The tale of a pioneer landowner reduced to bankruptcy and a Baywatch babe fighting off her debtors
Former Baywatch babe turned animal rights campaigner Pamela Anderson purchased 23445 Malibu Colony Drive in Malibu, California in 2000 for $1,800,000 with her then husband and subsequent on-off lover Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. She has just placed the property on the market for $7,750,000 as part of an attempt to solve her financial woes.
Malibu Colony Drive is situated in the exclusive gated Malibu Colony estate that was formed out of part of the former property of the Union Oil and Southern California Edison founder Frederick Rindge and his wife May. The couple bought the entire 27-mile long Malibu coastline estate of “Rancho Malibu” in 1892 along with 13,300 acres of land and then later expanded their holding further to 17,000 acres to create the Rindge Ranch.
Of his purchases, Mr Rindge commented:
“A farm near the ocean, under the lee of the mountains, with a trout brook, wild trees, a take, good soil, and excellent climate, one not too hot in summer”.
During their tenure, the couple lived a private existence and fought off the Federal and State courts and their attempts to build roads and railroads through the area. Mr Rindge died in 1905 and as her wealth dwindled, his widow began renting plots to a small cloister of Hollywood celebrities such as Barbara Stanwyck, Clara Bow, Ronald Coleman and Gloria Swanson who equally valued the privacy of the location. Though the LA Times valued the estate at $100 million in 1928, obsessed with her privacy May Rindge refused to sell and as a result of the effects of the Great Depression and various court actions, she was bankrupted in 1935. She died in 1941 in much reduced circumstances.
When the property was eventually split up and sold, the brochure paid tribute to May Rindge as follows:
“With the courage of a pioneer, she maintained the longest, bitterest and most dramatic contest of its kind in all California history to prevent dismemberment of her estate”.
“… The State of California, finally obtained a right-of-way to construct the present Roosevelt State Highway through the Malibu Ranch, which was the first intrusion into the domain… [With the] completion of this modern highway, the public was at last privileged to drive through this beautiful Rancho. Soon after followed the beginning of the world-famous Malibu Beach Colony where stars of the screen, producers and directors have constructed their homes on the strand in the so-called moving picture colony, and so the Rancho Malibu’s traditional isolation came to an end”.
Actors and actresses who have lived on Malibu Colony Drive since have included Dyan Cannon (98), Bruce Dern (23480), Tom Hanks (23414), David Hemmings (64) and Brian Keith (23449). The tennis star John McEnroe has resided at 23712, television presenter Howie Mandel at 23456, the singer Linda Ronstadt at 38 and both Larry Hagman and the musician Sting have lived at 23730. Other residents of The Colony have variously included Jeff Bridges, Bette Midler and Kevin Kline.
The more than amply endowed Ms Anderson, who has appeared on 13 covers for American Playboy, has brought up her two sons, Brandon and Dylan at the house on Malibu Colony Road and of the location the selling agent states:
“[It is within] walking distance from all things Malibu… [and] is perfect for [those] wanting to enjoy quiet, beach days while being close to the action”.
Renovated by Pamela Anderson Design, the 5-bedroom house itself was built in 1959 and an open plan living room, a chef’s kitchen, 3 bathrooms and a home cinema. Within the 6,620 square foot plot on which the house stands is a courtyard of olive trees and enough space for the vegan Anderson to grow figs, avocados, seasonal vegetables and herbs.
Anderson put a lot of thought into the design of the property and features include iPort technology to control various electronic features, a glass shower with built in Finnish sauna and television and a saltwater pool to the rear of the house complete with underwater seating and a wet bar.
When she attempted and failed to rent out the property last year for $75,000 a month, Pamela Anderson stated:
“I’m finally willing to share my masterpiece—what I’ve co-created with a handful of green architects and designers/inspired by my favorite architect Lautner—this is my humble stab at perfection. It’s a perfect spot”.
In December 2012, PerezHilton.com reported that Ms Anderson owed a total of $371,514.65 in back taxes to the IRS and the State of California. If, therefore, this sex symbol of the 1990s manages to sell at a profit of nearly $6,000,000, she might perhaps be able to reduce some of that debt and thereby avoid ending up like the pioneer who came before her, May Rindge.
For more information on 23445 Malibu Colony Road, Malibu, CA 90265, USA, contact Chris Cortazzo of Coldwell Banker Residential on +1 (310) 489 7091 or +1 (310) 589 2472 or email chris@chriscortazzo.com
To view more details, go to: http://www.chriscortazzo.com/currentlistings/california/malibu/90265/yXyXs/23445MalibuColony.htm
View Pamela Anderson’s official website at: http://pamelaanderson.com