Iconic 1922 Cornell Penthouse in Los Angeles, California With 20-Foot Ceilings, Skyline Views, and Two Rooftop Terraces
The Cornell Penthouse atop the historic Santee Cornell building in Los Angeles’ Fashion District embodies the loft lifestyle with modern-industrial architectural influences, including 20-foot vaulted ceilings and large industrial windows. Though the exact construction year of the original structure is not specified, its heritage location and designation as part of the historic Mills Act offer significant property tax savings, underscoring its historical value. This exclusive two-story rooftop residence boasts panoramic city and mountain views, two private terraces, Brazilian mahogany floors, and custom Italian cabinetry, with luxury amenities like controlled-access parking, gym, spa, pool, and basketball court nearby. Recently renovated and listed for $6,995 per month, the penthouse emphasizes both luxury and historical charm, although specific square footage and plot details are not provided.
Rooftop Terrace
A spacious rooftop area sits atop an urban building with vibrant orange exterior walls and crisp black-framed windows. Two private terrace spaces are bordered by artificial green hedge walls for privacy. One terrace showcases contemporary patio seating with a sofa and chairs arranged atop artificial grass, the other has a large white umbrella shading a table and benches. Sharp lines and industrial accents contrast with the soft outdoor furnishings, while city high-rises form the backdrop. The Cornell Buildings name is prominently displayed on a large, corrugated metal structure, blending historical industrial character with modern outdoor leisure.
Open Living Area
Spacious, airy living area blending seamlessly with the kitchen, featuring soaring white walls and a sleek black metal staircase leading to a mezzanine or upper floor. The open-concept kitchen has light wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a long gray countertop doubling as a breakfast bar. Two modern geometric pendant lights hang above the counter. Natural light floods in from large industrial-style windows and sliding doors, illuminating the dark hardwood floors. A large pale gray sectional sofa sits atop a patterned light blue rug, creating a comfortable and inviting seating zone in the heart of the home.
Living Room Layout
A spacious loft-style living room featuring double-height ceilings and large industrial black-framed windows that let in abundant natural light. The walls are painted bright white, creating a clean, modern backdrop. On the dark wood floors sits a large, light gray sectional sofa, arranged around a simple rectangular rug and a sleek floor lamp. Opposite the seating is a wall-mounted flat-screen TV with minimalist media consoles and storage trunks arranged below. An open staircase with black horizontal railings leads to an upper level, contributing a modern architectural detail and further emphasizing the airy, open ambiance.
Living Room Windows
A spacious living room featuring soaring ceilings and large industrial-style black-framed windows on two levels, which flood the space with natural light. The walls are crisp white, creating a bright and airy ambiance. A modern white sectional sofa forms an L-shape facing a mounted flat-screen TV, complemented by a sleek floor lamp. The rich dark hardwood flooring contrasts elegantly with the furniture and walls. Minimalist décor includes a few stacked record cases and media storage beneath the windows, while the clean lines and uncluttered layout lend a contemporary, loft-like aesthetic to the space.
Kitchen Corner
A spacious kitchen with a modern, L-shaped layout features flat-panel wooden cabinets in a warm, medium wood tone. Sleek stainless steel appliances including a French-door refrigerator, oven with range, built-in microwave, and dishwasher create a contemporary feel. The countertops are dark stone, reflecting the natural light that floods in through large, industrial-style grid windows. Pendant lights with geometric wire frames hang above the workspace, adding a touch of modern artistry. The dark hardwood flooring grounds the room, while the white walls and ceiling keep the space bright and airy, marrying industrial loft style with natural warmth.
Kitchen Overview
A contemporary kitchen features a clean, open layout with natural wood cabinetry spanning the entire wall. Sleek stainless steel appliances, including a French door refrigerator, built-in microwave, and gas range, add a modern touch. The countertops are a dark stone, providing a striking contrast to the lighter cabinets. A light blue glass backsplash seamlessly covers the wall, reflecting light from the large industrial-style windows nearby. The deep brown hardwood flooring ties the kitchen together, while minimal hardware and simple lines give the space a sophisticated, uncluttered aesthetic. Overhead, white ceilings and exposed piping reflect a loft-like, modern style.
Bedroom Windows
A spacious bedroom features three large, black-framed windows offering sweeping city views and flooding the room with natural light. The walls are painted bright white, enhancing the airy, minimalist aesthetic. Rich, dark wood floors add warmth and an elegant contrast. A simple wooden bed with crisp white linens sits against the right wall, flanked by minimalist nightstands and modern black sconces. Across from the bed, a light rattan bench topped with a soft fur accent sits below the windows, adding a touch of texture. The room is uncluttered, with clean lines and a serene atmosphere.
Living Room Overview
A two-story living room with expansive, grid-patterned black windows allowing ample natural light onto rich, dark wood flooring. A minimalist aesthetic is created by crisp white walls and high ceilings, giving an airy, spacious feel. Central to the space is a large, L-shaped white sectional sofa, positioned around a low rectangular coffee table and a plush area rug. Against one wall is a sleek modern entertainment center, with a large flat-screen TV flanked by low-profile storage units. The room feels contemporary and open, with minimal decorative clutter and exposed heating units along one side.
Rooftop Terrace
Spacious rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of a downtown skyline filled with tall buildings and skyscrapers. The terrace features light wood deck tiles underfoot, bordered by green, manicured privacy hedges for a modern yet natural look. Outfitted with contemporary outdoor furniture, the space includes a long wooden table with benches and a black woven lounge set with white cushions and a small round side table. The open sky, bright daylight, and greenery create a crisp, inviting atmosphere perfect for relaxation or gathering. The design emphasizes clean lines, comfort, and a seamless blend of urban and tranquil elements.
Rooftop Patio
An expansive rooftop patio space offers sweeping views of the surrounding cityscape, with mid-rise and high-rise buildings visible in the distance under a clear blue sky. The floor is covered with tan square paving tiles arranged in a neat grid, interspersed with two decorative sections filled with smooth pebbles. A long faux-green hedge surrounds the perimeter, providing privacy and a touch of greenery. A simple wooden bench and table set sit at the far right corner, creating an understated area for relaxing or dining outdoors. The overall aesthetic is modern, open, and inviting, emphasizing urban outdoor living.
Kitchen Wall and Windows
A modern kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows framed in black, offering a view of a green privacy hedge and cityscape beyond. The kitchen features sleek, flat-front cabinets in warm natural wood tones, complemented by a dark quartz countertop. A stainless steel refrigerator, stove, and microwave provide a contemporary touch. The backsplash is a smooth, light blue glass panel, adding a subtle pop of color and reflecting light from the large windows. The space is brightened by white ceilings and walls and illuminated by a large, round ceiling light, while rich brown wood floors ground the room in warmth.
Bedroom Balcony View
A modern, sunlit bedroom features large, black-trimmed grid windows along one wall, offering a sweeping view of the city skyline. The room is bright and airy with crisp white walls and dark wood flooring. A simple bed with a white comforter occupies the foreground, while a light-colored woven chair sits against the wall. French doors open onto a balcony with a pop of orange on the railing and a band of green artificial grass, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. The minimalist decor highlights the impressive urban landscape beyond the windows.
Rooftop Patio
A spacious rooftop patio combines modern design with comfort, featuring a wood deck bordered by smooth gray river stones and artificial turf. The orange exterior wall provides a bold, contemporary backdrop, accented by black-framed windows and a simple metal awning above a glass double door that leads inside. A sleek black outdoor loveseat with white cushions offers cozy seating. The sturdy black metal railing encloses the patio, allowing open views of the surrounding cityscape, distant hills, and blue sky. The space invites relaxation and entertainment, blending urban energy with refreshing openness and clean architectural lines.
Modern Bathroom
A spacious bathroom featuring a double-sink vanity with white marble countertops and sleek white cabinetry with dark hardware. The walls combine white paint with contemporary stacked stone tile accents, particularly around the bathtub and shower. Rectangular marble tiles cover the floor and the lower part of the walls, contributing to a clean and upscale feel. Two large windows with black grid frames allow generous natural light, softly diffused by frosted glass. Modern circular ceiling lights and a wide mirror above the sink area amplify the bright, fresh aesthetic. Glass partition separates the shower, completing the elegant and functional look.
Bedroom Balcony View
A spacious bedroom with large black-framed windows and glass doors occupies one side of the room, letting in abundant natural light and offering expansive city views. The walls are painted bright white, creating an airy and modern atmosphere, while the medium-toned hardwood floors add warmth and richness. Minimalist décor is present, with a low-profile bed dressed in a white comforter and a small bedside table with a lamp. The glass doors open to a private balcony, visible through the windows, furnished with outdoor seating behind a green privacy hedge, seamlessly blending relaxation and urban living.
Bedroom Patio Access
A sun-filled bedroom featuring dark hardwood floors, white walls, and minimalist decor creates a tranquil atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling black-framed windows and a central glass door open to an outdoor patio, letting in ample natural light and providing sweeping city views. Simple white closet doors line one side of the room while a single chair rests near the corner. The bed in the foreground is covered in a crisp white comforter, contributing to the room’s clean, modern aesthetic. There is a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living, highlighted by patio seating just beyond the doors.
City View Overview
An expansive rooftop view of a historic American city’s downtown area filled with mid- to high-rise buildings. The foreground features early twentieth-century architecture with creamy facades, arched windows, and ornate detailing, contrasting against neighboring concrete and brick structures with flat roofs and visible rooftop equipment. In the background, a cluster of modern glass skyscrapers rises above the historic grid, contributing sleek and reflective surfaces to the skyline. The color palette mixes warm beiges, reds, off-whites, and grays, creating visual variety. The overall aesthetic blends bustling urban energy with architectural history, highlighting vertical lines and geometric symmetry.
Garage Entrance
A wide garage entrance is framed in dark stone and topped with translucent grid-patterned windows. The driveway slopes down into a secured parking area, featuring yellow-painted concrete walls and a metal security gate on the right. A traffic signal is mounted to the left of the entrance, and overhead, a sign with green background and white letters warns, “No Public Access” and notes 8-foot clearance. Industrial lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling, adding to the utilitarian feel. The overall aesthetic is functional and industrial, with strong lines, exposed pipes, and a straightforward color palette of yellow, gray, and black.
Building Exterior
Front-facing view of a mid-century modern high-rise, the Central focus is on a turquoise and gray building labeled ‘Cornell Buildings.’ Clean grid lines define the architectural style, with alternating turquoise panels between the windows and six protruding pale yellow balconies running vertically up the center, accented by a red fire escape. Flanking the main building are two older structures—one painted in bright red with white decorative fire escape rails, the other in beige tones, showing ornate classical detailing and exposed balconies. The image captures an urban cityscape with a mix of historic and contemporary elements.
Bathroom Vanity Area
A modern bathroom featuring a sleek, dark stone countertop with a built-in oval sink, resting atop a wooden vanity with horizontal metallic handles. The vanity’s clean lines contrast softly against the large mirror above, framed by an overhead light fixture that casts a warm tone. The walls are half-tiled in glossy white subway tiles, paired with smooth, light gray paint above. To the right, there is a frosted window with black trim that allows natural light while ensuring privacy. A white toilet sits next to the window, and the flooring is finished in square, light-colored tiles with subtle gray veining.
Listing Agent: James Davis of Carolwood Estates via Zillow
