August 07, 2005

LA Adaptive Reuse Projects

The City of Los Angeles recently announced the successful rehabilitation of several prominent historic landmarks under the city's Citywide Adaptive Reuse Program. In the past month, the Pacific Electric Building at 600-610 S. Main Street obtained occupancy approval for 314 units of adaptive reuse Lofts, and building permits were issued for the start of work on the Eastern Columbia Building at 849 S. Broadway, the Broadway Hollywood Building at 1645 N. Vine Street, and the Hollywood Equitable Building at 6253-6261 W. Hollywood Boulevard.

The City of Los Angeles' new Citywide Adaptive Reuse Program encourages developers to adaptively reuse existing building stock (including historic structures) by providing access to numerous financial and zoning incentives. The City defines an "adaptive reuse project" as the conversion of an eligible building to one or any combination of the following new uses: dwelling units or apartments; guest rooms in hotels or motels; or live/work units.

The Los Angeles Mayor's office helps projects arrange financing, qualify for tax credits and other incentives, and streamline permitting and other approval processes. Adaptive reuse breathes new life into vacant or underused commercial buildings by converting them to new housing and retail.

Over 70 projects have been completed, are under construction, or have begun the entitlement process leading up to a full rehabilitation. The city uses an interactive web-based system to provide the public with information about each project. The system is based upon NavigateLA, one the city's online Geographic Information System (GIS), and provides a birds-eye-view of completed projects as well as those underway. Available information includes a brief statement on each property's historical and cultural significance, and contact information for the associated developers and leasing offices.

A full explanation of the Citywide Adaptive Reuse Program can be found in the City of Los Angeles' program handbook, which can be downloaded from Los Angeles Housing Department:

City of LA Adaptive Reuse Program Handbook (.PDF ~5mb)



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