Spanning nearly 4,000 square feet, a live/work compound presents a unique opportunity in Venice, California, a mere three blocks from the beach. It was built in 1984 by award-winning architect, educator, and artist David Ming-Li Lowe as an experimental lab for an artist-in-residence.

“As David Gebhard and Robert Winter noted in their classic Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles, you could easily drive by and not notice this building,” says architect and co-listing agent Brian Linder. “It is so anonymous from the street, but once it catches the eye, an exquisite attention to detail is readily apparent.”

Artist-in-residence zoning is unusual for Los Angeles, making this property a true gem. “It’s usually either-or,” says Linder. “You can live in a residential zone, but you can’t run a business there. Or you can work in a commercial zone, but you can’t live there. So to have a single space which legitimately allows both is quite rare and valuable.”

The renovated compound comprises two mirror-image, three-story units that are connected by a private courtyard. The front building is designed as a commercial storefront. “Our clients have had as many as 20 employees working in the space at any given time,” says Linder. The private living spaces are located in the rear structure, which has direct access to a three-car garage/workshop from the alley.

Upon entry to the main residence, a free-flowing layout weaves together the primary gathering spaces. Floor-to-ceiling glazing creates a bright, airy aesthetic while also strengthening the space’s indoor/outdoor connection. The living room and kitchen—perched on the middle level—are connected by a hardwood deck suspended above the courtyard.

The private bedroom quarters await on the top floor, which is wrapped with translucent Kalwall panels and large operable windows. In total, the home offers two primary suites, each of which comes with a sun-kissed bath.

"This building, to me, has that original Venice attitude and artistic spirit," says Kirsten Kaiyala, who currently owns the property with her partner, Craig Tozzi. "We love the openness, the airflow, the light, and the exposed steel skeleton, which all works so well in the beach climate—you can feel the ocean air circulate through the entire building."

"The overall composition is a celebration of structural steel, inspired by predecessors like Craig Ellwood and Pierre Koenig, with exposed posts and beams as well as elegant cross bracing," states Linder.

308 Venice Way, in Venice, California, is currently listed for $4,450,000 by Brian Linder, AIA, and Rick Grahn of Compass.

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David Ming-Li Lowe, Architect | Live/Work Loft