Behind the gates of an enchanted Point Dume estate
Written by Abigail Stone | Photography Courtesy of Paul Jonason
To outsiders, Point Dume—the peninsula that juts out into Santa Monica Bay just west of Pacific Coast Highway—is a storied enclave of multi-million dollar homes, movie stars and manicured lawns.
But to residents, like listing agents Jack and Michele Turturici, its perpetually laid-back vibe and small-town feel is what sets it apart. It’s a community where neighbors quickly become friends, shoes come off, shorts and flip flops go on and the true currency of success is how long you are able to hang ten in the morning surf. Though only a half hour’s drive from Santa Monica, this pastoral setting seems light-years removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. As you head north, the cares and stresses of Los Angeles fall away, making way for a relaxed calm. Despite the relentless march of the modern world, little’s changed in this beach town, where sun, wind and surf conditions rule the rhythm of the day. Traversing the quiet roads that wind towards the home set in the center of this area, signs remind you to slow down: there are dogs and children at play. Don’t be surprised if you pass a group of bikers. The serious exercisers, hunkered down over their sleek, expensive racing bikes, rule the edges of the highway. Here, you’re more likely to see kids on sand-encrusted beach cruisers, cycling lazy loops, daring each other, in time-honored tradition, to pedal hands-free.
Located at the end of the cul-de-sac, 29271 Greenwater Road is well-hidden. A thick swatch of ivy, bisected by a graceful wooden gate, hides the property from street view. Be assured, the search is worth it. Behind these green walls is an enchanted garden. Stretched across more than an acre, it’s peppered with colorful wildflowers, lush grasses and graceful trees, a wild secret place. As the gate shuts, the outside world all but disappears. Here, time seems to stand still, poised at a kinder, gentler, more carefree era.
The sunken pool is the centerpiece of this property. With its curvaceous edges blurred into the ground and surrounded by a border of flat rocks, it appears less man-made structure than natural pond, an inviting oasis during the heat of a Malibu day. Of course it includes a hot tub, the perfect way to wrap up the day and soothe muscles sore from the rigors of surfing, hiking, biking, or running. The trio of inviting deep-red buildings that surround it—a main house, constructed in 1949, two-car garage and separate, fully-independent one-bedroom guest house—are plush with period architectural details.
Start with the main house, whose airy rooms are flooded with light from an abundance of skylights and large wooden framed windows. Thick plaster walls keep the home naturally cool, absorbing the heat during the hottest part of the day, and releasing it to keep the home comfortable at night. Exposed wooden beamed ceilings, hardwood floors polished to a glow that only time can bestow and rustic stone fireplaces enhance the space’s bucolic charm. With the dining room, living room and kitchen accessible from the pool area, the natural tempo of life, which moves seamlessly from outdoors to indoors as the temperature rises and falls, is enhanced.
The master suite offers surprises of its own. The spacious room, with its own sitting area, opens onto the other side of the house. There’s a garden here, anchored by a fountain that bubbles with its own delightful music, and a koi pond. A cavernous master bathroom sets a gracious start to the day. Paved in cool clay tiles, there’s plenty of room for two to maneuver comfortably. The guest house mirrors the main home’s appeal with skylights and a pitched roof amplifying the desirability of the cozy space. With its own entrance and kitchenette, along with its view out over the back of the property, don’t be surprised if your weekend guests lobby to extend their stay.
As for the property’s sellers, they’ve been here for three decades. This is the first time the home has been on the market in 31 years, shares Jack Turturici, whose specialty is focusing on clients with a substantial equity position in their home who want to minimize the tax consequences of selling by leveraging his expertise in customizing tax efficient solutions utilizing a variety of strategies. It was exactly one of these strategies that appealed to the sellers and helped solidify their decision to let a new owner enjoy the property as they have.
It’s a property that, with its generous swath of land and aura of complete privacy, makes for an intimate estate that blends the nostalgia of the past with the needs of today. Enjoy it as is or build upon its strong foundation to create your ideal paradise. For some people, a home in Malibu is a dream.
For you, it’s a reality.
