A Peek Inside the Blackstone at Ninth and Broadway
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Though it may not look it from outside, the long-delayed conversion of the Blackstone department store to 82 residential units is finally rounding the home stretch nearly a decade after the project was first proposed.
Running the project are husband and wife team Allen Gross and Arax Harutunian of Neighborhood Efforts. Walking through the building with the two, it's immediately clear how much fun they have restoring historic buildings. They got into the field nearly fifteen years ago, when they took on the preservation of the Los Altos in 1995.
Some notes from a tour through the under-construction building:
Walking into the basement, it would be easy to think you've found your way into an archeological dig. Ceiling-high scaffolding towers over excavation below. Two levels of parking are being put in, and that requires a few more feet of headroom.
Ground floor could potential hold retail, a restaurant and up to two bars. A large grease trap is being installed and CUPs are being applied for, meaning that eventual tenants will have a quicker road to opening.
The residential units carry the high-ceilings of loft-life but not its exposed utilities. Historic crown molding in the ceilings has been lovingly restored and highlighted. Massive windows throughout.
Another break from the loft trend is closets, and lots of them. Many units feature both a walk-in and a shallower space or two.
While the upstairs units are nearing completion, work on the ground floor and parking will push the project's completion date out toward the end of the year. Of the building's rental 82 units, 16 will be affordable and 66 will be market rate.
Alex Brideau III on May 15, 2009, at 12:45PM – #1
Sounds like a nice place. Any word on layouts? Hard lofts, soft lofts, bedrooms? It would be nice to find that elusive Downtown two-bedroom unit here.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on May 15, 2009, at 12:56PM – #2
They've got a mix of unit types, from studios to two bedrooms. They're finished, not exposed utilities, piping, etc.
David Kennedy on May 15, 2009, at 01:59PM – #3
Alex, take a look at the Orpheum kitty-corner to this building. Their two-story units might have the layouts you are looking for. The building management at the Orpheum is excellent.
www.laorpheum.com/lofts/index.html
Major Hancock on May 15, 2009, at 09:33PM – #4
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Neighborhood Efforts? I can't seem to find any info about them online. No website. Also can't find a website for the building. Any help appreciated.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on May 15, 2009, at 10:33PM – #5
They're working on putting together a website, but in the meantime I would suggest going through Tyler Murphy of the Robin Group.
Ankur on May 18, 2009, at 07:16AM – #6
Good to hear. That corner of downtown is really coming together!
Robert on December 18, 2009, at 10:57AM – #7
Is there any update on the Blackstone building? I can't wait for this addition to the neighborhood.
Guest on March 25, 2010, at 07:16PM – #8
Anyone hear anything about this lately?
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on March 25, 2010, at 09:02PM – #9
Guest: The building had some inspection delays, but my understanding is that it should be ready for occupancy within the next few months.
Guest on April 05, 2010, at 08:25PM – #10
Is there a price range yet?
Guest on August 21, 2010, at 02:14PM – #11
Just came back from a tour of the Blackstone lofts and I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. Being advertised as "luxury" lofts I was expecting higher standards in terms of amenities and design. The decor in the lobby is so tacky it does not do justice to such a beautiful historic building: think more like entering a cheap Hollywood lounge. The bathrooms and kitchen are pretty basic, nothing special. My favorite part was the hardwood floors and the hallways which are bright and spacious. Overall a huge disappointment, reminded me of a Barry Shy kind of development. The sales lady could barely answer any questions about the building. The developer, Allen Gross was very quick to get his sales speech out, and to close the conversation when we started asking specific questions about the kind of retail, bars and restaurants they will have there. All he had to say was its going to be “fun, fun, fun”. After this experience, I’m definitely concerned about the ground floor adding another scar to the face of our beloved DT. I was going to recommend this building to friends wanting to move Downtown – not anymore.
Guest on August 23, 2010, at 12:08AM – #12
I would bet $100 that the last comment is from a competitor. Guarantee that their finishes are no where as high quality as the Blackstone. The Blackstone has genuine hardwood floors: 3/4 inch solid white oak and Brazilian teakwood floors throughout the entire residence –not just in living room so they can advertise hardwood floors – the Blackstone has hard wood floors throughout the entire residence- even in the closets - not concrete, not Pergo, not laminate floors, not plastic floors that look like wood - but the Real Deal-- Kitchens have black granite- not the cheap speckled granite but solid Back Granite, not cesarstone(concrete) or cheap formica ''But the Real Deal"- if anyone knows the cost and quality of granite - they could appreciate it. However if you like the cheap 10 foot kitchen against the wall with some cheap tile as the backsplash or paint ,then go to one of the other buildings. If you want cheap Home Depot cabinets, then the Blackstone is not for you - If you want expensive Contemporary European cabinets that are ordered from Europe and not CHINA, then the Blackstone is for you. If you want cheap Home depot $35 Delta faucets, then the Blackstone is not for you- But if you want German Faucets $500 and care about quality, then the Blackstone is it!!!! . If you think having no closets and getting charged $150-$200 extra for storage is cool, then the Blackstone is not for you- But if you like a minimum of 3 closets and huge walk in closets the size of bedrooms, then you will love Blackstone-of course there is no extra charge. If you think its cool to park 2 blocks away in a parking structure on the 6th floor and walk to your building with your groceries at night - then the Blackstone is not for you- But if you want to have the convenience of driving into your building and park under your building in a safe place and take the elevator straight from your car up to your unit - you will appreciate the millions of dollars spent to provide onsite underground parking - simply to provide the convenience of onsite parking- but if its cool to walk blocks to your parking structure everyday, Blackstone is not for you. If you think its cool to live in a building that destroys all its historic features, then Blackstone is not for you- the Blackstone spent millions restoring and renovating the building in coordination with a hired historic consultant and restoring the building under the scrutiny and coordination of the State Historic Preservation Office and the Federal National Park Service to be placed on the National Register as a Federal Monument. If you thinks its cool to renovate a building without any conscience regard for its historic architecture, then the Blackstone is not for you!! If Historic Preservation is important, then the Blackstone is for you!!! If you think its cool to have exterior exposed electrical conduit running on your walls and you don't think the developer is not just being cheap then the Blackstone is not for you. The Blackstone spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to build and frame out walls so there are no exposed conduits running on the walls- if you don't appreciate these higher finishes, then the Blackstone is not for you. If you think having cheap electrical conduit running all over your walls, stay were you are. If you think it's cool to have one cooling tower on the top of your building so you can't control your own thermostat, then the Blackstone is not for you. But if you want to have your own central heating and air conditioner system that you can control in your own unit, you will love the Blackstone. If you want exposed ducts (if you don't think the developer is being cheap by not building walls and soffets so as not to see the exposed tubes going though out you home) and if you don't think that’s just being Cheap- then the Blackstone is not for you- If you want higher end finishes where you can't see your Heating and Air conditioning system, then the Blackstone is for you. If you think cheap $40 hollow home depot doors are cool vs. $1200 all custom solid front doors and solid wood and glass interior doors and electronic entry keys that can be custom programmed along with I-phone/ipod docks that come with its own amplifier and souround sound speakers in your residence vs. cheap doors and hardware then the Blackstone is not for you.
Lets talk RETAIL-- Blackstone restored the glass retail exterior back to the way it looked in 1916 when the Blackstone was a Department Store vs. cheap thin glass with Aluminium framing. Of course, it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to renovate and restore the storefront. But if the aluminum and cheap thin glass storefronts is cool, then the Blackstone is not for you. The Blackstone has spent millions on the retail to make it retail / restaurant ready, installed a 5,000 gallon grease interceptor, venting to the roof, electrical, fire sprinklers, and fire alarm systems in - so it could be ready for great retail- to be plug and play. If you think Cheap is cool, then the Blackstone is not for you- If you want higher end finishes and higher quality amenities such as having subterranean parking - come by the Blackstone where CHEAP is not Coool!!!
Its OK to be jealous- just don’t be slanderous........
Guest on August 23, 2010, at 12:17AM – #13
Ok you sold me. Now can you convince my wife that just because we love our apartment layout (long, many windows), the downsides (especially the horrible ownership/management) clearly outweigh the one positive?
Pet deposit? Two pets ok? Laundry?
Guest on August 30, 2010, at 07:11PM – #14
Definitely bring your pets - lets have a drink on me- and let me give you one more tour - All the very Best!
Guest on August 30, 2010, at 08:10PM – #15
"I would bet $100 that the last comment is from a competitor."
I became apprehensive when I read #11's comments and thought you folks at the Blackstone perhaps were guilty of cutting corners, if not doing schlock work. But your post is so detailed and convincing, I know exactly what your promotional material should be! A copy and paste of post #12!!
If your description is accurate and reliable, then not only do you deserve a few round of "hurrah's!," you deserve all devoted Angelenos hoping you buy other buildings in the neighborhood and doing to them what you've done to the Blackstone. And you deserve everyone hoping your investment ends up a great success!
Guest on September 05, 2010, at 06:33PM – #16
To #12:
I saw the photos on your website and if the images of the apartment (I'm assuming the one set aside as the model) that's shown can be taken at face value, I have to say I'm impressed. Other than Metro417 (the old Subway Terminal building) and perhaps a few more old buildings now converted into apartments, you offer the choice of residences that contain fully built-out interior walls. That option is all too uncommon among most of the residential projects in downtown.
Only quibble is that your website's photo of the Blackstone's exterior makes it look like it still needs a good steam cleaning, particularly on its north side.
I'm still jazzed that such classic old-time buildings are being brought back to life and, at least apparently in the case of your property, in such a wonderful way. I'm a bit more neutral about those buildings whose owners have decided to leave much of their property's interiors in an overly rough-hewn and supposedly "hip and cool deconstructionist" condition. But as the saying goes, to each his own.
Guest on October 04, 2010, at 12:13AM – #17
My wife and I have been looking for the past few weekends for a loft-style apmnt in the downtown area. We looked at everything from the high-end (ridiculous) prices of the WaterMark condo conversion luxury rentals, to the SB undermarket/a little cheapish units. I remebered seeing Blackstone online but was disappointed to not see a updated website. Today, looking to come to my "final four" of lofts, I stumbled into the open-house of Blackstone. The laid back yet hip attitude of Keri and Tyler might turn-off the stiff real estate purveyor but I felt it refreshing. Waiting for the song and dance I have heard a million times (I am a post-NY, Philly, Miami Beach resident), I was suprised at tyler's effort-less explaination of the property, its history, design-features, and still being completed amenities. I usually would go for something completely finished and polished but, the apartment amenities were dead-on. Because I have to run everything thru "mama", I called my wife and told her to come see it immediately! When my wife and daughter saw the 2/2, they fell in love. For the quality of the building, architecture, build-out, "real" hardwood floors, increadible ceiling hts, and parking inside the bldg, it was the character of the "hosts" not "agents" that made us feel at home. By the way, my wife knows landscape and interior/exterior design. So it wasn't like we were being "dupted". And for the person who didn't like the "fun, fun, fun",-don't go away mad, just go away. Hip urban professionals want their place to be an all-inclusive. It saves money, builds community, and illiminates going out in after-work trafic. Check out the extravagant WaterMark which is South Beach on steriods then we'll talk about over-the-top! The Blackstone in not at all flashy. Needless to say, barring any hold-ups, we move in on after the 15th. The city is coming back strong-get with the program! BG
Guest on November 15, 2010, at 07:26PM – #18
I can't find a contact number anywhere for the Blackstone. Dying for a 2/2....how do we get a hold of someone over there? Couldnt find a number on the website anywhere.
Rach on November 18, 2010, at 10:36AM – #19
No contact number on the web site. The management is really hard to get a hold of. The building is nice but the management is horrible.