Few neighborhoods exude more exclusive cachet than Malibu. Homes in the town behind the gates at Malibu Colony Estates, also known as the “original Malibu,” raise the bar even higher. Throw in a brand-new custom-built contemporary home, and you have a $35 million property that stands apart from any other.
How often do new-builds in the enclave like the one at 23917 Malibu Road come on the market? “This is the only one that has ever existed, except for the original Malibu Colony,” says listing agent Laura Kalb of Hilton & Hyland. “There won’t be another one.”
The gated community only has about 120 homes, half on the beach, half inland, according to the Los Angeles Times. The pedigree of being old Malibu refers to the original community where old-time celebrities, such as Barbara Stanwick, Gary Cooper, Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson, bought beach homes in the 1930s.
Nowadays, the neighborhood still draws big-name stars, billionaires, athletes and anyone seeking privacy and an out-of-the-way place at the ocean amid stunning scenery. Last year, actor and game show host Howie Mandel listed his Malibu Colony home for $21.5 million. A Forbes story said David Geffen, Larry Ellison, Marc Andreessen and “other industry titans have called—or call—Malibu home.”
The three-story home now for sale was completed in 2023. It sits on 1.32 acres with ocean views from almost every room and sits below the rugged Santa Monica Mountains. Five bedrooms and 10 bathrooms in 8,200 square feet complete the step-back design by architect Doug Burdge, who specializes in bespoke Malibu homes.
Views by day take in the ocean and the islands off Southern California. At night, the panoramas shift to the string of lights, nicknamed “the queen’s necklace,” that follows the arc of the Pacific Ocean from San Pedro to Malibu.
To live in Malibu is to have a deep love of place.
A 2021 Forbes story captures the setting in detail: “While other luxury seaside communities have grand homes by picturesque beaches, nothing quite compares the relationship Malibu has with its landscape—to be a resident of Malibu means not just living by the sea but living with the sea. This not only means an abundance of opportunities for surfing, hiking or boating but also a serenity that is usually found deep in nature.”
Indeed, the home keeps nature close. Patios and decks on two levels feature vanishing glass walls for indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. The floor-to-ceiling walls are all about capitalizing on the natural setting.
The main floor includes a living room, dining room, kitchen, en suite bedroom, office and family rooms. The living room features a modern-stone chimneypiece while the dining room has a wet bar. Both rooms open to one of the spacious patios. The kitchen opens to a side yard that can be a play area or a dog run.
The central staircase (or you can take the elevator) leads to the upper level with wood floors and four bedrooms, including a primary. The main bedroom has a walk-in closet with illuminated shelves and doors that open onto an upper deck, a private sanctuary that continues the indoor-outdoor vibe.
Outside, an ocean-facing zero-edge pool and Jacuzzi, sunken fire pit and barbecue area with bar seating underscore the entertaining options. The bottom floor has space with practical amenities: a rec room with a wet bar, massage room, yoga or other studio, bathroom and laundry room. When it’s time to throw a party (a really big party), there’s a three-car garage plus parking for an additional 10 vehicles on the long, winding driveway.
Laura Kalb of Hilton & Hyland is a listing agent for the property.