pay $1.7 million for the privilege to spend another million to put up a modern design? i'm pretty sure the lot by itself is not worth upwards of $3 million, even at California real estate pricing. there are plenty of other lots for sale in that area without being tied to famous people, he could have saved himself $1 million from the start by buying a different property.
Suppose he wanted the property and was willing to pay more just because it's where Bradbury used to live? Isn't that what you're advocating for? Or does it have to be the actual structure to satisfy you?
FWIW, I doubt he paid a premium for it at all. It's not unusual in some markets for people to buy the lot they want and demolish the house that's on it in favor of building their own. Maybe this is one of them.
"The trophy problem has become extreme."