Why We Love LIVE/WORK Properties

They are few and far between, but live/work properties are wonderful with virtually only upsides. 

- You can legally operate a business out of them, with some restrictions of course (can't be a restaurant if it's not zoned for a restaurant).

- Tax benefits for sole proprietors, LLCs, etc (Ask your CPA about it!)

- Often converted or adapted re-use projects, making them more sustainable than other properties/buildings

- As an owner, you have the choice to live in, or work in, or BOTH in the property (some examples include graphic designers, attorneys, accountants, editors, fashion designers, artists, company showrooms, filming locations)

- As a landlord, you have a larger audience pool of renters, from people who want to live and/or work or both in the property

- As a seller, you can market to both residential and commercial buyers

- Unique communities in which there is an intersection of lifestyle and commerce in one place

- Oftentimes, values are higher in some of these live/work buildings due to their hybrid nature

- Ideal for hybrid work-from-home users

And while there are not too many of them, some areas have a higher concentration of them. 

- DTLA has a large concentration of over 20 live/work zoned buildings. 

- Hollywood has live/work buildings dotted around the neighborhood

- Culver City 

- Pasadena 

The Beauty of a Loft

The blank slate. The creative flexibility. The live/work aspect. And so much fun to re-imagine.

There's a reason why lots of creative people love the loft space. They're not confined to a finite layout--there are many possibilities to make the space your own without having a space defined for you.

1.

In a traditional house, the layout is what it is. Sure, you can convert the dining room into an office, but then you don't have a dining area. Or maybe you want a larger living space and one less bedroom, but the structural walls won't allow for this without major construction.

A loft gives that flexibility for creative vision. This is why you'll often see lofts become drastically different when they move from owner to owner. It might be 2 bedroom loft in one life, and then an open plan art studio or showroom in the next life.

2.

Then there's the general drama of a loft. The tall ceilings, concrete pillars, barrel ceilings, exposed brick, massive windows. 

3. 

The live/work status of most lofts. You might have an owner use their loft as a photography studio, or design space, or a dual live/work showroom, or just live in it. The flexibility of zoning as "live/work" adds value and a larger audience pool for buyers as well as renters.

4. 

And of course the building itself, which often has an interesting history. Maybe it was converted from a toy factory, department store, or old bank building. 

Coming Soon - Stunning Eastern Columbia Corner Loft with Tons of Upgrades

This loft is immaculate. It was remodeled over time with no details spared. The 1740 sf loft has unique features that some of the other floors don't have, which is 14' foot ceilings, a balcony, and  oversized double paned windows, making this a quiet retreat amidst amenities like the Ace Hotel, United Artists Theater, Orpheum, upcoming Apple store, Museum Building renovation and more. It also comes with a rare storage unit. Viking appliances, Miele plumbed coffee machine, crown moldings, custom storage with library ladders, high end light fixtures, and all furniture is included.


Call for details. 310-869-2655

Eastern Columbia Live/Work Lofts for Rent Right Now!

The first one: Spacious open plan loft with concrete floors and 14-foot ceilings! Two generous built-in closets. Has a balcony too. Faces west for lovely sunsets. 1 parking space included. $3300/mo. Call or text 310-869-2655 for more info.

The second one: Open plan with gleaming concrete floors and southfacing views, and an unusual closed off bonus room that's perfect for a small guest room or office or art studio! Also includes a storage unit in the building. 1 parking space included. $3500/mo. Call or text 310-869-2655 for more info.

Live/Work Lofts in DTLA

Every week I get approached about live/work lofts, especially from artists. The reason is because these artists are getting kicked out of their studios for conversions or having their rents increased by 100%. It's always the same story. And some of these artists aren't having it anymore. They are buying their own spaces in live/work buildings.

The beauty of the live/work situation is that it is multipurpose. The space can often be shared with other artists or entrepreneurs during business hours who are paying you to use part of the space. Think of it like your own coworking space (that you own) or think of it as a duplex, where the other tenant is paying half or more of your mortgage. It's a pretty sweet situation, and best of all, you own the place so you are building equity. This is how you say goodbye to the unstable housing situation and unreasonable rent hikes.