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cliff‑top Malibu property that once belonged to late‑night icon Johnny Carson is now on the market, listed by e‑cigarette investor Riaz Valani and his wife Augusta Tigrett, whose father helped found the Hard Rock Café. The 4‑acre estate, perched above the Pacific, commands a $110 million asking price and boasts 327 feet of ocean frontage.
Carson bought the Point Dume parcel in the 1980s, a decade before he retired from television. The main house, a triangular footprint designed by modernist architect Edward R. Niles in 1980, spans 7,100 sq ft. Its interior is dominated by a 30‑foot glass ceiling that shelters an indoor arboretum of mature trees and planter beds. A triangular dining room, a spacious kitchen, and a glass‑walled office occupy the ground floor, while a conversation pit surrounds a copper fireplace. The third floor houses two bedrooms, with the primary suite on its own level.
The grounds are laid out like a private resort. A waterfall koi pond, several pools—including a cold plunge—and a tennis court with a 2,751‑sq‑ft pavilion (a gift from NBC) provide ample entertainment space. The pavilion contains two bedrooms, a court‑side dining deck, and a spa‑style locker room. A security office with its own kitchenette adds practical convenience.
Valani and Tigrett purchased the property in 2019 for $40 million, acquiring all four parcels that make up the estate. They originally intended it as an investment and a venue for hosting, but now aim to refocus on other Northern California ventures. The listing, handled by Compass broker Chris Cortazzo, highlights the home’s unique positioning, architectural integrity, and prime location—features that would be impossible to secure under today’s permitting rules.
The estate’s sale history underscores its value. Carson’s home sold for $46 million in 2007 to businessman Sidney Kimmel. Kimmel attempted to recoup more than $80 million in 2017, but ultimately accepted Valani and Tigrett’s $40 million offer. The current $110 million price reflects both the property’s dramatic rise and its unrivaled cliffside setting.
For those seeking a residence that blends luxury, history, and breathtaking ocean views, this Malibu estate offers an unparalleled opportunity.
