Venice Eclectic Tour: Architecture in the 70s and 80s

The Los Angeles Conservancy will be leading an architecture tour of 1970s and 1980s Venice buildings on April 20 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The one day tour will explore how the creative culture of the 70s and at the time Venice’s low land values attracted young architects to experiment with new designs and materials.

The tour will include homes by famous architects including: Steven Ehrlich, Frederick Fisher, Frank Gehry and Frank Israel.

Bay Cities Garage/Continuum, Franklin D. Israel Design Associates, 1990. The working studio of Charles and Ray Eames for over 40 years, this building underwent a remodel by Frank Israel that created new spaces and introduced the concept of an interior “street.” 

Indiana Avenue Houses/Arnoldi Triplex, Frank O. Gehry and Associates, 1981. Designed for Gehry’s artist friend Chuck Arnoldi, these three buildings are a deconstruction of the modern box.

Hopper House, Brian Murphy, 1989. Built for the late actor, filmmaker, artist, and art collector Dennis Hopper, this stunning home reflects the unique lifestyle of its original owner. 

Ed Moses Studio, Steven Ehrlich Architects, 1987. In a supreme example of the collaboration between art and architecture, Ed Moses and Steven Ehrlich worked together to transform a small garage into a light-filled and award-winning studio. This site will only be open from 2–4 p.m. 

Tasty Spuds (Arnoldi Studio), original architect unknown, 1959. Popular California artist and longtime friend of Frank Gehry, Chuck Arnoldi turned this former Tasty Spuds potato processing plant into his studio space in 1984. 

Windward Circle, Steven Ehrlich Architects, 1987–1989. Three postmodern structures pay homage to Venice’s early history while bringing new energy to the heart of the community.

The tour will also include an architects' panel discussion from 1:30-2:15 p.m. at the Westminster Elementary School. Tickets for the tour are $35 for the general public, $30 for L.A. Conservancy members, $15 for students and $10 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit lac.laconservancy.org/venice.