‘factory place arts complex’ a welcome gem east of alameda
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Despite the sometimes stifling lack of amenities, there are quite a few draws to living in the southern Arts District for those who simply get it: Beauty in the haunting facades of pre-War factories, large spaces conducive to creative expression, and a tight-knit community of locals on the lookout for one another.
Developer, property owner and good-natured seafood magnate Howard Klein, who chairs the Arts District BID, converted one of the first artist-in-residence projects in the area back in 1982. Now he, along with his son Matt Klein, have pieced together a collection of industrial properties covering a total of seven contiguous acres.
Heavy construction is drawing to an end on what I’m calling Phase I of the project — a collection of five or six buildings, depending on how you slice it, with frontage on both 6th Street and a former railroad right-of-way that bisects the property. A second phase would see the conversion of an adjoining factory building into residences as well.
Factory Place Arts Complex, as the development is now being called, is the missing link in a chain of new residential projects stretching from 3rd and Traction down to 7th Street. The 180-unit apartment complex is nearing completion and should debut within the next couple months, inspections allowing.
Still, issues invariably crop up when applying modern guidelines to timeworn buildings. “I would have to be insane to try this again,” said the elder Klein of the maze of city ordinances, building codes and entitlements processes. Further, a contractor shake-up added a lengthy one-year delay to the construction timeline.
Old Buildings, New Units
The historic 1920s structures were conducive to unique floorplans and large windows, if nothing else. Steel support beams divide the living spaces neatly into distinct zones and will undoubtedly be a conversation piece for houseguests (just don’t trip on them).
At $2.50 per square foot — units range from 600 to 1,800 square feet — certain high-quality finishes separate the residences from other nearby rentals, including gas stoves and in-unit washer/dryer. Most second-floor units are outfitted with balconies with views over the complex’s ample shared spaces.
Meet Your Neighbor
About those shared spaces. Open-air atria were carved out of two of the buildings as a way to allow a pool, new retail and a courtyard, while one untouched structure is being marketed as a community-oriented performance and meeting space — and possibly a basketball court.
Barbecue pits and a sizable dog park — not simply a tiny patch of grass — finish off the list of amenities, which will be open to all residents of the complex.
Both Kleins are excited about the seemingly instant success of the nearby Urth Caffe on Hewitt Street and are willing to work with other retailers to open up in their complex. With a location in the center of the Arts District, that may be worth serious consideration.
Factory Place Arts Complex
1308 E Factory Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Estimated Opening 2Q 2009
factoryplacelofts.com
10 comments
Love how Angelenic goes east of Los Angeles Street to explore Downtown LA!
Supposedly there will also be retail there. Early rumor was that Trader Joe’s was moving in - we could be so lucky!
Lets not start with the likes of the fantasy Target with valet at the old Macys at 7th-Fig rumors again.
Welcome to the neighborhood.
it’s a little (more than) expenisve for the area expecially…
real Artists don’t make that kind of money even regular people don’t make that kind of money any more!
$2.50 is pricier than most of what I looked at in Historic Core lofts, and even those were beyond my budget. I wish the developers much success, but I’ll stay where I am.
$2.50 sq ft seems a bit out of market range in this economy. I’m surprised they are expecting that much.
Also I agree that artists in the area don’t make that kind of money generally & are lucky to get by on “artists in residence” status… that would imply rent control so I’m thinking they are going for more of a yuppy market, not a true artists loft.
I”ve lived on 6th st for 5 years and know for a fact that Howard Klien has been trying to push out all the artists on this street.Sending his security to harass and bully neighboring artists to buy and tear down studios and build parking and drive ways for his “Art Community”…I laughed out loud when I read this article..meet your neighbor….art friendly…he even went as far to shut down an art show for “Arts for Abused Kids fund” my neighbor was hosting….
$2.50/sf?! Really? Good luck with that.
Sound the alarms and somebody wake up Paul Ravere…. THE YUPPIES ARE COMING!!!! THE YUPPIES ARE COMING!!!!! Sounds like gentrification to me. I wonder if the Yuppies who move in have any idea what their new neighborhood has in store for them.