Venice Real Estate
Venice is an immortalized beach community on the west side of Los Angeles. Venice’s vibrant history and eclectic residents make for a diverse neighborhood with a community atmosphere. Venice locals know their boutique shop owners, baristas, waiters, bartenders, and farmers market vendors, and there is a unique community spirit to this unique coastal neighborhood. Founded by tobacco millionaire Abbot Kinney in 1905 as a beachside resort town that he modeled to be the Venice of America with an elaborate network of canals, pleasure piers, dance-hall, arcades and faux Venetian architecture. One could even get around by gondola in the early days of Venice. Venice was known for its beach cottages available for rent and it was a popular vacation destination. Venice’s entertainment pier was the largest theme park in California and was visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each weekend, before it was shut down by Los Angeles in 1949, after LA’s annexation of Venice.
After the annexation of Venice by Los Angeles many of the old canals were paved over despite local protest and oil developers were brought into Venice from the 30s-70s. The Venice community was largely neglected by Los Angeles and became known as the “Slum by the Sea” by the 1950s. However Venice has undergone a dramatic rejuvenation since the 1980s. Today Venice is home to artists, high profile entertainment industry creatives, surfers, tech entrepreneurs, spiritual gurus, and long-time residents that nurture a deep-seeded local pride. Venice is also known for its ultra-modern loft-style architecture and eco-friendly building and design. Venice is a hip, sophisticated, artistic, and liberally minded community. Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice draws visitors from all over the city to its eclectic mix of restaurants, shops, furniture and art galleries, as well as a monthly art-walk event, bustling night life and food-truck stomping ground. Much of the original Venice architecture is preserved, and residents have a strong sense of community identity. The annual Abbot Kinney Festival is a favorite event.
Individual neighborhoods each offer their own charm. Venice Canals offer waterfront living, charm and historic architecture. Many homes along the Venice Canals have their own canoe docks and kayaking is a popular morning activity. The Venice canals offer every style of architecture from Mediterranean mansions to modern architectural, cape cod, and historic cottages. The Walk Streets are another charming area from Venice’s past, with homes that face each other with pedestrian walkways instead of streets. This car-free environment is great for children, pets and families. There is a mix of turn-of-the-century homes along with new homes: keeping in line with Venice’s funky, eclectic style. East Venice is a more traditional suburban neighborhood with 1920s haciendas and California craftsman bungalows side by side post war bungalows and tract homes.
Places of Interest:
Venice Beach:
Venice beach is the prominent tourist destination in Venice these days with a wide public promenade that runs parallel to its wide, sandy beach. Bikers, roller-bladers, and skateboarders abound on the paved bike trail. It includes the famous Muscle Beach outdoor gym, handball courts, ping-pong courts, basketball courts that have world-renowned street players, volleyball, skateboard park, and skate-dancing plaza. There is a 1,300 ft long fishing pier, and acclaimed local surf spot known as the Venice breakwater. Street vendors, water-pipe shops, and street performers abound, along with tourist shops, and off-kilter entertainment such as the Venice Freak-show.
Abbot Kiney Blvd:
One of the main attractions of the area the retail stores, bars, restaurants, and art galleries are popular with residents around Los Angeles. Formerly a run-down neighborhood, the area has been revived since the 1980s, and has brought many high-end businesses into Venice.
Resources: