The velvet robes are gone. The peacocks aren't screaming like they used to. If you’ve driven past the towering gates of 10236 Charing Cross Road recently, you might have noticed something feels different. The ghosts of Hollywood’s most debaucherous past are still there, sure, but the man holding the keys isn't a media mogul in silk pajamas.
So, who now owns the Playboy Mansion?
It’s a guy named Daren Metropoulos.
He isn't a stranger to the neighborhood. In fact, he was the guy living right next door. Honestly, the story of how he ended up with the world’s most famous "party palace" is less about wild nights and more about a massive, high-stakes real estate play that’s been years in the making.
The $100 Million Handshake
Back in 2016, the world was shocked when news broke that Hugh Hefner was selling his iconic estate. The asking price was a staggering $200 million. People laughed. Critics pointed out that the house was, frankly, falling apart. There were stories of stained carpets, 80s-era electronics that didn't work, and a general layer of grime that no amount of bleach could fix.
Daren Metropoulos didn't care.
He stepped in and closed the deal for $100 million. Still a record-breaker for Los Angeles at the time, but a far cry from the original tag.
There was a catch, though. A big one.
Hefner wouldn't leave. As part of the sale, the "Pasha of Pleasure" was allowed to live out the rest of his days in the mansion. Metropoulos basically became the world’s most patient landlord, collecting $1 million a year in rent from Playboy Enterprises while Hef stayed in his master suite.
When Hefner passed away in September 2017 at the age of 91, the keys finally, officially, hit Daren’s palm.
Who Is Daren Metropoulos, Anyway?
You might not know his name, but you definitely know his snacks. Daren is the son of billionaire Dean Metropoulos. Together, they’ve spent years "saving" iconic American brands.
Think Hostess. Yeah, the Twinkies people.
They also had their hands in Pabst Blue Ribbon, Bumble Bee Tuna, and Chef Boyardee. Daren isn't just some trust-fund kid playing with houses; he’s a principal at the family’s investment firm, Metropoulos & Co. He’s got a reputation for taking things that are "past their prime" and making them shiny again.
He’s also a bit of a "trophy hunter" when it comes to property.
Before buying the main mansion, he already owned the sister house next door. He bought that one from Hefner too, back in 2009 for about $18 million. His plan was always to eventually merge the two estates back into one giant 7.3-acre compound, just like the original 1920s vision for the land.
What’s Happening Inside Those Walls Now?
If you’re expecting the parties to start back up, don’t hold your breath. This isn't Playboy Mansion 2.0. It’s a construction site.
Metropoulos hired Richard Landry, the "King of the Megamansion," to lead the renovations. We aren't talking about a fresh coat of paint here. We’re talking about a multi-year, multi-million dollar "gut job."
- The Structure: The main house is about 20,000 square feet. It’s a Gothic Tudor masterpiece designed by Arthur R. Kelly in 1927. Metropoulos signed a "protection covenant" with the city of Los Angeles, promising he wouldn't tear it down.
- The Modernization: While the exterior stays classic, the inside is being dragged into the 21st century. New kitchens, updated master suites, and a 4,400-square-foot subterranean addition that includes a massive garage and a gym.
- The Grotto: Don’t worry, the infamous cave is staying. It’s been cleaned, restored, and modernized. No more Legionnaires' disease scares—hopefully.
It’s kinda fascinating because the mansion was never just a house. It was a movie set, a zoo, a corporate headquarters, and a frat house all rolled into one. Stripping that identity away to turn it back into a private family residence is a monumental task.
The Reality of Owning a Legend
Living in the Playboy Mansion sounds cool until you realize the baggage that comes with it. Metropoulos isn't just dealing with old plumbing. He’s dealing with the weight of "The Brand."
For decades, the mansion was the epicenter of the "sexual revolution." Today, that legacy is... complicated. With various documentaries and books coming out detailing the darker side of life at the mansion, owning the property is a bit of a PR tightrope.
Daren has been pretty quiet about it all. He rarely gives interviews about the house. He seems more interested in the architecture than the anecdotes.
He’s an "old soul," according to some of his real estate reps. He likes the history. He likes the "masterpiece" aspect of the design. He isn't trying to be the next Hef. He’s trying to be the guy who saved a landmark from rotting into the California dirt.
Why This Matters in 2026
The renovation is finally nearing its end. After nearly a decade of scaffolding and permit battles, the "combined estate" is almost a reality.
What most people get wrong is thinking the mansion is still "Playboy’s." It’s not. It hasn't been for years. Playboy Enterprises is a licensing and wellness company now; they don't even have a physical magazine in the way they used to.
The house is now a private sanctuary.
It represents the shift in Los Angeles real estate. The era of the "party house" is giving way to the era of the "ultra-private compound." Wealthy buyers don't want the world looking in; they want 10-foot hedges and state-of-the-art security.
Practical Takeaways if You’re Following the Estate:
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- Don't Expect Tours: The mansion is a private residence. The days of buying a ticket to a Midsummer Night's Dream party are over.
- The Zoo is Different: While the property has a rare private zoo license, it's unclear how many of the exotic animals remain under the new ownership.
- Landmark Status: While not an official "landmark," the protection agreement means the house will look like the Playboy Mansion from the street for the rest of our lives.
If you want to see the progress yourself, you can occasionally spot aerial shots from local real estate YouTubers or paparazzi drones. But for the most part, the "Grotto" is now just a very expensive, very private pool.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of the Holmby Hills area, check out the archives of the Los Angeles Conservancy. They have the original blueprints and historical context for the Arthur Letts Jr. estate before Hefner ever touched it. You can also monitor the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety permits for 10236 Charing Cross Road if you’re curious about the exact square footage of the new underground theater.