Johnny Carson’s Malibu estate hits the market for $110 million with arboretum pavilion
The four-acre bluff estate above Malibu’s Pacific coastline blends glass, water features and a hidden garden, a trophy property tied to the late host.
Johnny Carson’s Malibu estate, once home to the late comedian who redefined late-night TV, is on the market for $110 million. The three-story, 7,100-square-foot residence sits on four pristine acres across four parcels on a bluff above the Pacific in Malibu. Architect Edward R. Niles designed the home to emphasize glass, wood and geometry, per the Compass listing. Carson purchased the property in 1984, four years after it was built; he died in 2005 at age 79 from respiratory failure caused by emphysema.
At the heart of the estate is a botanical-like garden described as an arboretum pavilion. Encased by a 30-foot glass ceiling that bathes the space in natural light, the garden is surrounded by trees and water features, including a koi pond. The house itself includes a dramatic interior with a triangular dining room offering ocean views, a bar lounge, a chef’s kitchen with a butler’s pantry, and a glass-walled office that appears to float among the trees. A lower-level ocean-view lounge, a screening room and an impressive wine cellar round out the entertainment spaces. The primary suite occupies the entire upper floor and includes dual spa-like bathrooms, large walk-in closets, a fireplace, a private open terrace and two private offices. The home has two bedrooms in total.
Outdoor spaces include a saltwater pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna and a cold plunge, along with al fresco dining terraces. The grounds also include a greenhouse, a fruit orchard, a private guesthouse and an aviary. The estate sits on four pristine acres across four parcels, affording sweeping views of Pacific Queen, Queen’s Necklace and Paradise Cove.
Ownership history and the sale context anchor this trophy listing. Carson bought the home in 1984, four years after it was built, and the property remained in his family after his death in 2005. His widow, Alexis Maas, inherited the estate and sold the adjacent Point Dume legacy property in 2007 for $46 million to Sidney Kimmel. Kimmel attempted to list the property in 2017 for more than $80 million before ultimately selling it to the current owners, Riaz Valani, an e-cigarette investor, and Augusta Tigrett, in 2019 for $40 million. The couple has now placed the Malibu estate on the market through Compass Real Estate agent Chris Cortazzo, seeking $110 million as they focus investments in Northern California.