Artist Loses His Unconventional Dream Home to Wildfire: “The Spirit of 708 Still Shines”

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The 708 House stood out distinctively within its surroundings both naturally and intentionally. Perched on the El Medio Bluffs, it was nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and faced Palisades High School’s football field goal line directly. The architectural masterpiece by Eric Owen Moss challenged traditional norms, making it unlike any other home in Pacific Palisades. Its unconventional and lively design captured interest with its unique aesthetic, a striking sculpture contrasting against the conventional backdrop.

In 2010, my family – my wife Dawn, daughter Georgi, and son Felix – bought the house from the Moss Family and gave it a lively, colorful makeover that complemented its architecture, transforming it into a cheerful, welcoming creative haven bursting with energy, warmth, and affection.

During the day, the home drew in the curious and the captivated like a magnet, while at night it transformed into a magical wonderland. Two vibrantly colored New York City flower taxis guarding the entrance were hard to ignore, and large, freestanding sculptures – shaped as cylinders and cubes, covered in floral, geometric, and fish designs – added to the mystery and allure. These flower NYC taxis were part of a grand public arts project called Portraits of Hope, which I helped establish along with my brother Bernie.

As the sun set, the big cylinders and cubes were brilliantly lit up by solar power panels. Whether it was day or night, the brightly-colored designs and images on them made quite an impression, adding a lively touch to what was otherwise a neutral-toned neighborhood.

It was wonderful to watch the little ones stop, gaze, grin, be drawn towards, indicate gleefully, and shout: “Look at the house! A taxi, a flower taxi!” Indeed, the large fish lanterns attracted both young and old alike. At the heart of our dwelling stood our majestic, towering sixty-foot tall podocarpus tree, its branches spreading as wide as our home, making it feel like we lived in an enormous treehouse.

Recently, a group of skilled climbers recently ascended a tree and adorned its limbs with a series of vibrant solar-powered, cylindrical lanterns. From afar, they were easily visible. The wind would subtly cause these large lanterns to sway back and forth, while a variety of wind chimes of different sizes and shapes produced melodious sounds from the wind. It was both soothing and aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

As dusk descended and darkness took over, the enchantment of the solar lanterns would bloom. In a blink of an eye after sunset every evening, the tree would shine resplendently, its brilliance visible to locals, guests, and travelers far away on the Palisades.

In our locality, it’s not usual, but I frequently welcomed strangers passing by or those working nearby who paused to admire the exterior beauty, to step inside and view the art and design collection within. It seemed to me that those who accepted my invitation felt a strong bond and experienced the welcoming atmosphere of our home.

But first and foremost, 708 was home to my family. 

For the initial year after moving in, Dawn and I focused on our respective tasks while also personalizing our home. We were determined to preserve the original architecture of the house. We embellished the interior and select parts of the exterior with design elements and artwork, such as landscaping, and since we faced a drought and water restrictions, we opted to build a beach sand volleyball court instead of a backyard garden. Additionally, we integrated large-scale recycled water features and fountains throughout the house. Despite its relatively small size (1,900 square feet), 708 felt spacious, bright, vibrant, and filled with joy.

As a loving parent, I yearned to create a cozy, secure abode that would bring joy to my children’s lives. To me, it seemed like our home was brimming with fun and laughter more than anything else.

Absolutely! Our home was brimming with an incredible variety of unique pieces – sculptures, paintings, photographs, prints, furniture, desks, lamps, tables, fashion accessories, textiles, and many more. Almost all were individually crafted or custom-made to suit our design preferences. We’d frequently rearrange our collection to maintain a vibrant atmosphere in our living space. Our home was not just a dwelling but also the birthplace of many creative ideas within our family.

708 served as Dawn’s writing studio, Felix’s creative haven for filmmaking, photography, and fashion design, Georgi’s space for photo and product illustration designs, and it was my creative sanctuary too.

From that home base, I’ve drawn inspiration for numerous ideas, projects, patents, and creative works, such as the concepts behind the Portraits of Hope initiative and various social service ventures.

To ensure the preservation of our cherished artistic creations when we moved into our home, I vowed to use every resource at my disposal. Taking on the role as guardian and protector, I made it my mission to care for each piece with utmost diligence. From carefully hanging and securing them to engineering solutions, designing and redesigning protective measures, keeping items safe from potential harm, minimizing UV exposure, moisture, and heat, using high-quality materials to ensure longevity – I spared no effort. My artwork and designs are a legacy for my children, one they could pass down to their own offspring if they so desired, continuing our artistic tradition. It’s heartbreaking to realize that the collection of pieces I had set aside for our family has disappeared. The truth is, this loss leaves me in pain.

But even with all we’ve gone through, that home still puts a smile on my face. 

In the company of my loved ones, vibrant hues, daylight’s warmth, the majestic mountains with a touch of ocean breeze, and Milo, our faithful companion, beside me, I couldn’t have wished for more. The melodies of birdsong, the sweet tinkling of wind chimes, and the splashes of fountains—the music of life in El Medio Bluffs was undeniable. The joyful giggles of students, the rhythmic ticking of a metronome from Palisades High School, the resonant beats of the marching band’s drums and horns—all filled our street. This was our universe, and this was where we belonged.

This place served as a gathering spot for students, where they could chat and relax after school hours. It also attracted first responders during their breaks, who enjoyed playing ping-pong on our outdoor table. The public was warmly invited to join in, and many did! Although our volleyball court wasn’t regulation size, it drew volleyball enthusiasts of all skill levels—from high school players to college athletes, even Olympians. They came here to enjoy friendly games, have a good laugh, listen to music, and snack on pizza, fruit, or lemonade. Essentially, this place offered a welcoming refuge and an ideal escape from the daily grind of life.

In our beloved home, we poured countless moments of love, and it generously returned a hundredfold. Sadly, our dwelling now lies in ruins, swallowed by dust and debris. Yet, standing tall amidst the wreckage is our towering tree, its bark seared and darkened. A sight that touches me deeply is the way our tree’s robust branches seem to cradle a few charred lanterns miraculously surviving the unbearable heat and blaze. It feels as if the essence of our house still gleams defiantly against devastation. These resilient, scorched lanterns that endured the inferno continue to cast their light at night, illuminating the heavens day after day, as if they’re absorbing the sun’s power and paying tribute to the love we shared within our walls.

Moving ahead with optimism, I find myself more inspired than possibly before in my entire life, eager to expand my portfolio of works. Despite the house fire that occurred, it couldn’t destroy thoughts, aspirations, resilience, or optimism within me.

Some of the best and dearly loved years I could imagine unfolded at our residence on 708 Street. I wouldn’t trade that for anything; it was truly exceptional. Before long, I’ll be eager and thrilled to witness what Georgi, Felix, and Dawn will craft for our revamped, unique, more vibrant, cheerful, welcoming, affectionate, and enjoyable 708 Street home.

Ed Massey is an American artist who designs and comes up with the ideas for significant, big-scale, public artworks. Some of his works include a collection of public projects he thought up and planned, which are linked to Portraits of Hope, a non-profit organization that focuses on civic and public art programs.

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2025-02-01 00:55