Look, we’ve all daydreamed about having a sweet beach house someday. But billionaire Darwin Deason took that dream and cranked it up to eleven. Instead of a cute oceanfront cottage, this guy built himself a straight-up palace on the cliffs of La Jolla. And yeah, it’s exactly as over-the-top as it sounds.

Perched above La Jolla Bay, this monster of a mansion (nicknamed “The Sandcastle”) is currently on the market for $108 million. If it sells anywhere near that price, it’ll shatter San Diego’s previous record of $44 million. Then again, when you’ve dumped $60 million into renovations alone, I guess you’ve got to aim high.

When Your Beach House Looks Like Versailles…

This place is ridiculous, and I mean that in the best way possible. We’re talking gold leaf everywhere, marble floors that probably cost more than my house, and the kind of detailed mosaic work that makes you wonder if Deason had a time machine to grab artists from the Renaissance. The whole thing screams “European royal palace,” just with Pacific Ocean views.

The cherry on top? Deason built a guest house that’s basically a copy of Marie Antoinette’s private retreat at Versailles (Le Petit Trianon). Because apparently, when you’re hosting friends, a regular guest room just won’t cut it.

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The Man Behind the Mansion

For those wondering who drops this kind of cash on a house, Deason made his fortune founding Affiliated Computer Services. He sold it to Xerox in 2009 for $6 billion – yeah, with a B. The guy’s got homes scattered all over the place: Dallas, Cabo San Lucas, you name it. But this California palace was supposed to be his special escape.

Here’s the kicker though – Deason wasn’t happy with regular beach sand. No joke, he spent $40,000 importing the same pristine white sand they use at Augusta National Golf Club. Because God forbid your toes touch that peasant sand from the California coast, right?

A $108 Million Beach House, Sand Included

The crazy thing is, this place has some genuine unique features you couldn’t build today. Take the sea wall – good luck getting permits for that now, thanks to the California Coastal Act. But since it’s grandfathered in, whoever buys this place gets a sweet deal (well, “sweet” if you’ve got nine figures to spend on a house).

The stats are pretty wild: 0.8 acres, 10 bedrooms, a gym that probably makes Equinox look cheap, and an office that’s basically a mahogany forest. Oh, and the pool – because when you’re paying this much, you better have a pool. Deason even copied the bar from his yacht for the guest house, which honestly might be the most billionaire thing I’ve ever heard.

A Mansion Full of Stories

Every corner of this place has some insane detail that probably cost more than most people’s retirement savings. The dining room chandelier alone could probably put a kid through college. The living room’s got these massive arched windows that frame the ocean like it’s a living painting, and there are so many terraces wrapped around the house you could probably host a different party on each one for a week straight.

That private beach with the imported sand? It’s elevated above the actual shoreline, complete with fancy lounge chairs that probably cost more than my car. And get this – Deason literally had someone hand-pick slate tiles from a quarry in China for the boathouse roof. He bought out their entire supply because apparently regular roof tiles just wouldn’t do.

Oh yeah, and there are two natural caves at the bottom of the property. No idea what you’re supposed to do with them, but how many houses come with their own caves?

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The Billionaire Who Loves a Good Project

So why’s he selling? Classic rich person problem: too many houses, not enough time. Between his place in Dallas, his spot on Cedar Creek Lake, his Cabo mansion, and his yacht (the Apogee) bouncing between the Mediterranean and Caribbean, poor old Sandcastle just isn’t getting enough love.

As for that $108 million price tag? Deason’s logic is pretty straightforward: that’s what it would cost to build this thing today. Between the land value ($40 million-ish), that grandfathered sea wall, and all the stupid expensive details (looking at you, imported sand), he figures it’s worth every penny.

Final Thoughts

Look, this place is bonkers. It’s what happens when someone has unlimited money and decides to mashup Versailles with California beach vibes. Will it actually sell for $108 million? Who knows. But one thing’s for sure – whoever buys it better stock up on gold-trimmed beach towels and fancy sunscreen.

Just remember to pack your crown if you’re planning to visit. Regular baseball caps might feel a bit underdressed.

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