Frank Gehry's Santa Monica Live/Work Residence Hits the Market

Lucía Torres · 2026-10-02

### A Home That Doubles as a Canvas Some homes are just places to live. This one? It's a place to create. At 1643 12th Street #2 in Santa Monica, the walls themselves seem to whisper ideas. The late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry designed this live/work residence with Los Angeles artist Charles Arnoldi, and you can feel that artistic partnership in every corner. ### A Rare Architectural Gem in Santa Monica Represented by Brandon Assanti of The Agency, Residence 2 sits on a southwest-facing corner of a six-unit building. The approximately 2,565 square feet of interior space is currently set up as both a private home and an art gallery. How many places let you live and showcase art without ever leaving your front door? ### Gallery-Like Interiors That Inspire Step inside, and the first thing you'll notice is the light. Seventeen-foot ceilings, expansive walls, and industrial-scale windows create a space that feels like a private museum. Skylights pull daylight deep into every room, while concrete floors and a restrained material palette let your art and furniture take center stage. It's a blank canvas—but one with serious architectural pedigree. ### Thoughtful Layout Across Multiple Levels The entry level offers a dramatic double-height great room, plus an office or bedroom, a full bathroom, and a mezzanine. Head upstairs to find the living and dining areas flowing into a custom kitchen with concrete countertops and stainless-steel appliances. The uppermost floor is entirely devoted to the primary suite, where city and ocean views pair with a walk-in closet and a marble-clad bathroom. It's a layout that balances private retreat with open, social spaces. ### A Dash of Hollywood History The creative backstory doesn't stop with Gehry and Arnoldi. The residence's former owner was Robin French, a prominent talent agent whose clients included Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton. He later served as Paramount Pictures' production chief. That connection adds a layer of old Hollywood glamour to a property already rich in architectural significance. ### Who Is This Home For? If you're drawn to art, modern living, and a space that fuels your imagination, this Santa Monica residence offers an unusually compelling canvas. It's not just a home—it's a statement. And it's ready for its next chapter. > "This is where architecture and artistry meet—a rare opportunity to live inside a work of art." To learn more or schedule a tour of 1643 12th Street #2, connect with Brandon Assanti.