Alibaba’s Jack Ma Buys $193 Million Bungalow
Alibaba chairman Jack Ma is reported to be the buyer of a luxury house in Hong Kong’s exclusive Victoria Peak district that sold this week for HK$1.5 billion (US$193 million).
The 70 year old, 9,900 sq ft property at 22 Barker Road is described variously as a “bungalow,” a “villa” and a “mansion”. The deal makes it the second most expensive home in the world per square foot, according to the Hong Kong Economic Journal – at HK$151,653 (US$19,500) per saleable square foot.
The three story property boasts a 270-degree sea view of Victoria Harbour and – incredibly rare in Hong Kong — a 20,000 sq ft private garden.
The house was bought from telecoms magnate, Francis Yu, former deputy chairman of PCCW. Yu bought the place in 2000 for HK$163.5 million ($21.1 million), giving him a more than nine-fold gain in 15 years.
Earlier this week Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, reported financial figures for the second quarter which disappointed investors and caused the company’s shares to slump. But even after the devaluation of the Chinese currency and the share slide Ma still has a personal net worth in excess of US$20 billion.
In 2007, Ma previously paid HK$282 million ($36.5 million) for another Hong Kong property in Branksome Crest, Mid-Levels, a deal which was then expected to help him gain Hong Kong permanent residency.
Related stories
China Giants Alibaba, Tencent Invest in CMC's Smart-TV Startup
Alibaba Revenues Disappoint Market With 28% Growth
Alibaba Pictures Appoints Zhang Wei As President
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
