Shirley MacLaine Residence Malibu-Why It Feels So Unusual
- 01. Shirley MacLaine Malibu Residence: Exact Address, Price, and Historical Details
- 02. Key Property Specifications
- 03. Architectural and Historical Significance
- 04. Interior Features and Design Elements
- 05. Price History and Market Context
- 06. Neighborhood and Location Advantages
- 07. Celebrity Legacy and Cultural Impact
- 08. Why This Property Matters to Fans and Collectors
Shirley MacLaine Malibu Residence: Exact Address, Price, and Historical Details
Shirley MacLaine's Malibu residence is a beachfront condominium located at 25200 Malibu Road #1 in Malibu, California, listed for $4,250,000 as of July 2024. The 1,182-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom corner unit sits in a building MacLaine commissioned in 1963 from renowned California Ranch architect Cliff May, where she wrote her first three books.
Key Property Specifications
This exclusive beachfront condominium offers direct access to Malibu's sandy shores while maintaining the privacy MacLaine valued during her decades of creative work. The building contains only six units, making it one of the most intimate communities on Malibu Road.
- Address: 25200 Malibu Road #1, Malibu, CA 90265
- Price: $4,250,000 (listed July 2024)
- Size: Approximately 1,182 square feet
- Bedrooms: 2 (including a generous primary suite)
- Bathrooms: 2 (one featuring a spa tub)
- Year Built: 1963, custom-designed by Cliff May
- Parking: One-car garage plus tandem parking
Architectural and Historical Significance
The building represents a rarified slice of Hollywood history, as MacLaine personally oversaw its construction with architect Cliff May, whose California Ranch style defined mid-century Southern California residential design. MacLaine originally occupied nearly the entire top floor-six bedrooms, four baths, a deck, and spa-while renting out four units in the structure.
According to listing agent Brian Merrick of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, the property is celebrated for its architectural elegance and serene ambience, featuring a peaceful center courtyard that offers quiet retreat from outside world. The unit's strategic positioning delivers breathtaking ocean vistas that MacLaine reportedly enjoyed while crafting her spiritual and philosophical works.
- MacLaine commissioned Cliff May to design the building in 1963
- She wrote her first three books within these walls
- The building earned the nickname "Shirley MacLaine building" among Malibu locals
- She maintained the property as her primary home through the 1990s
- The structure was recently refurbished with a new deck complementing an Oriental garden
Interior Features and Design Elements
Inside, the bright living area and open kitchen feature granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances, creating a welcoming space for entertaining or relaxing. The generous primary suite includes a luxurious bathroom featuring a spa tub, providing a private sanctuary within the home.
| Feature | Specification | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Living Area | Bright, open-concept | Ideal for coastal entertaining |
| Kitchen | Granite countertops, stainless steel | Modern amenities in historic building |
| Primary Suite | Spacious with spa tub | Luxury retreat |
| Balcony | Oceanfront, direct beach access | Whitewater views by day, city lights by night |
| Parking | 1-car garage + tandem | Rare luxury in Malibu |
| Courtyard | Peaceful center space | Quiet retreat from outside world |
Price History and Market Context
The property's valuation has evolved significantly over recent years, reflecting both celebrity provenance and Malibu's coastal real estate market dynamics. Earlier listings showed the unit at $3,790,000 in mid-2025 before reaching the current $4,250,000 asking price.
In 1993, MacLaine listed the entire building for $4 million as she shifted focus to her New Mexico ranch in Abiquiu, the location where Georgia O'Keeffe painted. That earlier asking price, adjusted for inflation, approximates $8.5 million in 2024 dollars, suggesting the current listing represents competitive value for celebrity-owned Malibu beachfront.
Neighborhood and Location Advantages
Located on Malibu's legendary "Old Road", this condominium sits within a community renowned for upscale residences and immediate beach access. The location ensures easy reach to Malibu's vibrant cultural scene, upscale dining establishments, and boutique shopping districts while preserving a peaceful environment.
The oceanfront balcony serves as a perfect spot to savour morning coffee or evening cocktails while gazing at serene waves, a feature MacLaine reportedly utilized during her spiritual practices and writing sessions. The property's tranquil sandy beach setting provides an escape from city heat and bustle, precisely the coastal retreat MacLaine originally envisioned.
Celebrity Legacy and Cultural Impact
At age 91, MacLaine remains one of Hollywood's most iconic figures, having received an Oscar and multiple lifetime achievement awards throughout her six-decade career. Her Malibu residence represents more than real estate-it embodies a creative sanctuary where cinema history intersects with spiritual literature.
Following the sale of her Santa Fe ranch for $4.2 million in 2024, MacLaine reportedly purchased another oceanfront Malibu residence, suggesting her enduring connection to the coastal community she helped shape. The fact that her original Cliff May-designed building remains on the market underscores its status as a unique opportunity for collectors of celebrity-real estate history.
"Experience the best of coastal living with this exclusive condominium that showcases coastline whitewater views by day and enchanting city lights by night," said listing agent Brian Merrick.
Why This Property Matters to Fans and Collectors
The feature fans didn't expect is that MacLaine's Malibu residence isn't a sprawling estate but an intimate corner unit within a six-building complex she personally designed. This revelation challenges assumptions about celebrity real estate, demonstrating how MacLaine prioritized creative privacy over ostentatious displays of wealth.
For serious collectors, the property offers rare access to a space where Oscar-winning artistic creation occurred alongside spiritual exploration, making it one of Malibu's most culturally significant residential properties. The combination of Cliff May architecture, MacLaine provenance, and direct beachfront location creates investment potential beyond typical Malibu real estate.
Key concerns and solutions for Shirley Maclaine Residence Malibu Why It Feels So Unusual
Where exactly is Shirley MacLaine's Malibu house located?
The residence is at 25200 Malibu Road #1, Malibu, CA 90265, on the prestigious "Old Road" section known for upscale residences and proximity to California's finest beaches.
How much is Shirley MacLaine's Malibu house worth?
The property is listed for $4,250,000 by Coldwell Banker Global Luxury specialist Brian Merrick, with prior listings showing $3,790,000 in 2025.
When did Shirley MacLaine build her Malibu home?
MacLaine commissioned architect Cliff May to custom-build the apartment building in 1963, where she originally took almost the entire top floor.
What books did Shirley MacLaine write in her Malibu house?
She penned her first three books in this building, which became known locally as the "Shirley MacLaine building" due to this creative history.
Does Shirley MacLaine still live in Malibu?
As of 2025-2026, the 91-year-old actress maintains ties to Malibu and was spotted on rare lunch outings there, though she moved her primary residence to New Mexico in the 1990s.