A rare artist’s loft designed by the late architect Frank Gehry hit the Santa Monica market this week. The property, located at 1643 12th St., carries an asking price of $2.39 million. It serves as a testament to the period when Gehry transitioned from commercial architecture into highly personalized, experimental living spaces for his creative peers.
Origins of the Gehry Loft
Built in 1992, the building was a collaborative project between Frank Gehry and artist Charles Adnoldi. The site was originally conceived as a series of six artist studios. Gehry used the space to test minimalist design principles, prioritizing high ceilings, large open walls, and an industrial aesthetic that allowed for art displays. These studios quickly became magnets for local creators who valued both the functionality of a workspace and the intentionality of the structure.
Over the decades, the purpose of these units shifted. The current residents, like many owners in the complex, eventually converted their studio into a live-work residence. The loft currently spans 2,565 square feet, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms. According to listing broker Brandon Assanti of The Agency, the history of the building is cemented in its artistic roots. Some units still bear traces of the original residents who used the walls as massive, direct-application canvasses.
Interior Design and Layout
The triplex is defined by its unconventional verticality. The ground floor features 17-foot ceilings, while the second and third levels offer 12-foot and 15-foot ceilings, respectively. This configuration allows for significant light, supplemented by oversized skylights and industrial-scale windows that frame Pacific Ocean vistas. The layout remains open by design, though the current configuration separates areas for gallery displays and private quarters.
The second floor houses an open living and dining area alongside a custom chef’s kitchen. This kitchen features millwork, concrete countertops, and industrial-grade stainless steel appliances. The top floor serves as the primary bedroom suite, which includes a large walk-in closet and a spa-like bathroom finished with marble slabs. The building is gated and includes two dedicated underground parking spots, a rarity for the Santa Monica area.
Context Within the Gehry Legacy
Frank Gehry’s influence on Southern California architecture is profound. The architect passed away in December 2025 at age 96, making his authentic designs increasingly rare on the open market. This specific loft is one of the few opportunities to own a residential space directly tied to his mid-career creative exploration. Historical examples of his residential work, such as the famous “Tin House” in Malibu—formerly owned by actor Patrick Dempsey—demonstrate the appreciation these homes command. Dempsey purchased the metal-clad home for $7 million in 2009 and eventually sold it for $15 million in 2015.
Sales in the 12th Street building are exceptionally infrequent. The current sellers bought the property for $1.33 million in 2014, and there has been only one other recorded transaction in the building since that time. The owners are now relocating to New York, opening a window for a new steward to take over the space. Interested parties are expected to move quickly, as unique architectural properties in Santa Monica rarely stay on the market for long.