He sold the startup to Xerox and built his own personal Versailles. Now the billionaire can break the record for its sale.

Tech billionaire Darwin Deason has put his Versailles-style mansion on the Pacific Ocean up for sale for $108 million. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos.

Tech billionaire Darwin Deason spent an estimated $86 million to create his own personal Versailles.
It took years to complete Sandcastle, his Pacific Ocean estate in La Jolla, California.

Darwin Deason is ready to break the record.

The tech billionaire has put his luxury estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, California, on the market for $108 million.

If it sells for even that price, it would more than double the San Diego County record set by the private equity billionaire. Egon Durbanwho spent $44.1 million on real estate in 2023.

In 2009, after Deason sold his company, Affiliated Computer Services, to Xerox for $6.4 billion, he spent about $26 million on the house and adjacent property. according to the Wall Street Journalfirst reported listing.

Deason spent about $60 million over six years to transform the lots into a sand-colored mansion with 13,000 square feet of balconies, according to the magazine.

The billionaire was inspired by the French Palace of Versailles and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roca five-star hotel in the south of France, beloved by celebrities. The home’s ornate details include sparkling chandeliers, gold-accented ceilings, mosaics, marble floors and antique statues.

Deason primarily uses the 10-bedroom home, located at 1900 Spindrift Drive, dubbed “Sandcastle,” as a vacation spot. He lives in Dallas and has other vacation homes in Texas and Mexico, as well as a yacht. Deason, 84, is worth $1.3 billion as of Oct. 23 and has three children. according to Forbes.

“In the history of La Jolla there has never been, and never will be, another waterfront property like Sandcastle,” listing agents Brett Dickinson and Ross Clark of Compass told Business Insider via email.

Take a look inside.

The complex features a seven-bedroom main house and a three-bedroom guest house, inspired by Versailles’ Petite Trianon.

Courtyard of the Sand Castle mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

The main house has a two-story entrance hall, a circular terrace and an oval-shaped dining room that seats 16 under a 19th-century crystal chandelier.

Dining room in the Sand Castle mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

The fireplaces throughout the main house were imported from France.

Living room of the Sand Castle mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

Throughout the home there are custom mosaic tiles made by New Ravenna, a Virginia tile manufacturer that is one of the best in the country.

Lounge area overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

There are 10 bedrooms. The master bedroom has a private terrace with ocean views, a separate office and separate his and hers bathrooms.

Bedroom in a mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

Almost every piece of furniture in the house was custom made.

Bedroom in a mansion with a private balcony. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

There are 18- and 24-karat gold details throughout the mansion, and it has 14 full bathrooms and three half-bathrooms.

Bathroom in a mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

According to the New York Post, the nautical-themed bar is a reference to Deason’s yacht, Apogee.

The nautical themed bar is a tribute to Deason.

Bar in the Sand Castle mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

The bar is decorated with walnut wood, onyx marble and 18th-century mermaid statues.

Bar in the Sand Castle mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

The mansion also has a swimming pool and fitness center.

Outdoor terrace in the Sand Castle mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

According to Bloomberg, the pool is lined with blue Thassos marble tiles.

Overview of the Sand Castle backyard. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

The mansion has two changing cabins: one for men and one for women.

Terrace and swimming pool of the mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

The Sand Castle home also has a kitchen overlooking the beach.

The pool is steps away from the Pacific Ocean. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

An elevator takes residents and guests down to the private beach, which rises 10 feet above the ground.

Outdoor dining area at Sandcastle Mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

For the private beach, Deason imported soft white sand from Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters tournament is held each year. He told the magazine he spent $40,000 on sand alone.

Mansion patio overlooking the beach. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos

Listing agents said the Sandcastle’s custom sea wall and direct beach access could not be replicated today given current state building standards.

Aerial view of the Sand Castle mansion. Courtesy of Austin Ashline of Future Home Photos