A Multi-Million Purchase: Tech CEO Acquires Late Architect Harry Gesner’s Malibu Home

Prominent Malibu architect Harry Gesner passed away in the summer of 2022, mere weeks after celebrating his 97th birthday. Gesner’s life was nothing short of remarkable, encompassing a wide array of experiences, from piloting planes at the age of 14 to participating in the Normandy beach landings at 19. Despite declining an offer to study at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin architecture school, he made a lasting impact on the architectural world, particularly in Malibu, where he designed numerous iconic homes, including the renowned Wave House.

Adjacent to the Wave House stands Gesner’s long-time personal residence, known as Sandcastle, completed in 1974. The property serves as a testament to Gesner’s commitment to sustainable building practices, incorporating salvaged materials such as old telephone poles, aqueduct pipes, birdseye maple, and old-growth redwood. Recently sold to tech entrepreneur Jason Fried for a reduced price of $13.5 million, the oceanfront house had been listed at $27.5 million. Fried, known for his appreciation of architecture, had previously acquired an estate in California for $26 million.

The Sandcastle home features a remarkable library/lounge with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and ocean views, leading to a spacious, window-wrapped living/dining room with massive spoke-like beams and a vast brick fireplace. The kitchen, encompassing a circular island, boasts tile countertops, stained glass lunettes, a fireplace, modern appliances, and a walk-in pantry. The main level also includes two en-suite bedrooms, while the upper level houses the primary suite tower with lofty ceilings and a spiral staircase leading to a studio/loft/meditation space.

The .73-acre property includes additional structures such as a “tree house” apartment, a “boat house” with ocean-view living/dining room, and a one-bedroom apartment “nest,” alongside a three-car garage and outdoor amenities like a covered deck, brick patio, lawn, and outdoor shower.

With 122 feet of beachfront, this distinctive property offers multiple vantage points to savor breathtaking sunset views. Jason Fried’s acquisition of this architectural gem pays homage to the legacy of Harry Gesner, ensuring the preservation of the iconic Sandcastle in Malibu for years to come.