Magnificent Enclave of Ultraluxe Malibu Spec Mansions Begins To Woo Buyers
In 2017, Scott Gillen grabbed headlines when he spent $50 million for 24 coastal acres in Malibu, CA, where he set out to build five scene-stealing mansions.
At the time, the filmmaker-turned-developer’s purchase shattered a local record for the most expensive sale of undeveloped land in the oceanfront community.
After previous success in developing palatial Malibu homes, Gillen wanted to create a new grouping of custom estates along California’s most exclusive coastline. After years of permitting and development, four of the five supersized mansions are now listed. Each comes with a wallet-busting price tag and extravagant designs to match.
The offerings range from $60 million to $95 million, with one of the homes already in contingent sale status.
It was a risky move to juggle five builds at once, but the proof is in the finished product.
“It was the vision of Scott Gillen—he came up with the spec concept to take five lots and build all five homes at the same time,” says listing agent Stephen Shapiro, of Westside Estate Agency; he’s representing the Butterfly House, one of the five properties. “Three of the homes are essentially finished, and the Butterfly House will be done by the end of the year. The [last home] will be done three to four months after that. Once [Gillen] is finished with the Butterfly House, he will redeploy, so the fifth will get done very quickly.”
‘The Case’ for luxury
Known as The Case, the five-home enclave is named after the midcentury modern Case Study homes Gillen is said to admire. Each of the lavish homes in the development clocks in at more than 10,000 square feet and offers spectacular ocean views.
“The quality built into each home is superlative,” Shapiro says. “For example, every wall has to be perfectly level. That’s the same with the cabinetry, bathrooms, and closets. Each home has an outdoor kitchen, a guesthouse, gym, media room, and wine room. Every detail was considered.”
Every room of each house abounds with high-end, luxury finishes. And custom Bulthaup kitchens with Gaggenau and Miele appliances are true showstoppers, as are the many glass walls.
Shapiro says the development’s 24-hour, guard-gated privacy also sets these homes apart.
“As far as the neighborhood goes, the homes sit on a bluff overlooking Malibu Road, where homes have sold for over $100 million,” he says. “The difference is that beach houses don’t have land. They get big bucks for being on the sand but have neighbors on each side. The beauty is looking at the beach. Most people have found they don’t even go on the sand.”
As you might have gathered, land and ocean views don’t come cheap when paired with luxurious new builds. Take a look.
Time to take flight
The Butterfly House is now available for $95 million. It’s Gillen’s most expensive offering, featuring 10,272 square feet on 3.3 acres.
If it snags anywhere close to the asking price, the property could claim the title of the highest-priced paid in Malibu without direct beach access.
Highlights of the Butterfly House include a primary suite with a fireplace, private outdoor spa, and views that range from Malibu Colony Beach to Palos Verdes and Catalina Island.
Perhaps the Butterfly House’s most jaw-dropping feature is its 133-foot-long pool that seemingly floats above the landscape.
“It’s incredible,” Shapiro says. “There are insane sunsets here, and it offers the widest view of the ocean.”
For supreme privacy, the two-bedroom guesthouse is tucked away below the pool area.
“The buyer of the Butterfly House will be someone who wants a one-of-a-kind home in Malibu,” says Shapiro. “It was built to be a primary residence but is likely not to be a full-time home. People like to travel and move around, so they will likely own several homes as well.”
The Flat House
The Flat House, listed for $60 million, is under agreement. It is 10,555 square feet and sits on a 3.5-acre lot.
The Edge
The Edge is on the market for $69,995,000—the first offering in The Case development to go up for sale. It spans 10,527 square feet, set on 2.6 acres. It’s been available for more than a year but has yet to attract a buyer.
The Cantilever House
The Canitlever House came on the market in June for $69.5 million. At 11,097 square feet, it’s the largest of the five houses and sits on the roomiest lot—3.8 acres.
The fifth and final home, the Glass Tunnel, is currently under development and will be completed next year.
- For more photos and details, check out the full listing.