Buyer of $22M Venetians mansion revealed as WhatsApp investor

Venture capitalist Jim Goetz is the buyer of the Venetian Islands mansion that shattered previous records when it sold earlier this week for $22 million. 

Goetz, a partner at Sequoia Capital, topped the Forbes “Midas” list in 2016 for his investment in WhatsApp, a mobile messaging app, turning a $60 million investment into more than $3 billion of Facebook stock, according to Forbes. WhatsApp sold to Facebook for $22 billion in 2014.

Late last month, the San Jose Business Journal reported that Goetz was stepping down from a leadership role at Sequoia, and that he will continue to invest and represent the venture capital firm on boards.

Records show 212 West Dilido Drive LLC paid $20.325 million for the 11,600-square-foot mansion at 212 West Dilido Drive in Miami Beach. Goetz controls the entity.

Ahmad Lee Khamsi sold the seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom home completely furnished, which brings the price up to $22 million. At one point, it was listed for $35.9 million, but later reduced to $28.5 million.

Douglas Elliman’s Eloy Carmenate and Mick Duchon were the listing agents. Nelson Gonzalez of EWM Realty International represented the buyer. Gonzalez said earlier this week that the buyer planned to use the home from time to time, but that it was purchased as an investment.

The $22 million sale topples the previous $14 million record from 2013 for a home on the Venetians.

The home was designed by architect Ralph Choeff with interiors by Charlotte Dunagan Design Group. It includes natural finishes, custom Henge furniture, a Boffi kitchen, Kreon lighting, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, a private guest wing, home theater, den, two-story fireplace, infinity edge pool and a glass-enclosed wine room.