Garbo’s one-time beach retreat listed at $12.6 million

The Malibu property known as La Esperanza, the beach retreat of actress Greta Garbo in the 1930s, is on the market for $12.6 million.

Completely restored in 2000, the Mediterranean villa has been a local landmark for decades. Designed for entertaining, it includes a great room with a 30-foot-wide panoramic window, a commercially equipped kitchen, five bedrooms, 5 1/2 bathrooms and 5,350 square feet of living space. An outdoor bar sits off the ocean-view deck.

Garbo’s successful transition from silent films to talkies was promoted by the MGM ‘30s catch-phrase “Garbo talks.” The Swedish actress was nominated for Academy Awards for her leads in “Anna Christie” (1930), “Romance” (1930), “Camille” (1936) and “Two-Faced Woman” (1941). She received an honorary Oscar in 1955 and died in 1990 at age 84.

Jason Ventress of Action Now Realty, Santa Monica, has the listing.

lauren.beale@latimes.com