Grindr founder and former CEO Joel Simkhai is listing his Hollywood Hills investment estate for $14.99 million, Gimme Shelter has learned.
The five-bedroom estate at 8366 Sunset View Drive is next to a residence owned by billionaire lottery winner Edwin Castro at 8365 Sunset View Drive.
Simkhai has an eye for business — and real estate. When he launched the gay hook-up app Grindr in 2009, it was one of the first — if not the first — popular location-based apps. Since then, the LGBTQ+ portal has expanded into politics, a Politico article noted in April.
Joel Simkhai. Getty Images
The dwelling bears a mod aesthetic. Cristian CruzioHe has long called the area home. Simkhai’s former Hollywood Hills home is currently owned by Brad Pitt, who bought it from rock star Dave Keuning, of the Killers, and his wife, interior designer Emilie Keuning — who paid Simkhai around $9.6 million for the modern Spanish villa-style home in 2021. Simkhai bought this newly listed Sunset View Drive home for around $13 million in 2020, according to records.
“The architecture, the view and the location were too rare to pass up,” Simkhai told Gimme Shelter.
“I was based elsewhere and never made it my home, and now feel it’s time for someone else to make it their own,” he said, adding that he loves the home’s design. “It’s the view that’s unforgettable — a completely unobstructed sweep from Hollywood to Malibu, across Downtown, south to Long Beach and out over the Pacific, with Catalina views on a clear day from nearly every room. Fortunately, we’re right next to the Powerball winner, who has 24-hour security, so the whole enclave benefits.”
The layout is both open and roomy. Cristian Cruzio
Simkhai kept the residence as an investment property. Cristian CruzioThis new offering is 8,771 square feet and sits on .43 acres.
It comes with an elevator, a sculptural staircase and hardwood floors. Built in 2017, the modern home was designed with interiors by the late Tim Campbell, known for his restorations of midcentury-modern marvels, like Richard Neutra’s Chuey House.
The home boasts terrazzo floors, and has lots of antique brass accents, natural stone and walnut millwork.
A spa-like bath retreat. Cristian Cruzio
This bedroom delivers wide views through a massive exposure. Cristian Cruzio
The pool is also a delight at night. Cristian CruzioIt all opens to a gallery hallway and a window wall that frames the city, from panoramic views of the LA skyline to the ocean.
A chef’s kitchen with a double island comes with a butler’s pantry, while a main living area opens to a terrace overlooking an infinity-edge pool.
Back inside, the primary bedroom suite features a sitting room, two baths, two walk-in closets and an outdoor patio. An elevator leads to a lower entertainment floor with a home theater, a bar lounge with a video wall and a home gym, along with a wine cellar and a sauna.
The listing brokers are Josh and Matt Altman of The Altman Brothers Team at Douglas Elliman.
