Tour the £14m Harry Potter and Game of Thrones-inspired mansion

Fantastical castle finally finds a buyer

Referred to as the Harry Potter castle, this fantastical residence is brimming with mythical and imaginative furnishings that embody medieval romanticism throughout. Castle Rivani, which is its official name, has finally found a buyer, and while we know the owners were seeking just shy of a whopping $22 million (£17m) for the property, it underwent a number of price drops since it hit the market in January 2023. According to the listing it finally sold for $16.8 million (£13.7m), a hefty $5 million (£3.9m) reduction from the original sale price. With a fantastical façade, what magic awaits within? Click or scroll through and let's take a tour...

Ostentatious owners

LA-based real estate investor Robert Rivani and wife, Krystal Rivani, bought their Beverly Hills house in December 2019 for just shy of $13.8 million (£10.7m). "Being 'extra' is everything to us," they told the Wall Street Journal, describing how their lavish home is inspired by Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, as well as other fantastical tales.

Gothic estate in sunny California

The Gothic property is located in sunny California – specifically The Beverly Ridge Estates, a gated community in the Mulholland Corridor section of Beverly Hills. Set over 1.7 acres, the magnificent estate boasts 15,000 square feet of living space within. After a short run on the rental market, priced at $150,000 (£116k) a month, the couple ultimately opted to put it up for sale. 

A mix of architectural styles

Built in around 2014, the house was originally constructed by entrepreneur David Gebbia and his ex-wife, Carlton Gebbia – who previously starred in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. As per The Wall Street Journal, the building was reportedly designed to merge Ms Gebbia’s Gothic tastes with her husband’s penchant for Italian romanticism.

The riveting Rivanis

Described as a college dropout, the impressively successful Mr Rivani is said to have sold his first company for $150,000 (£116k) at the age of just 16 – a shoe company that sold Jordans and Nikes. He then began working in real estate in his early twenties before starting up the Black Lion Investment Group. Mrs Rivani is a licensed dietician and shares her husband’s love of the fantasy genre, designing their Alice In Wonderland backyard herself.

Imposing interiors

Once inside, arched, church-style windows cast light across the great hall and sweeping wooden staircase with ornate cast iron balusters. Here, you will catch sight of the Game of Thrones-style chandelier that hangs above, atmospheric carved candle sconces and the imposing medieval-esque front door.

Gothic-style furnishings

The great hall hosts triple-vaulted ceilings and four Juliet balconies, which are great for events, as Rivani describes in the YouTube video tour of his castle. From the floor above, you can also enjoy excellent views across the Gothic chandelier, and the huge portrait painting of Rivani and his wife that hangs above their imposing throne below...

A fantastical pair

Seen here in the approximately 35-foot-high great hall, the oil painting of the owners hangs proudly between two Juliet balconies. Robert and Krystal Rivani pose in the photo, dramatically gesturing to one another and exhibiting their joint love of fantasy and dress-up. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, the Rivanis reportedly spent their time at home designing the interiors and searching for fitting furnishings online.

Custom-made throne

Commissioned by the couple for $50,000 (£38.7k), this imposing chair is a replica of the iron throne from Game of Thrones, crafted in Siberia. It cost the magical duo a further $15,000 (£11.6k) to ship the 500-pound furnishing by air to the US. When the replica arrived in 2021, Mansion Global reported the Rivanis realised their measurements left a little to be desired as the throne was too deep and extended out too far into the living room they had initially designed it for. 

Formidable dimensions

Ever the innovative pair, they simply cut the piece in half and mounted the other half beneath a dragon gargoyle. According to The Wall Street Journal, it took 30 people to attach the throne to the wall, while many contractors refused to do the job at all. Clever! 

Expansive open-plan kitchen-diner

A large kitchen and dining room lacks the castle’s stereotypical gargoyles and dragons aesthetic, with the culinary space apparently claimed by Krystal. Two huge glass chandeliers hang formidably above the kitchen island, while contemporary chrome fittings are encased in ornate, dark mahogany wood cabinetry.

Wild statement pieces

Since purchasing the extravagant Californian castle in December 2019, the pair spent approximately $4 million (£3.1m) transforming the chateau, according to Mansion Global. Not least within the so-called Jungle Room, which features a 25-foot-long chandelier, they purchased for $150,000 (£116k). The statement piece was made in Dubai and features 300 glass pieces resembling butterflies.

Personally sourced furnishings

Owner Robert explains in the YouTube tour how the formal dining room or banquet hall took the most time to decorate, sourcing each piece themselves including the 200-year-old, Chinese-inspired panelling that he bought from an antique store when they first purchased the house. Next, they found the 15-foot table and multiple chandeliers to light the room and heavy, "overgrown" chairs as he describes them.

The Harry Potter-style pub

The eclectic pub is the couple’s take on a “British 1800s bar” as Robert relates in the video tour found on his website. A magnificent golden tin ceiling is reminiscent of the Victorian era according to one of Rivani’s effusive Instagram posts, while the so-called ‘dragon skin’ on the walls is a nod to Game of Thrones with its scaly, leathery texture. However, Robert’s love of Harry Potter can be found in the apothecary itself...

Storybook apothecary

Cabinets behind the bar are stocked with Polyjuice and Gillyweed – potions straight from the pages of a Harry Potter book and cementing Rivani’s love of the magical franchise. Having been a fan since a child, Robert is said to have relished escaping into the fantasy "world of witchcraft and wizardry", according to Mansion Global, and would spend hours queueing for tickets to the movies.

A dragon bathroom

One of the home's seven bathrooms has the feel of a dragon's lair. You’ll find ornate suede wallpaper, skull head decanters and dragon heads that adorn the walls. A large, opulent mirror reflects the embossed wallpaper, monogrammed hand towels and multiple red chandeliers. Imagine taking a soak in this bathroom after dark...

Master bedroom vault

With seven bedrooms, one for each bathroom, perhaps, Castle Rivani certainly isn’t short of space for guests. As imagined, the primary suite is a lavish affair with three gold chandeliers, arching wooden beams and an ornate antique fireplace.

Castle altar headboard

Accessed via a security vault door made of 12 inches of steel, the main bedroom suite also hosts custom drapes made in Texas, as well as a 250-year-old Austrian church altar as their headboard, which they paid a rather hefty $45,000 (£34.8k) for. It's clear no expense is spared when it comes to this couple's taste in décor. 

Protective dragons

From the primary suite, the Rivanis can walk out onto their own private balcony, complete with custom-made protective gargoyles. Views extend out across their grounds and the stunning Beverly Hills, which roll out below them, watched over by Robert and his dragons.

His and hers bathroom

The Rivanis bathroom/spa room boasts a huge overflow bath tub with its own fireplace built in. As Robert describes in the YouTube tour, the overflow tap recycles water throughout the house using a machine they installed, which filters all the water from the main line to the house. Clever stuff! That's not all though, as from this bathroom you'll find a rather dramatic access to one of the great hall's Juliet balconies. 

Potential children's bedroom

Adjacent to the gymnasium, a guest suite is described by Robert as a “future little girl’s room... God willing we have a little girl”, and has been decorated by Krystal. Though pink accents proliferate through the floral wallpaper and cosy throws, Robert’s passion for Gothic aesthetic sneaks in via the pointed arched shelving unit and draping curtains. However, now it's sold, it could be turned into anything the new owner imagines.

Alice in Wonderland backyard

Outside, the chequerboard astro turf lawn has been designed with Alice In Wonderland in mind by Krystal, with views that stretch out across Benedict Canyon and the surrounding parks. An oversized chess game awaits, perfect for whiling away the hours with guests under the Californian sun.

Personal crest of tiles

When they first purchased the castle, the pool area was surrounded by grass, which they began to transform into living space and “partying space”, as Robert describes it. They created a dance floor with a crest made from individual tiles imported from Turkey, to match the throne inside.

Poolside activities

Rows of wicker sunloungers frame the pool, alongside neat squares of pretty faux florals, ideal for sunbathing and swimming in complete privacy. A basketball court even awaits to the left of the house behind the giant chess game, should you fancy more outdoor activities at Castle Rivani. 

Rivani lists Miami penthouse

Ever the active businessman, Rivani is also currently seeking a buyer for his Miami penthouse at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, which he has listed for $8.8 million (£6.8m). Worlds away from the Castle, the Florida apartment is sleek, neutral and ultra-modern in its design. The posh pad offers four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a powder room across 4,535 square feet of space, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows throughout boasting spectacular ocean views.

Sleek and stylish

According to The New York Post, Rivani bought the penthouse last year for $7.5 million (£5.8m) as an investment, both for personal use and to rent out. One of the building’s largest units, the apartment includes an eat-in chef’s kitchen, a butler’s pantry, a media room, a master bedroom designed to look like a velvet jewel box and a dining room featuring this spectacular blue crystal statement chandelier. Other residents of the highly exclusive Ritz-Carlton Residences include Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber.

Where next for the Rivanis?

So what's next for the Rivanis? With a hospitality portfolio based in Miami, the Rivanis are now making the city their permanent home and are apparently on the lookout for “something bigger,” The New York Post has reported. Rivani has just listed his Malibu home on Carbon Beach for $42.5 million (£34.6m). We’ve had so much fun touring their homes from a distance, we can’t imagine how exciting it will be for the future owners!

Reference links to original sources may not appear in this version – to view the piece in full, please see www.loveproperty.com