Fit for the future: Repurposing land use and structures

Brick and mortar retail has evolved over time and the planning system plays an important role in steering it into the right direction.

Planning systems need to be nimble, reflective, and supportive of present and future needs.

The 2022 Overseas Study Tour to San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles featured Large Format Retail destinations that have flourished following the successful repurposing of unproductive or underutilised land and buildings.

Examples include RH San Francisco, Apple Tower Theatre, Harbor Freight Tools, and the Helms Bakery District in Los Angeles.

RH San Francisco

RH is an upscale American home furnishings company that rebranded from Restoration Hardware in 2012 to better reflect their identity and direction beyond their hardware store beginnings.

This iconic five-storey building was constructed in 1917 and was designed by local architect Frederick H. Meyer. The building is Classical Revival in style.

It was once the corporate office of Bethlehem Steel, the manufacturers of the steel sections and parts for the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

The administrative building originally housed offices for 350 staff, including large offices for the executive.

Bethlehem Steel was dissolved 20 years ago and the building was not used since 1992 until RH leased it and began restoring the historic building in February 2016.

The RH San Francisco flagship store opened in May 2022 and was the first retail stop on the LFRA Overseas Study tour.

 

 

Apple Tower Theatre

Apple Tower Theatre is another example of a historic building converted for retail use.

Similar to RH San Francisco, Apple restored the building and upholds the 1920s theatre’s legacy.

Tower Theatre was the first theatre in Los Angeles equipped for films with sound.

The building was designed by the famous motion picture theatre architect S. Charles Lee in 1927.

Tower Theatre is located in Downtown Los Angeles and the art deco building was vacant from 1988 until Apple’s grand opening in June 2021.

At the centre of Apple Tower Theatre is the Forum. The Forum is a retail space with a large display screen hung in the restored arch where the cinema screen would once have been.

Customers can enjoy Apple Tower Theatre’s balcony seating, which has a stunning view of the lower level and has been repurposed as an accessible and flexible space for Genius Bar appointments.

Below street level under the retail store is a museum-like experience with images of original features of the theatre and explanation of the restoration techniques used to restore the Tower Theatre.

Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools is a privately owned company that specialises in discount tools and equipment. They offer “Quality Tools. Lowest Prices.”

The most unique store in their network can be found in Culver City, which is approximately half-way between Santa Monica and Inglewood.

The Harbor Freight Tools Culver City store is a historic building that was once an ice-skating rink that was much loved by the community.

The rink was decommissioned and closed in February 2014 for health and safety reasons.

The building was vacant for almost a year and a half until the local council voted to rezone the land in December 2015 so that Harbor Freight Tools could build at this location.

Supportive comments in the local newspaper, Culver City News, from community leaders at the time included Culver City Chamber of Commerce President and former Mayor Steven Rose saying that the rink no longer exists so a zoning change made sense.

“Without a zoning change, the economic viability of that building would be zero,” said Mr Rose.

“The best way to maintain the historic integrity of that building is to grant the zoning change.”

Councillor Meghan-Sahli Wells said it was a sad event that the area around the rink would be rezoned but the reality was City Hall had done all that it could do with the decommissioned rink.

“Our family used to skate there, although not as much as other families. It’s really said. But the fact remains that this is private property and the city doesn’t have the wherewithal to buy the property,” she said. “It’s time to turn the page.”

Councillor Jim Clarke added that a home improvement store could generate a significant amount of revenue through sales tax for the city’s general fund.

Helms Bakery District

Helms Bakery District is a historical Los Angeles destination on the border of Los Angeles and Culver City that offers “food, furniture and fun”.

Helms Bakery was once a notable industrial bakery and a national icon that operated 1931 to 1969.

They were contracted to provide bread and baked goods to the United States Olympics team over the years, and to the Apollo 11 space mission.

Ironically, the moon landing in 1969 also marked the year Helms Bakery closed its doors.

Helms Bakery succumbed to the competitive challenges of national supermarket chains, higher wages, automation, and the increasing costs of maintaining the signature yellow Helms delivery trucks.

The Helms Bakery was purchased in 1972 by Walter N. Marks Inc., a prominent family real estate and asset management company with commercial and retail properties in the greater Los Angeles area.

Walter N. Marks restored the building and transformed the property into a dining, design, and retail destination.

One of the furniture showrooms at the lifestyle centre includes a model of a delivery truck and a history wall with photos of the Helms Bakery and its workers.

Shoppers can find modern furniture and fittings for their home, office, and the outdoors at the Helms Bakery District.

The original structures of the building, including overhead beams, rafters, and skylights, are still evident.

This article is a part of a 10-segment series covering the 2022 LFRA Overseas Study Tour.