Back in 2012, a guy named Jon Burton paid $36.5 million for a 6.6-acre clifftop estate in Malibu. How could Burton afford a $36.5 million Malibu mansion? This astonishing real estate purchase is closely tied to his successful career in the video game industry, which has shaped his wealth and lifestyle.
Building a Gaming Empire
Jon Burton founded the game studio Traveller's Tales in 1989. Within a few years, the company was pumping out successful games, primarily targeted at young children. This focus on family-friendly content allowed them to carve out a niche in the gaming world. In the mid-1990s, Traveller’s Tales formed a design and development partnership with Disney, leading to numerous successful titles featuring beloved Disney characters.
In 1995, Traveller's Tales leveled-up significantly when it was hired by Sega to develop a game for the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. This partnership with Sega not only boosted the company's profile but also set the stage for future collaborations with major game developers.
The Sonic Revolution
The Sonic franchise revolutionized the gaming industry, leading to several sequels and essentially putting PlayStation on the map. This pivotal moment opened the floodgates for Traveller’s Tales, allowing the company to develop dozens of titles for major game companies such as LucasArts (Star Wars), Sony, and Activision.
In 2005, Traveller’s Tales merged with another major developer called Giant Interactive Entertainment, and the merged company was renamed TT Games. This merger further solidified their position in the industry. In 2007, Warner Brothers acquired TT Games for an undisclosed amount, a strategic move after the successful launch of Lego Star Wars, which sold 12 million copies!
The $125 Million Listing
Fast forward to today, Jon Burton has just listed his Malibu mansion for an astonishing $125 million. So what makes Jon think his house is worth that much? The better question is why would anyone ever want to leave this house, let alone sell it?!
Here are a handful of the property’s best features:
- 6.6 acres above world-famous Paradise Cove Beach
- 340 feet of ocean frontage accessed by private path
- 10-20 foot privacy walls surrounding the property
- Main house is 17,000 square feet, not including the 2-bedroom guest house
- 14-seat home theater
- 7 fireplaces
- Infinity pool
- Tennis court
- Pool room
- Outdoor pizza oven
And…
- A 9-hole mini-golf course!
Imagine being so rich that your oceanfront estate in Malibu is big enough for a 9-hole mini-golf course! Over the years, I’ve heard of houses having putting greens and even driving ranges. But an entire mini-golf course? That’s simply astonishing!
Laurene Powell Jobs: The Neighboring Mogul
As you watch the video above, pause at the 12-second mark. Do you see the construction crane in the left side of the screen? That crane is constructing what will eventually be an unimaginably amazing property for Steve Jobs' widow Laurene Powell Jobs. This isn’t just one property; it’s a three-property mega-compound.
Laurene bought the first portion of her Paradise Cove property back in 2015 for $44 million. In 2017, she acquired the house next door for $16.5 million. Finally, in February of 2021, she purchased another neighboring home for $17.5 million. Since then, she has demolished all three structures to make way for what promises to be the most significant property in Malibu, perhaps in all of Los Angeles and Southern California.
The Potential Buyer
Considering her appetite for neighboring properties, perhaps Jon Burton is hoping Laurene will buy his house for $125 million. With a staggering $19 billion net worth, Laurene could easily purchase Burton's house and continue acquiring neighboring properties all the way to Santa Monica without running out of funds!
