The late architect and well-known surfer Harry Gesner built Sandcastle, a uniquely shaped home in Malibu, California, for his family in the early 1970s. Today, this ultra-modern home is on the market for approximately $27.5 million. The home was built in the early 1970s and features roughly 3,000 square feet with three bedrooms. Its unusual sandcastle shape boasts a small tower overlooking the beautiful Watkins Cove.
When Gesner built the home, he mostly used salvaged materials like maple wood from a high school gym, old telephone poles, and old-growth redwood harvested in the 1800s. Gesner also used windows and doors from one of the silent film theaters that once stood in Hollywood.
Photos of California Surfer-Architect Harry Gesner’s Sandcastle Malibu Beach Home
All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
Gesner’s son Zen said that his architect father didn’t want to waste anything and would often salvage perfectly good wood and brick. Not only did allow him to save money on construction, but it was also a smart way to repurpose materials. Sandcastle sits on approximately 0.73 acres with 122 feet of beachfront.
The home has a wraparound deck with steps leading to the sandy beach below. A separate spiral staircase with treads that were handmade from driftwood led to Gesner’s studio, which is located at the top of the tower.
This unusual property also has two guesthouses, a three-car garage, an outdoor shower, and surfboard storage. It sits right next door to Gesner’s Wave House, another iconic home designed by the late architect. That home features breaking waves Gesner said were inspired by the silhouette and design of the famous Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Wave House was built for one of Gesner’s friends in the 1950s, but he always thought about building his own on the lot next door.
The Sandcastle home features a brick fireplace in the living room created to represent the concave shape of the Hollywood Bowl. It also features a polished concrete hearth. The living room boasts dramatic wood beams on the ceilings and a separate formal dining platform.
All windows are angled to face the fireplace, so you can see the reflection of the fire in every window at night. Many of Gesner’s designs were inspired by and attached to nature. The architect enjoyed sitting on job sites with a sketchpad and worked to see how the surrounding nature interacted with the specific environment, says Zen.
A round sunroom is dotted with stunning vintage stained-glass windows and lots of natural light along with a variety of plants. The primary bedroom features a bar with a sink and warm tones are found throughout the home thanks to the use of natural materials like wood and stone. The primary suite also features a brick fireplace and a sitting area with an incredible view of the ocean.
A spiral staircase leads to another space that could be used as a studio, a loft, or a place for yoga and meditation. Two more bedrooms are located on the main floor with ensuite bathrooms. One of the bedrooms includes built-ins that make it a perfect office space.
An ocean-view tree house apartment is also featured on the property with a kitchenette, dining area, living room, bathroom, and bedroom along with a wraparound deck. A boathouse with a full kitchen, living, and dining area is also located on the property as well as an indoor/outdoor cabana. Sandcastle is without a doubt a uniquely distinct home that blends the beauty of its surroundings with modern design and natural elements to create a home that never goes out of style.
