The Century, a 42-story masterpiece designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, is not short on cachet. When it debuted in 2009, the landmark building quickly became home to a number of celebrities and high-profile Angelenos, including Candy Spelling and Paula Abdul to Matthew Perry, Qualcomm co-founder Younes Nazarian and chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Their attraction to The Century is hardly a revelation. Presiding over four private acres of lush gardens, the luxury residential tower offers the utmost in privacy with a 24-hour guard gate, valet, doorman and concierge. Added to that is the trove of amenities onsite: outdoor dining rooms, fountains, walking paths, a 75-foot lap pool, cabanas, an Equinox design gym, Pilates studio, spa, yoga studio, screening room, dining room, bar lounges, wine cellar, conference room and a children’s playroom.

While each homeowner at The Century brought their own vision to their spaces, most of the interiors typically keep with the modern, cool, casual vernacular of Southern California. Design palettes tend to consist of light, muted tones. Until you arrive at Unit #B. While the finishes have been kept timeless, modern and neutral, the Crespo-designed townhouse has been envisioned as an oasis of color. Vibrant pop art and flashes of hot pinks, purples and blues spring the soaring 6,750-square-foot space to life, making it feel a little more Miami Beach than Venice Beach. The departure from the expected culminates in a fresh and spirited infusion of bicoastal energy teeming throughout the interiors.

Spread over three levels, the townhouse is listed with Victor Ahn of Coldwell Banker Realty, who calls it “a single-family residence in the sky.” The floorplan features an oversized great room with dining area, family room and enclosed eat-in kitchen with a private terrace, where a beautiful fireplace sets an inviting outdoor stage upon which to entertain family and friends in the enviable California weather.

 

The upper level includes three bedrooms, including a stunning primary bedroom suite which wows with a terrace, dual bathrooms, dressing areas and an office. A lower level can also double as a home office or wine cellar. And the one constant throughout? The unconventional sophistication of the interiors envisioned by designer Enrique Crespo of Crespo Design Group.

We recently caught up with the Tampa Bay-based designer (who has projects all around the country) and asked him to give us an insider’s view of this unique space, his thoughts on color and more.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Describe your design approach in three words.

Enrique Crespo Curated luxury interiors.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Where do you draw inspiration?

Enrique Crespo I draw inspiration from my clients. I try to understand their aesthetic, lifestyle and needs. I then create a custom interior designed for them.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury What’s your motto when it comes to color?

Enrique Crespo I love color! If done correctly and is balanced it can really create a vibrant and harmonious interior.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury What’s the biggest difference when designing for a client in Tampa vs. a client in Los Angeles or another big city?

Enrique Crespo Usually in big cities like Los Angeles you find clients that are not so conservative and are open to thinking outside of the box.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury What are you currently working on?

Enrique Crespo I am working on a great 9000 square foot condo in Century City, a home in the Summit of Beverly Hills, a farm in Kentucky, an estate in the Keys and a dozen other large homes throughout Florida.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury You went wild with color for the townhouse at The Century. What was your inspiration for all of the pink and purple hues? How did you bring them all together?

Enrique Crespo My client loves those colors. The unit was meant really as a retreat for her so we tried to create a feminine space that was a reflection of her. When working with color it is important to repeat certain colors throughout the space so that it does not become overwhelming.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury How much inspiration did you draw from the building’s design? And what about the city and the views?

Enrique Crespo Los Angeles is one of my favorite cities because I feel people are truly free to express themselves and are accepted. I drew inspiration from that, I created a space for my client that was a free expressions of herself.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Did you make the finish selections or were you more focused on the décor?

Enrique Crespo My client purchased the unit finished and we worked around the finishes that were selected and in turn enhanced what was there.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury What do you think are the most unusual aspects of your design for this project?

Enrique Crespo Interiors in Los Angeles tend to be very monochromatic. There is definitely a look in L.A. I went the opposite direction and introduced color to the space, something you do not see a lot of in L.A.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury You’ve also mixed a lot of different patterns in an uncommon way — from the wallpaper to the upholstery and textiles. What was your thought process behind all the mixing you did?

Enrique Crespo I love a layered interior. Layering with patterns and textiles creates an overall experience when you come into the space that stimulates all your senses.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury How much of a role did art play into your overall design?

Enrique Crespo I specified some of the art and other pieces my client had. I tried to build rooms that complemented her pieces. The portrait of Marylin Monroe covered in diamond dust is one of my favorite pieces that I found for the project.

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury What’s your advice for making the most out of a luxury high-rise space?

Enrique Crespo Creating open spaces that can have multiple functions.