Actor Nicolas Cage has announced he is temporarily living in hotels after a sinkhole damaged his Malibu property. The geological event, which occurred in September, has caused significant structural damage to his $10.5 million oceanfront estate.
The 30-by-30 foot crater swallowing the Malibu driveway
A massive geological event in September has fundamentally altered the landscape of Nicolas Cage’s oceanfront property. The sinkhole, which inittially measured thirty feet by thirty feet, expanded through October to reach the front door of the $10.5 million estate. As the report indicates, the collapse swallowed the driveway and destroyed a fence, a portable restroom, and even a portion of the adjacent street.
The evacuation of 31 neighboring Malibu homes
The instability of the ground has created a crisis that extends well beyond the boundaries of the Cage property. Local authorities were forced to declare seven homes on the same street unsafe to occupy, while another twenty-four houses were red-tagged due to the loss of vehicular access.. This loss of access has raised significant safety concerns, as the collapsed driveway now blocks emergency responders, including fire and sheriff personnel, from reaching the area.
This situation highlights a broader vulnerability in coastal infrastructure , where natural erosion and intense storms can impact an entire residential block rather than just a single homeowner. The community remains on high alert as officials monitor the stability of the ground and the potential for further subsidence.
Three emergency permits filed to stabilize the $10.5 million estate
In an attempt to halt the destruction, Nicolas Cage has initiated several legal and construction measures. The actor filed three separate permits with city officials, including an emergency building permit to place sandbags against the beach and the exterior of the home to stabilize the shifting earth. According to the source, these approvals also include the removal of asphalt debris, the installation of shoring structures, and excavation for soil samples to assess ground stability.
The legacy of Jose Liberman’s 1990s oceanfront build
The luxury residence, which includes a chef's kitchen and a garage with elevator access, was originally constructed in the 1990s. It was built by the late Jose Liberman, the co-founder of Liberman Broadcasting. While the property once featured a rooftop deck with a jacuzzi and soaring glass walls, the rapid growth of the crater suggests that the geological instability remains a critical threat to the building's integrity.
Will the shifting Malibu soil ever allow Cage and Shibata to return?
Despite the emergency stabilization efforts, several critical questions remain regarding the future of the property.. It is currently unverified whether the structural and cosmetic losses to the residence are truly irreversible or if the ground can be made safe for habitation. Furthermore, the report does not provide a timeline for repairs, leaving the long-term living situation for Cage and his wife, Riko Shibata, uncertain.
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