Los Angeles’s Pacific Design Center, nicknamed the “Blue Whale,” will host Basic.Space’s first-ever Design.Space event. Basic.Space — known for its obsessively curated online marketplace — is bringing that curatorial eye into the physical world with the debut of its latest take on the retail experience in Los Angeles this spring. This invitation-only affair will transform West Hollywood’s Pacific Design Center on March 29 and 30 into a retail experience that’s anything but traditional. Imagine the ease of shopping a chic department store fused with the cultural buzz of an art fair — that’s the vibe Design.Space is aiming for. And for those who can’t make it in person, a week-long online edition will run from March 27 through April 2, offering a virtual taste of the action.
Inside Design.Space, guests will find a carefully curated selection of design, art, and style pieces spanning decades and genres. The mix includes archival treasures and contemporary creations from top artists, designers, galleries, and brands, all presented in immersive indoor-outdoor installations. Think large-scale art pieces next to limited-edition design objects, arranged so that discovery feels organic and fun. The concept is to blur the line between exhibition and retail — you’re as likely to feel like you’re at a world-class design fair as you are browsing an avant-garde boutique. It’s a space designed to prioritize taste and timeless style over any fleeting trend, true to Basic.Space’s ethos.
“The definition of luxury is changing, and design is now at the forefront of what everyone’s excited about. Design.Space is a simple concept — taking the best of Basic.Space and Design Miami to create a fun IRL-to-URL shopping experience. Expect to discover something old and new, with style and taste over trend and hype,” says Jesse Lee, founder of Basic.Space and now chairman of Design Miami.
Lee’s vision is reflected in the Design.Space lineup, which reads like a who’s who of the creative scene. On the roster are legendary names from the art and design world — think Christo and Jeanne-Claude or Ettore Sottsass — alongside of-the-moment creatives like tattoo-artist-turned-designer Dr. Woo and digital art maverick Yung Jake. Even fashion and lifestyle labels (from Nike to cult vintage curator Sami Miro) are part of the mix, reflecting Basic.Space’s expansive definition of design and culture. In short, expect an eclectic treasure trove where an iconic 20th-century design can share the spotlight with a cutting-edge contemporary piece, all under one roof (and sky).
The Los Angeles showcase also marks a turning point for Basic.Space itself. Coinciding with Design.Space’s launch, Basic.Space will evolve from a public marketplace to a members-only platform starting May 2025. In practice, that means devoted users can opt into a membership that unlocks exclusive perks: preview access to coveted product drops, VIP entry to Design Miami events around the globe, private art buying and selling opportunities, and more. It’s an expansion of Basic.Space’s commitment to offering one-of-a-kind experiences – moving beyond one weekend in L.A. to a year-round insider community.
With Design.Space, Basic.Space isn’t just hosting a pop-up event; it’s showcasing a vision for the future of shopping. By marrying the tactile thrill of an art/design fair with the convenience of online access, the brand is crafting a retail experience that feels both effortless and elevated. As the definition of luxury continues to evolve, Basic.Space is betting that curated discovery and cross-disciplinary design are what modern style-seekers want — and come March 29, Los Angeles will get an exciting first look.
