Frank Gehry's Santa Monica Live/Work Gem Just Hit the Market

Lucía Torres · 2026-10-02

### A Home Where the Walls Themselves Inspire Some homes give you a place to create. This one makes creativity part of the architecture. At 1643 12th Street #2 in Santa Monica, you're not just buying square footage — you're stepping into a piece of living art history. The residence was developed by the legendary late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, working alongside Los Angeles artist Charles Arnoldi. Together, they shaped a live/work space that blends serious architectural pedigree with a genuine connection to the city's artistic community. ### The Space Itself Represented by The Agency's Brandon Assanti, Residence 2 sits on a southwest-facing corner of an intimate six-unit building. You get roughly 2,565 square feet of interior space, currently set up as both a private home and an art gallery. So what makes it feel so gallery-like? A few things stand out: - Seventeen-foot ceilings that let the room breathe - Expansive walls made for hanging serious work - Industrial-scale windows that flood the space with light - Skylights pulling daylight deep into every room - Concrete floors and a restrained material palette that let art and furnishings take center stage When the finishes step back, your collection steps forward. That's the whole idea. ### How the Layout Flows The entry level pairs a dramatic double-height great room with an office or bedroom, a full bathroom, and a mezzanine. It's flexible enough to shift as your life does. Head up, and the living and dining areas connect to a custom kitchen with concrete countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Keep going, and the uppermost floor is devoted entirely to the primary suite — where city and ocean views come with a walk-in closet and a marble-clad bathroom. ### A Little Hollywood History Here's where the story gets even better. 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 Hollywood history to a property already distinguished by its architectural origins. As French himself might have put it, this place has always been about the people who make things. > "Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness." — Frank Gehry ### Who This Home Is For If you're drawn to art and modern living, this Santa Monica residence offers an unusually compelling canvas. It's not for someone who wants a cookie-cutter condo. It's for someone who wants a space that keeps up with their imagination. To learn more about or tour 1643 12th Street #2, connect with Brandon Assanti.