The expansive 15-acre estate of Jack McCauley, known for his pioneering work with Guitar Hero and Oculus VR, is set to be auctioned off.
Nestled in Northern California’s prestigious Bordeaux Estates, the property, currently valued at US$8.998 million, will open for bids later this week, with a no-reserve auction running from November 30 to December 14.
The pre-sale estimate ranges from US$2.8 million to US$5.5 million, as reported by Concierge Auctions.
McCauley, who acquired this magnificent estate in 2021 for $6.6 million under his company Black Lab LLC, expressed his deep admiration for the property.
Previously named Aloha Bay, it captivated him with its stunning vineyards, exceptional privacy, and a designer poolscape that evokes the essence of tropical luxury, according to Mansion Global.
The estate is a masterpiece of residential design, featuring a 607sq m main house with seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, a games room, and a cinema.
Its backyard is a tropical paradise, akin to Hawaiian luxury, crafted by Mark Schatz, known for his work with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
The highlight is a vast swimming pool, complete with waterfalls, grottos, a bar, and shaded by Canary Island date palms.
Additional amenities include a pergola-shaped hot tub, a fire pit, a private putting green, and an alfresco kitchen pavilion.
Joe Sabeh of Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty, who listed the property, emphasised its uniqueness, particularly the Hawaiian-themed backyard, which alone cost the previous owners US$8 million.
The pool, one of the largest private ones in Northern California, even features deep sections for scuba diving practice.
The estate also boasts a 334sq m barn currently used by McCauley as a research and development space. Impressively, the barn is topped with a solar farm that powers the entire estate.
Sabeh notes the potential of converting this barn into an accessory dwelling unit, a rare feature in Pleasanton.
Located in Pleasanton, lauded as one of the best places to live by Money magazine, the estate is mere minutes from The Club at Ruby Hill, a Jack Niklaus Signature golf course.
McCauley, 63, made significant contributions to the gaming and VR industries, notably designing instruments for Guitar Hero and co-founding Oculus VR.
After leaving Oculus post its acquisition by Facebook (now Meta), he is now relocating to be closer to his grandchildren, passing on this extraordinary property to a new custodian.
