All Renters Week long we'll be looking at some of the most happening rental neighborhoods in Los Angeles. We've checked out Echo Park and Venice so far. Today: Downtown's Historic Core.
The Historic Core is riding high on a decade-long gentrification that began with developer Tom Gilmore's Old Bank District project, which converted several early twentieth century buildings into yuppie-ready apartments and condos. The long, thin neighborhood is still moving up in the world, with bike lanes and a park (and parklets) arriving soon. Here's what renters can expect:
Rental units: Loft apartments in adaptively-reused old buildings. Parking can be a bit tough to come by; some buildings share lots or go without.
Rent range: about $1,100 for a 600 square foot apartment to about $3,500 for a 2,000 square foot apartment.
Who lives there: Hipsters who are too old for Echo Park, yuppie couples and singles, FIDM girls, rich USC kids, John Stamos. Johnny Depp's so cool he's already moved on.
Neighborhood highlights: Food is the big draw in the Historic Core. Brunch fave Pete's was an early pioneer in the latest gentrification, but (contested) French Dip king Cole's, classic kitschy cafeteria Clifton's (currently closed for a hipster makeover), and the Grand Central Market were there back in the day (1908, 1935, and 1917, respectively). More recently you can get vegan baked goods, Scottish-Jewish food, and fancy cocktails. The HC also has Gallery Row and the huge monthly Downtown Art Walk; plus all the lovely old theaters of Broadway (in varying states of disrepair or abandonment); Angels Flight, the shortest railway in the world; and the 1893 Bradbury Building, made famous in Blade Runner. The neighborhood is also smack in the middle of Downtown LA, so it's got that going for it.
On Craigslist, sometimes mistaken for: Bunker Hill, Skid Row
On Craigslist, sometimes referred to as: Historic Core--listers tend to get it right on this one.
If you want to spend a little more, try: buying
If you want to spend a little less, try: the Arts District
Sample rentals:
-- A one bathroom unit on the seventh floor of the Barlett Building with a dishwasher, washer/dryer, and parking starting at $120 per month. Rent is $1,500.
-- A one bathroom unit in the Douglas Building Lofts with dishwasher, washer/dryer, and one parking space. Rent is $3,000.
-- A tenth floor unit in the Rowan Lofts with a washer/dryer and a parking space. Rent is $1,975.
-- A parking spot on Eighth St. between Broadway and Spring. Rent is $90.
-- A one and a half bathroom unit in SB Spring, which has a pool, gym, and sauna. Rent is $1,850.
· A Renter's Guide to Echo Park [Curbed LA]
· A Renter's Guide to Venice Beach [Curbed LA]
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