HomeArchitectureThomas Safran updates Frank Gehry's Schnabel House

Thomas Safran updates Frank Gehry’s Schnabel House

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In the late 1980s, Frank Gehry designed a unique residence for Rockwell “Rocky” Schnabel and his wife, Marna. The resulting Schnabel House was completed in 1989. Over the years, it passed through several owners and fell into disrepair. It was on the market for years. Potential buyers found fault with four things: the primary bedroom, the compound of unconnected buildings, the kitchen, and the garage. Neighbors in the posh Brentwood area of Los Angeles said it was “unlivable.” And it leaked.

In the early 2000s, Gehry met Thomas Safran, a real estate developer who, through this year, has built 9,000 affordable apartments in L.A. Safran hired Gehry to design his new office in Brentwood for Thomas Safran & Associates, and they became friends. Safran also collaborated with the architect on veterans’ housing for the Veterans Collective in West L.A. (Gehry served in the army in the 1950s.) The building was completed last year with help from architect Noah Riley and is occupied.

After discovering that the Gehry-designed Schnabel House was on the market, Safran decided to buy it. With a deep respect for Gehry’s creativity and a desire to bring the project into the 21st century, Safran began to make improvements. It was a labor of love.

Read more on aninteriormag.com.



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