For well over a year, I’ve kept an eye on that long stretch of Santa Fe Ave. in Downtown Los Angeles, a span between two bridges from 1st St. to 4th St. as construction progresses on a new mixed-use development. While I’ve been sadly counting down the days when I will completely lose my view of the sunrise here in the Arts District, along the West Bank of the Los Angeles River, I’m happily anticipating what that area might become with the completion of what they named “One Santa Fe.” I’ve taken lots of photos as this massive project rises, including the one in this post. (See the “urban giraffes” on the right? If you visit my Tumblr blog, you’ll see more!)
Here’s a snapshot of the project:
— 438 rental units (20 percent affordable)
— approximately 80,000 square feet of commercial space (hopefully, a grocery store)
— a 99-seat theater in partnership with SCI-Arc
— over an acre of public outdoor space
— a possible Arts District Metro station
I must admit … while I knew One Santa Fe was going to be six stories in height once finished, I don’t think I realized how TALL that really was in relation to everything else in the area. Currently, the concrete pillars in place are three stories high, and growing. While I am supportive of One Santa Fe and actually happy for any developments planned or in place that align with the creative energy and residential nature of my neighborhood, I wonder how I will really feel once Santa Fe Ave. becomes an “urban canyon” instead of a once-wide, no-stop-signs-until-now street. I am hopeful that the builders will leave additional space along each side of the road (hopefully, a BIKE LANE?), and that the final quarter-mile-long structure will be open and welcoming, so we can walk or bike inside to see the Los Angeles River and eastward beyond. On another good note, the streamlined road will likely slow down the speeding back-road drivers who use Santa Fe Ave. not only as a detour to avoid DTLA traffic, but also as a place to replicate drag-racing maneuvers as seen in the multitude of movies filmed here.
Want to know more about One Santa Fe? Read an overview of this 510,000-square-foot project by the architect Michael Maltzan or check out this recent post by Brigham Yen.
Watch what’s happening by following One Santa Fe on Instagram and Facebook.
OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT ONE SANTA FE
L.A. Curbed
Downtown News
Canyon Johnson Urban Funds
Genesis LA
Los Angeles Times
Correction: I’ve been informed that proposed Metro Station may not be Gold Line as I was originally told, but may be either a Red Line or Purple Line. Will update once I hear official confirmation from Metro.