System of a Down’s Serj Tankian Buys Luxe Calabasas Ranch

For nearly 20 years, System of a Down’s critically-heralded vocalist Serj Tankian has bunked up in a 2,000-square-foot cabin set deep into the unincorporated Monte Nido wilderness between Malibu and Calabasas. Those residential circumstances may soon be changing, however, because records reveal the prominent Armenian-American activist has paid $3.3 million for a sprawling Los Angeles estate.

Though it lies much closer to downtown Calabasas than his current home, Tankian’s new 2.3-acre spread is still well off the proverbial beaten path. Set privately behind a notably long asphalt driveway and camera-watched gates, the house is invisible from the street, secluded in its own park-like land dotted by mature sycamore and eucalyptus trees.

Built in the early ’80s, the ranch-style structure spans a mansion-sized 6,400 square feet of living space. Tankian bought the updated home from celebrity fitness trainer Autumn Calabrese, who paid about $3 million for the place in 2016 and proceeded to give it a comprehensive update. Inside, the house is now almost uniformly white, from the all-white kitchen — which is also loaded with top-notch appliances and two center islands — to the living room, and to the adjoining family room.

Just off from the other main living spaces is a step-down family room, which sports a whitewashed brick fireplace that stretches to the top of the vaulted ceilings. Sliding glass doors lead out to the grassy backyard.

Perhaps the home’s most impressive feature is the custom bookcase by the dining room, which offers floor-to-ceiling shelving and a hidden door that leads to a world-class fitness center with mirrors, hardwood floors, and even a “climbing wall,” the sort of thing from which gym rats’ dreams were made.

Other home amenities include a large home office, a lavish master suite with fireplace and sitting area, spa-style bath — again, with white stone floors, white walls, and white cabinetry — plus a massive closet that’s been fully customized with recessed LED ceiling lights and backlit built-in shelving.

The property is also perfect for large events, with a motorcourt for multiple vehicles, plus a three-car attached garage and separate RV parking. Outdoor attractions include a full-size sports court, a dark-bottomed swimming pool set up against a flagstone patio, sprawling lawns, and several terraces for dining and/or lounging.

Jason Oppenheim of The Oppenheim Group held the listing; Armen Avedian of Coldwell Banker Hallmark repped Tankian.