A Home of Rainbow Hues: The Enduring Legacy of the 708 House
Nestled in the El Medio Bluffs, where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, the 708 House once stood as a vibrant testament to artistic expression. Designed by the renowned Eric Owen Moss, its unconventional architecture, a playful wink to the traditional styles of Pacific Palisades, immediately drew the eye. But it was through the transformation by the Massey family that the house truly came alive.
Ed Massey, a celebrated artist, acquired the home in 2010, envisioning it as a haven of creativity. Infused with vibrant splashes of color, every corner pulsed with energy, warmth, and love. "We infused it with vibrant, candy-colored palettes to play off the architectural structure, turning it into a joy-filled, and inviting creative space full of energy, warmth, and love," shares Ed.
Beyond its bright exterior, the 708 House harbored a unique charm. Two brightly painted flower-adorned taxis, donated by Massey’s non-profit art project, “Portraits of Hope,” graced the entrance. Cylindrical and cube-shaped structures, adorned with floral, geometric, and fish motifs, further amplified the house’s whimsical appeal. At night, solar-powered panels bathed the structures in an ethereal glow, casting a magical spell on the surrounding landscape.
The story of the 708 House is one of boundless energy, open hearts, and unwavering creativity. It wasn’t just a home; it was a meeting point for friends, family, and passersby. Ed welcomed everyone into his vibrant world, sharing his passion for art and the joy of shared moments.
A majestic sixty-foot tall podocarpus tree, reaching its branches across the width of the house, became a central sanctuary. “Our family basically lived in an oversized tree house," Ed reminisced.
The house was a testament to Ed’s commitment to nurturing artistic expression. It overflowed with projects, prototypes, and remnants of past endeavors, a living archive of the Massey family’s creative journey. Even the innovative "Portraits of Hope" project, honoring the resilience of individuals in difficult circumstances, found its initial inspiration within those walls.
From Loss to Legacy
But fate had a different path in store. In 2025, the devastating Pacific Palisades fire swept through the community, tragically claiming the 708 House. Despite the unimaginable loss, Ed Massey refuses to let the flames extinguish the spirit of his beloved home.
He envisions rebuilding the 708 House, bigger and brighter than before, a symbol of resilience and a continuation of his creative legacy.
"While the fire took our home, it couldn’t burn away ideas, dreams, determination, or hope," he declared. His optimism shines through, a beacon of light in the face of adversity. As Ed embraces the future, he reflects, “Soon and with time, I will be eager and excited to see what Georgi, Felix and Dawn create for our new, quirky, even more colorful, cheerful, inviting, loving, and fun 708 home."
The story of the 708 House is a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, hope and creativity can blossom anew. Exuberant color, shared laughter, and the enduring spirit of art – these were the hallmarks of Ed Massey’s haven, and they will forever echo in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to experience it.
Frank Lloyd Wright himself might have approved of the unconventional beauty and artistic heart that shaped the 708 House, a testament to the power of the human imagination to transform space into a vibrant celebration of life.