Architectural Midcentury Home

The Drake House | Architect-Designed Mid-Century Modern in Bixby Knolls, Long Beach Designed in 1950 by Paul Edward Tay, The Drake House is one of the architect's earliest works and a rare example of mid-century modernism executed with genuine sophistication. Exceptional for film, photo, and commercial production. The Space The property's crown jewel for production is a museum-quality studio/gallery with soaring ceilings and a massive three-panel glass pocket door with clerestory window above. When fully opened, the entire wall disappears, seamlessly connecting the interior to a private rear patio and pool. The result is a dynamic, flexible shooting environment that transitions effortlessly between controlled interior and open-air exterior. The entry sequence is equally cinematic: a skylit foyer with interior planting and a tiled fountain wall water feature leads into the original home, anchored by a Roman brick fireplace and a wall of built-in shelving. Tay's architecture rewards the camera at every turn, with playful ceiling height variations, a south-facing window wall, and afternoon light that casts dramatic shadows from a mature Dracaena Draco tree and the original entry trellis. Exterior & Grounds The rear patio and pool area offer a fully private outdoor environment, screened by a dense row of fiddle leaf fig trees and a bamboo wall. The pool has been fully renovated with a hydrazzo finish, and a retractable automated cover. Ipe wood decking, a built-in natural gas fire pit, spa tub, and an outdoor shower area round out a production-ready outdoor set. Production Specs Square footage: Home 1900 sq ft, property 6500sq ft Bedrooms: 3 | Bathrooms: 3 (including a jacuzzi tub at primary, 3/4 bath adjacent to garage) Parking: Garage + street HVAC: Three separate zones (home, gallery, garage) Natural light: South-facing window wall, clerestory windows, skylit foyer Outdoor areas: Private pool, spa, fire pit, Ipe wood deck, outdoor shower, front lawn Garage: Fully insulated with mini-split; private entrance; suitable as additional holding or changing area The Neighborhood Located on a quiet residential street in Bixby Knolls, one of Long Beach's most architecturally rich neighborhoods. Easy freeway access for crew and equipment.