About the Building
The Pacifican, at 801 Ocean Avenue, was built in 1977 at the corner of Ocean and Montana Avenue, on the park-front edge of Santa Monica's Wilshire-Montana neighbourhood. No architect or developer is publicly credited for the building in current sources, which is common for condominiums of its era. What it offers instead of a design pedigree is position: a front-row seat across from Palisades Park and the bluffs, at the foot of Montana Avenue's shops and restaurants, in a stretch of Ocean Avenue where the buildable envelope that produced this building no longer exists under current planning rules.
The building is a six-storey mid-rise of 32 condominiums over controlled-entry subterranean parking, organised as a standard fee-simple homeowners association. At this size it occupies a middle ground between Ocean Avenue's small boutique buildings and the larger towers to the south: enough units to fund real amenities, few enough that the community stays quiet and turnover stays low. Aggregator records describe card- and code-controlled access with 24/7 security coverage, though staffing levels should be confirmed with the association rather than taken from marketing summaries.
Residences are predominantly two-bedroom plans, with listing records putting living areas between roughly 1,491 and 2,266 square feet and a typical home around 1,700 square feet with two or three baths. Many units carry balconies, and finishes range from original 1970s fabric to comprehensive modern remodels, so condition drives pricing between otherwise similar stacks. West-facing homes look over Palisades Park to the ocean; others orient toward Montana Avenue and the mountains. As with any 1970s building, buyers should check plumbing, window and electrical updates unit by unit.
Amenities are generous for a 32-unit building: a pool, spa and sauna, a gym, a clubhouse and barbecue area, and guest parking within the controlled garage, where most units are recorded as having two spaces, many side by side. Dues amounts and their inclusions are not published; with a pool, elevator building systems and security to fund across only 32 owners, the budget and reserve study deserve careful reading. There is no publicly documented concierge or doorman staffing model, so confirm what the association actually employs.
The value case is durable: Ocean Avenue frontage north of Wilshire almost never comes to market at this scale, and the 1977 envelope, six storeys hard against the park, could not be entitled today, which caps supply permanently. The diligence list is the standard one for coastal Santa Monica stock of this vintage: seismic status under the city's 2017 retrofit ordinance, coastal-zone permitting for any exterior work, and rent-control mechanics for owners who intend to lease, since the building predates the April 1979 cutoff even though condominiums are generally exempt from rent ceilings under state law.
Amenities & Services
The Residences
Most of the 32 homes are two-bedroom, two- or three-bath plans, with recorded sizes from roughly 1,491 to 2,266 square feet, generous for the era and larger than much newer Ocean Avenue stock.
West-facing residences look directly over Palisades Park to the bay, with upper floors clearing the palms for open water views; sunset exposure is the building's defining daily amenity.
East and north orientations face the foot of Montana Avenue, putting the neighbourhood's cafes, boutiques and farmers-market blocks literally at the lobby door, with mountain views on clear days.
Listing records note balconies and intercom entry across much of the building, extending living space outdoors; balcony size and exposure vary by stack, so compare units in person.
Interior condition spans original 1977 finishes to complete contemporary renovations with new kitchens, baths and systems. Pricing between similar plans turns heavily on renovation depth and permit history.
With only 32 residences over six floors, most owners share a landing with few neighbours, and the building's social footprint stays small despite the full amenity deck.
Due Diligence
Most units are recorded with two spaces in the controlled subterranean garage, many side by side, plus guest stalls. Confirm the exact spaces assigned or deeded to the specific unit in escrow.
A formal pet policy is not publicly documented for this association. Request the current written rules on number, size and breed directly from the HOA before removing contingencies.
Rental terms, minimums and caps are not published. Because the building predates April 1979, owners planning to lease should confirm registration and just-cause obligations with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, notwithstanding the general condominium exemption from rent ceilings.
Dues amounts and inclusions are not published. With a pool, spa, sauna, gym, elevators and security funded by only 32 owners, review the operating budget and reserve study closely.
As 1977 construction, the building may fall within categories covered by Santa Monica's 2017 seismic retrofit ordinance. Ask the HOA whether it received a city notice and what evaluation or retrofit work has been completed.
No special assessments or major projects are publicly documented. Request recent board minutes, the reserve study and any pending bids covering roofing, plumbing, elevators and the garage before waiving contingencies.
Aggregators describe 24/7 security and controlled access, but no concierge or on-site manager is publicly documented. Confirm the actual staffing model and hours with the association.
Interior renovations require HOA approval; the building sits in the coastal zone, so exterior alterations, windows and balcony changes can require coastal review in addition to standard city permits.
Everything above is drawn from public records, city permit data and published sources. The association’s statutory disclosure package is the only authoritative answer on dues, rules, reserves, insurance and litigation — Ben will request it and read it with you before you remove contingencies.
Common Questions
Keep Exploring
More about the neighbourhood: Santa Monica
Off Market & Coming Soon
Residences here reach the open market rarely, and some never do. Ask Ben to tell you when one is coming, including quietly.
Work With Ben
Units here often trade before they are ever listed. Tell Ben what you are looking for and hear first when something opens up, including off market.
Start the ConversationOff Market & Coming Soon
Residences here reach the open market rarely, and some never do. Ask Ben to tell you when one is coming, including quietly.
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