Historic Venice Post Office Reimagined as Creative Campus

JTM Construction Group, Inc. has completed The Lighthouse, a new creative campus in Venice, California, marking the successful adaptive reuse of the former 1939 Venice Post Office into a modern, collaborative hub for creators and creative professionals.

Delivered by JTM Construction Group in partnership with owner and developer Allied Commercial, The Lighthouse blends historic preservation with contemporary design and functionality. The campus is part of Whalar Group’s global creator platform, offering purpose-built spaces for production, collaboration, and creative programming in one of Los Angeles’ most vibrant neighborhoods.

The transformation of the historic post office required careful coordination to maintain the building’s architectural integrity while modernizing it for current use. JTM Construction Group managed both the core-and-shell restoration and the tenant improvement phases, ensuring continuity across every stage of construction. Interior design was led by Warkentin Associates, while Chattel, Inc. served as historic preservation consultant.

“We enjoyed working with Allied Commercial, Warkentin Associates, and the rest of the project team on The Lighthouse; it was wonderful to be able to prepare the post office for a new use while respecting its historic architecture,” said Ron Senso, superintendent at JTM CGI, who oversaw the project.

Restoration work included a full façade rehabilitation, replication of historic metalwork, and the recreation of the original lobby using archival photographs and historically sourced materials. These efforts preserved the Mediterranean Revival style originally designed by Louis Simon. In addition, the 1941 Edward Biberman mural, “Abbot Kinney and the Story of Venice,” was carefully reinstalled, further reconnecting the building to its cultural and artistic legacy.

Located at 1601 Main Street, just one block from the Venice Beach boardwalk, The Lighthouse spans 31,282 square feet. More than 23,000 square feet of interior space is dedicated to content production, supporting filming, editing, podcasting, and other creative uses. The campus includes private studios, flexible workspaces, a raised ground floor, a lower-level production area, and expansive outdoor space.

Amenities at The Lighthouse include a 50-seat theater, café, conference rooms, meeting areas, event spaces, and an outdoor quad designed to encourage collaboration and community engagement. Art installations throughout the property further support bespoke programming and campus life.

The project recently earned a CoreNet Global Southern California REmmy Award for Innovative Workplace in the under-50,000-square-foot category. The Lighthouse joins a growing portfolio of high-profile hospitality and creative projects completed by JTM Construction Group, including NeueHouse Venice Beach, Soho House West Hollywood, and San Vicente Santa Monica.

By combining thoughtful historic preservation with modern creative infrastructure, The Lighthouse represents a model for adaptive reuse projects seeking to honor architectural heritage while meeting contemporary workplace needs.

Originally reported by Riya Singh in What Now.