Design lays it on the line
This sleek single-level home pulls off a contemporary design coup with its emphasis on horizontal lines. Wide walls of glass doors slide open electronically to connect open-plan indoor and outdoor living spaces. City and ocean views stretch to the horizon.

Making a profit is always in style
The neoclassical home, built in 2000, has a timeless appearance. Inside the front door, a grand two-story entry with a sweeping staircase sets a sophisticated tone that is carried throughout the house with such details as mahogany floors, ceiling medallions and detailed moldings.

A sketchy character has gone legit
You can still, in certain haunts where old L.A. punks are known to gather, hear tales of the fabled late 1970s as experienced by the artists, writers and musicians who inhabited the strip of abandoned industrial land between Alameda Street and the river that became known as the Arts District.

Amid the egos, Fridman keeps it real
Given a career finessing deals in such rarefied air, one might expect a personality that veers to the cosmetic. Instead, Fridman possesses an authentic charm that disarms — optimal for elite clientele who live behind guarded gates. “He’s a sweetheart of a guy, very popular around the business,” said Ewing’s founder, Roger Ewing.

Grandma loosens up, gets down
Gone are the honey-colored wood-paneled walls, tiled roof, brick pavers and unruly greenery. Developer Lucie Idleman of D’Oro Development transformed the antiquated 1965 ranch-style home on acorner lot to a contemporary retreat for a savvy, Silicon Beach entrepreneur.

Built-in calm allows areboot
Ara Katz loves the beachy but urban vibe of Venice. The 37-yearold co-founder of shopping app Spring has been living in a live-andwork space on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, designed by Michael Sant, that brings a deliberate urban tone to the beach community.

These open houses are a secret
The next day a private tour brought 40 members of Soho House — one of the most hard-toget-into members-only clubs in town — to view the 12,000-squarefoot Spanish-style main residence and guesthouse. Two brokers also brought clients to look at the place.