exploring the industrial district, mill street lofts on hold
This week the angelenic team made a rare trip to the remote Industrial District to visit the enclave developing around the Biscuit Company Lofts and Toy Factory Lofts.
After turning onto Industrial Street from Alameda, we slowed down to avoid the massive potholes in the road, and began to wonder if we were lost. How could anyone possibly live amongst all these heavy manufacturing facilities and oil-slicked parking lots full of eighteen-wheelers? Much less pay over $500,000 to do so.
Half a block later, we passed Mill Street and had a quick change of heart. The tiny neighborhood flanked by the old Biscuit Company and Toy Factory facilities is becoming very charming, and apparently living in perfect harmony with its industrial neighbors. Independent retailers such as a clothing store and convenience mart are filling the vacant spaces along Toy Factory’s ground level, which is anchored by Royal Claytons - a vintage but hip restaurant/tavern.
Across the street, a French brasserie called Church & State is under construction in the Biscuit’s former loading docks. Steven Arroyo (the guy behind the tapas bar Cobras and Matadors) is developing the new eatery in the historic space and will retain many of its original brick elements. According to the last report, a mid-November opening was planned. However, judging from the unfinished space, we’re guessing it will be several months away.
We stopped by the sales center to inquire about the Mill Street Lofts - phase three of Linear City’s grand redevelopment district. According to the sales team, the new 16-story condominium tower (designed by the German firm Behnisch Architects) is “on hold indefinitely.” Construction was slated to begin earlier this year on a site immediately adjacent to the Biscuit, behind the existing Lace Lofts and brick “townhomes” structures.
Even though this trendy little area may not be getting its new construction, other growth possibilities are just around the corner on Mateo Street. We spotted two smaller brick structures full of character and conversion potential. New windows in one (pictured left) suggest that adaptive reuse may already be underway, but we can’t confirm this.
Take our suggestion and make it a point to visit, but wait for Church & State to open first. We’d go more often ourselves, but it’s too physically and mentally disconnected. Maybe this is why celebrities are finding it so appealing.
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9 comments
I’m moving into the Biscuit Company in about a week. What you call disconnected is exactly what closed the deal for me. I looked at a lot of buildings and as much as I like the romance of living in the middle of the city, the street noise isn’t conducive to recording music. Industrial and Mateo is surprisingly peaceful. Sure there are semis loading up fish on Alameda but most of them turn before they get to our block. It’s its own vibe for sure. The foot traffic is almost entirely residential. The market in the Toy Factory has pretty much everything you need. I’m excited to escape the suburbs and gardeners with leaf blowers!
noah, i hope recording music is conductive to your neighbors ; )
What surprises me about this Industrial District, is how whenever urban living is metioned, these two get the most mention (i.e. KTLA’s 60 years LA special, news reports on downtown living, etc..). Unfortunately, I agree with Friday, this place is really disconnected from downtown and should not be the prototype for ‘urban living’. I bet most of the people here drive into the Central Business Districts and don’t hop onto the 720 Rapid or take the bus/taxi. Eventhough I live in South Park, I don’t feel safe walking across skid row into the Industrial District (Royal Clayton’s is great, btw). I just don’t want the media to portray the Linear City projects as ‘urban’, when in fact, it’s another secluded area w/in downtown. Until projects get built and connect to it (Barker Block is nearby), then an urban form will develop.
While I agree that the Industrial District is very disconnected geographically, what really gets me is that developers are marketing these lofts to buyers who may be trying to get in on the “Downtown Renaissance” — which is occurring a couple miles away in some cases.
For example, the 2121 Lofts website has a video where the developer says that LA Live is happening “four or five blocks away”! 2121 Lofts is near the LA River.
That being said, these blocks are mini-urban-neighborhoods on their own. They don’t necessarily have to revolve around the larger Downtown in order to be urban. If these developments attract people who aren’t locked into 9-to-5’ers (8-to-6’ers?) who are going to drive to their office on Bunker Hill, that can work for them. I’m thinking artists, people who work from home, etc. As time goes by, the amenities like dry-cleaners, neighborhood grocers, and so forth, will help give the Industrial District its own sense of place.
> noah, i hope recording music is conductive to your neighbors ; )
I recorded my entire album in an apartment, so I’m used to keeping it down. It will be better in the biscuit company with some sound treatment but still not perfect for sure. I’ve heard about a few other recording studios in the building. We shall see.
I know it seems counter productive, but even if these places are populated by people that drive to their offices in downtown - that’s only a 1 or 2 mile drive.
At least those short commutes will take cars off the freeways, and the shorter transit trips will reduce emissions. I figure every bit helps, and eventually more residential-friendly services will make their way out there and link those neighborhoods into downtown.
Even if these developments get residents that drive to work, they are most likely driving only 1 or 2 miles into Bunker Hill/Financial District. At least that’s taking out a lot of congestion and and pollution, and those residents still need neighborhood services, that might gradually get them accustomed to walking/riding to work. Those services should eventually fill in some of the gaps and make it safe enough for pedestrians into downtown.
I’m sorry, but this location does not appear very safe for people like me with a dog to walk multiple times a day. I feed MUCH safer walking on skid row than out on Alameda near Industrial St.
I can see the potential for the area, but it does not have the greatest views (it is pretty far from downtown) and I can only assume the street noise is loud due to amount of semis right next to the buildings.
See my post about when I went to check it out… (and no, Beckhams did not purchase a place there- that was retracted later) http://skidrowdude.wordpress.com/?s=physique
I visited both buildings and toured the units. They are very cool inside. I especially liked how creative some of the unit owners are. The ideas I walked away with on how to partition the units was very inspiring.
The units also have a substantial amount of light and great views of the city.
As for safety, the area is not at all what it used to be 5 years ago. Very safe with alot of residential traffic. Both buildings have an attendant in the lobby with video. There is a pretty cool restaurant bar in toy bldg
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