Iconic ‘Wave House’ in California for sale for nearly $50 million. Take a look inside
Wave House architect sketched the plans while out on his surfboard in front of the Malibu property. The ‘Wave House’ in Malibu, California, has just hit the market for the first time in 36 years for $49.5 million. Late architect Harry Gesner, an avid surfer, designed the house in the 1950s to look like a giant cresting wave and sketched plans for the Malibu home after paddling out to the surf break in front of the property. The residence spans 6,451 square feet with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms on a.7-acre lot and is divided into two distinct parts. The interior is centered around a round, sunken conversation pit in the main living space with a fireplace at its center. The design is highly praised by architect Jørnzon, whose Sydney Opera House was inspired by his work. The home was recently owned by Mo Ostin, a longtime music executive with Warner Bros. Records.
Published : 11 months ago by David Caraccio in
The “Wave House” — one of the most iconic homes on the California coast — has just hit the market for the first time in 36 years for $49.5 million.
Late architect Harry Gesner, an avid surfer, designed the house in the 1950s to look like a giant cresting wave. He sketched plans for the Malibu home after paddling out to the surf break in front of the property.
“True to my way of designing, I camped out on the spot where I would plan the house,” the architect recalls in the book “Houses of the Sundown Sea: The Architectural Vision of Harry Gesner,” written by Lisa Germany (2012). “I spent two days surfing the break, all the time designing all aspects of the house in my head. The cliffs and sand. The views and prevailing wind. The quarter mile of beach and surf. I checked out every point of view.
“Then I took my old twelve-foot balsa board, but no wet suit (they hadn’t been invented yet), and a grease pencil,” he said. “I paddled out through the break, turned the board to the beach, and sketched the Wave House on the face of the board. It was exactly as it is now, in every way, thrusting out into the surf at high tide and nestled back in the sand at low tide.”
The residence (33602 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA) spans 6,451 square feet with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms on a .7-acre lot. The interior is centered around a round, sunken conversation pit in the main living space with a fireplace at its center. There’s a detached guesthouse on the property.
“The house ... exudes a Mid-century Modern aesthetic throughout emphasizing open space and natural light,” according to the property listing. “Tucked into a hidden cove in western Malibu, the home commands majestic views of the ocean waves, distant islands and surrounding landscape.”
Gesner designed the house for his friends and fellow surfers Gerry and Glenn Cooper. The home was recently owned by Mo Ostin, a longtime music executive with Warner Bros. Records, according to public records. Ostin is known for signing Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, Prince and Madonna to record deals. He died in 2022, and the home is being sold through a trust.
Before Ostin, Rocker Rod Stewart owned the property, according to a representative for Douglas Elliman.
The architect’s son Zen Gesner — who is also one of the listing agents — told the Wall Street Journal that the home’s original exterior design remains mostly intact, but the interior has undergone renovations.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on the brand new listing, a day before the property hit the market on Thursday.
Stewart asked Harry Gesner to design the deck railings, Zen Gesner told the Wall Street Journal.
“He was very concerned that people at his parties would stumble and fall off the edge,” said Zen Gesner, who grew up next door to the Wave House.
According to the listing, the residence is divided into two distinct parts: “Three enormous oceanfront vaulted public rooms and a stunning beachfront primary suite with hot tub and sauna, plus a five-bedroom upper level that stretches the width of the property to offer ocean views from nearly every room.”
Architectural elements of the home include enormous beams, wood-plank ceilings, hardwood floors and walls of glass capturing the unobstructed ocean view. Three wraparound decks take on the shape of the incoming surf.
“Even the shape of the hand-cut copper shingles that cover the roof resemble the scales of a fish,” the listing states. “Providing the very essence of coastal living, the home features an expansive, landscaped entry patio, plus wide, semicircular decks for dining, entertaining, lounging, and sea and stargazing.”
The design was highly praised by architect Jørn Utzon, whose Sydney Opera House is reminiscent of Gesner’s Malibu masterpiece.
Dena Luciano of Douglas Elliman, Zen Gesner and Chris Cortazzo of Compass and Drew Fenton of Carolwood Estates are the listing agents.
Topics: California