Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is quite dissatisfied with the $27 million property he purchased on San Francisco’s famous Lombard Street in 2018 for $45 million.
With a 9,500-square-foot floor plan, a huge infinity pool, and a “Batcave” that connects to the garage, this house offers breathtaking views of the harbor. But if you look behind the surface, the house is a “lemon,” as Altman put it in his complaint against the builder. He claimed that he was deceived into purchasing the home despite its poor quality.
One of San Francisco’s most costly properties, located at 950 Lombard St., was allegedly oversold by local developer Troon Pacific, according to a recent complaint filed in San Francisco Superior Court. The house is reportedly associated with the OpenAI CEO, according to public records. According to the lawsuit, the builders hid the fact that the house had several problems with its construction. Additionally, it asserts that despite being aware of pervasive and significant defects with the property, the CEO of Troon Pacific proceeded to sell it to Altman.
According to the complaint, the OpenAI CEO’s home was the scene of several minor catastrophes. These included the disposal of raw sewage on the side of the house, a smashed sewer pipe leading from the laundry system, which caused a backup and spillage, and several water leaks. The home’s entire subfloor of the lower level was flooded in August, leading to extensive mold growth. According to the lawsuit, the estimated cost to fix the residence is $4 million.
The infinity pool, which was all the rage, had poor and substandard waterproofing design and installation.
Several news and magazine pieces have showcased the ostentatious San Francisco house, exclaiming that one could enjoy views all the way to Alcatraz Island from the Batcave-style garage, complete with a vehicle turntable.
There have been previous cases against builder Troon Pacific and its CEO Greg Malin involving allegations of poor workmanship and fraud, so Altman may not be the only one with this grievance. The house had a listing price of $45 million in 2018, but due to the epidemic, it dropped to “just” $27 million when it was sold in late 2020, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
A housing crisis has plagued the Bay Area since the 1990s, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless.