The Kim Sing Theatre’s next iteration? A “micro hotel,” says Ash Pathi, founder of Indra & Company, the property’s new owner.
Indra & Company bought the old neighborhood film house in Chinatown for $3.3 million in October from Willard Ford, son of Harrison Ford. “I’m a big fan of the lore and nostalgia of Los Angeles,” Pathi says. “History needs to be respected and focused on here.”
The venue opened as the Alpine Theatre in 1926, reportedly to show vaudeville acts, and, in 1943, might have been the location where the zoot suit riots started. In the ’70s and ’80s, Chinese American children spent weekend afternoons in the smoky theater, snacking on dried plums and soda while devouring kung fu films.
Ford took ownership of it about 16 years ago. He already gutted the interior, giving it an industrial look and transformed it into his personal residence, a fashion showroom, and a venue for parties. Pathi says his company didn’t have to change much: “It was a beautiful canvas. It was well done.”
They added beds and other furniture and decor, and are now ready to start taking reservations. The space, comprised of three bedrooms and a kitchen, is suited for groups; it can accommodate single reservations for parties up to 10 guests, with rates starting at $1,199 nightly.
When it’s not hosting over-night guests, that space will be used for event rentals.
Pathi says he’s also looking to bring in a coffee shop and a restaurant. “We talked to all of our neighbors. A big use they asked for was a coffee shop,” he says. “We wanted to open it up to the community.”
Indra & Company shared new photos of the hotel space; check them out:
- Harrison Ford's son sells Chinatown live/work theater for $3.3M [Curbed LA]
- Buy Chinatown's 1926 live/work Kim Sing Theatre for $4.55M [Curbed LA]
Comments
Who exactly is this going to be marketed to?
By Mildred Fillmore on 07.21.17 8:58am
Gross, this will just drive gentrification in the low-income community of color which will displace and erase existing residents. All the branding/marketing about preserving history etc… but for who to consume? The people who can afford $1199/night Airbnb rates?
And who are these "neighbors" wanting a coffee shop???? If they talk to the community residents, I’m sure coffee shop would fall below cultural community center and quality affordable housing and so many other things.
If this development cared about the community, they should stay critical of themselves and their new renovated presence in Chinatown. The fact that their rates are so high already speaks to who they’re catering to and who they’re dismissing.
By gentrificationsucks on 07.21.17 11:08am
Why bring the dirty G work into this? Was this building ever in the rental market? No. Who is being displaced by what the current owner is planning on doing? No one. Who can afford $1199/night? Perhaps an out-of-town bachelor/bachelorette party or just about any large group of friends visiting LA. Who are these neighbors who want a coffee shop? How about the 100s of units living in the Orsini like literally on the same block? Negative opinions about Palmer and his fauxtalian fortresses notwithstanding (I hate them personally), a lot of people live in his buildings. What cultural community centers are you looking to build, you mean like all the ones along Broadway and Hill, or something like the Thien Hau Temple on Yale?
Quit being a keyboard crusader, telling someone who purchased an existing building on what he/she could and could not do with it. You don’t have to patronize it if you think the prices are ridiculous, but please get off your high horse.
By dudeimstarving on 07.21.17 3:06pm
I’ve been to an event there—it’s lovely. Nice try blaming the current owners for gentrifying the area though. As someone else pointed out, the neighborhood is dominated by the Orsini. I suggest you point the finger at Geoff Palmer instead. In the meantime the current owners should be lauded for continuing to preserve an historic building.
By lahope on 07.21.17 9:19pm