The Downtown
Arts District had its humble beginnings around 1976. Many
artists took an interest in the Downtown Los Angeles area.
Moving from Venice, Santa Monica, Long Beach and various other
communities, artists realized their dreams with large affordable
spaces in previously abandoned buildings in the Downtown area.
In the "old days"
artists had to hide their living status. Often times there
would be impromptu inspections from the Fire Department.
Artists living in industrial lofts would have just a few
hours warning and would have to hide or disguise any recognition
of living there.
The Artists-In-Residence
ordinance was passed inthe early '80's. This ordinance allowed artists to
legally live in a building that conformed to city building
and safety standards. The rush to the Downtown studios raised
the rents from 30 cents a square foot (and often times less)
to an average of $1.00 per square foot.
During the 1980's the galleries
were so numerous there were often bus tours of the Lofts
District.
Today there are many
live/work lofts in the Downtown Arts District and hundreds
more in the surrounding communities.
Qathryn Brehm
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