56 DIGS.NET
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12.8.2017
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCOTT GAHRET 4MALIBU REAL ESTATE
COASTAL HOMAGE
W
hile seeking a spot in Malibu to call home more
than a decade ago, Chicago-based real estate
entrepreneur Sean Conlon toured numerous
properties and ultimately settled on one of
the first places he viewed—an amazing Harry Gesner-
designed house that he went on to salvage and restore from
near ruins, keeping the architect's outside signature design
and transforming the interiors to serve as a true cathedral
to the ocean, complete with soaring ceilings and glass
windows opening to every level. "When compared against
everything else I saw, I couldn't pass up the energy that
this home had," says Conlon, chairman of CONLON & Co.
(conlonandco.com) and host of CNBC's e Deed: Chicago.
"It sits on some rocks at the top of Broad Beach perched
above beautiful old Cypress trees, kind of like a treehouse
on Big Sur. It is my escape from a mad-mad world!" Conlon
infused his classic Old-World meets a modern twist sle
with Gesner's bent toward nature by rebuilding original
windows that inspired the Sydney Opera House to retain
a portal to the ocean. He also employed natural stone and
wide hand-scraped walnut flooring to maintain a warm,
Zen feeling. Along the way, he added personal touches,
including unique artwork and pieces collected while
traveling such as beautiful old books, 2,000-year-old
Greek statues and a 1500's charcoal drawing once owned
by David Bowie. "I would like to think the home reflects
my personali, with lots of diversions for small, perfectly
curated pieces and unique in sle, but never losing sight of
the fact that life is short and can be beautiful," says Conlon.
"My home never allows you to forget that; it's all about the
majestic unbridled power of the Pacific Ocean and the
home's purpose is to immerse you in that feeling."
