Jay-Z and the Real Estate Empire Behind the Name
Few entertainers have built a real estate portfolio that reflects their success as distinctly as Jay-Z. His property journey began in New York, where he purchased a Tribeca penthouse in 2004 for approximately $6.8 million. The residence later became the setting for his wedding to Beyoncé in 2008. Since then, the couple’s property holdings have expanded to include some of the country’s most notable luxury homes, with a focus on distinctive architecture and exceptional locations.
The couple rented properties in the Hamptons before purchasing a waterfront estate in East Hampton in 2017 for approximately $26 million. That same year, they acquired a sprawling mansion in Bel Air for around $88 million, significantly below its original asking price. Their portfolio also includes a historic church in New Orleans’ Garden District, purchased in 2015, which stands apart from their more conventional luxury residences.
In 2023, the couple added an eight-acre estate overlooking the Pacific in Malibu’s Paradise Cove area. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, the property reportedly sold for approximately $200 million, setting a California residential real estate record. Their acquisitions reflect a consistent interest in architecturally significant properties in desirable locations, with an emphasis on long-term ownership rather than short-term resale.
Against that backdrop, Jay-Z’s name has a particular connection to another celebrated Malibu property. Before he and Beyoncé acquired their own estate along the coast, he had already appeared at one of the area’s most recognizable mansions.
A Malibu Screen Star Goes on Sale for the First Time
One of Malibu’s best-known Hollywood filming locations has entered the real estate market with an asking price of $90 million. The Venezia Pacifica estate, situated on the bluffs of Point Dume, is being offered for sale publicly for the first time, bringing renewed attention to a property with a history that extends well beyond its architecture.
The estate’s story began in 1988, when the late developer Ken Harges purchased the approximately 1.16-acre oceanfront property for around $1.7 million. After spending decades in the San Fernando Valley, he and his wife, Lorelei, sought a home that would place them closer to the California coastline. Completed in 1991, the mansion was inspired by the couple’s travels through Italy. Its name reflects the blend of Venetian elegance and the Pacific Ocean that defines its setting.
Over time, the residence became much more than a private coastal retreat. Its imposing columns, terracotta roof and expansive ocean views made it an attractive location for film and television productions. The estate has appeared in The O.C., CSI: Miami, The Brady Bunch Movie and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. It also gained music history recognition as the filming location for Jay-Z’s 1998 video for “Money Ain’t a Thang.”
The current listing marks a significant transition for the Harges family. Ken Harges died in 2016, and the property has remained in the family for more than three decades. Such a lengthy ownership period is notable in Malibu’s luxury real estate market, where high-value coastal homes frequently attract new owners.
The listing also arrives amid renewed interest in Point Dume. The neighborhood’s median sale price reportedly climbed to approximately $14 million, more than doubling the previous year’s figure. A separate multi-parcel property near Little Dume Beach also changed hands for $80 million in the preceding year, highlighting the continued appeal of Malibu’s most exclusive coastal locations.
One of Venezia Pacifica’s most important advantages is its established scale and position. Built before many of today’s coastal development restrictions and height limits took effect, the residence represents a type of property that would be exceptionally difficult to reproduce under current regulations. For prospective buyers, the combination of oceanfront positioning, architectural character and limited development opportunities may be as significant as the home’s size.
The $90 million listing is represented by Chris Cortazzo of Compass.
Venezia Pacifica Estate: Property Facts
| Property Detail | Information |
| Property Name | Venezia Pacifica Estate |
| Location | Point Dume, Malibu, California |
| Asking Price | $90 million |
| Property Type | Luxury Mediterranean-style mansion |
| Architectural Style | Mediterranean-inspired |
| Architect | Jonathan Stout |
| Interior Size | Approximately 17,700 square feet |
| Lot Size | Approximately 1.16 acres |
| Bedrooms | 9 |
| Bathrooms | 15 |
| Garage Size | Approximately 9,500 square feet |
| Garage Capacity | Up to 20 vehicles |
| Bluff Frontage | Approximately 176 feet |
| Interior Highlights | Two-story ballroom, glass curtain wall, barrel-vaulted glass ceiling, formal dining room and library |
| Outdoor Amenities | Swimming pool, spa, formal garden, fountain and oceanfront pavilion |
| Additional Features | Multiple terraces and outdoor dining areas |
| Beach Access | Riviera III Beach Key |
| Notable Appearance | Jay-Z’s “Money Ain’t a Thang” music video (1998) |
| Ownership History | Held by the Harges family for more than three decades |
Property Timeline
- 1988: Ken Harges purchases the 1.16-acre oceanfront site for approximately $1.7 million.
- 199: Construction of the Renaissance-inspired mansion, designed by Jonathan Stout, is completed.
- 1993: The estate appears in Last Action Hero.
- 1998: Jay-Z’s “Money Ain’t a Thang” music video is filmed at the property.
- 1999: The mansion appears in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
- Early 2000s: The estate becomes a recognizable filming location through appearances in The O.C. and, later, CSI: Miami.
- 2016: Ken Harges dies, and the property remains in the family.
- June 2026: The Venezia Pacifica estate enters the public market for the first time with an asking price of $90 million.
