The Italian Renaissance villa has a story to tell

Originally an Italian Renaissance mansion, this villa has a history of its own. Filled with beautiful art and architecture, the physical beauty reflects a bit of the majesty of the soul. Our docents will happily share the beauty and story of the "Guasti Villa," offering tours of the main floor and grounds.

The Guasti Villa Story

The mansion was built between 1910-1914 by Secundo Guasti, an Italian who owned the world's largest winery of its time. Homesick, he wanted to create a grand Italian Villa. Patrons of the arts, he and his wife imported art and invited artisans from Europe to complete the mansion.

In 1937 famed Hollywood Director and Choreographer, Busby Berkeley, bought the Villa, adding additional glamour to the property's history.

It became a retirement home for physicians in the 1950s, who added the residential wings onto the building.

It was acquired by the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA) in 1974 to use for their headquarters and learning center. At that time the building and property had become quite run down. Over the years, MSIA renewed the property with the help of volunteers. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, MSIA professionally restored and retrofitted the property. In 2002 the labyrinth and gardens were added and Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens (PAL&G) was established and opened to the public. 

In 1990, the building was declared a Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Monument. 

It was featured in Untold LA, a book for iPad and Mac on the astonishing historic homes of the Los Angeles West Adams District.

"Beauty is life when life unveils her holy face.
But you are life and you are the veil.
Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.
But you are eternity and you are the mirror."

Kahlil Gibran