Enclave of design studios developing in downtown SM
In the past two years, many of the biggest names in high-end home and office design have opened showrooms in downtown Santa Monica, while others are preparing to make the move.
Designers say they like the sea breeze, big windows and wide, pedestrian-friendly streets downtown. But more importantly, they said they chose Santa Monica because of its design culture, which dates back to the 1920s art deco buildings downtown, and the work of famous local architects like Frank Gehry and Thom Mayne.
What’s evolved is an enclave of designer showrooms mainly clustered on streets around the Third Street Promenade, but reach all the way east to 20th Street and south onto Main Street.
Names like Vitra, Design Within Reach and Boffi — where one can buy a $28,000 limestone bathtub — have recently joined local veterans such as Highlights, Dormire, the ICF Group and Knoll.
And more, like Steel Case, are on their way.
“The areas off the Promenade
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 1, 2003. Read the original PDF.