Situated atop the historic Santee Cornell building in Downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District, the Cornell Penthouse is a breathtaking example of a tastefully restored century home. Built in the early 1900s, its industrial-modern architectural style features 20-foot vaulted ceilings and expansive windows highlighting panoramic skyline, mountain, and coastal views. This two-story penthouse offers luxurious touches like Brazilian mahogany floors, custom Italian cabinetry, and private terraces off the kitchen and bedrooms. Major recent renovations have created a seamless blend of historic character with modern luxury. Listed for $1,349,000, with Mills Act tax savings, the penthouse includes exclusive 2-car parking and access to premiere amenities, though the exact square footage and plot area are not specified in the overview.
Rooftop Patio
A spacious rooftop patio sits atop a historic building, featuring bold orange exterior walls and large industrial-style windows. Two outdoor living areas stand out: one corner hosts a seating arrangement with cushioned sofas and chairs on a grassy patch, fenced for privacy. The main section offers a dining table shaded by a white umbrella, surrounded by potted plants and green privacy fencing. The surrounding city buildings and skyline are visible in the background, lending an urban, modern vibe. The patio area prioritizes both relaxation and entertaining, showcasing a clean, contemporary design with industrial influences and open sky views.
Living Room Overview
A spacious and contemporary living area with an open-concept layout features strikingly high ceilings and vast white walls, creating an airy atmosphere. A large, light-gray sectional sofa arranged around a subtly patterned blue rug anchors the room. Warm-toned hardwood floors add a sense of coziness. On one side, a sleek kitchen is visible, with modern pendant lights, minimalist bar seating, stainless steel appliances, and light wood cabinetry. Black-framed windows provide abundant natural light and views of the city. An industrial-style black metal railing borders the staircase, enhancing the modern, loft-inspired aesthetic, while understated wall sconces add to the minimalist decor.
Living Room Windows
A spacious, double-height living room with expansive black-framed industrial windows allowing abundant natural light to flood the space. The white walls and tall ceilings enhance the bright, airy atmosphere. A large, modern light-gray sectional sofa sits atop a subtle area rug on dark polished hardwood floors, arranged around a sleek, wall-mounted flat screen television. The entertainment area includes minimalist cabinetry and metallic storage trunks, contributing to a loft-like, urban vibe. The open stairway with black metal railing leads to an upper level, adding architectural interest and emphasizing the modern, minimalist design.
Living Room Space
A spacious living room featuring double-height ceilings and expansive industrial-style black-framed windows that allow abundant natural light to flood the space. The white walls amplify the brightness and give a clean, minimalist look. The room is anchored by a large, modern white sectional sofa facing a sizable flat-screen television mounted on a low white media unit. Dark hardwood floors provide warmth and contrast, while minimal decor and visible elements, such as a slim floor lamp and a few storage trunks and vinyl records, hint at a contemporary, urban aesthetic with subtle nods to mid-century influences.
Kitchen Overview
This modern kitchen features a sleek, L-shaped layout with flat-panel wooden cabinetry and dark quartz countertops. A large stainless steel refrigerator stands to the left, with a matching dishwasher and oven completing the high-end appliance set. The backsplash is a subtle light blue or frosted glass, adding a contemporary touch. Above, geometric pendant lights and a circular ceiling fixture illuminate the space. Expansive industrial-style windows with black grids on two sides flood the room with natural light, while the dark wood floors offer a warm contrast to the light walls and clean lines, creating a sophisticated, airy atmosphere.
Kitchen Cabinets
This modern kitchen features a clean-lined layout with polished dark wood floors and flat-panel wooden cabinets in a warm honey tone stretching across the space. Sleek stainless steel appliances, including a large French door refrigerator, gas range, and built-in microwave, add an industrial touch. The U-shaped granite countertop is a deep charcoal grey, complemented by a light blue glass backsplash for a contemporary, airy feel. Upper and lower cabinetry provide ample storage. The open design is highlighted by large windows that flood the space with natural light, as well as exposed white ceilings fitted with track lighting and visible ductwork.
Kitchen Details
A modern kitchen with sleek, flat-panel wooden cabinetry stretching along one wall provides ample storage. The countertops are a deep slate grey, complemented by a light blue glass backsplash for a subtle pop of color. Stainless steel appliances, including a double-door refrigerator, built-in microwave, and gas range, create a contemporary feel. Dark, polished hardwood floors add warmth and richness to the space. Expansive black-trimmed windows and glass doors fill the room with natural light, offering cityscape views and access to a terrace with manicured green hedges. The ceiling is bright white, featuring a circular flush-mount light fixture.
Rooftop Patio
A spacious rooftop patio with sweeping urban views stretches out under a clear blue sky. The floor is covered in light wood-look tiles with inlaid pebbled rectangles, creating a pattern that adds visual interest and texture. Green faux hedge panels line the perimeter, providing a sense of privacy without sacrificing the panoramic cityscape beyond. There’s simple wooden patio furniture, including a large table and bench seating in one corner, suggesting a comfortable spot for outdoor dining or relaxation. The aesthetic is clean and contemporary, using natural tones and uncluttered lines for an open, inviting atmosphere.
Rooftop Lounge Area
A spacious rooftop terrace offers sweeping views of the city skyline, with tall buildings and skyscrapers in the distance under a clear blue sky. The flooring consists of light wood or composite deck tiles arranged in a square pattern. Modern outdoor furniture, including black-framed lounge chairs with white cushions, a bench, a small round table, and a rectangular wooden dining table with benches, creates a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere. Thick green privacy hedges line the perimeter, adding lushness and seclusion. This open, airy retreat is ideal for socializing or relaxing while enjoying the urban vista.
Rooftop Patio
A spacious rooftop patio bordered with tall artificial greenery privacy walls frames a sweeping view of the downtown skyline. The space features modern tile decking and simple, contemporary outdoor furniture, including cushioned lounge chairs, a small round side table, and a wooden dining table further along the deck. The building wall is painted a muted orange with large glass doors and windows allowing indoor-outdoor flow. The architecture is sleek with metal awnings above the entrances, while the brilliant blue sky and cityscape add a metropolitan, urban chic feel to the outdoor area.
Living Room Overview
Spacious living room with soaring ceilings and large industrial-style black-framed windows that provide abundant natural light and city views. The walls are bright white, creating an airy, loft-like feel. Dark hardwood floors add warmth and contrast, while a plush light gray sectional sofa sits on a pale patterned area rug, forming an inviting seating area around a modern media setup. Minimalist black and white furniture pieces, including a TV stand and side tables, complement the room’s sleek, contemporary aesthetic. Streamlined metal railings and visible architectural piping enhance the urban, modern atmosphere.
Bedroom Windows
A spacious bedroom features three large, black-framed windows offering sweeping urban views and flooding the room with natural light. The walls and ceiling are painted crisp white, enhancing the airy, open feel. A minimalist wooden bed with white bedding sits against one wall, flanked by two matching streamlined nightstands and modern black wall-mounted sconces. Opposite the bed, a light rattan bench with a faux-fur throw adds a cozy, casual touch. The floor is a rich chocolate-brown hardwood, bringing warmth and contrast to the room’s otherwise neutral palette. The overall design is modern and uncluttered, highlighting simplicity and comfort.
Bedroom Balcony
A spacious bedroom featuring three large black-trimmed windows offering sweeping views of a downtown skyline. The flooring is done in dark, wide-plank hardwood, adding warmth and depth against stark white walls and ceiling. A simple, woven rattan bench sits in the corner, providing a touch of natural texture. The room opens directly onto a balcony through expansive glass doors, letting in abundant natural light. The balcony is accented by a bright orange railing and strip of green turf, creating a modern contrast with the urban backdrop. Minimalist, airy, and contemporary aesthetics define the space.
Rooftop View
A spacious rooftop terrace features a modern design with bright orange privacy walls and sleek black railing. A section of the floor is covered in artificial green grass bordered by a row of smooth river rocks, while the rest is wooden decking. The cityscape stretches beyond the terrace, showcasing tall skyscrapers and classic historic buildings against a clear blue sky. The vibrant orange wall adds a contemporary touch and contrasts with the neutral tones of the surrounding buildings. This outdoor space is open, airy, and perfect for enjoying panoramic city views and urban sunsets.
Rooftop Terrace
A modern rooftop terrace features a mix of artificial grass and wooden deck flooring bordered by smooth gray stones, providing a clean transition between surfaces. A burnt orange exterior wall creates a warm, contemporary backdrop, complemented by sleek black-trimmed windows and an open door leading inside. Minimalistic outdoor seating with black metal frames and white cushions offers a comfortable lounging area, while a simple metal railing frames the terrace and affords sweeping cityscape and mountain views under a clear blue sky. The open layout invites relaxation and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Main Bathroom Suite
A contemporary bathroom with a sleek, spacious layout featuring double frosted black-trimmed windows along the back wall for ample natural light. The floors, vanity countertop, and bath surround are finished in elegant white marble with bold gray veining, contributing to a modern, clean feeling. Mosaic tile accents in gray and white add visual interest around the bathtub and extend vertically as partial feature walls. The floating vanity is topped with polished white marble, equipped with dual sinks and understated black hardware. The glass-enclosed shower area maintains an open atmosphere, and overall lighting is soft, provided by simple, modern ceiling fixtures.
Bedroom Balcony View
A spacious bedroom featuring large black-framed windows and a pair of glass doors that open to a balcony with a panoramic city view. The room has white walls and a dark wooden floor, creating a crisp, modern contrast. A bed with a simple white comforter sits in the right corner beside a minimalist nightstand and small lamp. Natural light brightens the space, highlighting the clean lines and openness. Outside, the balcony offers outdoor seating and privacy hedges. The overall vibe is serene, airy, and uncluttered, blending traditional architectural features with a contemporary, minimal aesthetic.
Bedroom Balcony View
A bright and airy bedroom features large grid-style windows and a glass door that opens onto a spacious balcony. The flooring is a rich, dark wood, offering contrast against the crisp white walls and ceiling. Minimalist decor dominates the space, with only a small part of a light-colored chair visible and an inviting bed covered in a simple white comforter. The room benefits from abundant natural light and boasts expansive cityscape views beyond the balcony, where patio furniture and greenery create an inviting outdoor retreat. Closets with sliding white doors line one wall.
Bathroom Vanity Area
A modern bathroom featuring a sleek dark stone countertop atop a wood-grain vanity with four drawers and silver bar handles. Above the sink is a large mirrored medicine cabinet with clean lines, and the vanity is accessorized with soap dispensers. The wall behind the countertop is painted white, while the lower half is tiled in ivory subway tiles for a classic touch. To the right, a frosted window with black trim lets in natural light, and a toilet occupies a private corner. The floor is finished in polished white marble tiles, enhancing the room’s bright, airy, and minimal aesthetic.
Parking Garage Entrance
A wide, industrial-style entrance opens into a parking garage, marked by bold yellow walls and concrete surfaces. The ceiling features exposed pipes and utility fixtures, creating a utilitarian aesthetic. Metal security gates on the right provide added protection, while a traffic light and clearance warning sign hang above the drive-in path. Sunlight filters through square-patterned glass blocks above the entrance, casting geometric shadows on the ground. The overall atmosphere is functional, with a focus on access control and safety, emphasized by the ‘No Public Access’ signage and sturdy architectural elements surrounding the space.
Downtown Cityscape Overview
A sweeping aerial view of a densely built urban area, dominated by a mix of historic and modern high-rise buildings. Skyscrapers with sleek glass facades contrast with older structures showcasing decorative cornices and large grid windows. The foreground features a cluster of cream, red, and tan buildings with visible rooftop equipment and utilitarian finishes, while the background highlights the iconic skyline of downtown with tall towers and a clear blue sky. The streets below are arranged in a grid pattern, and building rooftops are filled with HVAC units and vents, displaying an urban, metropolitan aesthetic.
Listing Agent: James Davis of Carolwood Estates via Zillow
