A recently renovated midcentury Malibu estate featuring private steps leading directly down to what was once a secret Southern California beach has just hit the real estate market with an asking price of $16,995,000. <\/p>\n
Originally built in 1947 and designed by renowned modernist architect Charles Kanner, the 3,861-square-foot architectural gem is widely known as The Cactus House. The luxury property last traded hands in 2021, when the current sellers acquired it for $7,956,000. Following their purchase, the owners embarked on an extensive, multi-year restoration and renovation project, taking meticulous care to preserve the historical integrity, unique character, and midcentury aesthetic of the original structure.<\/p>\n
According to listing agent Sandeep Dhariwal of Sotheby\u2019s International Realty\u2019s Beverly Hills Brokerage, the extensive updates were executed with a profound respect for the home’s pedigree. "The home is architecturally unique and has been updated, but the sellers wanted to maintain the architectural integrity of the home, so it lives more like a sanctuary on the beach," Dhariwal explains, emphasizing the property’s rare combination of historical design and modern coastal comfort. "It has got a lot of character and charm, along with 58 feet of frontage on the beach."<\/p>\n
For potential buyers or temporary residents who may not be ready to commit to a permanent purchase, Dhariwal notes that the property is simultaneously available for lease. It is currently offered at a reduced winter seasonal rate of $67,500 per month, providing an exclusive opportunity to experience luxury beachfront living along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.<\/p>\n
The residence itself boasts a spacious open-plan layout defined by clean lines, abundant natural light, and a seamless connection to the surrounding coastal environment. Expansive French doors open directly from the interior living spaces onto a massive teak deck. This outdoor entertaining area frames sweeping, unobstructed views stretching all the way to Point Dume, while gracefully overlooking a gated terracotta courtyard that has been specifically designed to capture the stunning expanse of the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n
"It’s a really unique midcentury home located on a really large lot, on what was once a secret beach," Dhariwal says, highlighting the property’s distinct positioning within the exclusive Malibu landscape. "It’s also on a private road and has got significant parking space."<\/p>\n
The mention of the area’s history as a "secret beach" refers to a long-running local narrative surrounding public access along this stretch of the coastline. Following decades of local consternation, legal battles, and public debate, Malibu’s famous hidden beach officially opened to the public for the first time in 40 years in 2023. This milestone was reached after California state agencies finally approved a formal access agreement to open up the pristine shores of Escondido Beach, transforming how locals and visitors interact with the coastline while still preserving the absolute privacy afforded to the immediate cliffside and beachfront homeowners.<\/p>\n
"When you walk in, it’s so special and a rare find," Dhariwal notes of the property’s immersive atmosphere. "It’s a very earthy house with spectacular, unmatched views."<\/p>\n
Inside, the residence continues to impress with high-end finishes that complement its organic architectural palette. The sleek chef’s kitchen comes fully equipped with custom cabinetry, contemporary floating shelves, a convenient breakfast bar, and a dedicated dining area oriented directly toward the waterfront, allowing residents to enjoy meals against the backdrop of the ocean. <\/p>\n
The primary bedroom retreat serves as a tranquil, private sanctuary. Featuring a luxurious soaking tub and a dual-sink vanity, the primary bath looks out over a private, lushly landscaped garden. Beyond the main suites, the home offers additional thoughtfully appointed sleeping quarters. "One of the bedrooms is ocean-facing, straight onto the sand," Dhariwal adds. "You feel totally grounded when you are there. It’s like having a boutique hotel to yourself."<\/p>\n
Given its size, location, and high-end amenities, Dhariwal anticipates that the property will likely attract buyers looking for a premier secondary residence or a luxurious coastal getaway. "Most homeowners here have a portfolio of homes," she observes. "These larger lots are harder to find. You could also build an ADU or a three-car garage on a portion of the lot, which is incredibly rare for a beachfront property." <\/p>\n
The ability to expand or add accessory structures on a beachfront parcel of this magnitude is exceptionally uncommon in Malibu, where lot sizes are frequently restricted by topography and strict coastal development regulations. Designed explicitly with hosting and entertaining in mind, the estate offers multiple distinct indoor and exterior dining and living spaces, making it well-suited for both quiet relaxation and large-scale social gatherings.<\/p>\n
Location-wise, the estate offers a balance of secluded privacy and convenient access to some of the region’s most popular destinations. "It is located just a few minutes from Cross Creek Ranch, where there are loads of retail available," Dhariwal points out, noting the proximity to upscale shopping, dining, and community hubs. "I think the next buyer will be someone who has a deep connection to architecture and beachfront living with character."<\/p>\n
Additionally, the property sits just a short distance from several local landmarks and natural attractions. It is situated near Geoffrey’s Malibu, one of the area’s most celebrated and iconic dining establishments overlooking the ocean. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will also appreciate the close proximity to Escondido Falls, the popular sands of Zuma Beach, and the dramatic coastal scenery of El Matador State Beach, cementing the estate’s status as a quintessential piece of Southern California coastal real estate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A recently renovated midcentury Malibu estate featuring private steps leading directly down to what was once a secret Southern California beach has just hit the real estate market with an asking price of $16,995,000. Originally built in 1947 and designed by renowned modernist architect Charles Kanner, the 3,861-square-foot architectural gem is widely known as The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":929,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1208,46,193,411,4,767,1207,833,1206,136,33,5,3,1205],"class_list":["post-930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate-and-housing","tag-cactus","tag-estate","tag-hits","tag-house","tag-housing","tag-known","tag-malibu","tag-market","tag-midcentury","tag-million","tag-nearly","tag-property","tag-realestate","tag-renovated"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/930\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xesi.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}