After multiple instances of being on and off the market, a Los Angeles estate with historical ties to Lakers basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain has undergone a change of ownership, fetching just under $9.7 million. Although this falls considerably short of the initial asking price of nearly $19 million set by current owner Dmitri Novikov, it still reflects a notable increase from the roughly $6.5 million that Russian-born investor Novikov paid TV writers George Meyer and Maria Semple for the property in early 2008.
Public records reveal that the buyer who secured the property in an off-market transaction is Erik Voorhees, a prominent figure in the world of cryptocurrency. Known as a bitcoin pioneer, Voorhees founded BitInstant in 2011 and later served as the CEO of ShapeShift, a cryptocurrency exchange facilitating seamless swaps between various cryptocurrencies for over a million users without the need for account creation. His estimated net worth as of August 2023 stood at $30 million according to BitKan.
Originally constructed over five decades ago by Wilt Chamberlain, affectionately known as the “Big Dipper,” the residence sits atop the rugged mountains above Bel Air. Chamberlain acquired a $150,000 plot and enlisted architect David Tenneson Rich to design the extravagant bachelor pad known as “Ursa Major.” Novikov extensively renovated the property in 2008, enhancing the kitchen and introducing modifications to the lower level, incorporating a screening room and guest bedrooms.
Situated in a secluded cul-de-sac on a gated 2.5-acre hilltop, the redwood, glass, and stone structure spans nearly 9,400 square feet, encompassing five bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Notable amenities include a billiard room, sauna-equipped gym, and expansive glass walls offering panoramic views of mountains, ocean, and reservoir. The entrance features a stone walkway over a water feature, leading to a colossal 2,000-pound front door. The great room boasts a 40-foot-tall cathedral ceiling, a sunken conversation pit, and a wood-burning fireplace.
A “floating” staircase leads to the master retreat occupying the entire second floor. The lushly landscaped grounds feature a large pool enveloping the house, creating the illusion of floating in a lake. Additionally, there are multiple outdoor spaces for lounging and entertaining, along with garages and a motorcourt accommodating over 10 vehicles and a detached, climate-controlled storage building.
Wilt Chamberlain played a pivotal role in the L.A. Lakers during the ’60s and ’70s, notably contributing to the team’s ’71-’72 season, considered one of the best in NBA history. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and later named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Chamberlain passed away from heart failure at his Bel Air residence in 1999 at the age of 63. In addition to the Los Angeles property, Erik Voorhees also owns a 1-acre plot of land in Dillon, Colorado, purchased for $260,000 in late 1985.
