An estimated 22 million people live in trailer parks across America, and for many they are an affordable way to own a home. But in Malibu there is a community where only the rich and famous can afford to buy. Dubbed “America’s most glamorous trailer park” by The New York Times, Paradise Cove has fast become a hotbed for A-listers, with the likes of Matthew McConaughey and Pamela Anderson snapping up real estate over the years. Click or scroll on to find out more...
According to The New York Times, Paradise Cove was developed in the 1950s, when fishermen started parking their trailers near the ocean. By the 1970s, the cove was home to 265 trailers and offered an affordable spot for people to live. While it retains the laid-back vibe, the cost of units here has rocketed in price—partly buoyed by Malibu's sky-high property prices and its celebrity residents. The park has even had starring roles in a number of high-profile TV shows, including Baywatch and The X-Files.
Most of the units range from 400 to 1,000 square feet, but you can expect to pay seven figures to secure one. So why are celebrities buying here? Well, with the same views and beach access as neighbouring properties with $65 million (£57m) price tags, the cove provides a little piece of heaven at a fraction of the price. Plus, it benefits from a 24-hour guard-gated entrance, communal tennis courts, a clubhouse and access to gorgeous private beaches. Take one look at the incredible views and it isn't hard to see why Hollywood's elite are flocking here.
American actor Matthew McConaughey is no stranger to Oscar-winning movies and is now thought to be worth a cool $160 million (£140m). As well as owning a gorgeous Hawaiian holiday home that cost him $7.8 million (£6.8m), the Dallas Buyers Club star also owns a pretty amazing property in Paradise Cove...
That's right, McConaughey owns his very own custom Airstream trailer, which he parks up in Paradise Cove. All the way back in 2008 the award-winning actor gave Architectural Digest a tour of the 28-foot-long vehicle and thanks to the star's regular updates on Instagram, it's clear that the vehicle hasn't changed much since then.
Inside, the tiny mobile home has a sitting area, a table that can be used for dining or working, a streamlined kitchen, a small bathroom and a snug bedroom. “It’s got a great window right above your pillow, so when you wake up in the morning, you’re looking right at the ocean or wherever your backyard is that day,” he told Architectural Digest.
At the time of the interview, McConaughey and his then-girlfriend (now wife) Camila Alves were renting a house in Malibu while they finished fixing up another in the area and described the RV park as “a little vacation spot". When he's not parked at Paradise Cove, the actor reportedly takes his wheels on the road. If you're longing to pitch up at Malibu's most exclusive trailer park, then there's still a chance you could snap up a home here, because there are several for sale right now...
Actress and model Pamela Anderson was propelled into the limelight when she landed a role on the iconic 90s TV show, Baywatch. Today, she spends her time fighting for animal rights and has been an ambassador for the likes of PETA and Climate Revolution. With an estimated fortune of around $20 million (£17.5m), Anderson likes to fly under the radar these days, but that didn't stop her from snapping up a gorgeous tiny home in Paradise Cove.
No doubt inspired by her time playing lifeguard C.J. Parker, Pamela Anderson has owned her fair share of beach homes, including a gorgeous waterfront pad in Malibu. But, she also joined countless other celebs when she bought an adorable bungalow in Paradise Cove. Though we don't know exactly when the star purchased the place, we do know that she sold up in 2018, listing the place for just shy of $1.8 million (£1.6m), which is staggeringly high considering its size.
Nestled on a corner lot, the chic tiny home is perfectly suited to modern living, thanks to its easy, open-plan layout. The front door opens into a spacious living room with a dining zone and a contemporary kitchen. The room is light and airy, decked out with plenty of glass, while white-washed walls and oak flooring add to its appeal.
The room also boasts a stunning corner fireplace, a splashback of imported Moroccan tiles and stylish pendant lights that illuminate the breakfast bar. A set of French doors open out onto a tree-topped patio that comes complete with a small outdoor kitchen and a dining zone with ocean views.
Despite its small size, the home does pack a lot in. There are two bedrooms and one bathroom, while outside the yard features a hot tub and a surfboard storage rack, as well as a detached art studio. Plus, with the sand just feet away, we can certainly see why Anderson was so drawn to the tiny beach house. She's not the only star who's a fan of this luxury trailer park either...
American fashion designer Betsey Johnson is celebrated for her quirky, vibrant style. With an estimated net worth of $50 million (£44m), she's known for her colourful creations and OTT embellishments, as well as her unique way of concluding every fashion show: with a cartwheel and the splits. So, it's really no surprise that the designer's Malibu mobile home is just as whimsical as she is. Let's take a look...
Johnson picked up this cool trailer home in Paradise Cove in around 2016, spending a little under $1.9 million (£1.6m). The single-storey home benefits from a baby blue and Barbie pink exterior, which Johnson no doubt painted when she moved in. Nestled on a compact but ultra-private lot, the tiny home has a lush, tropical garden with palms, plants and plenty of spaces to relax. There's even a vintage clawfoot tub and outdoor shower, tucked under a tree.
Unsurprisingly, the interior is just as bright and bespoke as the exterior. Jam-packed with eclectic art, mismatched furniture and loud floral fabrics, the décor is certainly unusual. There's a cosy living room with a fireplace, a light-filled kitchen with a dining space, two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Johnson dubbed the master suite 'The Yellow Room', for very obvious reasons. The loud, vibrant space features a mustard-hued ceiling and walls, as well as a yellow rug and bed. This must've been an invigorating space to wake up to during Betsy's tenure.
Yet one of the home's nicest spaces has to be this bathroom. Modern, colourful and with the same playful edge as the rest of the interior, it's the ultimate spot for a busy designer to unwind. The lovely house sold in October 2019 for just under $2 million (£1.7m), after less than two months on the market—highlighting just how sought-after these coastal cribs really are!
English actress Minnie Driver rose to fame when she landed her break-out role in the 1995 movie, Circle of Friends. After that, she went on to appear in plenty of Hollywood hits, including Good Will Hunting and the movie adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. Today, her net worth is said to be $14 million (£12.2m) and the star likes to keep a low profile.
In 2019, Driver called in the interior design experts at homeware retailer One Kings Lane to remodel her mobile home into a chic, coastal-inspired retreat. Unlike other celebrities who are relatively new to the Paradise Cove party, Driver bought her property here 20 years ago, as a holiday home for her to escape to when the buzz of Hollywood became too much.
After two decades as essentially a surf shack, it was time for a revamp. “It had taken a beating from years of sand and surfboards,” Driver told People in 2019. For the makeover, One Kings Lane took inspiration from Minnie's love of the great outdoors. Describing the project, the design firm said that they created a "restful, beautiful, and functional space that’s as ideal for unwinding after a day spent in the surf as it is for hosting cozy dinner parties".
Blending English country charm with fresh Californian vibes, the home benefits from soft blue tones, warm wood accents and custom furnishings. There's a bright lounge, a stunning modern kitchen and a dining space that opens onto the exterior patio. Despite being compact, the mobile home feels extra spacious, thanks to its high ceiling and swathes of glazing.
Driver's bedroom is now a chic oasis, with leather touches and neutral coastal tones, while the actress's wood-carved surfboard sits proudly on the wall. After the renovation project was complete, Driver told People that buying the house was “the best thing that I ever did". We can definitely understand why!
Though he might not strike you as an A-list celebrity, Rupert Wyatt is definitely part of the Hollywood elite. The English screenwriter, director and producer made his directorial debut with the 2008 film The Escapist, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. After that, he went on to create some massive blockbuster movies, including Rise of the Planet of the Apes and The Gambler, which starred Mark Wahlberg. With his money, Wyatt bought a gorgeous little home in Paradise Cove...
Resembling a stylish shipping container home, the property measures 1,850 square feet and cost Wyatt just $845,000 (£739k) when he bought it in 2013. Since then, the director has invested a sizeable amount of cash in renovating the interior, transforming it into a stylish and contemporary space that's brimming with eye-catching details.
Inside, there's a large L-shaped living area with a lounge, dining space and kitchen, as well as a kids' play zone tucked away to the side. Everywhere you look you'll spot high-end designer touches, such as wide-plank pine floorboards, horizontal and vertical wood-clad accent walls and endless skylights.
The kitchen may well be the nicest room in the house. With its soaring vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, designer appliances, walk-in pantry and integrated snack bar, it's fit for a celebrity chef. There's enough dining space for 10 guests too, and the room opens up to an exterior patio, thanks to a wall of sliding glass doors.
There are also three bedrooms and two bathrooms, all of which are fit for a VIP. The backyard might be basic, but it does come with a built-in hot tub that's perfect for an evening soak beneath the stars. Plus, who needs a garden when the ocean is just a few feet away? Wyatt listed the house for sale in February 2018 and sold it four weeks later for just under $2.1 million (£1.8m).
If you have just under $4 million (£3.5m) going spare, then you could buy yourself this incredible home in Paradise Cove. Overhauled in 2015 by Marmol Radziner, a renowned Santa Monica architectural firm, the chic coastal retreat blends luxurious touches with modern simplicity, resulting in a one-of-a-kind tiny home that will make you green with envy.
Coming in at around 1,000 square feet, the mobile home offers a surprising amount of space for a trailer. There's a stunning open-plan living room with a kitchen at one end and a sitting area at the other, all framed by a timber and glass vaulted ceiling. There's also a dining zone, two bedrooms and a single bathroom.
The beautiful beach house benefits from exposed rustic barn wood throughout, while stacking glass doors open up the interior to the lovely private yard outside. Every room is kitted out with designer James Perse furniture, which comes included in the sale—so all you’d need to do is pack your toothbrush. While the master bedroom is cool and cosy, with an obligatory surfboard leaning against the wall, the spa-like bathroom features a marble floor, soaking tub, shower and dual vanities.
Plus, the backyard is totally enchanting. Completely enclosed, it comes with a large sun deck, an outdoor dining area, an outdoor shower, a firepit and plenty of lush greenery. There's even a tiny cabin at the bottom of the garden that could be turned into a guest bedroom, office or yoga studio. The sale also includes a Polaris golf cart, so the lucky new owner can ride around the trailer park in style.
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