One can argue that Gregory Ain was born to be a progressive. His father’s politics would set the tone for Gregory’s early life. This influence would manifest in his attitude for creating and constructing buildings for low- and middle-income people. Ain was an early disciple of Richard Neutra. And, while their relationship was said to be somewhat estranged at times, Ain would credit Neutra with being an effective teacher and distilling important ideas that he would use throughout his career.
Gregory Ain would be commissioned by Philip Johnson, the director for the Museum of Modern Art, to build an exhibition house for the institution; an honor bestowed upon Marcel Breuer the year before. Unfortunately, do to his perceived socialist beliefs and ties, he would lose out on the opportunity to participate in the famed Case Study House program. And, Ain would be labeled the “most dangerous architect in America” by J Edger Hoover. Some of Ain’s notable projects include the Avenal Homes in Silver Lake and Mar Vista Housing tract.
HOLLYWOOD HILLS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL HOME -THE ARENSBERG ESTATE BY WILLIAM LEE WOOLLETT
The Arensberg Estate, William Lee Woollett with later contributions by Richard Neutra, Gregory Ain, Henry Palmer Sabin and John Lautner (The only project on record where all these architectural giants have collaborated).
Avant-garde art patrons Walter and Louise Arensberg purchased the estate in 1927, transforming it into a modern art museum. Los Angeles Magazine acknowledges that this home represented the first modern art museum in L.A., decades before LACMA and MOCA. The Arensbergs hosted artist exchanges and exhibited prized works by Marcel Duchamp, René Magritte, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian to name a few. The estate and its art history is the subject of a Getty published book in 2020, “Hollywood Arensberg”.
LOS ANGELES THE GALKA SCHEYER HOUSE BY RICHARD NEUTRA
Today we’re showcasing The Galka Scheyer House by Richard Neutra with a 1936 second-story addition by Gregory Ain (who’d actually worked under Neutra on the original structure a few years before). Scheyer was a German American painter and art dealer. She was probably most notable for representing the Bauhausian artists she coined “ the blue four”: Jawlensky, Feininger, Kandinsky and Klee,
BEAUTIFUL MID CENTURY MODERN BY RENOWNED ARCHITECT GREGORY AIN, AIA IN MAR VISTA
Beautiful Mid Century Modern by Renowned Architect Gregory Ain. Original sliding and collapsible doors create an adaptable space with flexible interiors cleverly converting to a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom home. The beautiful remodeled kitchen features walnut cabinetry by Marmol Radziner.
THE FELDMAN RESIDENCE BY MID CENTURY MODERN ARCHITECT GREGORY AIN IN BEVERLY HILLS
Initially designed by celebrated Mid Century Modern architect Gregory Ain in 1953, the Feldman Residence has been revitalized. This superb modern estate boasts a luxurious and secluded peacefulness throughout on just under an acre of lush grounds up the street from the famed Beverly Hills Hotel.
THE ANSALEM A. ERNST HOUSE BY GREGORY AIN IN LOS FELIZ
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 840. Available for the first time in over twenty years, The Ansalem Ernst House by Gregory Ain circa 1937 is perfectly nestled in the coveted Los Feliz Oaks.
SILVER LAKE GREGORY AIN CONDO, 1947
The Avenel Homes, a Silver Lake Gregory Ain condo building. Rare opportunity to own one of the best units in this landmark Silver Lake complex that represents the best of mid-century modern design and thinking. Ain worked with the 10 original owners to create an innovative plan that offered each owner privacy and flexible floor plans for amazing indoor/outdoor living. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
