El Bordello Alexandra: It’s not just a building, it’s a vibe

In 2001, Tony Wells and Brittany Stevenson bought the 1906 Venice building and named it El Bordello Alexandra -- the second word a nod to the building’s history, the third a nod to Stevenson’s late friend.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A mural by Brian Mylius, an artist and El Bordello resident, adorns the front of the building. The mural depicts Alexandra Eglis, a dear friend of co-owner Brittany Stevenson.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The outré home, its roof staged with towering metal sculptures, belongs in a genre-bending sci-fi fantasy novel.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A sign designates the building, El Bordello Alexandra. The roof is covered in sculptures, including a winged figure, a 12-foot tall charging centaur and a Poseidon with diving dolphins.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

An elaborate lamp decorated with mystical flying beasts in the front of El Bordello.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The owners have been adding sculptures to the property and accenting the building with art and murals by Brian Mylius, who lives in the building.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Electric guitars, Roman and Prussian helmets and a gothic chandelier fill a common space in El Bordello.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Guitars, mermaid sculptures, an accordion and a gothic chandelier decorate the common space.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Chris Saunders, a resident of El Bordello Alexandra for six years, has the largest of the seven units in the Venice building.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Andy Kravitz, a music producer and longtime resident of El Bordello Alexandra in Venice, is photographed in his living room, where a 1973 mixing board takes up most of the room.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Anton Pereiaslavtsev in his one-bedroom apartment. Pereiaslavtsev has lived in the building for eight years, recently moving from a downstairs unit to the bright and airy second floor space.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The second-floor apartment of Anton Pereiaslavtsev features exposed beams and skylights.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Musician Michael Jost in his studio apartment in El Bordello. The building is often a gathering spot for Venice locals, and Jost can be found strumming his guitar and participating in discussions about art and culture.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A cautionary sign hangs at the entrance to the rooftop deck.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tony Wells and Brittany Stevenson relax outside on the Bordello’s rooftop deck.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tony Wells on the rooftop deck of El Bordello.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

One of several gargoyles guarding El Bordello.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A stained-glass window with the building’s name, El Bordello Alexandra, adorns the back of the building.   (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A staircase at the back of El Bordello Alexandra had to be enclosed after people started venturing upstairs at night, according to longtime resident Chris Saunders.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A 12-foot tall charging centaur, left, and a winged creature, right.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A winged, horned creature seems to step off the roof.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A neighbor and friends stop by to test out an 1880 pump organ in a common space of El Bordello.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

A view of the bright purple El Bordello Alexandra at night.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)