Grindr Founder Joel Simkhai Lists Hollywood Hills Estate for $14.99 Million

When the founder of the world‑renowned gay‑hookup app decides to trade the digital world for a hillside palace, the Hollywood Hills skyline takes on a new face.

Joel Simkhai – the Israeli‑American‑French entrepreneur who launched Grindr in 2009 – has put his five‑bedroom, 8,771‑square‑foot estate at 8366 Sunset View Drive on the market. The property, which sits on 0.43 acres in a gated enclave that borders Hollywood Hills West, is now listed for $14.99 million with Douglas Elliman.

The home is a modern Spanish‑villa‑style masterpiece built in 2017 and designed by the late Tim Campbell, famed for restoring mid‑century modern landmarks such as Richard Neutra’s Chuey House. Inside, an elevator, a sculptural staircase, hardwood and terrazzo floors, antique brass accents, natural stone, and walnut millwork weave together a sense of understated luxury. A gallery hallway opens onto a window wall that frames panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline and the Pacific Ocean, a sight that makes the estate a standout even among the city’s most exclusive homes.

Entertaining is the focus of the open living‑dining area. A chef’s kitchen with a double island and a butler’s pantry leads to a terrace overlooking an infinity‑edge pool. Downstairs, a wine cellar, a home theater, a bar lounge with a video wall, a home gym, and a sauna provide the kind of amenities that would make even the most seasoned celebrity host swoon.

The primary bedroom suite is a private sanctuary: a sitting room, two baths, two walk‑in closets, and an outdoor patio. The layout emphasizes privacy and luxury, with generous natural light and seamless indoor‑outdoor flow.

Simkhai purchased the property for roughly $13 million in 2020. He previously owned a different Hollywood Hills home that, in 2021, was sold to actor Brad Pitt for $9.6 million. That earlier residence had come from rock star Dave Keuning and interior designer Emilie Keuning.

Simkhai’s background is a blend of technology and real estate. After launching Grindr, one of the first location‑based apps for gay men, he sold the company to a Chinese gaming outfit for $245 million in two deals between 2016 and 2018. In 2022 he launched a new queer dating app, Motto, which closed in 2024.

The listing is being handled by Josh and Matt Altman of The Altman Brothers Team at Douglas Elliman. According to the brokerage, the home’s features and location make it a standout in the high‑end Los Angeles market.

Hollywood Hills is a central Los Angeles neighborhood that borders Studio City, Universal City, Burbank, and Griffith Park. The area is known for its hillside homes, celebrity residents, and proximity to Hollywood landmarks.

Simkhai’s decision to list the property follows a period of significant real‑estate activity in the area, including the purchase of a $25.5 million mansion by billionaire lottery winner Edwin Castro in 2023. The current listing price reflects the home’s size, amenities, and prime location.

The estate’s sale will likely attract buyers seeking a high‑profile, luxury property with expansive views and a strong connection to the tech and entertainment communities in Los Angeles.