🏡 Gregory Ain’s Mar Vista Modernique: A Mid-Century Gem

Originally published in August 2014. Updated in April 2025 with current context and refreshed content.

Address: 3539 Moore Street, Mar Vista, CA
Architect: Gregory Ain
Year Built: 1948
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Neighborhood: Mar Vista Tract (Modernique Homes)
HPOZ Protected: Yes

Nestled in the heart of Mar Vista, this 1948 “Modernique” residence is part of a rare and cherished collection of homes designed by legendary Los Angeles architect Gregory Ain. One of only 52 homes in this progressive postwar tract, the Moore Street residence is a striking example of the era’s commitment to livable, functional, and beautifully understated design.

Originally envisioned as an affordable, modern alternative to traditional postwar housing, Ain’s Mar Vista tract featured minimalist lines, clerestory windows, open-plan interiors, and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions—decades before those became mainstream design ideals.

This particular home at 3539 Moore Street had been lovingly maintained, retaining many of its original features while offering subtle updates. It sold in 2014 for $1,250,000, a number that seems almost quaint today in a neighborhood that continues to surge in both demand and architectural relevance.

🧠 Why the Modernique Tract Matters

The Modernique Homes represent one of the few remaining examples of a truly architect-designed suburban development in Los Angeles. Ain worked with landscape architect Garrett Eckbo to create a vision of modernism that was accessible, modest, and deeply rooted in California's lifestyle. The homes’ layout and community-centered design are now protected under a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ).

In a city that’s constantly reinventing itself, these homes serve as a quiet, powerful reminder of what’s worth preserving.

🧭 Architectural Context + Your Real Estate Perspective

Gregory Ain is more than a name on the plans—he’s a significant figure in LA's mid-century movement. His work bridges function and form with clarity, and homes like this offer buyers something that goes beyond square footage: a piece of cultural history.

Looking for more like this?
Explore my Historic + Architectural Homes section, including the Feldman House in Beverly Hills, and current listings in neighborhoods like Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Mar Vista.

🏡 Gregory Ain in Studio City: A Mid-Century Modern Classic Revisited

Address: 12306 Canton Drive, Studio City, CA
Architect: Gregory Ain
Year Built: 1950
Neighborhood: Studio City Hills
Sold Price (2014): $3,000,000
Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 3 bed / 2 bath
Square Footage: Approx. 2,000 sq ft
Lot Size: ±12,000 sq ft

Tucked away in the hills of Studio City, this mid-century modern residence designed by Gregory Ain is a rare example of his residential work outside more well-known tracts. Completed in 1950, the home sits quietly off Laurel Canyon on a street with both privacy and architectural pedigree.

Ain, a Los Angeles–based modernist known for his focus on democratic design and restrained beauty, brought those same principles to this hillside home. The layout is clean and efficient, the materials intentionally honest, and the connection to the outdoors unmistakably Californian.

Though modest in scale compared to some of Ain’s experimental housing projects, the Canton Drive residence retains the soul of mid-century design: open plan living, natural light, warm wood elements, and a respect for topography. Homes like this are increasingly rare—especially in Studio City, where many lots are being redeveloped for larger-scale builds.

🧠 The Architect’s Imprint

Ain’s work was always more about how people live than how things looked. He believed in flexible space, built-ins that created function, and minimizing what he called “wasteful architecture.” In today’s market, where timeless design is being rediscovered and revalued, his homes are more relevant than ever.

Want to learn more about Ain’s work across LA? Check out the Feldman House in Beverly Hills and the Modernique Tract in Mar Vista.

📆 Editorial Note

Originally published in February 2014. Updated in April 2025 with current context and refreshed content.

🏡 Gregory Ain’s Feldman House: A Beverly Hills Mid-Century Masterpiece

Address: 1181 Angelo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA
Architect: Gregory Ain
Year Built: 1954
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills / Trousdale Area
Original List Price (2014): $4,700,000
Sold Price (2014): $3,000,000
Lot Size: ±¾ acre

Tucked into a wooded pocket of Beverly Hills, this mid-century gem—known as the Feldman House—was designed in 1954 by legendary architect Gregory Ain. Built during the rise of Los Angeles modernism, the home reflects the restrained elegance and environmental sensitivity that defined Ain’s work.

With walls of glass, a full-length great room, and a strong indoor-outdoor connection, the residence is a study in light, flow, and simplicity. The home sits on nearly ¾ of an acre and features Ain’s signature details: clean lines, built-in storage, warm materials, and passive design strategies that make the most of California’s climate.

🧠 Why Gregory Ain Still Matters

Gregory Ain (1908–1988) was deeply influenced by his social and political beliefs, designing homes that reflected values of functionality, community, and thoughtful architecture. His work—often overshadowed by more flamboyant contemporaries—has since become essential to understanding LA’s postwar design evolution.

Homes like the Feldman House are highly sought after not just because of their pedigree, but because of how livable and timeless they remain today.

Want to see more of Ain’s residential work across LA? Check out the Modernique Tract in Mar Vista and a rare hillside property in Studio City.

📆 Editorial Note

Originally published in February 2014. Updated in April 2025 with current context and refreshed content.