Abramson Architects has completed the design of 3300 Sunset at Sunset Row, a 19,100-square-foot mixed-use development featuring retail and restaurant space in the heart of Silver Lake.
Developed by downtown-based development group RYDA, the complex formerly existed as an abandoned 1930s auto body shop. The project represents the reimagining of obsolete typologies and is an example of adaptive reuse.
“They’re really driven to come to these neighborhoods and find an opportunity to upcycle a building,” Marco Marraccini, a partner at Abramson Architects, said regarding RYDA’s choice to repurpose underutilized properties. “Take something that has good bones and a good concept and turn it into something that will create a lot of activation and community engagement.”
The renovation features 12,600 square feet of retail and restaurant space, combining a mixture of new design while maintaining original integrity.
“What we always try to do is find what’s at the heart of a building,” Marraccini said. “Automotive facilities are actually pretty good buildings to transform into retail because retail you want big storefronts, and with an automotive facility you have big garage door openings, which are practical. The structure is already there. You just have to take out the garage doors and replace them with beautiful steel storefronts. It can be pretty transformative.”
Beyond transforming the storefronts and adding signage, not much was done to reshape the building, leaving many of the historical details intact, including its bow truss ceilings and Art Deco exterior.
“We were lucky that we had a lot of Art Deco detailing,” said LuLu Saleh, an associate and project manager at Abramson Architects. “There’re not necessarily opportunities for restoration on all projects. But for this one there was a bit of, ‘how do we preserve and, in some cases repair, some of the broken detailing.’ It was really about that light touch overall.”
In rehabilitating its purpose, the building’s life was extended.
“I think a lot of buildings are torn down way before their lifespan is over” Saleh said.
One of the design elements Abramson Architects is especially excited about is the 6,500-square-foot courtyard, which is intended to blur the line between public and private space. Located right off the busy stretch of Sunset Boulevard, the desert landscaping is meant to attract community members and create a pedestrian-friendly network.
The shell of the development was completed in November of last year. It’s currently leasing and undergoing tenant build outs and is expected to open later this year.
