If you’ve ever driven along Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey, you’ve likely noticed three prominent curved towers rising above the marina. These are the Marina City Club towers – a residential complex with a fascinating backstory that intertwines mid-century ambition, architectural innovation, and unique real estate quirks. Conceived in the Jet Age and backed by none other than Howard Hughes’ company, the development has evolved from a 1970s social hotspot to a modern condo community on leased county land. Let’s dive into the history of this iconic harbor-side development, and see how it’s fared from its swinging start to the present day.
Howard Hughes and the Birth of Marina City Club
The Marina City Club towers (left) as seen from across the marina, with boat slips in the foreground. Built in the early 1970s, these three distinctive curved towers were Marina del Rey’s first high-rise buildings[1]. Their design maximizes waterfront views from each residence, making them a striking modernist presence along the coastline.
The story of Marina City Club begins in the 1960s, when the brand-new Marina del Rey harbor was taking shape on Los Angeles County-owned land. The County had spent millions to create this pleasure craft harbor (opened in 1965), and it began leasing parcels to private developers for new hotels, apartments, and clubs[2][3]. One of those early proposals came from an affiliate of Howard Hughes’ empire. In the late 1960s, Hughes’ executives conceived Marina City Club as an investment opportunity and even a tax-shelter perk for key people at Hughes Aircraft[4]. In fact, the project was financed through the Hughes Aircraft Company (owned by the billionaire’s medical foundation), meaning Howard Hughes’ money quietly underwrote the development[5][6]. Hughes’ team wanted to entice and retain top talent – competitors were luring away his engineers with stock options, so providing elite housing and amenities was a creative counter-move[4]. Thus, Marina City Club was born as part corporate retreat, part luxury residential venture, embodying a grand vision of coastal living at the dawn of the Jet Age.
Modernist Towers Rise in the 1970s
By the early 1970s, Hughes’ vision began to materialize on the ground. Famed architectural firm Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall (DMJM) designed the complex, crafting three sleek high-rises plus a low-rise wing, all geared toward leisure and views[6]. The first tower (the West Tower) opened in 1972 as Marina del Rey’s inaugural high-rise residence[7]. It was accompanied by a three-story building called the Promenade (with 101 apartments) as part of the initial phase[7]. Two more 16-story towers (Center and East) were completed by 1974, bringing the complex to a total of roughly 600–700 units including deluxe duplex penthouses on top[7][8].
Construction of the Marina City Club towers in the early 1970s (view of the Center Tower rising, with one tower already complete at left). The unique design – described as “a cylinder sliced into two curves” – was intended to ensure every apartment had its own sweeping ocean or marina panorama[9]. Prioritizing panoramic views meant the buildings’ outward appearance is unconventional, but residents on each floor enjoy walls of glass facing the water. This view-centric architecture set Marina City Club apart as a modernist statement on the waterfront.[9]
Upon opening, Marina City Club was more resort than residence. It boasted a private club atmosphere with a long list of amenities and social activities. Residents and members had access to a full-service marina and yacht club, a comprehensive fitness and sports center, and on-site dining – all in one complex[10]. In fact, the development quickly earned a reputation as the place to be for the 1970s “Marina lifestyle.” Young professionals and jet-set singles flocked to its tennis courts, swimming pools, and the buzzing members-only restaurant/bar in the Center Tower[11][12]. Friday night dances, tennis tournaments, and cocktail hours were regular happenings, giving the community a “swinging singles” vibe emblematic of the era. Law-abiding notables even made Marina City Club home – celebrities like tennis legend Billie Jean King, actress Bo Derek, and actor Dick Van Dyke were among the famous residents. The combination of modern high-rise living and country club amenities was novel, and Marina City Club became synonymous with the glamorous coastal lifestyle of 1970s Los Angeles[13][14].
Amenities Fit for a Resort
From its early years to today, Marina City Club’s on-site facilities have been a major selling point. The complex offers an incredible array of amenities for its residents:
- Sports & Fitness: A private tennis club with six championship tennis courts (plus three racquetball courts and two paddle tennis courts), as well as a 16,000-square-foot fitness center with exercise classes, personal training, and three swimming pools[10]. There’s even a ping-pong area and a dedicated children’s pool for the few youngsters on the premises.
- Recreation & Dining: An upscale restaurant and bar (currently the members-only “Dockside” club) sits atop one tower, offering sunset views over the marina. There’s also a casual café, a convenience market, and even an on-site hair salon and spa with steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi[15]. The community hosts year-round social events – from holiday boat parade parties to movie nights – fostering a close-knit, club-like atmosphere.
- Marina Access: Uniquely, Marina City Club has its own marina facilities, with hundreds of boat slips right in front of the towers for residents or yacht club members[16][17]. Boating enthusiasts can dock steps from their condos, a rarity in Los Angeles. The complex truly lives up to its name, blending city-club conveniences with a marina lifestyle.
Such amenities made Marina City Club a self-contained paradise. As one long-time resident reminisced, “When I come home every day, it’s like being at a beautiful hotel – I don’t have to fly to Hawaii or Club Med”[18]. This all-in-one lifestyle was a defining feature that set the complex apart from other condo buildings of its time.
Condo Conversion and Leased Land in the 1980s
By the mid-1980s, Marina City Club’s original 20-year ground lease had been in place since the start, and the ownership landscape was about to change. In 1986, developer J. H. Snyder Co. bought out the remaining master lease from Hughes’ affiliate and moved to convert the rental apartments into condominiums[7][19]. This was not a straightforward condo conversion – because the land itself was (and still is) owned by Los Angeles County, Snyder’s plan was to sell long-term leasehold interests in each unit rather than traditional fee-simple ownership[20]. In practical terms, buyers would purchase an 81-year lease (expiring in 2067) for each apartment, giving them the right to occupy and resell the unit, but not ownership of the underlying land[20]. After 2067, the county could reclaim the property unless the ground lease is renegotiated or extended, a provision that was made clear to all prospective buyers[21].
This proposed conversion stirred controversy at the time. Many existing renters – who’d enjoyed the complex as a rental community – feared that selling off units would drive up costs and exclusivity. A residents’ association lawsuit in 1986 argued the plan would turn “the public’s marina into a playground for the rich,” since only well-heeled buyers could afford the steep prices and fees to come[22]. Indeed, the initial leasehold pricing was hefty: in late 1986, one-bedroom units were priced around $185,000–$231,000, two-bedrooms $248,000–$348,000, and penthouses up to $725,000[23][24] – quite expensive for the era, especially considering buyers were not getting full deeded ownership. And beyond the purchase price, new owners would owe significant monthly charges: along with HOA dues, they’d pay a “shadow rent” land lease fee passed through to the county, averaging ~$600 extra per month (in 1986) for a two-bedroom[25]. Residents balked, noting that these costs rivaled or exceeded mortgages at comparable condo buildings where you actually owned your unit[26][27].
Despite pushback, the conversion went forward, creating a hybrid ownership structure that was unusual in Southern California. By the early 1990s, Marina City Club’s towers had shifted from an apartment rental complex to a condo community on leased land. This transition also led to a demographic shift: the era of carefree 20-something renters gave way to more mature, established homeowners. Since traditional mortgages were (and remain) harder to obtain for leasehold condos – many banks shy away because the land isn’t collateral – a large number of buyers paid cash or used specialized financing[28]. The result was that the population “morphed from young and carefree to older and seriously solvent,” as the Los Angeles Times noted[29]. The marina’s swinging singles scene quieted down by the 1990s, further dampened by changing social tides and the onset of realities like the 1980s AIDS crisis[30]. Marina City Club settled into a more traditional (if still lively) condo community, albeit one with an extraordinary location and history.
Living in Marina City Club Today: Unique Pros and Cons
Today, nearly 50 years after it was built, Marina City Club remains a sought-after address – with some caveats. It’s important to understand that the complex sits on land leased from Los Angeles County, like all developments in Marina del Rey[31]. In fact, Marina City Club is the only residential condo property in the Marina where you can purchase a unit – all other waterfront parcels are for apartments, hotels, or public uses[32][33]. Buying here means you’re purchasing the condominium dwelling but not the land underneath[34][35]. Instead, you pay the County a monthly ground rent (the “land lease fee”) in addition to your HOA dues. Notably, the land lease fee is roughly similar to the HOA fee itself – effectively doubling the monthly carrying cost of ownership[36]. (For example, if a one-bedroom condo has HOA dues of ~$1,000/month, expect about another ~$1,000/month in land lease payment – a significant ongoing expense.) The lease fee is also subject to periodic increases (capped at a certain annual percent), and it’s not tax-deductible, unlike property taxes[37]. Owners do still pay property taxes on their unit (based on the purchase price), but they do not pay tax on the land value since the land is not owned[38].
All these factors make Marina City Club a very particular real estate offering. On one hand, the extra fees and the finite lease (set to expire in 2067) can limit appreciation potential and complicate financing – many big lenders won’t loan on a leasehold condo, so buyers often must use certain portfolio lenders or pay cash[28]. There’s also the long-term uncertainty: if the ground lease is not extended or renewed by 2067, the county could reclaim the land and improvements, essentially ending the owners’ rights to their units[20]. (In practice, such scenarios often lead to renegotiation or compensation, but it’s a risk that hovers decades down the line.) On the other hand, these very drawbacks make purchase prices lower than comparable coastal condos – you’re not buying the land, so you can get into a prime marina-location high-rise for a fraction of the cost of nearby fee-simple condos or homes[39]. As one financial site summarized, buying on leased land can be attractive if your priority is enjoying a location and community at a lower price point, rather than long-term equity building[39]. Marina City Club exemplifies this trade-off.
So, what do units sell for nowadays? They range widely by size, view, and tower. As of 2025, entry-level studios (~450 sq ft) can be found around the mid-$300,000s and one-bedroom condos (near 935 sq ft) around the $500,000 mark. Larger two-bedroom and three-bedroom units (some over 1,400–1,600 sq ft) generally list anywhere from the $700,000s up to about $1.8–$2 million for premium three-bedroom layouts or combined units. Penthouses with expansive views of the ocean and city (when available) also command top dollar (often well over $1 million). These prices are notably more affordable than similarly sized condos in neighboring Santa Monica or Playa Vista, for example – a direct reflection of the leasehold discount. However, buyers must budget for the hefty monthly fees (HOA + land lease), which can total over $2,000 for larger units (and even more for the biggest penthouses)[40]. In short, the upfront cost is lower, but the ongoing cost is higher than a typical condo, a key consideration for anyone eyeing a Marina City Club home.
Despite the complexities, residents today continue to love Marina City Club for its unmatched location and lifestyle. The property is guarded and gated, with 24-hour security and valet, offering peace of mind amid luxury. Many condos feature floor-to-ceiling glass walls and balconies overlooking sailboats bobbing in the harbor or panoramic city lights. The community retains a social club spirit – there are tennis and pickleball tournaments, summer barbecues by the pool, and groups that regularly meet for yoga or happy hour in the clubhouse. Some long-time residents have lived here for decades, riding out the changes from the 1970s to now, bonded by a shared appreciation for this unique corner of Los Angeles. As one resident aptly put it, Marina City Club is “a place where everyone is like family, but you can be left alone if that’s what you want”[41][42].
In summary, the Marina City Club towers have cemented their place in coastal Los Angeles history. From their Jet Age origins under Howard Hughes, to the heyday of “Hot Off the Cold Press” gossip at the clubhouse bar, to the modern reality of condo sales and land leases – these towers have seen it all. Love it or leave it, Marina City Club remains one-of-a-kind: a blend of mid-century ambition, resort-style living, and quirky real estate economics, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful Marina del Rey harbor. For those who crave the water’s edge lifestyle and a dose of SoCal history, the Marina City Club still offers a compelling proposition – with sailboats at your doorstep and a story to tell. [43][3]
Sources: Historical information from the Los Angeles Times and Marina del Rey historical archives; real estate details from MDR Condos and LA County records; pricing and lease terms from current condo listings and the Marina City Club condominium association[7][20][36], among others.
[1] [8] [10] [15] Marina City Club Condos Marina Del Rey | 4265 - 4337 Marina City Dr
https://www.toplacondos.com/Marina-City-Club
[2] [31] The Story and Lessons Behind the Acquisition and Renovation of the Villa Venetia Apartment Complex in Marina Del Rey | Behind the Deals
[3] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] What is a Land Lease? - Marina City Club
https://www.mdrcondos.com/land-lease-fees-what-is-a-land-lease-marina-del-rey-land-lease-areas/
[4] [5] Howard Hughes and the History of the Marina City Club - Marina del Rey Condos
