first look: rowan lofts
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The Rowan Lofts, phase one of a three-part residential complex under development by power-duo Goodwin Gaw (president of Downtown Properties which owns the iconic Bradbury Building, among others) and Tim Gilmore, is set to begin welcoming new loft-dwellers this August.
The historic 13-story building, constructed in 1912 by Robert Rowan and A.C. Bilicke, is a Mills Act-designated property designed by renowned architect John Parkinson whose fame extends to local, high-profile landmarks such as Los Angeles City Hall and the Pacific Stock Exchange.
Killefer Flammang Architects and Dodd Mitchell Design have joined hands to bring the dormant tower into the 21st-century with designs promising the zest of classic Hollywood with an Old Bank District spin.
Priced to sell from the $300,000s up to $1 million, 60% of the 206 condominium units (multi-level townhomes, studios and one- to two-bedroom flats) have already been "hard-contracted," but some of the most striking residences are still up for grabs!
Lay of the Land
The Rowan Building is situated on the south edge of a new community planned for the eastern stretch of Spring north of 5th Street, which includes the El Dorado Lofts (phase two) and a new 25-story "skinny" glass tower (phase three).
As construction nears completion on the Rowan's final lower levels, renovation work (evident by new facade covers) has resumed on the 65-unit El Dorado Hotel with intentions to debut later this year (possibly as early as November).
Joji Dreyfus, a representative of Downtown Properites, states the once E-shaped El Dorado Hotel will offer a more higher-end product than the Rowan, with a minimized six units per floor ranging from 875 to 1,200 square feet, starting at $460,000.
Architect Johnson Fain is on board to design the new condo-hotel tower that will have a mixed use-arrangement similar to the Marriott/Ritz Carlton Hotel rising at LA Live. Final designs are still in the works, but interior finishes will emulate those found in the hip Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Entitlements are now being secured for the new construction set to fill the empty surface lot between the two existing buildings by 2010. Ground level shops, setbacks to preserve surrounding views and other pedestrian-sensitive components will be part of the third-phase tower.
Retail and Unique Charm
From its own pedestrian-alley promenade to penthouses perched behind grand historic neon signs, the Rowan is one of the most unique properties found in Downtown today.
Enhancements planned for the Harlem Place Alley (bordering the property's east edge) include cobblestone pavement, string lights and planters. A few multi-level townhomes on the property's north wing facing the alley are to be equipped with roll-up garage doors, where hand-selected live/work tenants such as artist galleries can operate businesses to help activate the new promenade.
Also planned to enliven the now-gritty alley is patio seating for a new 5,000 square-foot restaurant coming to the rear commercial suite accessible from 5th Street. An establishment serving high-end comfort food with a "prominent name" attached (non-chain) is being billed for the space. If the lease agreement proceeds on schedule, the new restaurant could debut this year.
Completing the retail component is a new art gallery filling the 1,400 square-foot corner unit at Spring. A permanent tenant is being sought while Felipe Dupowy (whose works were exhibited during last week's Art Walk) temporarily utilizes the space as a studio.
Common areas, such as the lobby (featuring original marble) and a private resident gallery-lounge (in addition to a few select residences) have been conceived by Dodd Mitchel Design, kicking up the building’s inherent historic character with bold contemporary flavor.
However, in the private residences above, original early-20th century details such as exposed brick ceilings (on the penthouse levels), brick walls and marble entryways are likely major selling points for prospective buyers.
A few exclusive penthouses units enjoying front-row views of the Rosslyn Hotel neon signs are a showcase of the building’s unique-to-L.A. urban setting.
Leader of the Pack
Dreyfus contests that developer Goodwin Gaw has spent “spent a fortune to make the Rowan the leader of the pack” in the local residential market, in addition to his personal intentions of aiding Downtown’s rebirth.
Of course, expect all the typical luxury interior finishes, but the Rowan sales team explains money has been spent on fine details that aren’t obvious from a model unit tour. Approximately $2 million has been poured into acoustic upgrades that the developer hopes will appeal to some buyers who may be relocating from more tranquil, suburbans areas of Los Angeles.
Oversized laminated windows, double drywall between units, vibration-absorbing suspended ceilings, rubber tile bathrooms and heavy-padded wood flooring are lauded as excessive measures for ensuring the most quiet living space available in Downtown.
Furthermore, if you’re the kind of person who needs the best of everything, know that 3-horsepower motor garbage disposals have been installed in all kitchens to allow for dispensing of any unwanted serveware in addition to leftover food.
Other notable amenities include a greenbelt walkway (connecting the building’s interior terrace area to the nearby Bank House parking structure), concierge service, a stainless steel Jacuzzi and rentable storage cages throughout the basement level.
One final noteworthy mention is the possibility of weekly outdoor movie nights for neighborhood residents, which would utilize the Rowan’s interior brick wall as a projection surface. Details and dates are still be negotiated with city officials.
-Complete Rowan Lofts Photo Set
Completed renovation by Killefer Flammang Architects
Dodd Mitchell-designed resident gallery-lounge rendering
Resident gallery-lounge under construction
Penthouse with exposed brick ceilings
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3 comments
I saw samples of their fixtures and finishes at the sales gallery over a year ago and it looked like high quality stuff. For $300K on the low end that is a good deal- probably a better value than 2121 Lofts and better location too. I just wish their weekly movie event was open to non-residents too. It would be totally cool to have an outdoor theater somewhere in DTLA. Santa Monica Pier has one, why not us?
Many of these old buildings had their street-level facades stripped off in the sixties. Creating an attractive new facade, either based on historic information or with a contemporary feel, so far seems hit or miss Downtown. If the materials chosen by the architects/developers seem “cheap” or totally out of character with a building, it’s really noticeable in a bad way. The Pacific Electric, Santa Fe, and Douglas facades all look great, but so far, for me, the new Rowan facade is kind of disappointing.
AUG, the movie night would be a neighborhood-wide event.
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