Modern 535 — A Sunken Pool Court Filming Location for Productions in Manhattan Beach

Modern 535 is the kind of Manhattan Beach filming location where the main angles reveal themselves quickly. The house is organized around a dramatic sunken pool court, with pale plaster, broad terraces and sculptural stairs giving the exterior a warm Mediterranean modern feel. Inside, full-height glass keeps the courtyard in view, while limestone, textured stone and light oak keep the palette calm and camera-friendly. For film, photo and production teams, the strength is how much coverage you can find here without leaving one cohesive look.

A Sunken Pool Court With Built-In Angles

The rectangular pool sits below a wide cream-colored deck, so it has a natural frame the moment you start blocking a shot. Submerged entry steps and a raised wall create a clean geometric backdrop, while the staircases on both sides let you work from above, across the water or down at pool level without losing the symmetry of the space. The tiered plaster terraces, built-in lounging platforms and recessed niches with olive trees and weathered urns add texture, but the look stays quiet enough for talent, fashion or product to lead. This is the part of the property that is especially strong for still photography. The turquoise water catches light beautifully, the open paving gives you direct sun and crisp shadows, and the pale surfaces keep the frame bright without feeling blank. Closer to the house, a deep overhang shades the timber daybeds for a softer setup. If a scene needs to move away from the pool, the stone-faced outdoor counter and simple timber dining table give you natural secondary positions within the same courtyard story.

Interiors That Stay Connected To The Courtyard

Pool-facing glass opens into a generous living and dining level, so the interiors never feel cut off from the main exterior. One sitting room is anchored by a full-height rough-cut stone fireplace between tall windows; another draws the eye under the staircase toward the long timber dining table and the understated white kitchen. Flat-front cabinetry, integrated appliances, open shelving and a stone island give the kitchen a clean read on camera, while the open plan makes it easy to compose from lounge to dining to courtyard. The stairwell is one of the stronger interior moments. A floating oak stair with glass balustrades rises through a double-height volume, lit by a tall vertical window and an overhead skylight. Upstairs, the pale bedroom adds a quieter option with its faceted timber ceiling and glazed terrace access. The bathrooms bring two useful finishes to the package, with a light stone vanity and twin rectangular basins alongside a dark plaster shower, plus a second marble-topped vanity with brass fittings.

Natural Light, Studio Space And Production Flow

Light changes in a useful way through the house. Direct sun comes in from the pool side through the full-height doors and windows, creating long bands across the living rooms and pulling out the texture in the fireplace wall. Side windows add coverage around the formal lounge, and the skylights keep the stairwell and upper corridor bright even after the rear glazing has moved out of direct sun. A crew can start with hard light and pool reflections in the open court, then shift under the overhang or into the softer interiors when exposure needs more control. The separate white studio is a practical reset from the furnished spaces. It has a broad uninterrupted floor, plain walls, recessed linear ceiling lights and a curtain track, giving productions room for freestanding sets, wardrobe racks or equipment without fighting the architecture. For exterior staging and arrival planning in Manhattan Beach, productions can coordinate permit needs with the Manhattan Beach film permit office. Between the connected living, dining and kitchen areas and the studio, this filming location can support both long interior moves and more controlled setups within the same property.