Media mogul Susan B. Noyes, founder of Make It Better Media Group and the Make It Better Foundation, and her husband Nick Noyes are saying goodbye to one of Malibu’s grandest estates.
Their home, Villa di Vita Bella (“Beautiful Life”), just hit the market for $29,925,000 — and it’s a true showcase of Italian villa glamour with a distinctly California twist.
Set within the ultra-exclusive, guard-gated Serra Retreat enclave, the estate commands one of Southern California’s rarest vantage points: you can watch the sun rise over the Pacific from the front of the property, and set into the ocean from the back. That double feature alone makes this a standout even among Malibu’s billionaires’ row.
Originally built in the 1970s, the estate was later reimagined by designer and developer Deanna Staats (ex-wife of 7 For All Mankind co-founder Peter Koral).
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the Noyes family purchased it after renting in Malibu, searching for a sanctuary that emphasized outdoor living and sustainability. They tapped Harrison Design to refine the one-acre property in just two months, drawing inspiration from Hotel Bel-Air and the South of France.
With five bedrooms, nine baths, and more than 6,500 square feet of living space, Villa di Vita Bella‘s grandeur goes beyond its size — it tries capturing a lifestyle that appeals to both those seeking old-world Italian romance and modern California ease.
From the sunrise-to-sunset views to the edible gardens and secret art murals, it’s a property that feels both deeply personal and grand.
Walk the terraces and you’ll find yourself in what feels like an Italian countryside escape. Stone-lined pathways, pergola dining areas, and bubbling fountains frame one of Malibu’s most impressive organic gardens.
Permaculture expert Tommy Teeple designed it to be more than ornamental — fruit trees, citrus groves, and rows of seasonal produce deliver a real garden-to-table lifestyle.
Hidden away is the family’s favorite spot: a “secret garden room” accessed from the basement, said to be the best place in the house to hear birdsong and feel completely tucked into nature.
Inside, the villa pairs Venetian plaster walls, imported fireplaces, and custom millwork with modern luxuries like Crestron home automation and radiant-heated floors.
The primary suite includes a coastline-view steam shower, couture closet, and wraparound terrace. The lower level adds a movie theater, wine cellar, and lounge that flows directly to the garden.
Food lovers will appreciate the La Cornue chef’s kitchen, paired with a bespoke butler’s pantry for effortless entertaining. It’s a space where old-world craftsmanship meets modern performance.
The estate’s detached guest house even mirrors the main kitchen, complete with another La Cornue range for hosting in style.
Acclaimed street artist James Goldcrown was commissioned to spray-paint one of his signature heart murals across mirrored walls.
But there’s a twist: woven into the layers of paint are hidden messages of love, left behind for the Noyes’ grandchildren to stumble across. It’s a personal touch in a home that’s otherwise built for grand entertaining.
The primary suite has a wraparound terrace with sweeping ocean views. Inside, a couture closet spans generously for designer wardrobes.
The spa-style bathroom brings luxury front and center with silver-plated sink basins, a sculptural marble soaking tub, and a coastline-view steam shower.
Downstairs, the lower level doubles as an entertainment hub. An 800-bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar anchors the space, complemented by a cozy movie theater. The recreation lounge flows directly outdoors, extending the party to a patio framed by James Goldcrown’s hand-painted mural.
The detached guest house is no afterthought. It offers a full kitchen with a La Cornue range, its own living room and fireplace, and private terraces.
Who needs a standard gym when you can work out inside a converted greenhouse? The estate’s fitness pavilion started as a greenhouse before being reimagined into a light-filled exercise space, connecting wellness with the outdoors — where we also find a championship-size tennis court customized for pickleball, basketball, and shuffleboard.
Infinity pools are practically standard in Malibu, but the Noyes family insists theirs is the best in the world. With mosaic tiling, cliffside placement, and views that stretch endlessly out to sea, it’s the kind of pool you’d expect to see in a five-star resort — only here, it’s entirely private.
Villa di Vita Bella sits on a rare perch where you can actually watch the sun rise over the ocean in the morning and set into the Pacific at night. Few Malibu estates can claim that kind of double feature, making this home a front-row seat to California’s best light show.
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