The nation’s richest real estate tycoon has cut ties with his son after allegations that he defrauded investors of over $2 million with a fake venture billed as the “ultimate man cave” for the ultra-wealthy.
David Bren, 33, reportedly promised that “The Bunker” would provide exclusive access to luxury cars—including Ferraris, Bugattis, and Porsches—along with curated dining experiences, fine wines, and premium cigars, according to investor presentations obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
Multiple lawsuits claim Bren entirely fabricated the business concept, pitched as “the Soho House for car lovers,” with investors reportedly losing six-figure sums between 2020 and 2022.
David Bren, 33, faces accusations of defrauding investors out of roughly $2 million, according to multiple lawsuits. One investor reportedly fled California in shame, while another — who allegedly invested well over $100,000 — was found dead in his garage, hanging from a noose, the LA Times reports.
Donald Bren, 93, with a net worth of $19 billion and nearly 130 million square feet of mostly Southern California real estate, is distancing himself from his son.
“We do not have a personal or business relationship with this individual,” said Paul Hernandez, spokesperson for Donald Bren and the Irvine Company, in a stark statement to The Post.
Founding “Bunker” members — including Shark Tank star Mark Cuban, fashion designer and oil heir August Getty, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and NBA champion Kristaps Porzingis — were reportedly promised $14,500 monthly membership perks, according to a lawsuit. David Bren’s plan included storing a fleet of supercars in Beverly Hills once the project’s owners completed a $90 million purchase of Mr. C’s Beverly Hills Hotel, according to an executive summary obtained by the LA Times.
But according to lawsuits, the venture was “a charade designed to lure investors … to fund his own extravagant lifestyle.” “The Bunker does not exist. There is no ultra-high-end automotive club. There are no members. The business is a mirage,” one suit alleges.
Real estate tycoon Donald Bren boasts a net worth of $19 billion. His son, David Bren, did not respond to attempts to reach him by phone or email.
Questions about Donald Bren’s role as a father first surfaced during a 2003 trial, when his ex-girlfriend, Jennifer McKay Gold, and their two children — including 11-year-old David — sued him for millions in retroactive child support. Bren’s lawyer noted he had already paid approximately $9 million in support, and a jury ultimately ruled in his favor.
Years later, some defrauded investors claimed David gave the impression that the wealthy real estate mogul was always just a phone call away.
