A giant sinkhole has destroyed the driveway outside Nicolas Cage’s $10.5 million Malibu mansion, forced residents from dozens of surrounding properties and left emergency vehicles unable to reach part of the oceanfront community.
The four-level home itself has not been reported as having collapsed. However, Malibu officials determined that the unstable ground, damaged roadway and disrupted utility services created an immediate danger to Cage’s property and its neighbors.
The sinkhole measured approximately 25 to 30 feet deep and 30 by 60 feet wide when the city declared a local emergency on September 8.
What Happened Outside Nicolas Cage’s Home
Emergency crews responded to the private Sea Level Drive community shortly before 6 a.m. on September 8 after receiving reports of a collapsed driveway and a natural-gas leak.
The failure occurred outside an oceanfront property that public records identify as belonging to Cage, according to the Associated Press. Part of the roadway also collapsed, leaving concrete and other debris below the property.
Los Angeles County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies closed the road while SoCalGas secured the leak. Gas service was subsequently shut off along the affected section, and local water service was also disconnected to reduce the possibility of additional utility failures.
No injuries were reported, and the property was reportedly unoccupied when the driveway collapsed. Cage’s representatives did not provide a public statement in the initial reports.
The Mansion Has Not Fallen Into the Sinkhole
Some coverage has described the residence as nearly falling into the hole, but the confirmed damage requires more precise wording.
The driveway and access area suffered a major collapse. Available photographs and aerial footage showed the sinkhole extending toward the front of the property, exposing structural supports and leaving the residence inaccessible. Officials have not announced that the main residential structure was destroyed.
That still represents a serious threat. Malibu’s official emergency proclamation described an imminent danger to homes and residents along Sea Level Drive and said the complete extent of the damage had not yet been determined.
Seven residences were red-tagged because of hazardous conditions associated with the collapse. Another 24 were red-tagged because residents and emergency vehicles no longer had safe road access.
A red tag prohibits entry until authorities determine that conditions are safe. It does not necessarily mean that every tagged house has sustained structural damage.
Why Cage’s Property Is Worth $10.5 Million
Cage bought the Malibu home in 2024 for $10.5 million. Property records cited by The New York Times describe it as a nearly 4,000-square-foot residence with four levels and direct beach access.
The contemporary house also reportedly includes four en suite bedrooms, a two-car garage with an elevator, floor-to-ceiling glass, multiple ocean-facing terraces and a rooftop deck.
Its position between the Pacific Ocean and Pacific Coast Highway provides the privacy and waterfront views that make this part of Malibu highly valuable. The same location also exposes the property to powerful waves, high tides and coastal erosion.
The purchase price does not represent an official estimate of the damage or the amount at risk under an insurance policy. No repair bill, insurance determination or new valuation for Cage’s property has been publicly disclosed.
What Caused the Malibu Sinkhole?
The City of Malibu attributed the incident to coastal erosion caused by high waves and tides associated with Hurricane Marie.
Conditions reportedly began developing on September 7 before the driveway collapsed the following morning. The storm’s remnants generated heavy surf along the Southern California coast, damaging other waterfront areas as well.
The sinkhole also broke or exposed utility lines. Although damaged infrastructure may have contributed to the continuing instability, the city’s public explanation identified coastal erosion as the underlying cause.
Officials warned initially that additional rain and high tides could make conditions worse. Malibu was also preparing for a potentially strong El Niño season, raising broader concerns about coastal flooding, erosion and further pressure on beachfront structures.
Why 31 Homes Were Evacuated
The evacuation was not based solely on the physical condition of Cage’s mansion.
A large portion of Sea Level Drive became impassable after the collapse. The remaining roadway was too narrow to accommodate fire engines and other heavy emergency equipment, according to city officials.
That meant residents farther along the private road could not safely remain even if their individual homes appeared undamaged. The American Red Cross opened temporary shelter space at Malibu High School for people affected by the order.
The city’s publicly indexed September 11 update said the mandatory evacuation order and red-tag designations would remain until conditions were deemed safe. No later public notice lifting all those restrictions was located during the final verification for this article.
What Happens to the Mansion Next
The Sea Level Drive homeowners association is responsible for the private roadway and began seeking emergency permits for stabilization and repair work after the collapse.
Early city estimates suggested construction could take approximately four weeks, depending on surf, weather and ground conditions. Proposed measures included sandbags, debris removal and work intended to stabilize the damaged road and restore safe access.
Officials will have to evaluate both the residence and the surrounding ground before Cage or anyone else can safely enter the affected properties. The repair timeline could change if engineers discover additional erosion or structural damage.
For now, the most accurate conclusion is that Cage’s mansion remains standing but faces a significant and unresolved coastal hazard. Its driveway is gone, its access has been compromised and authorities have treated the site as unsafe—not merely because of what has already collapsed, but because the full risk beneath the property is still being assessed.
