WHEREVER YOUR DREAMS RESIDE...
SO SHOULD YOU
I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of spending my career creating the places where my clients get to spend some of their most meaningful and rewarding experiences, as well as where they take so much of their solace and refuge.
Our homes are sacred. A temple that not only represents safety, but also serves as a physical manifestation of our personalities, aesthetics, and accomplishments.
I feel tremendously grateful for the opportunity to help my clients turn their dreams and aspirations into a physical built reality. It’s a tremendous responsibility and honor to do what I do. And I’m tremendously grateful for the opportunity.
Jim Eserts, AIA
A doctor can bury his mistakes. But an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines…
Frank Lloyd Wright
BEACHFRONT
For 25 years, Eserts Architecture has specialized in designing homes directly on the beach – managing the complexities of beachfront construction and solidifying our strong working relationships with local agencies and the CA Coastal Commission.
HILLSIDE
We specialize in designing exceptional hillside residences that seamlessly blend with nature, creating luxurious homes that stand as architectural masterpieces. With a passion for innovation, a commitment to sustainability, and an eye for detail, we transform landscapes into breathtaking living spaces that harmonize with the surrounding environment.
ESTATE | EQUESTRIAN
Eserts Architecture has experience in designing gracious estate homes in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Malibu as well as equestrian & vineyard properties in other upscale communities in New York & Florida for our discerning clients.
FIRE REBUILD
Rebuilding homes from the ground up after a fire involves a multi-step process. We have helped numerous families rebuild their homes and their lives after the tragic Woolsey Fire in November of 2018 - providing clients who experienced that tremendous loss the knowledge & expertise to navigate the process from insurance claims to final occupancy.
JAMES HENRY ESERTS, AIA
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Mr. Eserts established his Architectural practice in 1995 after a decade of experience working on custom residential projects as an associate architect in Malibu, CA. He has spent 30+ years working on some of America’s most challenging estate, beach-front, and hillside properties in California, New York, & Florida. His extensive familiarity with diverse architectural styles, as well as his intimate knowledge of stringent state and local entitlement processes, makes him imminently qualified for the most demanding of projects. In addition, his exceptional interpersonal skills have gained him a reputation as a uniquely approachable Architect among clients, other design & construction professionals, and governmental agencies.
Mr. Eserts received his Bachelor of Architecture degree (BArch) from the University of Southern California in 1986 and is a licensed architect in the States of California, New York, and Florida. In addition to his architectural practice, Mr. Eserts has been a guest architectural critic at the University of Southern California School of Architecture and is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The Architecture that we surround ourselves with is more than just a backdrop to our lives.
These are the places where we live out our dreams and, in their creation, they can give us a way to express ourselves in a built language that reflects who we are.
Eserts Architecture is an experienced Architecture firm dedicated to delivering the highest quality professional services through innovative solutions, effective client collaboration, and expert project management. Our reputation is built on our integrity and proven skills as well as the consistency of our approach and the excellence of our execution.
With over 25 years of professional experience, we are known for our responsiveness, flexibility, and discretion in providing our unique, individually focused concierge-style services – providing our clients with exceptional customized designs that meet their programmatic, aesthetic, and budgetary guidelines.
To accomplish this, we use a collaborative approach that involves the client as a “partner” throughout the entire process. As such, our clients gain a clear understanding of our methodology and the process by which their projects become a reality. We take the mystery out of what we do and create an atmosphere that fosters long standing relationships – often lasting many years and through numerous projects.
We also pride ourselves on working seamlessly with other design professionals, consultants, engineers, and contractors – whether they are those that we have established working relationships with, OR those that the client brings to the project.
SERVICES & EXPERTISE
Feasibility / Site Analysis
evaluation of potential site development, project orientation, scope, site preparations & infrastructure improvements
Schematic Design / Design Development
CAD / BIM (Computer Aided Design / Building Information Modeling) capabilities from initial concepts through to development of specific detailed solutions and aesthetics
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION
preparation of all necessary construction documents as well as coordination of all required engineers and consultants (i.e. structural, civil, geologic, geo-technical, mechanical / electrical / plumbing, energy compliance, landscape, etc)
PERMIT PROCESSING & PROCUREMENT
submission and coordination of all planning, zoning, and building & safety requirements, plan check, and permit acquisition
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
site visits during appropriate stages of construction, coordination with general and sub-contractors regarding requests for information and construction design solutions
Interior Design / Materials, Fixture Selections
interior design services including interior elevations, lighting solutions, interior finish / fixture specifications, etc.
We lost our home in the 2018 Woolsey Fires. As forty-year residents of Malibu, we were very anxious to get started with rebuilding. My father was a prolific architect in Southern California with a successful practice in commercial design, so I was extremely familiar with building procedures and language – which made choosing Jim an easy decision. I wanted to work with someone who not only had expertise, but also vision.
Jim has an excellent relationship with the City of Malibu that he has cultivated over decades – which is a critical piece of the building process. Building can be an overwhelming process – especially when combined with the trauma of the fire loss. But Jim’s vast experience and interpersonal skills were invaluable, and we were able to complete our project successfully by every measure.
Our new home is not what it was before the fire. Instead, Jim transformed it onto something truly superb - an architectural statement to say the least. And to top it off, we have remained good friends after having shared the trials & tribulations of such a complex and challenging process!
“How often do you end up just loving your architect?! Too often the more mundane challenges of a project overwhelm the opportunities for creativity. My house seemed to be the perfect example of just that: budget, deadline – a complicated and precarious site on the leading edge of the Malibu bluffs…not to mention the arduous City “requirements” that had to be negotiated and overcome. Jim Eserts came to me through one of my best friends who said, “He is the best I have ever worked with.” Well, that was good enough for me, and his assessment ended up to be true in my case as well. Jim’s eye for contemporary architecture, his impeccable taste, and his way with other people was inspiring. He worked with me, the general contractor, and the decorator in a graceful and collaborative way that allowed everyone to contribute and feel like a part of the project. I think that Jim is simply the best and encourage others to give him their trust.”
“Jim and his experienced team transformed a very challenging vacant lot into our dream home. His vision and tenacity helped us move through the often tenuous process of building a home in Malibu with an air of calm. Jim Eserts and his team participated in every aspect of the project’s development: from planning and design to permitting and construction. No detail was ignored and his team perfectly balanced the elegant architectural aesthetics with our living needs.”
“I have no idea what we would have done without the brilliant architectural involvement of Jim Eserts during our many Malibu projects.” In conjunction with Jim and our general contractor, we have completed 7 homes in Malibu: 5 beachfront and 2 estate projects. Jim is an exceptionally talented architect, and, as a result, is never “married” to a solution. He always listens patiently and attentively to each client’s input. It is this partnership of ideas that results in a smooth running project and a stunning finished product. Pictures may tell a thousand words and Jim’s project photos speak volumes, however, once they are put aside and the initial client meetings begin, it is the man that will impress you the most. Jim Eserts will always be our “go to” guy for all our future projects.”
“It’s difficult to express in brief the vast advantages of having Jim Eserts at the helm of one’s architectural project. Having worked with him now for nearly 20 years, he remains an egoless counterpart – always looking to the greater good of the project, while keeping in mind the ultimate goals of the budget and design. His personal skill with clients are both impeccable and supportive – never pushy – and his ability to pursue Building Departments and other regulatory and entitlement agencies to achieve his desired result is nothing short of amazing. I consider Jim my dear friend as well as an admired associate. I would consider no one else for my architect.”
“To find an architect that can perfectly blend a designer’s vision with the technical expertise required to satisfy a sophisticated client is not always easy. Jim does this so flawlessly that we’ve asked him to work with us on projects in New York and Las Vegas, as well as on our projects in the Los Angeles area.”
“I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Jim Eserts on several high-end luxury penthouse projects in Beverly Hills. Jim has been more than the ideal Architect, striving to exceed expectation in design excellence while maintaining the utmost quality of construction detail. The clear and constant communication between Architect & General Contractor added to the success of the projects and helped build a relationship that will last for many years to come. We are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to work with Jim Eserts again in the future.”
“I first met Jim Eserts a year before I decided to completely renovate my Hollywood Hills home. I provided him with my basic wants and needs and then let him “have at it”. During the design phase, he would often say to “trust him” when making important design decisions, and I found his ideas to be fresh as well as reasonable. The design he produced was amazing. Jim also worked equally well with the general contractor and the City inspectors. For a lawyer who is accustomed to controlling all aspects of my endeavors, I chose to trust Jim and he did not disappoint. Since that time, I have consistently consulted him on other real estate projects and have recommended him to my associates & friends.”
“Dear Jim… We were reflecting on the assistance and guidance you gave us, and wanted you to know how we feel. You helped us in many ways to make our project a success. You displayed familiarity and competence in terms of the complex and cumbersome government regulatory process as well as the ability to within different stylistic architectural approaches. However, what we valued most was your personal attention, availability and responsiveness, sound judgment, and excellent taste.”