If you’re looking to squeeze into LA’s increasingly pricy housing market for under $500,000, you may end up narrowing your search to condos. Here’s a solid option next to Pershing Square in the heart of Downtown LA.
The location is prime, not only because it’s close to public transit but because Pershing Square is poised for a major makeover that will transform it from an uninviting concrete plaza to a verdant space with themed gardens and a large lawn. And, at the corner of Fifth Street and Broadway, the loft is in walking distance from Clifton’s Republic, the Last Bookstore, and Grand Central Market.
Measuring 670 square feet, the unit features tall ceilings, polished concrete floors, and a contemporary kitchen. It’s listed as a one bedroom, but it looks like you’ll have to partition that space yourself if you want privacy form the living area.
It’s in a handsome brick-clad building constructed in 1923 that comes with a rooftop pool. HOA dues can be scarily high in DTLA, but at $251 per month, the fees here aren’t too frightening. The listing copy notes that you can shell out an extra $200 per month for valet parking.
- 312 West 5th Street #516 [John Aaroe Group]
Comments
Still not sure who would want to live in downtown. Yeah, the unit may be nice, and maybe the block in front of your street. But two blocks away there are thousands of homeless people that the city is never going to help get off the streets.
By LADude on 06.29.17 11:50am
And a block away you have the Biltmore Hotel and the LA Public Library. So what’s your point? Do you plan on going specifically to skid row for some reason? Besides, programs to help the homeless get off the street recently were passed and they’re working on putting programs to address the issue of homelessness.
By mrxman on 06.29.17 6:52pm
downtown is awesome, i lived there for 2 years and just moved, wish i could stay but buying a house and the hoa’s of downtown are ridiculous. this place is a good deal actually, but too small for a couple.
By chrisd on 06.30.17 12:58am
not bad. could use a little bump in the finishes but it’s pretty good. i doubt there is any parking included but if you don’t need a car so what. would be fun to live within walking distance to everything downtown. maybe as a little weekend getaway spot for someone who lives behind the orange curtain.
By LAoneWay on 06.29.17 2:02pm
Agreed. Perfect for a young couple too.
By mrxman on 06.29.17 6:53pm
Is there anyone on curbed who has lived in this building before? I’m curious to know why the available units in this building are consistently cheaper than other converted lofts in DTLA. I know the homelessness and filth around the building is a bad look but it’s no different than lofts on Spring, which are significantly more expensive when they hit the market.
By dudeimstarving on 06.29.17 2:11pm
Because it’s in one of the shittiest of the several shitty Barry Shy buildings in downtown.
By aldo37 on 06.29.17 3:28pm
Got it, thanks!
By dudeimstarving on 06.30.17 10:42am
i live in this building. i love it. my place is larger than this one and i have nicer views.
the interesting thing about this building is the vast difference among quality of units. some of them face the interior "courtyard" which is a tiny 20×20 hole that goes to the basement from the roof. these units get NO natural light and they face their neighbors closely. they have balconies in there that look like Hong Kong.
the people who live across the hall from me are basically a completely different class of person (social class), paying much less, many are students. meanwhile the people with nice views esp. on top floors have sweeping views and larger units.
i really like living here.
By Ryan Quinn Hines on 07.03.17 7:56pm
The unit is priced lower because it is a Barry Shy building!
Google Barry Shy Lawsuits and you get why it is a pain to live in this building.
By greybox86 on 06.29.17 3:08pm
I toured this building awhile back, looked at 3 units back in 2011. Can you believe they were going for mid 200s? Ended up buying a unit somewhere else. Thank God. That little corner of DTLA has not improved one bit in 6 years. The Rite Aid across was/is ground central for narcotic sales. And yup, just google "barry shy landlord". I’ve lived in his SB lofts before. Not the best, not the worst, but man, everything was broken. Poor lower level management always had their hands full, Emily did the best she could. It’s ok if that guy is your landlord when you’re renting and can get on up and leave after a year but if you own…
By howdydowdy on 06.29.17 11:08pm