The latest addition to Hollywood’s famous Sheats-Goldstein Residence and Estate has been completed by Los Angeles-based firm Conner + Perry Architects. Named Club James, the new annex was originally envisioned by mid-century architect John Lautner and estate owner James Goldstein.

The overall residence continues to be a draw for architecture lovers, serving as one of Los Angeles’ most famous mid-century homes and being featured in many films, television series, fashion locations, and music videos. The home began construction in 1962 as a collaboration between architect Lautner and the Sheats family, and later the current owner James Goldstein. Conner + Perry Architects has overseen the project since 2015.

Club James is located adjacent to the original residence. Construction first started in the early 2000s, with the project expanding over time to include an entertainment space, a VIP room/library, offices for Goldstein and his assistants, a movie screening room, an outdoor terrace with dining and kitchen facilities, and a pool and spa. 

“It is a delicate balance to preserve and respect the genius of the original residence while developing designs that are in dialogue with it,” Kristopher Conner of Conner + Perry said about the scheme. “We look at our work as an evolution of the visual language established by Lautner. The DNA of the house is there, but the expression is adapted to the environment and functions of the new spaces.”

The project was initially a collaboration between Goldstein and Duncan Nicholson, Lautner’s apprentice and associate, who continued work at the property following Lautner’s death in 1994. Now under the direction of Conner + Perry Architects, the current team's latest design for the outdoor terrace, which includes the main stair, restroom, kitchen and BBQ zones, dining tables, locker room, and pool, was completed in 2023.

In addition to the new annex, maintenance, and restoration continues on the original Sheats-Goldstein Residence, as well as repairs and upgrades to the James Turrell Skyspace installation “Above Horizon.”

“The thing that differentiates this property from many other significant mid-century homes in LA is that it is not a static museum frozen in time or a private retreat,” James Perry of Conner + Perry added. “It is full of life, with tours, and shoots, and events, all of which expose the public to this unique work of art; and it is alive in that it is continuously progressing and improving, with a lineage of three generations of architects and a team of consultants and tradespeople who make it all possible.”