NEWLY minted Powerball winner Edwin Castro – who scooped up $2billion in the California Lottery – beamed as he went furniture shopping in Los Angeles.
The 30-year-old, who banked the biggest prize in American history, is seen in exclusive photographs obtained by The U.S. Sun after buying a home in the Hollywood Hills.
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He was spotted meeting a woman who appeared to be an interior design specialist outside the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood last week, as he prepares to decorate his new abode.
Despite opting for a lump-sum payment of $997.6 million after taxes following his big win in November, Castro was not decked out in designer clothing for his shopping spree.
Instead, he opted to dress casually in baggy black sweatpants, open-toe flip-flops, and a black short-sleeved T-shirt with the yellow branding “Gas Monkey Garage,” a popular car show.
After arriving at the location in a chauffeur-driven black SUV, he greeted the brunette woman, and the pair headed inside for around an hour.
In a series of snaps, Castro can be seen trying out a billiards table and joking around playing shuffleboard as he chatted away with the sales staff at the 11 Ravens Billiards supply store.
It is not known whether or not he ordered any high-end tables from the shop, but he was seen standing by as an assistant imputed details into her computer during a lengthy conversation.
NEW HOME
Castro wore his waist-length dark hair pulled back in a low ponytail and was seen in one photograph leaning over a table as he tested it out and took a shot with a cue.
The lucky money man recently plunked down $25million on a luxury home near pop star Ariana Grande and TV host Jimmy Kimmel, which may take a while to fully furnish with his winnings.
The lavish 13,578-square-foot property boasts three stories with five bedrooms and seven bathrooms and is situated just a stone’s throw away from the famous Chateau Marmont.
It boasts a “Batcave-style” entrance with secret parking for his new vehicles, a gym, a wine cellar, and an infinity pool.
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Castro can also enjoy his new game room and bar, fitness studio with a hot and cold plunge, a dry sauna, and a steam shower.
The hillside house also features a double-height glass stairwell with sweeping views, two fire pits, and a built-in outside barbecue area perfect for entertaining.
Along with his Hollywood abode, he also purchased a new $4million house in his hometown of Altadena.
The luxurious Japanese-inspired estate also offers five bedrooms and four bathrooms and offers 4,361 square feet of living space.
Although Castro tried to fly under the radar by not attending a press conference announcing his win, California state law requires lottery winners to disclose their full names.
Castro declined to comment when approached by The U.S. Sun.
Before his latest shopping spree, he was seen driving a $250,000 white vintage Porsche and leaving a Chase bank carrying a wad of cash in a white envelope.
Castro reportedly lived in a run-down one-bedroom home in Altadena before his big win, minutes from the gas station where he purchased his ticket.
HISTORIC WIN
Joe Chahayed, owner of Joe’s Service Center, spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun after also earning himself $1million before tax for selling him the ticket.
The humble businessman chose to go back to work the next day at 6am to run his store and is giving his own winnings to his family, including his 11 grandchildren.
“We’ve had quite a few lottery winners at our stations, but this is the biggest on earth, no ticket is bigger than this,” Joe said.
“All the media ask me, ‘Did you meet with him [Edwin]? Did you sit down with him?’ I said no.
“Now he’s been identified in the public, they see his [new] house. I tell him … be smart, watch your money, no matter how much money you have, don’t go with the bad people,” he said.
Although he has declined to comment on the big win, a rep for Castro previously released a statement on his behalf.
It read: “As much as I am shocked and ecstatic to have won the Powerball drawing, the real winner is the California public school system.
“The mission of the California Lottery, which is to provide supplemental funding for California public education, both public schools and colleges, makes this a huge win for the state.
“As someone who received the rewards of being educated in the California public education system, it’s gratifying to hear that as a result of my win, the California school system greatly benefits as well.”
California State Lottery Director Alva V. Johnson told reporters that the Powerball win raised a record $156.3million for the public school system in the state.
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