Inside a $14.5 Million Malibu Estate With a Recording Studio and More – Robb Report

It’s the grand finale for famed violinist Albert Stern and his famed Malibu house, as he recently put it up for sale for $14.5 million. Stern, who went to Juilliard and made a name for himself as a soloist, teacher and inventor, has lived in the house since 1976.

The 30333 Morning View Drive estate was originally built in 1953 and has remained well maintained over the past several decades, thanks in part to several additions made by Stern and his family. The 5.4-acre property is anchored in a 12,340-square-foot main residence with eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms, as well as two self-catering studios for staff or guests. The setting is also ideal: Malibu is known for its ultra-famous locals, and Malibu Park is perfect for those looking for a quiet respite. The neighborhood’s cliffside enclave sits just above iconic Zuma Beach, known as the horse-riding capital of Malibu and home to celebrities like Lady Gaga.

“(The house) was built in the 1950s and was originally a three-bedroom ranch,” says listing agent Stephanie Smith of Doulgas Elliman. “The original structure remains, and they’ve built on the property, which includes the Grand Ballroom. It has the best acoustics, it’s tall and you have a mezzanine which is terraced for VIP guests. They have organized many charity events. Elon Musk’s sister even celebrated her 40th birthday there. It’s a place where people have really come together. Once you enter the field, you immediately feel a special Zen atmosphere.

The double-height ballroom, which features a piano, large windows overlooking the ocean, and an airy atmosphere, is even large enough to accommodate a 64-piece chamber orchestra, befitting the house of a concert violinist. Stern first fell in love with the property when he saw the 400-year-old olive tree, which is the center of the sunny, Mediterranean-style courtyard.

When adding to the original ranch house, Stern deliberately built the house around the olive tree. The master bedrooms are completely surrounded by the courtyard, while the other rooms in the house offer stunning ocean views.

If the whitewater views and pastoral acres don’t appeal to you, perhaps the many amenities will. Most notably, the house has a spectacular recording studio where the likes of John Mayer, David Lynch, the Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz, Fergie, Lil Jon, Incubus and more have recorded songs.

“Incubus’ title record, morning view, was named after the street the house is on because they were so touched by the property,” Smith says. “Musicians are drawn to the recording studio for the ocean view, nearby beach, spacious five acres, and canyon views out back. You feel very excluded and distant, and I think artists lend themselves to finding an ultra-private place.

While the house is still active on the market, Smith says many musicians have come to visit the property for that element of privacy and, of course, the music studio. Other facilities include a sauna, gym or ballet studio, library, home offices, swimming pool and spa. As Stern is also a lover of horse riding, the property has been developed with a 10-stall barn, paddocks, arena, switches, pastures and access to miles of nearby equestrian trails.

“You can never replicate that size,” Smith says. “To find that size of square footage on that size of land with a view of the whitewater is so rare. You also can’t replicate that height of the ballroom due to permits in Malibu now prohibiting buildings that obstruct views.

After living in the house for nearly 46 years, the 86-year-old violinist, who started playing the instrument around the age of five, is selling the place to return to his alma mater, Juilliard, to teach .

Check out more photos of the property below: