Market for gated communities surging following fires, thefts

Scott Gillen's latest project will offer private team of firefighters

Malibu land where developer Scott Gillen (right) is building the Case
Malibu land where developer Scott Gillen (right) is building the Case

Following the devastating damage from the Woolsey fire, one developer is now offering a different type of security in his new gated complex: fire security.

High-end developer Scott Gillen will offer homeowners at the Case, his upscale gated community project in Malibu under development, their own team of private firefighters to help fight any future wildfires. There will also be a fire retardant wall, a 24-hour guard tower, fire hydrant and sprinkler system for the community.

The recent deadly fires across California led some wealthy homeowners to take matters into their own hands. Celebrity couple Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West hired their own squad of firefighters to help battle the blazes from the Woolsey fire in Hidden Hills. They were able to save their $60 million home, plus other neighboring properties.

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Celebrity and other high net-worth individuals are increasingly finding value in gated communities that ensure high levels of security, whether to guard against wildfires or burglaries, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The Case, a 24-acre development that will offer homes priced between $40 million and $60 million, isn’t the only gated community in the pipeline. The Mountain, a 157-acre parcel listed at $1 billion, and Park Bel Air, which spans 11 acres, are also being marketed for sale as potential communities.

Gated communities that come equipped with 24-hour security guards also provide a level of added protection for A-listers. The recent wave of celebrity burglaries — which targeted stars like singer Rihanna and pro football player Robert Woods — has stirred up concerns of safety among many Angelenos, prompting buyers to consider a gated house, brokers told the Hollywood Reporter. [HR] – Natalie Hoberman