A Glorious Live/Work Pad in a Former L.A. Church Just Listed for $3.25M
The Ruby Street is an eclectic example of adaptive reuse in Highland Park, Los Angeles.
The Ruby Street is a contemporary live/work/event space located inside a historic 1905 building that has led many past lives—it served as both a civil rights meeting place and a progressive church founded by a female pastor.
In 2016, singer and designer Lourdes Hernandez and her husband, musician and real estate developer Zach Leigh, discovered the church and picked up on its "good bones and potential." The couple snapped up the nearly 6,000-square-foot space and orchestrated its sparkling metamorphosis.
The somewhat prosaic exterior of the former church belies its surprising interiors.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The design team preserved the awe-inspiring stained glass windows.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
Get the Renovations Newsletter
From warehouse conversions to rehabbed midcentury gems, to expert advice and budget breakdowns, the renovation newsletter serves up the inspiration you need to tackle your next project.
The space has a contemporary look with light wood flooring, a preserved cathedral ceiling, white gallery walls, and bold furnishings.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The renovation preserved the church’s shell, cathedral ceiling, and glowing stained-glass windows while creating a lovely, light-filled interior. The space is perfect for hosting all sorts of events, including weddings—in fact, The Ruby Street has hosted over 200 ceremonies in the past four years, one of which was the wedding of Hernandez and Leigh, who were married after the renovation was completed.
The Ruby Street has played host to countless private events, performances, dinner parties, photoshoots, and over 200 weddings.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The Ruby Street could easily serve as an event space or a creative office.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
There are multiple private suites located off the main living area.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
In addition to the wide open space where a congregation used to sit, there is a large room with a bar that can fit long tables and lots of diners, and a couple of cozy "suites." Downstairs, The Ruby Street has an additional 1,900-square-foot open-plan living quarters with a full bathroom and a kitchen. There is even a lush, private backyard. Now, the stunning space is on the market for $3,249,000. Scroll ahead for a look inside.
The flexible floor plan allows for multiple environments in one expansive space.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
A view into the former chapel.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
A spacious room can accommodate long dining tables—perfect for hosting private dinner parties or weddings.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The design maintained the original bathrooms.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The interior of one of the upstairs bathrooms.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The living quarters are located downstairs.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The open-plan downstairs floor is big enough for a sitting area and a living room.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
There is even a private, greenery-filled backyard.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The possibilities are endless in the lightly landscaped backyard.
Photos by Alex Zarour - Virtually Here Studios
The Ruby Street is currently listed for $3,249,000 by Juan Longfellow and Louise Leach of Deasy Penner Podley.
Know of a home for sale or rent that should be featured on Dwell.com? Find out how to submit to Dwell.
Published