Designer Turns an Ugly Stairway to a Real Entrance
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — When Maison Bertet officially opens its retail space this week in the basement of Premiere Towers (621 S. Spring), it'll be looking to wow some loft owners with impressive ideas for decorating their space. After seeing the way they transformed an ugly entryway to their basement space, I'm pretty sure they'll be successful.
Premiere Towers was converted to housing by the CRA in the mid-1980s. At the time concepts like keeping the integrity of a historic building's ground floor were a little less engrained than they are today. Next to the lobby entrance was left a fancy doorway leading into a small area that might well have been designed as a fire escape, with stairs leading up from the basement.
The basement space was rehabbed using CRA money, opening in late 2004 as an art gallery. The entryway, though, saw little improvement.
That's why it was a bit of a surprise today to walk past and see that this fire escape has been turned into a grand descent, perfectly showing off the sort of wares downstairs and providing light and the encouragement to venture down.
While I may never buy furniture or fixtures, I'm already a fan of what the shop's done to the building.
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David Kennedy on March 11, 2008, at 10:33AM – #1
Let me be the first to say "Wow!" I lived in that building about ten years ago. Yeah, attention to historic detail was not a priority. (Dirt cheap rent though.) But, this retailer looks to be world-class. Spring Street? Wow! I have to amble by just to check it out. I believe it will be extremely telling to see if this business succeeds.
Joel Bertet on July 08, 2008, at 06:52PM – #2
Eric, thanks for noticing our shop. David thanks for your kind comments.
We really tried to do something exciting for Downtown. We feel it is a privilege to be part of the downtown community and we always have a great time working with the downtown developers and especially the homeowners.
Please feel free to come down that newly decorated lobby and see our 7000 s.f. showroom.
Best Regards,
Joel Bertet Maison Bertet
Ankur on September 10, 2008, at 05:58PM – #3
Quick question joel - been meaning to come by the showroom, but I dont see any hours posted, nor do I see it open on weekends.
Let me know! :)