A massive sinkhole has opened near Nicolas Cage's $10.5 million Malibu beachfront mansion, raising concerns about the stability of the exclusive celebrity enclave. The incident, which occurred after severe storm surges from Tropical Storm Marie, has prompted experts to warn that other high-value properties along the California coast may be at risk.
Kyle Tourjé, Vice President at Alpha Structural, a Los Angeles-based firm specializing in structural repairs, explained that several factors likely contributed to the sinkhole's formation, all exacerbated by powerful waves.
"We get a lot of these calls," Tourjé told the Daily Mail. "A lot of these houses are built on sea wall that's very old. The house above might be newer but what's below could be 70 years old. When you get these surges, they can pull the dirt out from underneath the sea wall which causes sinkholes."
He added that seawalls not being high enough can have a similar effect, describing these as common seawall problems. Additionally, in Malibu, many properties utilize seepage pits for sewage, which can also destabilize soil and cause subsidence if seawater infiltrates them.
Meteorological events like Tropical Storm Marie can unleash powerful waves that erode the coastline, particularly affecting properties built on older seawalls. The sinkhole has swallowed part of the ground near Cage's property, including a section of the access road and a portable toilet.
Tourjé noted that while Cage might have been unlucky with his specific property bearing the brunt of the damage, many prime seafront homes in Malibu face similar vulnerabilities.
The celebrity-studded community of Malibu is home to numerous high-profile residents and features exclusive enclaves like Carbon Beach, known as Billionaires' Beach. This stretch of coastline has been owned by figures such as Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, record executive Lou Adler, and actress Courteney Cox. Former residents include rapper Dr. Dre and actress Gal Gadot.
Another prominent area, Malibu Colony, also directly on the beach, counts Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, and Miley Cyrus among its residents. Historically, it has been home to stars like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.
"There are lots of reasons why you'd want to live in Malibu," Tourjé said. "You have world-class properties, world-class views, world-class privacy. But you do need, when purchasing a property there, to get it evaluated and make sure you know the age of the sea wall. If you already live there, you need to regularly get the foundations inspected, the sea wall inspected and the plumbing checked – you have to be proactive about maintaining it to make sure your property isn't at risk of subsidence."
Malibu's geography also presents risks beyond coastal erosion, including vulnerability to wildfires and landslides. The area has a history of damage from fires, and hillside properties can be further endangered by storm surges, especially in areas affected by past blazes.
