John McEnroe and Patty Smyth are asking $35 million for their oceanfront residence at 27960 Sea Lane Drive in Malibu, California, bringing a contemporary beachfront estate in the exclusive Paradise Cove enclave back to the market after more than a decade of ownership. The four-bedroom property combines panoramic Pacific Ocean views, direct beach access and a multilevel layout designed to make the coastline central to everyday living.
The retired tennis champion and the singer, known for her work with the 1980s rock band Scandal, purchased the property in 2015 for $21 million. Its new asking price represents a $14 million increase over their acquisition price, before accounting for ownership costs, improvements and transaction expenses. The listing places the residence among Malibu’s high-end coastal offerings, where privacy and direct access to the sand remain defining attractions.
27960 Sea Lane Drive: A Contemporary Estate Above the Pacific
Built in 1994, 27960 Sea Lane Drive was designed by architect Steven Ehrlich and later remodeled by interior designer Michael Lee, according to published real estate coverage. The residence encompasses approximately 6,445 square feet on a lot of roughly 0.27 acres, with multiple levels connected by an elevator and staircase.
The property’s appeal begins at the gated entrance to Paradise Cove. Mature landscaping screens much of the home from the street, while a landscaped garden with a small waterfall introduces a more secluded atmosphere. A covered pavilion beneath a woven roof provides a shaded outdoor retreat that can accommodate exercise or relaxation.
The listing description emphasizes the relationship between the architecture and its coastal setting, noting the home’s expansive windows, ocean-facing terraces and direct connection to the shoreline. Rather than relying exclusively on formal interiors, the design distributes opportunities to enjoy the outdoors across several levels.
Light, Glass and Expansive Living Spaces
Inside, a long entry hall illuminated by vaulted skylights leads into the home, with windows at the far end drawing attention toward the Pacific. The elevator and staircase provide access between the different floors, making the multilevel arrangement more practical for everyday use.
The main living level brings together the dining area and a spacious living room beneath soaring ceilings. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the ocean, while a dramatic two-story fireplace provides a focal point within the interior. The dining room and living area open onto an outdoor terrace, where a glass railing preserves the coastal outlook.
The kitchen is equipped with Gaggenau ovens, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a central island with seating, according to the current listing materials. A breakfast nook overlooking the water adds a more informal dining option, while a separate media room offers an alternative gathering space away from the principal living areas.
These features make 27960 Sea Lane Drive more than a conventional beachfront residence. Its interior spaces are arranged to accommodate entertaining, quieter family time and everyday routines without losing sight of the ocean.
An Oceanview Primary Suite and Private Work Space
The primary suite features hardwood flooring, a separate lounge area and expansive windows overlooking the coastline. A private balcony extends the room outdoors, creating a more secluded place to take in the views.
The adjoining bathroom includes a freestanding soaking tub beneath a glass roof, dual vanities and a steam shower. Radiant-heated stone flooring adds another layer of comfort, while the skylights bring natural light into the space.
Elsewhere, a private office occupies a position above the main living areas, with a wall of glass overlooking the ocean. Built-in speakers and an adjoining bathroom allow the room to function as a more independent workspace.
For a buyer seeking a Malibu home for sale that can accommodate both professional responsibilities and extended periods of relaxation, these spaces offer flexibility without requiring a separate guest or office building.
A Second Gathering Level Opens Toward the Beach
The lower level introduces a different atmosphere, with a family lounge, wet bar and a second kitchen. Sliding glass doors open onto an ocean-facing terrace, connecting the interior entertainment area with the outdoor setting.
A small dining area provides room for informal meals, while the wet bar creates a natural gathering point for guests. Outside, a spa and lounge chairs sit close to the beach entrance, allowing the terrace to function as an extension of the living space.
The arrangement is particularly suited to a home designed around coastal entertaining. Guests can move between the family room, terrace and shoreline, while the upper levels retain more private sleeping and working areas.
The property also includes a two-car garage, a dumbwaiter and multiple oceanfront decks. Together, these amenities support the practical demands of a multilevel residence while preserving its principal attraction: immediate access to the Pacific.
Paradise Cove and the Malibu Lifestyle
Paradise Cove is a gated coastal enclave within Malibu, a city known for its Pacific-facing homes, beaches and scenic stretches of Pacific Coast Highway. The neighborhood offers a more secluded residential setting than many of the region’s busier commercial districts, although access to everyday services generally requires driving.
The nearby Paradise Cove Beach Café provides an established waterfront dining option, while Malibu’s broader restaurant scene includes seafood restaurants, cafés and destinations for casual or more leisurely meals. Farther south, the Malibu Country Mart and the surrounding Cross Creek area offer shopping, dining and everyday services.
Pacific Coast Highway serves as the principal coastal route connecting the area with central Malibu, Santa Monica and communities farther north. Connections through Malibu Canyon and Kanan Dume Road provide alternative routes toward inland communities and the U.S. 101 corridor, although travel times can vary considerably with traffic and road conditions.
For prospective buyers evaluating Malibu real estate, the location offers a combination of coastal scenery, dining and shopping within driving distance, alongside the privacy associated with a gated residential enclave. Direct beach access, however, remains the property’s most distinctive lifestyle feature.
A Look Back at the Property’s Sales History
Publicly available real estate records show that the residence sold for $19.438 million in August 2007. It subsequently appeared on the market in January 2014 with an asking price of $27.5 million, before a later listing in May 2015 at $24.95 million.
The property ultimately sold to McEnroe and Smyth for $21 million in September 2015, according to recorded transaction histories. It returned to the market in October 2026 with a $35 million asking price.
The latest price is approximately 66.7% above the couple’s 2015 purchase price. That figure reflects the difference between the two prices, not a measure of investment profit, which would depend on carrying costs, capital improvements and any eventual sale expenses.
The listing provides another perspective on the long-term appeal of Malibu’s most sought-after beachfront properties. Yet a property’s value also depends on factors such as coastal conditions, maintenance requirements, insurance availability and the specific terms of ownership.
Why John McEnroe and Patty Smyth Are Selling
The couple’s decision to list the estate does not necessarily signal a complete departure from Malibu. Previous reporting has documented their ownership of another residence in the Paradise Cove area, acquired in 2013 for approximately $3.345 million.
Reports published alongside the current listing indicate that they intend to retain the smaller property. Their reasons for selling the oceanfront home have not been independently established, so the decision should not be attributed to a specific financial or personal motive without further confirmation.
For buyers considering 27960 Sea Lane Drive, the immediate proposition is clear: a substantial contemporary residence, an established architectural pedigree and a beachfront position that allows the Pacific to shape much of the experience of living there.
A Rare Direct Beachfront Offering
At $35 million, 27960 Sea Lane Drive is positioned for buyers who prioritize direct beach access, privacy and expansive ocean views over the acreage of a larger inland estate. Its multiple terraces, elevator, two kitchens, media room and separate office create a flexible layout for both entertaining and everyday living.
The property is represented by Chris Cortazzo of Compass. Prospective buyers can review the current listing and request additional information through the agent’s official property page.
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