Art Share L.A. embarks on makeover of its industrial building in the Arts District

The nonprofit Art Share L.A. is embarking on a big revamp of its Arts District headquarters helmed by one of the big names in Los Angeles architecture, Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects.

Once a textile recycling factory, the building, at Fourth and Hewitt, holds space for art and performances on the ground floor, and upstairs, dozens of artists live in 30 subsidized live/work units. Remnants of its industrial past, including brick walls and freight doors, will be preserved as part of the redesign.

LOHA’s reboot is focusing on altering the building’s ground-floor layout, which is presently a maze-like mix of gallery space, classrooms, performance space, and offices.

“Redundant” walls added to the interior in previous renovations will be stripped away to recapture 30 percent of the building’s available square footage, LOHA says. The designers will also create flexible spaces for gallery shows and performances, as well as classroom and workshop space.

Streamlining public access to the space, the building’s multiple street entrances will also be eliminated to create one main, central entrance for all shows and events.

Take a look at how the spaces will look post-renovation: