In "The Wizard of Oz," Judy Garland followed the yellow brick road to discover the fantastical Emerald City.
Cynthia Harrison-Wallach, a television and documentary filmmaker who counts that classic 1939 film among her favorites, similarly followed the Pacific Coast Highway to discover her dream house in Malibu, California: a beachfront Cape Cod that was once home to Garland and her husband, Vincente Minnelli.
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Los Angeles residents Ms. Harrison-Wallach and her husband Lewis Wallach, president and CEO of a real estate investment firm, recently purchased the fully renovated beach house to use as their summer home. The $3.545 million deal closed June 26.
Ms. Harrison-Wallach spoke to Mansion Global by phone Friday from her new home while watching waves lap the shore.
"When we found this, not only was it incredibly charming, but the history behind this was phenomenal," she said. "Judy Garland was just such a legend, and to think that we're in her home—it's an honor."
Like any true fan, Ms. Harrison-Wallach has already begun decorating with small "Wizard of Oz"-inspired touches, like pillows inscribed with the words "There's no place like home."
Garland lived there in the late ’40s and early ’50s, according to Russell Grether, who handled the listing with Tony Mark, both of the Mark & Grether Group, part of Compass.
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The house was built in 1947 and underwent a complete renovation in 2013 under previous owners.
Mr. Grether noted the new appliances, electrical and mechanical systems that were included in the renovation, as well as the high-quality finishes.
"You can tell that [the previous owner] didn’t spare any expense," he said.
At 1,728 square feet, it’s a relatively small property whose soaring ceilings give it a spacious feel. "It’s really a jewel box of a little property," he said.
It has three bedrooms, including one lofted bedroom, and 2-½ bathrooms. The master bedroom features vaulted ceilings and a private sundeck, with a steam shower and custom tile work in the master bath.
The living room also has a vaulted ceiling, as well as a two-sided transparent fireplace. Ten-foot accordion doors in the living room open to a wraparound Ipe wood deck. A chef’s kitchen features Viking appliances and marble countertops.
The home boasts wide-plank white oak floors and has a Sonos surround-sound system hardwired throughout the space. A private entry courtyard allows direct access to the sandy beach, considered part of Las Tunas Beach.
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The most recent owner, a retired doctor, purchased the home in 2015 for $3.35 million.
The property was originally listed in October 2017 for $3.695 million.
Ms. Harrison-Wallach created the "Dogfights" series for the History Channel, and in 2014 directed "Silver Tsunami," an award-winning documentary short, which she also wrote and produced.
Jory Burton and Heather Shorr of Sotheby’s International Realty represented the buyers in the sale.
The Los Angeles Times first reported the sale.