[Mithrandir]

Yachts. Mansions. Extravagant dinner parties. Life is good for the founders of one of the nation's biggest government debt collectors.

[Aqualung]

After growing this business from a small Texas law firm in the late 1970's to a nationwide debt collection powerhouse, the firm's founders and top brass have walked away with millions of dollars.

[cheskalyn12]

That was mostly due to a big buyout that occurred in 2006, as a group of five founders and managing partners -- including Dale Linebarger and another firm namesake Jim Blair -- readied for retirement. As part of the deal, they received a reported $230 million -- with individual payouts ranging from $25 million to nearly $60 million, according to former partners and a lawsuit filed by a former Linebarger attorney who was disgruntled about his salary at the firm.

[Guybrush]

Before Azzam there was Eclipse. Eclipse, commissioned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich at a cost of $250 million, was the biggest super motor yacht in the world at 533 feet (162.5m). It was the most expensive super motor yacht on the market, available for charters at a reported $2.6 million a week. But that was last year.

[13fpigil]

This year, superyacht Azzam, commissioned by an undisclosed Middle East billionaire and built at a cost of $605 million, became the largest motor yacht in the world at 57 feet longer than Eclipse. Azzam, all 590.5 feet (180 m), left Lurssen Yachts Germany, one of the world’s leading shipyards for large luxury yachts in June 2013. The super motor yacht has a 68.2 foot (20.8m) beam, a draft of 14.1 feet (4.30m) and a top speed of 30 kn. It is estimated the super yacht will require yearly upkeep of $60 million.

[Gatsu]

Yachts of this size and expense draw a team of specialists hand-picked by the project engineer, in this case, Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi, to build a one-of-a-kind custom yacht that meets the sophisticated, luxurious and demanding vision of its patron. The exterior was designed by Nauta Design and the interior by Christophe Leoni. The hull is made out of steel and the ship is powered by four engines: two 23,500 hp diesel and two 23,500 hp gas turbine engines for total power of 94,000 hp.

[TG12]

Those who don’t want to totally splurge can break the property up too. One of the homes can be bought separately for $80 million; you’ll even get 10 acres of land with purchase.

[betty20a]

One of the estate’s biggest advantages is its location, as it’s situated right on the Santa Barbara coast with spectacular views of the water and the surrounding mountains. Big, open windows throughout both of the homes (plus the guest house) take full advantage of these vistas. more

[alexg]

Outside there’s a pool and adjoining cabana, plus a rose garden and a citrus grove. All of the disparate land parcels are connected by a road, and there’s private beach access as well. here

[butterfly3321]

But one of the biggest perks of the Sanctuary isn’t so much what is on the property, but what isn’t. Three out of the five land parcels are largely undeveloped, and the future owner can build additional homes there—or add even more rose gardens, if that’s their thing. [links]

[wiskathecat]

It’s being shopped by Bruce Kovner, a hedge funder and philanthropist who bought a few acres of land in the area in 2007 and has been slowly assembling the now-22-acre property ever since. He’s spent about $110 million on these acquisitions, according to The Wall Street Journal. The process took around 14 years.

[mcdett]

One of the largest and most expensive properties in California has just listed for a jaw-dropping $160 million. Dubbed the Sanctuary, the offering is made up of five individual land parcels and has two separate 8,000-square-foot homes.

[markharry114]

“After over 20 years of owning this remarkable property, they’ve decided to let someone else write the villa’s next chapter,” Emilia Jedamska, listing broker at Cap Villas tells Robb Report. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of Riviera history.”

[Ramapithecus]

JFK and friends stopped by Villa La Garoupe when staying at the nearby Cap-Eden-Roc hotel. Photo: Courtesy of Cap Villas

[Hiro Protagonist]

Glass pocket doors open-up both the living area and the adjoining master suite, with plenty of outside overhangs to give welcome shade from the sun. [links]