Music producer and acerbic talent-show host Simon Cowell recently moved into escrow phase on a quite large and very contemporary waterfront house in Malibu. The ex-American Idol mainstay and current X-Factor panelist—known for his tough love with contestants—parted with $25 million to acquire the house, a 10,000 square foot paean to the consolations of angularity, scale, and hard surface.

Interestingly, the home’s design sprawls around a central courtyard, distantly riffing on a classic aspect of Spanish design. The reference is a cryptic one, though, because the home never ceases to be overtly anything but coolly unaffiliated in the postmodern fashion.

The house dates to 1988, and contains seven bedrooms, seven baths, and a pair of half-baths. It is reached via a gated drive, with pleasingly lush tropical landscaping setting the tone for the living style.

The home’s interiors never stray too far into warmth, but the textures stack up nicely, each vying for attention. A great deal of French limestone was used, and that becomes the motif of the living spaces; limestone tile leads from exterior to interior, and a massive fireplace mantel in the livingroom acts as the grand statement. Plank wood floors, and wood accents—including the surround of the open fireplace in the master suite—bring a bit of relaxation to the design vision.

Amenities are sundry: tennis court, gym, staff quarters, and guest suite top the list. The property extends to 1.6 acres, a nice bit of breathing room which stands as a sizeable percentage of the luxurious feel of this particular home.

Cowell, whose net worth lurks in the neighborhood of $500 million, helped put American Idol on the ratings map; he was with the program from its beginnings to 2010. He has been with The X-Factor since 2004.