Canyon Square Owner Frank Langen Honored for Community Building Through Art, Music, and Business
Frank Langen offers thanks for his certificate of appreciation. Photo: Courtesy of Sharon Kilbride
By Laurel Busby
News & Information Editor
Canyon realtor and entrepreneur Frank Langen received a certificate of appreciation on May 30 for his work creating Canyon Square, a space for art, community, and music at 169 W. Channel Rd.
City Councilmember Traci Park’s Senior Field Deputy Arus Grigoryan presented the honor as part of a Saturday concert.
“I was completely surprised by it,” Langen said. “It’s one of the most edifying recognitions I’ve ever experienced. I’m grateful and honored to be noticed. It’s important for me to get feedback to keep the Square going, and since the Palisades Fire, people have been more open with their emotions expressing gratitude. But this took the cake!”
The award noted how Canyon Square, which includes a variety of businesses—RustiCoffee, Replenish clothing store, Canyon Grocer, Vittorio’s pizza, Langen’s realty office, and his art gallery—“brings the community together.” The space includes outdoor seating and provides regular events, such as concerts and art openings.
“Through his efforts, Frank has created a unique and welcoming space where everyone can come together to enjoy a cup of coffee, a bite to eat, and a sense of community,” the certificate reads.
Langen designed the space and invited the individual businesses to join him with the intent of creating a space that would enhance connections and provide enjoyment to the Canyon residents.
“It’s my gift to the community,” said Langen in a previous Canyon news interview, noting that the birth of RustiCoffee in 2019 spurred the Square’s popularity, particularly after COVID-19 hit the following year. “We were a beacon of light during a dark time. We’ve really been embraced by the neighborhood.”
During Covid, when Langen had to close the art gallery, he invited prolific music producer Mark “Spike” Stent to use Canyon Square. Over the next couple of years, Stent erected a tent in the space and recorded music with varied artists there, including Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Frank Ocean, Moby, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Live concerts are the newest musical addition to Canyon Square. This year began with a Jan. 7 concert in remembrance of the Palisades Fire that featured Tim Hayn, one of the firefighting heroes who saved numerous houses in the Canyon. Folk musicians Amber Rubarth (Feb. 27) and the band Clementine (Mar. 8) followed. The latest concert featured Canyon Grocer employee Sam Walker, his band Sundial, and solo artist Teddy Mailer, who played May 30.
Tim Hayn and his band performing on Jan. 7 in Canyon Square. Photo: Courtesy of Doug Suisman
The idea to hold concerts came about last summer when painter Lucien Frank had an art opening at Gallery 169, Langen’s art gallery, and simultaneously coordinated a concert performance with a jazz trio and a headline performance from singer/songwriter Ellery Harper. The idea turned out to be an ideal fit for Langen and Canyon Square.
“I’ve always loved music,” Langen said. “I’ve realized when I haven’t listened to music in the past it means I’m unhappy or depressed.” After the initial concert, “we didn’t look back. The Square has great acoustics.”
Langen plans to hold at least one concert each month around dusk as part of the Sunset Series. In addition, his goal is to have the occasional jazz artist on weekends during brunch, such as jazz pianist Mischa Posin, a Canyon local who grew up near Canyon Square. Posin will be initiating the jazz weekends on June 7 at 10 a.m.
Canyon Square’s combination of art and business is typical of Langen’s multi-faceted career. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1985, Langen, who is fluent in French and German, moved to Paris and worked at the conglomerate Cargill where he traded commodities in Paris, Hamburg, and Milan, before becoming a fashion and still life photographer.
In 1994, he returned to Los Angeles and soon began working in real estate, which allowed him to explore the treasures of Canyon architecture. He eventually moved into a 100-year-old Rustic Canyon cabin and became immersed in Canyon culture. He and his wife, Diana Braun, a realtor, had a son, Levi, now 15, who attends Loyola High, and also raised two children from previous relationships, Anouk Braun, 23, who graduated from Northeastern, and Max Langen, 23, who graduated from the New School in Manhattan.
Langen revived his professional connection to photography by opening Gallery 169 in 2008, and the new concerts have been a welcome addition to its artistic offerings for residents.
“It just made sense to add concerts,” Langen said. “After the coffee house and the stores close down in the late afternoons, there’s an opportunity for music. It definitely adds a whole other dimension.”
