The History of the Malibu Colony: California's Original Guard-Gated Beach Enclave
Neighborhood
6 minutes
June 10, 2024
Before Malibu became synonymous with beachfront luxury, before Carbon Beach earned the nickname Billionaire's Beach, there was the Colony. Established in the 1920s, the Malibu Colony is the original guard-gated beach community on the California coast, and it remains one of the most private and sought-after addresses in the world.
How It Began
The Colony traces its roots to the 1920s and 1930s, when movie stars and studio executives began leasing beachfront parcels from the Rindge family, the original landowners of much of Malibu. What started as a seasonal getaway for Hollywood's early elite quickly became a permanent community. By the mid-20th century, the Colony had established itself as the most prestigious residential stretch in Malibu.
The Gates and the Sand
What sets the Colony apart from other Malibu beach communities is its combination of gated privacy and direct beach access. The community is accessed through a guarded gate, making it one of the few truly private residential enclaves on the Southern California coast. Residents receive a private beach key granting access to the Colony's stretch of sand, a feature that remains one of the most coveted perks in Malibu real estate.
A Who's Who of Residents
Over the decades, the Colony has been home to an extraordinary roster of residents spanning entertainment, fashion, business, and the arts. Academy Award winners, chart-topping musicians, founders of global brands, and captains of industry have all called the Colony home. The appeal is consistent: privacy, proximity to the ocean, and a community of like-minded individuals who value both.
The Chrome Hearts founders Richard and Laurie Stark have maintained multiple properties in the Colony for years, a testament to the enclave's pull even among those who could live anywhere in the world. Actor and filmmaker Jonah Hill was also drawn to the Colony, purchasing a home there in 2021.
The Colony Today
Today, the Colony remains as exclusive as it has ever been. Homes rarely come to market, and when they do, they command some of the highest prices per square foot in Malibu. The community is minutes from the Malibu Pier, Nobu, Soho House, and the shops and restaurants of Malibu Village, yet behind the gate, it feels like its own world entirely.
For buyers seeking a guard-gated beachfront life in Malibu, the Colony is where it all started, and where it still matters most.
23649 Malibu Colony Road
One of the Colony's most notable residences, 23649 Malibu Colony Road, is currently available. Previously owned by the Chrome Hearts founders and Jonah Hill, the four-bedroom home has been recently renovated and is offered at $13,250,000.
