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Philosophy

Philosophy

The lesson which life repeats and constantly enforces is ‘look under foot.’
You are always nearer the divine and the true sources of
your power than you think.
–John Burroughs; US Essayist & Naturalist (1837 – 1921)

Renting An Apartment

“If I see one more lousy, torn-up, un-restored, do-it-yourself, cookie-cutter apartment with a gas station bathroom, I will scream — loudly. Every time I go to try to buy one of these buildings, I know what I’m thinking and I can imagine what the renters are thinking. I’m tired of the owners and managers of these buildings without any foresight or appreciation for original details, who ruin the image and style of these ‘golden age’ buildings. I’m tired of these management companies who send repairmen and workers to the apartments, only to butcher and ruin the original distinction. The only way to punish the unscrupulous owners, property managers and so-called ‘on-site’ managers is to NOT ACCEPT these kinds of living conditions.

Can you imagine if they keep their buildings in these kinds of conditions… how they pick their tenants? I can, and I’d run if I was you. I wouldn’t want to park my nice car next to these nuts. I wouldn’t want my friends visiting me at these sterile compounds. If you need to save money, you’d be better off in a Motel 6.

Take my advice – DO NOT MOVE until you get something really good. There aren’t any ‘special’ ‘low-price’ ‘showplace’ apartments out there. There’s just ‘really nice’ and ‘junk’. I repeat, DO NOT MOVE unless you’re going to be happy. I bet those property managers will take your money in a minute, not caring if you’ll be happy or not. Not me. If you’re not happy, I don’t want you.”
– The Art Deco Man, Dave Goldstein

Most people look for an apartment by checking boxes: location, price, parking, square footage. We think that misses the point entirely. Where you live shapes your daily life. It affects how you feel, how you think, how you recharge, and even the decisions you make. A home should inspire you — not just store your furniture.

That’s why we restore historic buildings with character, history, and soul. There’s something about old architecture and timeless design that makes people feel connected to another era — a slower, more thoughtful time when things felt more personal and authentic. It’s the same feeling you get when you see a beautifully restored classic car drive by. You pause. You smile. Something about it feels real.

The people around you matter too. A home is more than four walls — it’s your neighbors, your street, your neighborhood, and the energy that surrounds you. We carefully choose buildings in historic Los Angeles neighborhoods with stories, personality, and a strong sense of place.

And for those relocating from the East Coast: yes, we understand city living. Many of our properties offer services and conveniences rarely found in Los Angeles, because comfort and experience matter just as much as the apartment itself.

We don’t just rent apartments. We create places people feel connected to.

On Reverse Discrimination

“If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the
altar of crude reality; and we end up believing in nothing, having worthless dreams.”
— The Art Deco Man – Dave Goldstein

When I was looking for apartments years ago, I realized something: every landlord discriminates in one way or another. Maybe not openly, but it happens. We all know it.

So I decided to do the opposite.

If you’ve ever felt judged, overlooked, or excluded, I want to rent to you. All backgrounds, all identities, all personalities — especially the people who usually get passed over. Too young, too old, covered in tattoos, going through a breakup, out of work, from out of state, artist, writer, introvert, loud, quiet, divorced, unconventional, have kids, have pets, speak no English, speak five languages — I want you to feel welcome here.

Black, gay, and have a dog? You’re in.

At the end of the day, people just want to be accepted for who they are.

On Your Fortune

We started noticing something unusual while renting apartments in our restored vintage buildings: people’s lives seemed to improve. A struggling actor would land a major role. An assistant would become a lead writer. Tenants got promoted, got engaged, got married, started families, bought new cars, new furniture — and, overall, just seemed happier.

After seeing it happen again and again over the years, it stopped feeling like coincidence. Maybe it’s the character of these old buildings. Maybe it’s the care we put into restoring them. Or maybe people simply do better when they live somewhere that inspires them. Whatever the reason, we believe your surroundings affect your mood, your work, your relationships, and your everyday life. Happy, confident people create stronger communities.

These buildings are not for everyone. If you feel nothing walking into a beautifully restored vintage space, a newer cookie-cutter building may suit you just fine. But if you appreciate charm, originality, history, travel, inspiration, or the feeling that a place can actually mean something — then you’ll probably understand exactly what makes these buildings special.