Why is Larry Ellison buying Japanese castles and islands?
Larry Ellison, who co-founded Oracle and is one of the richest people in the world, is just as famous for the huge amount of real estate he owns as he is for creating one of Silicon Valley's most powerful companies. Forbes says his total wealth is over $270 billion, and he has spent more than $1 billion on buying homes, resorts, private islands, and old, fancy estates all over the world. His collection includes places like the remote Lanai island in Hawaii, oceanfront houses in Malibu, and grand estates in California, Florida, and other areas. Each home isn't just expensive but also shows his love for art, culture, and good design, making his real estate a standout collection among rich people.
In 2012, Ellison surprised everyone by buying 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai for $300 million from David Murdock, the head of Dole Food, according to Forbes.
He kept spending money on the island, putting in close to half a billion dollars in total. He turned it into a place for relaxation and also a place to test new ideas about sustainability. Some of his projects there include the Sensei Retreat, which costs about $3,000 per night, the Nobu Lanai restaurant, and big farms that use renewable energy. Ellison calls Lanai a "laboratory for sustainability," where he tries out new farming methods and health-focused tourism. With a private airport, beautiful beaches, and Four Seasons resorts, Lanai became a symbol of Ellison's wealth and big ideas.
Ellison’s 23-acre estate in Woodside, California, is often seen as his most beautiful home. It was designed like a 16th-century Japanese emperor’s palace and cost over $200 million to build, according to Fortune. The main house is 8,000 square feet and has koi ponds, man-made lakes, and a real tea house. Everything around the house, like the 1,000 cherry and maple trees, makes it a living work of art that changes with the seasons. The project took almost ten years to finish and is so large that Ellison joked it could be mistaken for a small village. To him, it’s not just a place to live but a personal love letter to Japanese culture and design.
Ellison is the biggest single owner of land on Carbon Beach in Malibu, also known as "Billionaire’s Beach." The Wall Street Journal says he owns at least ten homes on this famous stretch, all worth more than $180 million together. His homes are modern, have private beach access, and some he rents out to famous people. One of his most expensive homes was a $48 million house he bought in 2017, which had a pool and tennis court. Carbon Beach is a place where expensive homes sell for over $20 million and is a favorite spot for tech billionaires, movie stars, and rich investors. Ellison’s control there shows his strategy of making sure he has the best of the best in ultra-exclusive areas, giving him both privacy and top status.
Ellison has also put a lot of money into buying luxury homes in Florida. In 2022, he bought a $173 million home in Manalapan, which was the most expensive home ever sold in the state at that time, according to Forbes. He also bought the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa for $277 million, which helps him be a big part of the hospitality market in South Florida. His total investments in Manalapan are over $450 million. Earlier, in 2021, he bought an $80 million mansion in North Palm Beach, giving him one of the biggest oceanfront homes in Palm Beach County. All these purchases show he's not just buying expensive houses but also investing in resorts that can make money over time.
Ellison’s love for grand houses also includes old homes and places around the world. In Newport, Rhode Island, he owns the Beechwood Mansion, which used to be the home of the Astor family. He bought it for $10.5 million and has spent more than $100 million restoring it to be a private art museum for his collection. He also owns the Cal Neva Lodge in Lake Tahoe, once owned by Frank Sinatra, and has properties in San Francisco and Aspen. In Japan, which has influenced his design choices, he owns several homes. These international purchases show he likes to mix a love of culture with big ideas for creating special places.
Ellison’s real estate strategy is not just about buying expensive homes—it's about having a vision. He treats his properties as places to test new ideas. On Lanai, he tries out sustainable farming and eco-tourism. In Woodside, he celebrates Japanese culture. At Beechwood, he makes an old mansion into a private art museum. His homes in Malibu put him at the top of one of the world’s most exclusive beaches. Unlike other rich people who just collect fancy houses, Ellison sees his real estate as a way to bring together art, culture, technology, and sustainability. For him, every house is more than just a place to live—it's a message.
