The Beaumont Building | Little Italy
Rare Live/Work Creative Loft designed by renowned San Diego architect Rob Wellington Quigley.
Some properties are simply real estate. This one is a piece of San Diego architectural history you get to live and work inside of.
Welcome to the fourth floor of the Beaumont Building, the five-story landmark that renowned architect Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA designed, built, and used as his own home and studio for many years in the heart of Little Italy. Instantly recognizable by its twin cylindrical towers and dark, unpainted stucco facade, the Beaumont has stood since 1988 as one of the neighborhood's most distinctive works of architecture, a building that has been published in GA Houses, Architectural Record, Casas Internacional, and West Coast Wave: New California Houses, among others.
Quigley is not just a respected San Diego architect, he is one of the most decorated in the region's history, with more than 70 AIA design awards to his name, the AIA California Council's prestigious Maybeck Award for lifetime achievement, and the AIA California Firm Award. His portfolio includes some of San Diego's most beloved civic landmarks, among them the iconic lattice-domed San Diego Central Library and The New Children's Museum.
The Space
This isn't a generic loft, it's a genuine architect's studio, reimagined for modern live/work life. The fourth-floor unit occupies its own private world within the building, with a dedicated elevator that opens directly into the unit and an intercom entry system, so clients, guests, or collaborators can be buzzed up straight into the space by appointment, no shared hallways, no compromise on privacy or presentation.
Inside, soaring high ceilings and a wide-open floor plan create a sense of volume rarely found in San Diego's urban core, the kind of raw, light-filled space that shaped how Quigley himself worked and lived for decades.
Highlights include:
2000 SF
Grand open living/office area with dramatic high ceilings, flowing directly into the kitchen, ideal as a creative studio, design office, or loft-style living space
Full kitchen, ready for daily living or entertaining clients
Enclosed bedroom/room, plus a semi-enclosed room offering flexible space for a second bedroom, private office, or studio
Full bathroom with shower
Closet and all-in-one laundry
Central heating and air
Abundant natural light pouring in through generous windows on all three sides (rarity in Downtown), a hallmark of Quigley's passive-design sensibility
One dedicated parking space in the building's shared garage, a rare and valuable amenity in Little Italy
Direct private elevator access and intercom entry for effortless, secure by-appointment visits
Whether used as a residence, a live/work loft, or a professional office, the layout offers exceptional flexibility without sacrificing the character and integrity of the original architecture.
The Location
The Beaumont Building sits at 434 W Cedar Street, just inside the residential heart of Little Italy widely regarded as San Diego's most walkable, vibrant urban neighborhood. Step outside and you're immediately surrounded by:
The best of Little Italy's dining scene trattorias, wine bars, coffee roasters, and the famed Mercato farmers market
Boutique shops, galleries, and design studios
Little Italy's parks and piazzas
Easy access to the Trolley, the Little Italy Coaster station, and the I-5 freeway
Minutes to Downtown San Diego, the waterfront, and the airport
Few neighborhoods in the country offer this density of culture, culinary excellence, and walkability and few buildings within that neighborhood carry the pedigree of the Beaumont.
Be a part of a Landmark
Properties designed by significant architects for their own use rarely come to market and when they do, they represent something beyond square footage: a direct link to the creative process of the person who built it. This is your opportunity to work, live, and create inside a space shaped by one of Southern California's most celebrated architectural minds, in the neighborhood that has become synonymous with San Diego's urban renaissance.
LEASE TERMS & QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Preferred Lease Term
A two- to three-year lease term is preferred. The owner is seeking a qualified tenant who will appreciate the unique character of the space and establish a long-term presence in the Beaumont Building.
Permitted Use
The 4th-floor loft is offered as a flexible live/work space and is suitable for residential occupancy, creative office use, professional workspace, studio use, or a combination of living and working, subject to owner approval, building requirements, applicable zoning, and the terms of the lease.
Tenant Qualification
All prospective tenants must submit a completed application and supporting documentation. Qualification is based on a review of the applicant's overall financial strength and ability to meet the lease obligations.
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
Completed application for all proposed occupants and/or business principals
Government-issued identification
Verifiable gross income or financial resources, preferably equal to approximately 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent
Recent pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, or other applicable proof of income and financial capacity
Employment or business verification, as applicable
Credit screening and review of overall credit history
Rental and/or landlord references
Professional or business references, when applicable
Information regarding the proposed use of the space and anticipated occupants
Business entity documentation and authorized signer information, if the lease will be held by a company or other entity
Additional financial documentation or guarantor information, if reasonably requested based on the applicant's financial profile
All applications will be evaluated using consistent qualification criteria and are subject to owner approval.
Lease Details
Preferred lease term: 24 36 months
Longer-term tenancy preferred
Water, sewer, and trash included
Parking available, ask for more detail
Tenant responsible for separately metered or individually billed utilities and services including but not limited to: electricity, Wi-Fi, cable and parking
Security deposit and initial funds due prior to possession
Proof of renter's and/or business liability insurance may be required before occupancy
Proposed business, office, studio, or other nonresidential use must be disclosed and approved in advance
No short-term rental or Airbnb use permitted
Move-in date and final lease terms subject to mutual agreement
Additional lease terms, qualification requirements, insurance requirements, permitted-use provisions, and financial documentation may apply depending on whether the space will be occupied for residential, business, or combined live/work use.
Pets allowed, maximum 2 pets and monthly pet rent applies.
434 W Cedar St
San Diego, CA 92101
Apartment building
2 beds
Available units
This building may have units for rent. Select a unit to contact.
What's special
Soaring high ceilingsCentral heating and airCloset and all-in-one laundry
Facts, features & policies
Unit features
Appliances
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Oven
- Refrigerator
Flooring
- Hardwood
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Areas of interest
Use our interactive map to explore the neighborhood and see how it matches your interests.
Travel times
Walk, Transit & Bike Scores
Walk Score®
/ 100
Walker's ParadiseTransit Score®
/ 100
Excellent TransitBike Score®
/ 100
Very BikeableNearby schools in San Diego
GreatSchools rating
- 4/10Washington Elementary SchoolGrades: K-5Distance: 0.2 mi
- 4/10Roosevelt International Middle SchoolGrades: 6-8Distance: 1.6 mi
- 6/10San Diego High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 1 mi
Nearby apartments for rent
Listing order may reflect relevance, quality, and paid promotion.
Frequently asked questions
Based on the latest Zillow data, the average rent across all unit types in San Diego is currently $3,495 per month. Prices vary by neighborhood, floor plan, and building amenities.
Rent in San Diego has increased by $123 month-over-month, according to the latest Zillow rental data.
The schools assigned to 434 W Cedar St include Washington Elementary School, Roosevelt International Middle School, and San Diego High School.








