SELLER: Sébastien Izambard
LOCATION: Malibu, CA
PRICE: $15,900,000
SIZE: 4.16 acres with three residences
YOUR MAMA’S NOTES: A freshly overhauled ocean-view compound in the rolling hills above Malibu’s Zuma Beach owned by golden-voiced French pop star and producer Sébastien Izambard — one-fourth of the internationally renown Simon Cowell created classical crossover vocal quartet Il Divo — and described in online marketing materials as “A perfect marriage of celebrity farmhouse chic meets contemporary modern living” has come up for sale at $15.9 million. Monsieur Izambard purchased the 4.16-acre, three-residence spread about 3.5 years ago, in December 2012, for $4,000,000 according to property records and gave it a bespoke, Shabby Chic-y renovation that incorporates wide-plank and impressively expensive imported French oak floors, custom-crafted window handles, and intriguing if arguably oddball ecclesiastical chapel windows in the main residence’s cavernous and otherwise sparely adorned living room
In addition to the living room that includes a minimalist fireplace and custom wood shelving unit, a “formal” dining space has glass-fronted wood cabinets for linen and dishware storage and a remarkably voluminous great room is comprised of a sleek all-white kitchen with double wide center island, cozy lounge with fireplace, and informal dining area in front of a wide bank of accordion fold glass doors. There’s also a children’s playroom with practical concrete floors and a family/media room with shelf-lined niches positioned on either side of a movie screen. The main residence has three or possibly four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms that include an airy second floor master suite with vaulted and sky light pierced ceiling, French doors to a long and slender private balcony, and a bathroom with two vintage-style pedestal sinks and an over-sized glass-enclosed shower space. Across the freshly black-topped motor court from the main house, a generously roomy two-story guest cottage offers a living room with fireplace, a full kitchen, lofted bedroom, and at least one bathroom while a two-story barn-style structure below the main residence incorporates two more bedrooms for guests or staff plus an unknown number of bathrooms
At the time the property was last purchased there was a swimming pool behind the main house that appears to have been filled in but the compound’s extensive grounds still provide a plethora of leisure and recreational amenities such as meandering graveled patios for al fresco lounging and dining, colorful flower gardens and fruit orchards, raised bed vegetable and herb gardens, tennis court, children’s playground, and fenced area for horses.
Listing photos: Coldwell Banker
