The $9-million mansion of retired Texas businessman David Steiner.

When the smoke cleared after a ferocious wildfire swept through Malibu, one house stood against all odds. Dubbed the "last house standing," the $9 million mansion of retired Texas businessman David Steiner emerged unscathed, a rare beacon of resilience in a sea of destruction. “It’s a miracle — miracles never cease,” said Steiner, 64, who learned of his home's survival through calls and pictures flooding his phone. “I thought we had lost the house,” he told the New York Post. “When my contractor said the fire had engulfed everything around us, I didn’t believe anything could have survived.” The devastating Palisades fire razed more than 10,000 structures, forcing thousands to flee. Yet, Steiner's three-story luxury home remained intact, earning the moniker that now brings him some solace. “My wife sent me a message saying, ‘Last house standing,’ and it brought a pretty big smile to my face,” he recalled. Steiner attributes the survival to the home’s meticulous design, built with disaster resilience in mind. “It’s stucco and stone with a fireproof roof,” he explained, adding that the foundation’s pilings extend 50 feet into the bedrock. “We designed it for earthquakes, but I never imagined it would be fireproof too.” Despite the remarkable outcome, Steiner emphasized the greater tragedy of the disaster. “Don’t pray for me — what I lost is material goods,” he said. “Others lost their homes, and my heart goes out to them.” The 4,200-square-foot property, previously owned by a Hollywood producer, is not Steiner’s primary residence. However, its survival underscores the importance of investing in disaster-resistant architecture as wildfires become increasingly frequent in California. The Malibu community, still grappling with the destruction, has taken note of Steiner’s home as an example of resilience. “It’s incredible to see what proper construction can achieve,” said neighbour Laura Richards. “But for most of us, it’s a long road to recovery.” Steiner remains humbled by the attention and grateful for the safety of his family. “I hope this inspires others to build better and to help those in need after disasters like this,” he said. ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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