The Los Angeles Conservancy presents its first-ever historic architecture tour of the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District on Sunday, Nov. 10. This one-day only tour explores the unique building designs of the Arts District, providing insight into neighborhood transitions throughout its nearly two hundred year history. CARTWHEEL’s offices are in the  DTLA Arts District, and we love being able to see things as happen, like Zinc Cafe’s constantly changing murals.  We’ve covered the historical aspects of the Arts District before, and are excited to be taking the LA Conservancy’s tour Sunday to explore even further.

Tickets for the tour provide access into Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Angel City Brewery, and private lofts in the Challenge Dairy Building, Toy Factory Lofts, and Biscuit Company Lofts. Revealed in the tour are the many layers of the Art’s District’s history, from its early days as vineyards to industrial and manufacturing roots to the artists’ scene still functioning to this day. Not to be missed, the Pickle Works Building. In her CARTWHEELart.com article about DTLA’s history as an artist community, Wendy Sherman writes:

The City of Los Angeles purchased the Pickle Works Building in 2005 to facilitate the First Street Viaduct bridge expansion, which required removing part of the building along its south end. Even though the building has been determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the city is now recommending that it be demolished, due to structural instability. Artists and activists are banding together to help preserve this building and all it represents (including for many, their homes!)

This self-paced tour is a rare opportunity to experience the Arts District’s current colorful and artistic identity along its storied, brick warehouse-lined streets. Bikes are welcome and docents are available at all of the sites to answer questions of participants. SCI-Arc offers free parking for the event at 350 Merrick Street (with street parking if the lot full), and tickets are available to buy in person at the SCI-Arc parking lot. From there, ticket holders will walk to one of two designated meeting places and begin the tour.

Ticket prices are $30 for Conservancy members (up to 4 at member price) and $35 general public, $15 students, $10 children 12 and under. Cash prefered.

Plus you can join in on Instagram with  the hashtags #artsdistrict and #dtla. The LA Conservancy’s Instagram handle is @laconservancy

Lofts, like this one, are part of the LA Conservancy tour of the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District.

These photos show the Pickle Works Building