New RESET Housing Program Proliferates Palisades Area Post-Fire

RESET's model centers on a modular, cold-formed steel system manufactured by Ghost Factory and deployed directly into the burn zone. By producing non-combustible components on-site, the approach aims to shorten construction time and reduce long-term fire risk. Builders Workshop says this combination of architectural quality and industrial-grade precision is intended to give families a clearer, more predictable path back home.

Matt McRoskey of Builders Workshop told GlobeSt.com that the concept emerged directly from community concerns.

"RESET came directly out of what we were hearing from families in the Palisades after the fires," he said. "People want to rebuild, but they need more certainty around cost, timing, and whether their homes would remain insurable."

A partnership with Marsh McLennan is central to that goal. By involving insurance experts early, RESET seeks to eliminate one of the biggest obstacles slowing recovery: the difficulty of securing affordable coverage in high-risk areas.

"We brought together four architecture firms, a manufacturing platform that delivers factory-grade cold-formed steel construction directly to the rebuild site, and insurance expertise to address those concerns in a coordinated way," McRoskey said.

"Importantly, we engaged multiple insurers during the design phase itself, not after the fact. By proactively building to reduce risk from the start, we created a product that drives competition among carriers, and that competition translates directly into lower insurance costs for homeowners."

McRoskey added that the model reflects a broader shift in California housing.

"In many ways, RESET is a reflection of where building is headed, not just in the Palisades, but across California, as resilience and insurability become increasingly important factors in how homes are designed and built."

Malibu Welcomes a Condo Community

Additionally, there's the recent opening of Privé Malibu, the first new condominium to deliver in Malibu in over 20 years and the first residential offering to hit the market post-fires.

With 68 move-in-ready units starting at $1.95 million, the team behind Privé Malibu is banking on buyers being drawn to Malibu's historic appeal as one of the country's most desirable oceanfront communities.

The pricing also represents an accessible entry point into Malibu's market, where the average home value exceeds $3.23 million.

Just months before the wildfires, developer BH3 Management acquired a 10-acre apartment community with plans to convert it into luxury condominiums. Rather than retreat following the fires, the developer doubled down on its investment, transforming the property into a resilient, move-in-ready luxury community.

Aaron Kirman, founder and CEO of AKG/Christie's International Real Estate, is leading sales and Daniel Lebensohn, co-founder and co-CEO of developer BH3 Management.

"It's rare that a 68-unit community would come online all at once in Malibu," Kirman told GlobeSt.com.

Development restrictions have created a void of product in Malibu, with fewer than 10 condos typically listed for sale at any given time.

Daniel Lebensohn, Co-founder and Co-CEO of developer BH3 Management said: "strict development constraints have created exceptionally high barriers to entry in Malibu, which is why we chose to thoughtfully reimagine an existing property rather than build from the ground up."

"Combined with Malibu's rigorous entitlement process and environmental regulations, new residential development is exceptionally rare," Kirman added.

Privé Malibu was only possible through the conversion and renovation of an existing apartment community.

Now, residents are shifting from single-family homes to condos, according to Kirman. The brokerage team reports that "buyers are trading large homes for turnkey condos that offer low-maintenance living, security, premium amenities and a sense of community among neighbors, reflecting changing lifestyle preferences across Southern California."

According to Kirman, Malibu homes are priced at a fraction of pre-fire levels.

"Buyers from SoCal and key feeder markets like Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix are seizing this opportunity to own a home in one of the country's most exclusive coastal communities," he said.

Since opening, the community has seen strong interest and consistent traffic from a diverse mix of prospective buyers, including international purchasers, local homeowners looking to simplify their lifestyle while staying close to the beach and families seeking a fresh start after last year's tragic fires.

"That level of engagement reinforces what we've long believed: there is meaningful demand for a thoughtfully designed, turnkey residential offering in Malibu," Lebensohn said.

Early sales are underscoring renewed confidence in Malibu.

AKG/Christie's International Real Estate is seeing a mix of local residents looking to remain in the community, international buyers seeking a long-term investment and families purchasing residences for children attending nearby Pepperdine University.