Omaha Businessman Seeks Nearly $35 Million for Seaside Malibu Retreat

Last year, Buchanan Energy founder Steve Buchanan sold his Nebraska-based chain of Bucky’s convenience stores to competitor Casey’s General Stores in a $580 million cash deal. Now the Omaha businessman has chosen to offload his blufftop Point Dume estate, hoisting the swank Malibu pad onto the market with a $35 million ask — a whopping $14 million more than he paid “Scrubs” creator Bill Lawrence for the place only five years ago.

Previously owned by rock icon Pat Benatar, Lawrence and his actress wife Christa Miller had picked up the midcentury modern-style house way back in 2003 for $4.5 million and subsequently converted it into a lavish trophy property. Originally built in 1953, it includes six bedrooms and an equal number of baths spread across just over 6,100 square feet of living space rife with rich hardwood floors, wood-beam ceilings and skylights.

Sited on the bluff portion of pricey Cliffside Drive — long considered one of the most desirable streets in the neighborhood — the home is secluded behind gates and high hedges, and fronted by a two-car garage. Ritzy amenities include dual owner’s suites, a media room, an infinity pool and gated stairway access to Little Dume Beach. Walls of glass overlook sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island and Queen’s Necklace.

A large pivoting front door opens into an open-concept great room centered around a living room boasting a stone and metal fireplace wall and an adjacent dining area. The space connects to a gourmet kitchen outfitted with an eat-in island, high-end stainless appliances, a butler’s pantry and windowed breakfast nook adorned with a built-in banquette. There’s also the aforementioned media room, which comes complete with beverage and wine coolers, built-in shelves and doors leading to a front patio.

In addition to a main-level master suite that has glass doors spilling out to a patio area, a second master bedroom upstairs features a built-in desk, private balcony and luxe bath; outdoors, the terraced backyard is highlighted by a large pool surrounded by a spacious wood sundeck, a barbecue area and fire-pit lounge, plus several grassy areas for lounging alongside the picturesque vistas.

Buchanan’s primary residence apparently remains Omaha, where he owns a lavish Tudor-style mansion built in 1991. Chris Cortazzo of Compass is the listing agent for the Malibu property.