Scottish billionaire linked to purchase of $38.5M Beverly Hills spec home

A limited company with links to one of Scotland’s richest men snapped up a Beverly Hills spec house for $38.5 million, The Real Deal has learned.

The entity is controlled by West Coast Capital Holdings Limited, a firm led by entrepreneur Tom Hunter, Scotland’s first homegrown billionaire, records show. Hunter’s company sold its U.K. sports chain Sports Division for $540 million in 1998 and has held stakes in retailers such as British Home Stores.

The property, at 1520 Gilcrest Drive, was built by John Saca and had been on the market since July, originally asking $48 million.

It has six bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, an infinity pool, a 22-person home theater, a wine room with a 1,000-bottle cellar, three stocked bars and a separate entertainment pavilion.

Jesse Lally and Branden and Rayni Williams of Hilton & Hyland had the listing. They declined to comment.

Saca bought the site for $8.5 million in 2013 and tore down the original residence, formerly owned by actor James Woods.

The property was originally owned by violinist Jascha Heifetz, who in 1948 commissioned his friend, Frank Lloyd Wright, to build a recording studio on the site. James donated the music studio, which was reconstructed piece by piece inside the Colburn School in Downtown L.A. in 1998.

Hunter made headlines this week after he reportedly lined up a special Scottish visit for former President Barack Obama. His foundation is hosting an event for Obama in Edinburgh next month.