One Santa Fe and the Citizens Warehouse Building

I was amused to see a Curbed LA post from May 2014, calling this project the "Almost Finished Nail  in the Arts District Gentrification Coffin." I can see the buildings as rather coffin-like in shape too. The complex as a whole is a quarter of a mile long.  The only thing to do is to photograph what's left of the arts district as it used to be.  I'm starting here, on the next block.

This is Center Street, a block away from One Santa Fe.  It was on the telephone pole in front of  the magnificent blooming tree that I  first saw the flyer protesting the construction of One Santa Fe.  The building with windows boarded is another story.  It's the Citizens Warehouse Building.  It used to have artists studios, but when the first street bridge was widened, a section had to be cut off.  It's an historic building and was intended to be restored.  Now the bridge is open, but the Citizen's Warehouse still has plywood boards on the side facing the bridge. 

One Santa Fe

A few years ago, I was wandering around Santa Fe Avenue checking the progress of the First Street Viaduct widening project.  I saw a flyer affixed to a pole about a protest against a big development project.  It was just the sort of thing I would object to if it were happening in my own neighborhood.  The protesters did not prevail, and One Santa Fe is in the late stages of construction.  A few of the units are already leased.

It's a fancy place in what's called the Arts District, which is filling up with places artists can't afford.  It's huge--"the Empire State Building on its side."  here's the price list, according to Curbed.

Studios (*343 to 670 square feet): $1,480 to $2,035
One-bedroom/one-bathroom (526 to 690 square feet): $1,980 to $2,410
One-bedroom/one-bathroom (703 to 913 square feet): $2,135 to $3,135
Two-bedroom/two-bathroom (899 to 982 square feet): $2,385 to $2,810
Two-bedroom/two-bathroom (1,002 to 1,103 square feet): $2,460 to $2,810
Two-bedroom/two-bathroom townhouse (1,241-1,422 square feet):$3,585 to $4,530

I'm all for Tiny House Living, but 343sq. ft. should be a lot cheaper than that.


But here's the surprise--I like the way it looks.  It's like a shiny version of the surrounding architecture.  I like the angles and the vermilion color.

On the other hand, I think it won't be long before everyone forgets this was the arts district.