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Downtown Crossroads: A Block that Overlaps Districts

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Friday, June 20, 2008, at 08:49AM

Ed Fuentes

New umbrellas at the Angelique Cafe frame the view looking south from the balcony.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — 9th and Main is a Downtown junction with the odd median nearing a completed facelift––something planned as far back as 2005. It’s another step to improve what has become the corner of Gallery Row and the Fashion District.

New colorful blue and green spheres aside, the block's features include lofts, galleries, roll up your sleeves tailoring, a fashion designer, a loved cafe and some old signs to be seen as more cleanup continues.

It's always been an interesting corner for blogdowntown to explore, and it's funny to see how the area is marketed. The Tomahawk Lofts claims to be in the heart of the Fashion District. The Great Repulic Lofts, one half block away, stakes its claim as being in the heart of the Financial District.

Carmen Cristerna, who co-owns a shop that tailors clothes and makes signs, is glad for the changes. For the first time, after 35 years, they worked late when last week they placed banners up for the nearby Chapman Lofts. "I admire the contrast," she says. "There are well dressed people and poor people walking on the streets together with less emotion of fear."

As for 9th and Main being the southern tip of Gallery Row, or the north exit from the Fashion District; that depends which road you travel.

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Ed Fuentes

9th and Main, at Spring, with new lighting ready to be lit and plantings that haven't yet fleshed out. In a 1967 LAPL photograph, the 810 S Spring St sign was intact (only painted over last year).

Ed Fuentes

The upstairs trim is getting fresh coats of red, a subtle change for a cafe that has kept its popularity through an ownership change.

Ed Fuentes

Walking from the cafe, a diner becomes window shopper at the Candice Held Boutique at 822 S. Spring. The space also holds the Dalessio Gallery.

Ed Fuentes

People watching from her laptop from inside the boutique was Allyson Sereboff, an actress just in from New York who was minding the store for the day. She's attracted to L.A.s urban core, yet states "It's not New York. It has its own vibe."

Ed Fuentes

The sign for Mi Terra makes the claim of making original carne asada since 1958. The small stores often have two entrances in the unique block. As for this cafe, it closes at 4 and now serves El Salvadorian food

Ed Fuentes

The Tomahawk Building (814 S. Spring) was completed as lofts in 2004 and is still marketed as being in the heart of the Fashion District. The late 1970s Gary Lloyd sculpture predates the current loft movement.

Ed Fuentes

On Thursday, new lighting with a historic design was being installed at the 93 unit National City Bank Building Lofts (810 S. Spring).

Ed Fuentes

On the other side, the iron work over the Main street Entrance gets a scrub. Inside the lobby, Spring and Main label the doors leading to the streets.

Ed Fuentes

Jose Carl works the Arcade Building from 6am to 3pm. Behind him are The Great Republic Lofts (8th and Main). Where is the heart of the city? I asked. He replied "L.A? Uno corazÃ³n (one heart)."

Ed Fuentes

Inside Mike's Tailor, one of four garment workers catches up with a workload. The shop has been under the same ownership for 35 years; the price for a hem on a pair of pants has jumped from one dollar to four.

Ed Fuentes

Mike's Tailor Shop also makes signs, says Carmen Cristerna. With former jewelry businessman Morris Rahmani, they look over a sign for his new business; the just opened Kelly's Coffee and Fudge.

Conversation

Guest 1

Narinda on June 23, 2008, at 05:43PM – #1

Those sculptures are otherworldly when I ride by them on my bicycle. I'm still not sure how I feel about them.

I appreciate the coverage of the shops at that junction!

Guest 2

Ankur on July 03, 2008, at 06:17PM – #2

I love this intersection, but not sure about the cost. La.curbed reported @ around 300k?

Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on July 03, 2008, at 08:38PM – #3

Ankur: You have to assume that a good chunk of that cost went into the infrastructure of turning a paved bit of roadway into an actual median. They had to tear out a ton of asphalt and then install the concrete, dirt, utilities, etc.