The Unforgettable Story of Venice's Redline Hotel

During the pandemic, we purchased a property in Venice Beach, perfectly located for hospitality. Captivated by the whispers of a long heritage of minority entrepreneurship in Venice, our team set out to discover, understand and celebrate these pioneers. Along the way, we learned of a long-forgotten community of black and brown artisans, entertainers and entrepreneurs who shaped the Venice that we know today. 

We also learned of the devastating financial redlining that siphoned economic resources away from Venice’s already marginalized communities, and the name of the property, “The Redline Venice” became obvious. Our team decided that The Redline would serve as a beacon to tell the under told stories of the community that it grew from.

Each suite mirrors a distinct era in Venice's history. From the dawn of the 1900s to the countercultural revolution of the 60s. We invite you to step into our experiential museum hotel to experience the essence of each era. With the support of Alison Rose Jefferson we've incorporated licensed historical images reflecting the area's unique heritage, serving as archives for curious travelers.

Central to the design was the creation of impactful bathrooms in each suite, grounding the stories we tell. Tiles in the bathrooms are designed to evoke emotion and curiosity. Each suite, distinct in space and natural light, possesses its own inherent quality that harmonizes well with the unique narratives.

Technology is integrated for a modern guest experience, while provocative design elements encourage intellectual engagement, appealing to culturally-minded guests. Embracing flexibility, the property caters to both short-term and extended stays, adapting to diverse guest preferences. Immersed in bold patterns and opulent hues, the space pulsates with energy, capturing the delicate balance of clean lines and vibrant design.

Alison Rose Jefferson is an American historian, curator, and author known for her work focused on African American history. She specializes in exploring the convergence of historical memory, American history, and the African American experience in Southern California during the twentieth-century Great Migration and Jim Crow era. Alison's expertise forms the foundation of our historical research. She has not only been our North Star in selecting narratives, but has also given us the opportunity to meet and break bread with the very individuals whose stories we tell. 

12 Miles West  (1905-1920)

Located 12 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, Venice of America owed much of its prosperity to the Pacific Electric Railway. Mexican laborers, often called 'traqueros,' played a crucial role in the strenuous construction of the railway infrastructure. Thanks to the Red Cars, the population surged from 3,000 to over 100,000 visitors on weekends. These same streetcars brought in entrepreneurs, dreamers, and laborers who contributed to making Venice a vibrant reality, many from Black, Latin, and Asian communities. 

Back in 1904, Arthur Reese, a Black man from Louisiana, read about Abbot Kinney's Venice of Americas. Sensing potential, Reese ventured to establish a shoe shine enterprise. Yet, Reese’s talents went beyond shoe shining; he was a skilled inventor and designer.

Kinney tasked him with improving the Venice Dance Hall, where his exceptional craftsmanship gleamed brilliantly. As a result of his outstanding work, he was later commissioned to design floats, flags, gondolas, and statues. Kinney eventually appointed Arthur Reese as Chief Decorator of the city. Reese’s success convinced family members to move out West. Cousins from the Tabor family joined him in profitable ventures such as the Venice boat and canoe company which led gondola rides in the canals. 

 Arthur Reese stood as a pillar of the Black community. He facilitated the settlement of numerous waves of Black families in Venice. As a landowner, Reese built a small house on his property for newly arrived  family members. Over time, they would save enough money to purchase homes in the historic Black enclave of Oakwood.

In honor of this transformative era, "12 Miles West" is our two-bedroom apartment, serving as a tribute to the workforce pivotal in bringing Abbot Kinney's visionary projects to fruition.

Beat by the Sea  (1920s-1960s)

Abbot Kinney's passing on November 4, 1920, marked a turning point, followed by a devastating pier fire just a month later. As automobiles claimed dominance over the roads, the once alluring canals gradually lost their charm, with most being filled by the time Venice was annexed to Los Angeles in 1925. The discovery of oil in 1929 transformed the coastline into a bustling oil field, ranking it as the 4th most productive in the state by 1931, though depleted by 1932. The once pristine land, canals, lagoon, tidelands, and beach succumbed to pollution and toxicity, evolving into a redlined community by the 1950s.

Despite its decline, the "slum by the sea" emerged as a haven for artists, writers, poets, and freethinkers seeking affordable refuge. Journey with us to a cozy performance space where artistic experimentation and intellectual discourse thrived during the Beatnik era, birthing future artists, musicians, and creatives. 

Within these walls of our studio, we encapsulate moments of hope, injustice, and unwavering resilience shared by the counterculture movement and those who carry their legacy forward.

The Escape  (1960s- 1980s )

Our one-bedroom apartment, The Escape, pays homage to this era, showcasing the creative spirit synonymous with Venice Beach. The Escape unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Venice during the late 1960s-1980s, celebrating free expression of the human form. In a time marked by social injustice, Venice emerges as a haven for unconventional forms of recreation, challenging the status quo.

We confront the historical exclusion of Black and Brown communities from public beaches, bearing witness to the genesis of the Black Surfers Association as a response to pervasive racism. Despite facing racist backlash Toney Corley remained steadfast in his mission to advocate for greater representation of Black surfers. His determination led to the founding of the Black Surfers Association, a testament to perseverance in the face of adversity.

Surfing culture took a radical turn thanks to the Z Boys, a group of young surfers who found a new passion in "sidewalk surfing" on dull wave days. Switching out old-school clay wheels for polyurethane ones was a game-changer. With smoother rides and better stability, the Z Boys could carve like they were riding the waves themselves. Then, in the 1970s, a California drought left pools drained, but these rebellious teens saw an opportunity. They transformed those empty pools into prime skate spots, giving birth to vertical skateboarding and cementing Venice as the ultimate skateboarding hotspot.

A renaissance of roller dancing attracts crowds by the thousands to the beach. The performers, primarily inner-city youths, escape the harsh realities of poverty, violence, and police brutality to a space where they are not only seen but celebrated.

The Canvas - The Designer’s Interpretation

Our 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom suite named The Canvas draws inspiration from the timeless spirit of the visionary individuals who have shaped Venice. It celebrates the essence of human imagination and the foundational pillars that bring ideas to life. From its origins as an untouched salty marshland to the vibrant neighborhood today, countless dreamers have influenced its distinctive identity. As we reflect on the history that distinguishes Venice, we look ahead to the future, where artists will continue to contribute to this evolving space and showcase their pieces.

Within the suite we explore three essential elements: passion, blueprinting, and resources. Passion, represented by the fiery red bathroom, captures the spark and energy that drives us forward with unwavering determination. It's the deep pull that can't be denied, like the thrill seekers who once filled Venice's amusement pier.

Next, blueprinting serves as the guiding force for execution and organization, symbolized by the calming color blue. In this space reminiscent of an inventor’s workshop, undefined ideas take shape into tangible concepts on paper. Whether it’s the simplicity of a sketch on a napkin to an engineer’s blueprint, these representations bring clarity to the vision at hand.

Finally, the largest room and bathroom are dedicated to the concept of resources, symbolizing not just money but also the raw, untouched salty marshland that Abbot Kinney gambled on. This green room exudes an aura of indulgence and masculinity, reflecting Kinney's innovative funding strategy that transformed Venice into the vibrant city we see today. By leveraging available resources, creative strategies for the next steps of a concept take shape. As we navigate the various ebbs and flows of Venice's history, we witness a diverse range of funding strategies that contribute to the city's continual evolution and renewal.

The Redline is a cultural hub committed to celebrating entrepreneurship within our community. With our Grand Opening just around the corner we’ve been fortunate enough to partner with incredible brands that share our ethos. Chef Kim Prince with Hotville Chicken will be serving our guests a delicious spread of Southern Cuisine, while Chef Denise of Genie Bee Catering will satisfy our sweet tooth. Crowns and Hops, the only black owned brewing company in LA is quenching our thirst with the 8 Trill and The Dopest beer accompanied by stunning artwork from our resident artist, Upendo.

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