Regen Projects

While neighboring structures on Santa Monica Boulevard tend to recede from the street, this Michael Maltzan–designed complex pushes right up to the sidewalk. It is a stark, white plaster volume that wraps around a former warehouse, signaling a level of permanence that feels rare in the commercial gallery world. When Shaun Caley Regen moved the operation here from West Hollywood in 2012, it was a significant plant of the flag in Hollywood proper, and the architecture reflects that ambition. Inside, the space functions with the capacity of a small museum. The main ground-floor gallery spans 4,000 square feet, free of columns and interrupted only by the art itself. Overhead apertures cut into the roof bring natural light down through a lightwell, illuminating polished concrete floors and the massive installations the gallery frequently hosts. The roster is established and international – think Matthew Barney, Anish Kapoor, and Catherine Opie – so the exhibitions tend to be polished, large-scale productions rather than experimental pop-ups. Smaller viewing rooms and offices stack above and around the main hall, creating different zones of engagement within the 20,000-square-foot footprint. The layout allows for a fluid transition between the cavernous main room and quieter spaces. For those arriving by car, there is a guarded lot in the back, removing the friction of Hollywood street parking and making access straightforward.