Clifftop Malibu Estate That Hovers Above Iconic Pier Makes a Serious Splash After Listing for $38 Million

A rare opportunity to own one of Malibu’s true trophy properties has made an imposing appearance on the market—becoming one of the area's most expensive listed private residences.

Listed for the sky-high price of $38 million, the dwelling is a one-of-a-kind design—featuring a rare architectural pedigree that is matched only by its extraordinary location atop a cliff overlooking the iconic Malibu Pier.

The 10,000-plus square foot estate at 2930 Sweetwater Mesa Road is undeniably an oceanfront masterpiece—complete with all the luxury amenities and architectural chops one might expect at such a hefty price point. 

Yet there is so much more on offer beyond the home's top-of-the-line amenities and unique design, beginning with the property's plum location on a coveted 35-acre plot.

What began as a raw plot of land perched atop a lofty cliff has been transformed over a 16-year period into a near-complete estate designed by celebrated architect Jay Vanos, known for his creation of mid-century inspired residences across Malibu and Beverly Hills.

In the case of Vanos' clifftop haven, which was originally put on the market in February for $48 million before being relisted at a lower price earlier this month, the result of his vision is an expansive home that sits at the heart of more than 35 landscaped acres, offering 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. 

And while the property still requires some work, the bones of the home are unique in that they can never be replicated, according to the listing description.

"Meticulously crafted from raw land over the past 16 years, this residence can never be replicated due to local building constraints," it states.

The home’s dramatic angular roofline draws from modernist architectural styles, with sharp, sculptural planes that echo mid-century modern influences while emphasizing a sleek and minimalist profile.

Perched above the iconic Malibu Pier, the estate combines sweeping horizons with complete privacy, a combination that has become nearly impossible on the California coast. The two-story main house is at once grand and purposeful, and includes six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and four powder rooms. 

The interior feels designed for living as much as hosting, with stone walls that add a sense of warmth, a chef’s kitchen with a private entrance, and a designer living room that opens outward through 18.5-foot Otiima sliding glass doors.

"This entertainer's paradise also includes an outdoor amphitheater for screenings and concerts, a grand-scale pool with a waterfall, a grotto with built-in waterslide, abundant parking, and multiple outdoor seating and dining areas," the listing continues.

The property also includes a theater, gym-spa, and countless manicured spaces for taking in the expansive views both in and outdoors. 

This property was imagined as more than just a home, which is why it also includes a private amphitheater, a grotto with a waterfall feeding into the luxury pool, and even a waterslide.

A separate luxury guest house adds an additional 750 square feet of living space, while ample parking and enough space to build a tennis court gives the estate a resort-style feel. 

But what really sets this home apart, is that it still awaits a final layer of personalization.

While the structure and vision are already in place, the minimalist interiors remain an open canvas—which leaves it up to the next owner to decide on finishing touches and materials that will complete this mid-century inspired masterpiece.

"A rare opportunity to add your personal touch on what will stand as one of Malibu's true collector's properties," the listing states.

"The structure is framed, glassed, and ready for interior finishes."

In that sense, this iconic Malibu estate isn’t  just a property, but a story waiting for its next chapter.