Best Beach Houses to Inspire Your 2025 Summer

Written by: Perihan El Etreby

Date: 2025-07-14

Five exceptional real-life beach houses


Looking for that dreamy summer escape? We’ve curated five exceptional real-life beach houses—each with unique architecture, breathtaking locations, and unforgettable stories. Whether you're after design inspiration or a vacation vibe, these houses are pure coastal fantasy.

Wave House – Malibu, USA

**Owner:** Joshua Kushner & Karlie Kloss

Designed by architect Harry Gesner, this iconic 1956 structure mimics the form of an ocean wave. Recently acquired by financier Joshua Kushner and supermodel Karlie Kloss, it sits dramatically on Malibu’s shore and is rumored to have inspired the Sydney Opera House.

 

 

High Watch – Watch Hill, Rhode Island

**Owner:** Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s historic Colonial-style estate offers 11,000 ft² of oceanfront elegance. Built in 1930, this mansion inspired her song “The Last Great American Dynasty” and hosts her famous July 4th gatherings.

 

 

Villa Le Trident – Théoule-sur-Mer, French Riviera

**Owner:** Barry Dierks

Built in 1925 by architect Barry Dierks, this villa was a hub for creatives like Picasso and Maugham. Located on a private peninsula, it embodies timeless Mediterranean design and artistic legacy.

 

 

St Andrews Beach House – Victoria, Australia

**Owner:** Designed by Sean Godsell Architects

Winner of the Robin Boyd Award, this elevated modern home is built to endure extreme coastal weather while offering minimalist beauty and stunning views across the Mornington Peninsula.

 

 

Marisol Modern Estate – Malibu, California, USA

**Owner:** Frequented by celebrities

Located on the bluffs of Encinal in Malibu, this $25 million estate by architect Doug Burdge boasts floor-to-ceiling glass, an infinity pool, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Part of the exclusive Marisol community, it's known for sustainable design and Hollywood clientele.

 

Casa Malaparte – Capri, Italy

**Owner:** Originally built for writer Curzio Malaparte

This iconic red villa on a cliffside in Capri was designed in the 1930s by Adalberto Libera. Famously featured in Jean-Luc Godard’s *Contempt*, its dramatic staircase and cinematic legacy have made it a staple of architectural history and artistic inspiration.

 

 

Villa Chameleon – Mallorca, Spain

**Owner:** Privately owned

With panoramic views over Palma Bay, this high-tech villa features LED-lit glass exteriors that change color with light. Architect Luis Garcia-Ruiz combined futuristic design with Mediterranean elegance to create one of Europe’s most advanced and exclusive coastal homes.

 

 

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