expect a concrete fortress to feel cold or uninviting in the bedroom, but Jannard’s design team mastered the art of balance. The private quarters blend the Brutalist edge with genuine comfort.
The Main Suite
The primary suite is a study in contrasts. While the walls retain that signature raw concrete look, the floors are often finished in warm woods to soften the acoustic and visual experience. The suite is positioned to maximise the view, so you wake up to the ocean every morning.
The bathroom in the main suite rivals the best spas in the world. Think stone, massive soaking tubs, and lighting that makes you look good from every angle. It is a retreat within a retreat.
Guest Accommodations
The estate features four additional bedrooms, ensuring ample space for family or visiting dignitaries. Each guest room is an ensuite, offering total privacy. A standout feature for a home of this size is the elevator access. It ensures that every level of the fortress is accessible, blending the rugged industrial design with practical, age-in-place luxury.
Luxury Amenities: The Billionaire Lifestyle
A $65 million price tag demands more than just a view; it demands amenities that rival a five-star resort. The James Jannard House delivers this in spades, focusing on wellness, entertainment, and collecting.
The Theatre and Gym
For a man who revolutionised digital cinema with RED cameras, you can bet the home theatre is state-of-the-art. It is designed for the ultimate viewing experience, likely equipped with the very technology Jannard helped pioneer. It’s a media mogul’s dream.
The gym is equally impressive. This isn’t a spare bedroom with a treadmill; it is a fully equipped fitness centre designed for peak performance. It aligns with the lifestyle of a buyer who values health and longevity.
Wine and Wellness
The estate includes a world-class wine cellar, perfect for storing a collection worth millions. It turns wine storage into a visual display, much like the motorcycle in the foyer.
Outside, the infinity pool is the crown jewel. It appears to spill directly into the Los Angeles skyline. Whether you are swimming laps or just floating at sunset, it offers the ultimate relaxation experience.
Amenities at a Glance
Amenity Specifications Business & Lifestyle Appeal
Home Theatre Cutting-edge AV technology. Essential for media moguls; viewing dailies or blockbusters.
The gym is fully equipped, professional-grade—a hub for peak performance and wellness-focused billionaires.
Wine Cellar Temperature-controlled, display style. An investment showcase for rare vintages.
Infinity Pool Zero-edge design with city views. The ultimate relaxation spot and social centrepiece.
Real Estate Market Insights
Why is now the right time to look at the James Jannard House? Let’s look at the numbers.
The property was originally listed for $68 million and has since been reduced to $65 million. In the ultra-luxury market, a $3 million drop shows a motivation to sell, but it also reflects the hyper-specific nature of the home. This is not a “cookie-cutter” mansion; it requires a specific buyer who appreciates Brutalism.
The Trousdale Factor
Trousdale Estates remains one of the most prestigious zip codes in the world. Properties here rarely lose value over the long term because the land itself is so scarce. The view protection laws alone add millions to the land value.
Comparing this to Jannard’s $210 million Malibu sale, the Beverly Hills fortress looks like a relative value play. It offers the same level of architectural pedigree and privacy, but in the heart of the city. For buyers eyeing unique properties, this house is an asset impossible to replicate. You couldn’t build this house today for the same price, given the rise in construction costs and land values.
Business Lessons from the Fortress
Even if you aren’t in the market for a $65 million home, there are takeaways here for every entrepreneur:
- Visionary Design is Branding: Just as Oakley glasses were instantly recognisable, this house is a brand in itself. Unique assets stand out in a crowded market.
- Patience Pays Off: Jannard bought the land in 2009 and didn’t finish the house until 2016. He held the asset, developed it, and is now exiting. Real estate is a long game.
- Luxury as Legacy: Building something permanent, like a concrete fortress, creates a legacy. It signals stability and strength to the market and peers.
Frequently Asked Questions About James Jannard’s Beverly Hills Fortress
Q: Where exactly is James Jannard’s house located? A: The property is situated in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the world: the Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills. Specifically, the estate sits on a massive 2-acre promontory at 410 Trousdale Place. This location is famous for its strict building codes that protect the incredible views, ensuring that the panoramic sightlines of the Los Angeles basin and ocean remain unobstructed .
Q: Why is the house often compared to Stonehenge or a “Bond Villain” lair? A: The design is undeniably striking and aggressive. It features a Brutalist architectural style, utilizing raw concrete and industrial materials that give it a “fortress-like” appearance . The oval motor court is surrounded by large columns, earning it the nickname “Stonehenge-inspired” . Because of its sheer scale, concrete aesthetic, and futuristic vibe, many have described it as looking like a “Bond villain lair” .
Q: What are the standout features of the interior? A: The home is packed with unique, custom details. Some of the most talked-about features include:
- Retractable Glass Walls: Huge glass panels vanish into the floor to seamlessly connect the living room to the outdoors .
- Motorcycle Display: There is a raised entry dais specifically designed to display Jannard’s prized motorcycles, such as a custom bike from Confederate Motors .
- Two Kitchens: It features a sleek “show kitchen” for entertaining and a separate industrial kitchen for heavy-duty cooking .
- Unique Bath fixtures: The master bathtub is said to evoke the look of a hydraulic press, fitting the industrial theme .
Q: How much is the James Jannard house worth? A: The property has been listed with a heavy price tag of $68 million . This high valuation reflects not just the 18,000 square feet of living space, but the rarity of the land and the custom engineering involved in its construction .
Q: When was the house built? A: James Jannard purchased the land for approximately $20 million in late 2009, shortly after selling his company, Oakley . He spent years developing the property, and the massive construction project was finally completed in 2016 .
Q: Who designed the interiors? A: The interiors feature custom furniture, with nearly every piece being bespoke for the house . The design process involved collaboration with iDGroup, with principal Jeff Vance helping to execute the specific industrial vision Jannard had in mind .
Where Does James Jannard Currently Live?
James Jannard, the billionaire founder of Oakley and RED Digital Cinema, does not have a publicly confirmed primary residence as of early 2026, with recent reports focusing on his property sales and listings rather than a current main home. He sold his Malibu oceanfront estate for a record $210 million in 2024 and relisted his iconic Brutalist mansion in Beverly Hills’ Trousdale Estates (410 Trousdale Place) multiple times, most recently around $65 million in 2025, with no confirmed sale yet.
James Jannard House Photos
