Los Angeles is a hub for street artists. The street art from L.A. has had a dramatic influence on art throughout world. An example of one these artists that makes our street art so exciting is Axis.

Axis is regarded as one of the foremost graffiti character artists working in Los Angeles today. His dark, often humorous work is painted in a highly polished style that pushes the medium of the spray can to its outer limits of detail. In the late 1980s Axis became one of the artistic leaders of one of the nation’s largest and most highly regarded graffiti art crews, CBS. He has dabbled in political commentary over the years working in collaboration with Robbie Conal on several projects, and more recently producing a get-out-the vote-mural for Barack Obama. Through his art and music Axis has helped to shape what has become a distinctive Los Angeles street art style.

Because of artists such as Axis, this will be a landmark show for LA Street Art. ALTA Lofts is hosting the Paint Factory Art Exhibition on Saturday, March 12 from 6pm-10pm. I.C.U. Art is the presenter of this exhibit.

Get a Great Deal at ALTA Lofts: Urban Lofts near Downtown Los Angeles

People are loving ALTA Lofts in Lincoln Heights just north of Downtown Los Angeles. What’s not to love? The area is going through a renaissance and is conveniently nestled near and adjacent to some of L.A.’s trendiest neighborhoods that embrace and nurture those seeking the cutting-edge of fashion, architecture, design, art and cuisine. ALTA Lofts fits right in on the Eastside and offers unique lofts with towering ceiling heights and open floor plans. ALTA Lofts is a stellar example of how adaptive reuse can artfully blend old and new.

One of the most exciting things about ALTA Lofts is its affordability. Right now, ALTA has two winter specials:

Loft 405 is unique space with high ceilings, exposed original walls, original windows reglazed with dual panes, hardwood floors, Whirlpool stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite countertops and more! This 974 sq. ft., 1 bedroom/1 bath loft has a view of Downtown Los Angeles and is an amazing space to create a home without traditional boundaries. Loft 405 was prices at $306,000 and is now priced at $275,400!

Loft 508 is a penthouse on the 5^th floor which was added to the original structure with high ceilings a private balcony, a roll-up sectional overhead door, cement flooring, new Whirlpool stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite countertops and more. The balcony provides unique outdoor space with a view of downtown. Loft 508 is an887 sq. ft., 1 bedroom/1 bath loft that was priced$284,600 and is now only $256,000!

These are the real prices….for new construction! And now that ALTA Lofts has been approved for FHA – This means lower down payments for buyers! FHA only requires 3.5% where as traditional loans require at least a 10% down payment, making it even easier to buy a new loft.

There’s a common misconception in today’s real estate market that the best deals are short sales and foreclosures. Many are finding that, although there are some good deals, in most instances, buying a new home is actually a better investment.

Why buying a new home is often a better investment?

Warranties

Newly constructed lofts/condos/homes, like ALTA Lofts, come with a warranty. If anything goes wrong, buyers have peace of mind knowing that most items will be repaired by the builder, so, there are no out-of-pocket repair costs to absorb. ALTA Lofts buyers are covered by the builder’s warranty. Ask our sales counselors for details on what the warranty covers.

Quicker responses on offers

New home buyers get a faster response to offers. Because you’re dealing directly with a builder, you’ll get a fast reply. Which means, in most cases, buyers can close escrow in a timely manner. Foreclosures can be held up for many months or indefinitely.

Special Financing Incentives –When buying from a builder, you are more likely to get financial incentives from the builder’s lender such as assistance with closing costs, below-market financing, below-market or market- rate buydowns, a quicker closing, and at ALTA Lofts, closing escrow without meeting a pre-sale requirement. Additionally, using the builder’s lender will expedite the escrow and closing. Financial incentives save buyers thousands of dollars and often make it easier to qualify for a loan. When purchasing a foreclosure or a short sale, no financing incentives are available and your loan must be in place prior to purchasing.

Being the First!

The best thing about buying new is being the first and only person to live in your newloft/condo/ home. Everything is brand new. It is an open canvas to design your own new space. Foreclosures are sold “as is.” And, with most foreclosures, the property is in an inferior condition, which requires you to spend more money before you can actually live there. Overall, you will be spending more money to fix up the foreclosure.

Other Dangers of Foreclosures

The purchase agreement documents for a new loft/home/condo have been approved by the Department of Real Estate and all items must be disclosed, so you know exactly what you are purchasing. With foreclosures, it’s always “let the buyer beware.” When buyers purchase a foreclosure, buyers have no recourse against the seller if there are construction defects, environmental hazards, or problems of any kind with the home.

Own a New Loft Near Downtown from the mid $200,000s.

As if the pricing wasn’t good enough - ALTA Lofts is offering two amazing fall specials. Come and check out lofts #605 and #611 before they’re gone. Right now, ALTA Lofts has 14 new buyers and selling quickly… even in this tough market. Why? Well, simply put, ALTA Lofts are an incredible deal at an amazing location just minutes away from Downtown, Silverlake, Echo Park and Chinatown.

Like we said, ALTA Lofts are priced from the mid $200s. That’s for new construction: a BRAND NEW loft. Unlike foreclosures or auctions – there’s the peace of mind that your loft will be in tip top shape, that your appliances have never been used, AND, new construction can offer better deals and specials! Such as:

FALL SPECIAL ON ALTA LOFT #605: Was $271,400. Now $247,000!

Loft 605 is an 838 sq. ft. loft with balcony and a sectional roll-up door with a view of downtown Los Angeles! It’s cool, open space that opens up to the city. The balcony also offers an outdoor area that is a great extended living space…with a killer view! Like all new ALTA Lofts – the appliances are brand new.

Combine our Fall Specials with historically low interest rates and you could get an unbelievable deal on an amazing loft!

Downtown L.A.’s Fashion District, just a couple of miles from ALTA Lofts, buzzes with the bustle of ground-floor storefronts filled with apparel, shoes, handbags, menswear, women’s wear and kid’s wear. There are over 4,000 businesses spanning over 100 city blocks that make up Los Angeles’ fashion-forward apparel industry.

For the average consumer – the Fashion District can be a bit intimidating. But, if you’re willing to practice patience and perseverance – LA’s fashion district is a thrifty way to get the latest en vogue styles at bargain prices!

Santee Alley

There are about 150 stalls on Santee Alley. Known best for its designer knock-offs, vendors sell everything from denim to imposter bags that mirror the season’s latest lines. Santee Alley is a fun and thrifty way to get the latest looks for less. It’s a bustling, busy street with the look and feel of a foreign bizarre and is a crazy strip of sidewalk and stalls that runs from Olympic to Pico -and is filled with fashionistas looking for what’s hot.

Shops and Storefronts

There are literally hundreds of stores in the fashion district, which are efficiently grouped across the area by category. So if you are looking for women’s wear – you can target the area you want to hit. Some stores are open to the public – and some are just for retailers and wholesalers so you want to have a good idea of what you are looking for beforehand. The website for the L.A. Fashion District is a great tool for shoppers and helps you find almost any business in the area so you can have a solid plan of attack.

Monthly Sample Sales

If hundreds of storefronts seem too overwhelming, you can always head to the once-a-month sample sales held at the wholesale showrooms of the New Mart, Cooper Design Space and California Market buildings, located at 9th and Los Angeles streets. These sales are the only time the showrooms are open to the public and with items going for up to 90 percent off retail. The sales (on the last Friday of every month) can get extremely hectic with customers digging for the cream of last season’s crop. The showrooms open at 9 a.m. and generally stay open until about 2 p.m.

If you are looking for a fashion bizarre, a cluster of sample sales or a general look into LA’s fashion industry, the fashion district is a great way to explore fashion-forward LA – just around the corner from ALTA Lofts!

Come and Learn the Art of Loft Living this Sunday, September 26th from 2-5 pm.

Wide open spaces are great for creating a place that really defines the way you want to live and can be an amazing way to reflect your lifestyle and personality. But, open spaces can also be intimidating. If you have always been intrigued by loft spaces, but have wondered how to make the space work for your lifestyle – you’re in luck. This Sunday, ALTA Lofts is featuring Janet Carpenter from Artistic Environments.

Janet is an award-winning designer who is well-known for the interior design of numerous lofts spaces from downtown LA to Anaheim. She can take a blank canvas and make it incredible. She will show you how flexible lofts can be and how to create a living space that is tailored for you.

Janet will show you how to use the following interior design tips to make a loft your home:

• How to use an area rug to define the main living space

• Using bookshelves to visually divide space

• Using plants or planters to create privacy without closing in your space

You will also have the opportunity to meet ALTA Lofts soon-to-be residents who have recently purchased at ALTA. Have some Texas King BBQ and check out the newly designed workout and social rooms.

Less than three miles away from ALTA Lofts is another of Los Angeles’ hidden cultural gems: L.A.’s Little Tokyo. It’s one of just three official Japanese towns in the United States and it’s right down the street from ALTA. The other two are in California but - all the way in San Francisco and San Jose. L.A.’s Little Tokyo is the cultural hub for Japanese Americans and was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1995.

Here are some of our favorite places in Little Japan:

For History
Japanese American National Museum

Located at 369 East 1st St., the Japanese American National Museum is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Japanese Americans. The museum is housed in a new 85,000 square-foot pavilion designed by Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, who also designed the Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

For Art
The Geffen Contemporary
Located at 152 N. Central Ave. The Geffen is located behind the Japanese American National Museum. A former police car warehouse in Little

Tokyo renovated by the noted California architect Frank Gehry, The Geffen Contemporary opened in 1983. This location offers 40,000 square feet of exhibition space and a branch of the MOCA Store. Dennis Hopper Double Standard is now at the Geffen and is the first comprehensive survey exhibition of Dennis Hopper’s artistic career to be mounted by a North American museum.

For Noodles
Daikokuya
327 E 1st St

Rated ‘99 Gold’ by Jonathan Gold – there is no better place in L.A. for ramen than Dikokuya: a faux ’50s-style noodle shop in Little Toyko where the broth is made from pork bones and the noodles are made with mad skill. Each table is replete with condiment jars filled with minced garlic as hot spices. With over 1700 rave reviews for this little Japanese joint on Yelp – you know this is a hit with those on a ramen quest!

For Sushi
Sushi Gen
422 E. Second St. (Central Ave.)
They say when you become a sushi snob – you’ll discover Sushi Gen. Touted as the freshest sushi in Los Angeles, this traditional sushi restaurant

has some of the most highly skilled sushi chefs – all trained by masters in Japan. They don’t serve a house roll, or any frou frou rolls you might find at trendier spots. What they do have is amazingly fresh and delicious cuts of fish. What more do you need?

Last month, the L.A. Flea Market (just blocks away from ALTA Lofts) opened to huge success. The new mega-flea market was held in the parking lot of the world-famous Dodger stadium on Elysian Park Avenue in Chavez Ravine, and proved to be a fun and affordable attraction for Angelenos.

The L.A. Flea market is the hippest new major flea market with over 350 vendors ranging from antiques to eco-friendly furnishings and a mobile food court featuring the wildly popular L.A. gourmet food trucks such as Munchi Machine, India Jones, Dosa, Slice Truck, Mandoline Grill, Canter’s Deli, Border Grill, Komodo, Fresh Fries, Crepe’n Around, Reggae Chicken, Cool Haus, Tropical Shave Ice, Del’s Lemonade and more! Be sure to see who shows up next.

There is something for Angelenos of all ages – the L.A. Flea market is not just for those looking for an eclectic bargain, there’s also a dedicated kid’s area for the young ones as well as live music. July’s maiden voyage of the L.A. Flea Market at Dodger stadium featured an electric cart race for kids and three bands!

We love our new neighbor – the L.A. Flea Market - and are excited to have another amazing event near ALTA. Kids under 12 are free and general admission with parking is $5. The next flea market is Sunday, August 29th, from 9 AM–4 PM.

Enjoy L.A.’s newest and coolest community shopping extravaganza and stop by ALTA Lofts afterwards. We’re right up the street (with a view of Dodger Stadium) at 200 N. San Fernando Rd in Lincoln Heights.

It’s not your ordinary flea market, but then again, we’re not just your ordinary loft community!

Less than 1 mile, .31 miles from ALTA Lofts is a Metro Gold Line Station and for only $1.25 you can take a ride to Chinatown, one of L.A.’s oldest, most historic and definitely most culturally interesting neighborhoods.

Chinatown is full of restaurants, over 20 galleries and teeny-tiny, interesting shops! There are thousands of lovely and unusual gift items imported from China… and of course, all at a good price. For instance, Saigon Plaza is loaded with hundreds of shop vendors located under one large roof.

Chinatown’s main drag is Broadway but if you venture north on Broadway, you will find that the shops and restaurants become more authentic and the Chinese architecture becomes more prevalent.

As you walk south on North Broadway, notice the Chinatown Gateway (600 N. Broadway). This monument stands 25 feet high, featuring twin dragons appearing to descend from the clouds while resting on four steel pillars. Erected in 2001, the design symbolizes luck, prosperity and longevity, a popular theme in Chinese art.

Another detour will take you into an exotic world: the incense-filled Ten Ho Temple (750 Yale Street). This ornately decorated temple serves as a focal point of the immigrant community and is one of L.A.’s greatest cultural attractions.

Bamboo Plaza (988 N. Hill Street) is home to the famous Empress Pavilion Restaurant featuring Cantonese cuisine and dim sum. That’s right DIM SUM! Bamboo Plaza also has a variety of shops.

Chinatown is right around the corner from ALTA Lofts - even though it feels like a world away once you are there. For only $1.25, and a short ride on the Metro Gold Line, residents of ALTA can visit local treasures and explore a different world.

We at ALTA Lofts would have to agree – especially when it’s free. Join ALTA and the Beer Chicks at ALTA Lofts this Saturday, July 17th from 3-5 PM for a lesson in just how good beer can be!

Named “Best Beer Sommelier in Los Angeles” by Los Angeles Magazine, Christina Perozzi has gained a large following as one of the top female beer experts in the United States.

Hallie Beaune writes about beer for the web magazine “The Rundown” and for Beerforchicks.com, spreading the good word of beer. She has worked with Christina on sold-out beer dinners at critically acclaimed L.A. restaurants like Rustic Canyon, Winebar & Seasonal Kitchen, which was featured in The Celebrator Magazine.

This Saturday, these Barley’s Angels will be educating the masses about their favorite beverage at ALTA Lofts! You can sample the differences in these fine artisan brews while eating authentic local cuisine from Mama’s Tamales.

Be sure to visit ALTA Lofts’ 2 artistically decorated models while you’re here. ALTA Lofts is priced from the high $200,000s and named one of the top 10 real estate deals in the country! Close to Downtown, Dodger Stadium and more – ALTA Lofts is not only an amazing deal – it’s a great place to live!