The Strathmore Apartments were designed in 1937 in the international style of architecture by Los Angeles architect Richard Neutra. He was commissioned by the landowner to design a 4-unit building and added another four units next to the building for himself when he realized the lot was available.[2][3] The complex includes a modernbungalow court.[5] The early occupants, including Neutra's extended family members and actress Luise Rainer, has called the architectural style "cold" and "industrial."[4]
UCLA Oceanographic and Atmospheric scientists and a mathematician later converted four of the eight units into condos, believed to be the first and only condo conversions done unto a Neutra building.[6][7][2]