When Via Veneto first began serving fine Italian fare almost two decades ago on Main Street in Santa Monica—a fairly run-down area at the time, almost an extension of the Venice Beach boardwalk—many people thought that its born-and-bred Italian owners, Fabrizio Bianconi and Marco Cialini, were a little bit off their rockers. Now, 16 years later, the intimate and romantic restaurant has carved out quite a home for itself amid the blossoming neighborhood, serving as a favorite spot for celebrating special occasions—from birthdays to anniversaries to engagements—and attracting a loyal clientele that includes a regular cast of celebrities.
Artemesia is one of the largest Craftsman residences in the U.S., and has been lovingly restored during the past 25 years by former advertising and marketing executive Lenny Fenton—complete with surprising touches, such as the second-largest residential pipe organ in the country, six massive Batchelder tile fireplaces, and an upstairs sleeping porch with five Murphy beds—and now is available to purchase. “You will never find another property like Artemesia,” says Sally Forster Jones of John Aaroe Group, who is listing the property (along with an adjacent buildable parcel) for $11.75 million.
Seven days a week, Australian-born siblings Curtis and Luke Stone throw open the doors of their European-style butcher shop at 10 a.m. and begin offering a selection of premium meats.
When complete, the $30 million makeover will embrace almost every element of the 248,000-square-foot center—complete with new dining, retail and entertainment choices, along with an improved pedestrian-friendly layout and vibrant courtyards.
To discover why Koreatown is coming to the forefront now, DIGS talked with Fifield, a principal at Century West Partners, which focuses on delivering luxury, transit-oriented rentals in the hottest, most in-demand neighborhoods of L.A. Here, her thoughts on the company’s newest Koreatown projects—K2LA and NEXT on Sixth—and their thriving locale.
Experience life in France without ever leaving the city via this glamorous, Parisian-inspired restaurant and brasserie that looks like it was plucked straight out of the City of Light.
DIGS Market Trends covers news, analysis, and market movements in the South Bay and Westside of LA’s housing market. Discover one-of-kind homes that you can buy or rent from Malibu to Palos Verdes and in-between.
