The Santa Fe Lofts

There is a dog on the roof of this building that barks 24 hours a day. Not sure why the building doesn’t do anything about it.

1 elevator is always out of order.
Compared to other places, they want access to your apartment way way too often, sometimes with less than 24hr notice. I have nothing to hide. It’s still annoying.
They don’t care to rent out their roof to film productions without any notice. So much for relaxing with a book on the roof when a film crew is scouting the place. And on the day/​s of production, you are just left with trying to get in or out of the building. Or am I am just a fool to think I have rights as a tenant in DTLA?
Oh and then there is the glorious idea to rent out the roof for NYE. Some smart kid pulled the fire alarm and tenants where stuck with over an hour of fire alarm sounds cause they had no one on site to fix potential issues. And then, of course, they didn’t care to clean the filthy building afterwards. It literally took them 4 days to get rid of NYE party filth.
The team is nice though, despite high turn over!?? It’s just the desperate need to bring in extra money that makes it annoying to live there.

Great apartment. Huge space and natural light. Original tiles in kitchen, bed and bath. like 35% cheaper than new buildings with cheap carpet and poor finishing. Lovely staff and management, who reply to text messages even! Roofdeck is chill, with working BBQ, and sink and lime trees. Really enjoy living here.

just adding an experience and some old pix for fun but with little relevance as a modern review, anyhow my time on the 2^nd floor corner of 6^th and main was 20 years ago when there were only 3 units per floor, approx 2500 sq. ft for 690 a mo. of pure fun and interesting living fulfillment. at that point only two known loft buildings existed in downtown and it was absolutely clear why as believe me if you had any inkling of concern for life or property you would not dare set a single foot outside the front door after 7 pm EVER. there was a great sat. night house club in the grand ballroom of the Alexandria hotel a block and a half over that you could get to only in a «run-​for-​your-​life» type of full sprint, and enough drama and comedy and crime happened 25 feet under those big cranked open windows i rarely turned on a tv. other memorables were the dog-​sized rats in the basement laundry who could’nt care less about silly foot-​stomping humans and Coles in its old-​school pitch-​dark, «foggy like the S.F. bay» state where i’d swear there were crawl tubes built under the tables so a creep could reach up and pick-​pocket you while seated in a booth. one interesting event that occurred was a massive multi-​agency raid on a big illegal substance lab that was directly above my unit where i heard in the aftermath that the agents and officers had been running surveillance for a whole year from the 100% dark P.E. building next door and other surrounding buildings all of which were dark at night which of course made one worry not a single shred about putting up any window coverings, thus the realization set in that all these cops were watching the ridicilioius nightly goings on in my place with their super-​scopes and mega-​listening devices for tons of side-​show laffs i’m sure… *check out the black&white pic of the building and the amazing street activity from 1910’ish!

I WANTED TO GO URBAN — NOT GHETTO! WHAT GIVES?
Owned by the fantastic designer (and stunningly beautiful) Kelly Werstler and Brad Korzen of KOR Group, this building lacks all the professionalisim and class one expects when associated with class and pedigree. Constant staff turnover paired with a lack of funding to complete even the most modest (not to mention vital) maintenence leaves a bad odor with most residents. Amenities are sold on a «soon to be available» basis, bait and switch plans abound etc… Be sure to hear the sales pitch about the fantastic new dog run. They even keep the artificial grass samples out knowing that it will not be built anytime soon.
DO NOT TRUST A LEASING AGENT.
Do your research before signing a lease. Santa Fe and Landmark have officially joined the ranks of infamous SB Lofts. Google, Downton News and
are the best sources for tenant comments and accurate information. It is unfortunate that I resorted to filing a formal complaint with the city at the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety website.
When I signed my lease, the manager was Michelle. She told me several things that weighted my decision that turned out to be false. Either she was incompetent or flat out lied. I prefer to assume she was not properly educated by senior management and lacked the necessary skill set to show this property.
Fast forward to my move in day and we have a new manager named Thida. She was hired to take over the property and Michelle was mysteriously no longer available. I learned the day I showed up that there was no record of my move in, that Michelle was no longer with the property and Thida just started that morning. A stellar start to a disasterous relationship.
I have repeatedly asked management to address the following issues from day one, but they simply do not respond or I am told «they» are working on it. «They» (refering to her immediate supervisors) must be the old guy in the blue Prius or the painfully thin luxury label clad Asian woman who constantly parks her Mercedes in my space. He seems nice, but the nasty look she has on her face says, «I’m not reallya bitch — I just haven’t eaten anything for 5 years…» I would be bithcy too if I had to walk three whole blocks in heels from the old corporate office to Skid Row central. They have both been present in my conversations with Thida so clearly they are the source of complete disconnect and customer service.
FYI — Landmark Management recently moved their offices from downtown to Beverly Hills. Wouldn’t you agree that if a company is moving to a higher cost zip code, there must be cash flow somewhere? I can only assume this is a direct reflecion on upper management’s core values.
As for onsite management, Thida was bitchy and ineffective always complaining about what a hard worker she was. Tenants who have been here longer say this is the Titanic. A sinking ship still needs a captain and to her credit, I have seen her go out of her way to help and even clean the lobby when her old useless mantinence superviosor was still here. Getting things repaired on an acceptable timeline is impossible. Sean, who was fantastic. However, can you really expect one man with two laborers to clean and maintain a building this size when he is only here two days a week? Having personally managed enterprise scale teams and projects, I can assure you that there is no successful conclusion for anyone involved — especially the tenants.
Here is my list of issues created by Michelle and overlooked by Landmark’s current team:
1. My unit was presented as a Live/​Work unit. This was a huge selling factor and it turned out to be false. Only one of the building’s parcels is zoned this way and as a result, i suffered unecesary tax liabilities.
2. Santa Fe is a fully digital building with Direct TV etc… Another incorrect statement. The building was just recently upgraded by Direct TV. As a television publicist, I have to be up on every show and was forced to watch (gasp) online.
3. The floors are going to be cleaned and management has vendors secured. False. In fact, the floors remain covered in filth, dog urine and grime eleven months later. Public area light fixtures are covered in grime and act as a mausoleum for dead insects. I have personally cleaned my hallway with ammonia to clear the stench and make it bearable.

I moved in right when Canon management took over (October 2013), so I can’t say anything as to previous management companies. But me personally, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this building. Yes, the location is a bit gritty, but come on… it’s downtown not beverly hills. If you’ve lived downtown in any major city, it won’t be anything that surprises you.
Right across the street from Cole’s, the Association, Black Sheep. Walking distance to a million great restaurants. Down the street from the new Ace Hotel (with an awesome bar). Amazing rooftop. Management office has been nothing short of amazing in helping me with anything I need and they are all super friendly. When the front office closes, the building is patrolled by a guard. You can only get in with a key fob or by buzzing someone in (no code access), which I like. It can be a bit noisey on the lower floors facing the street, but that should be expected. I hated the noise the first few weeks, but now it doesn’t bother me one bit
If you havent been online in a while, check out their new and improved website!

New management but same issues… elevator still breaks, there is still a lot of issues with noise from other tenants. and the management does nothing — they actually tell you to call the LAPD. The heat breaks in the winter and the AC breaks in the summer.

It can be a loud apartment but the space is wonderful and it is walking distance from everything!
When I say the space is great I mean its large and beautiful. The rent is fair and reasonable. The apartments are all style/​studio but the living room area and bedroom are separated making it a very attractive and stylish apartment.

I just go here to work out at the main barre. The elevator is broken again, AGAIN means the 3^rd time in less than 6 months and when the ONE elevator is broken it remains broken for weeks. I just called the new management, lets see if they can change this negative review to a positive. I’m not holding my breath.

Hey what’s good all you people on Unilocal trying to find a place to live looking at reviews of buildings to find out what the conscientious is about all these loft spaces and what have you. You’re looking for people who’s opinions and viewpoint you can trust to use to base you decisions off of. Let me put it to you very clearly — even if somehow you got far enough to actually view any of their properties and have what seems to be a generally unendurable stay despite your idealistic posh conditions — you’re getting involved with people who severely do not care.
Every single day this place posts about 25 listings on craigslist with phone numbers and e-​mails to contact them on. You can call them about the properties and they won’t call you back even though they continue to list the same units as being available. Finally after about 3 weeks and trying to call them over and over I managed to be able to schedule a viewing of one of the units.
When the time came to meet with the guy (Jason or something) he wasn’t there. I tried to call him, he didn’t answer. I left him a message, he didn’t answer. He didn’t call back to explain. I don’t understand these people, they don’t seem t want to actually lease their properties although they clearly are on some kind of hustle.
I’m sure a lot of people are attracted to the idea of Santa Fe simply because it is a loft living situation and the prices are on the lower end of what some loft can cost. To be very frank and honest Santa Fe suffers from the same problem as PE Lofts and many others — they are not competitive. They don’t bend for you or go out of their way to actually run their business.
I was only trying to see Santa Fe to get scope on what’s out there. I’m not sure I’d recommend bothering with them at all. The location is alright but it’s like… the backstreet of the street I now live on which is the street you want to be on. It’s true, if you go one block the other way you’re technically in skid row but it’s not that bad in that part. You need to got a lot further down for the bad stuff.

Small update: I agree it’s cruel and rude to criticize the current building manager. I don’t understand the personal attacks, and those that do it, should be ashamed. Now, admittedly she is, as stated, somewhat cold and not exactly the warm, friendly type. But things get fixed, the maintenance guy/​s are lovely, emails answered QUICKLY, and the building is clean and safe. For all that, I’ve upgraded to 3 stars.
Now the shitty part — EVEN THOUGH they charge pet rent at $ 25 a month per pet, they recently REMOVED the plastic bag disposal from the roof and REMOVED the outdoor roof trash can. They’ve gone out of their way to do as little as possible in this area, which means you pay pet rent for WHAT? And thanks to their recent removal of bags and can, now the roof is constantly covered in shit. Good planning Santa Fe Lofts! Not to mention you also have to pay the $ 250 deposit per animal.
It’s outrageous. And for that reason, I’m down grading a star.
This place could be great … but it falls short in too many areas.

I moved into the Sante Fe Lofts 4 mths ago from New York City. I went thru 12 lofts in Los Angeles thru Craigslist. I fell in love with this loft, Immediately. I was looking for a place with character, large windows, cleanliness, a good amount of space at an affordable rate. In addition to that the general manager, Thida So was extremely helpful, accommodating, on top of it, and was so lovely! Thida took care of the very few maintenance issues I’ve encountered the past 4 months instantly.
If you are looking for a loft that is surrounded around great restaurants, bars, artists, cafes this is the prime location.

If I could give negative 10 stars I would. My wife and I lived there for two years. We got a letter under our door 3 days before Christmas demanding we pay $ 1000.plus more a month starting Jan!!! That is illegal and we even went to court and had lawyers and… it was hell! The management are evil and can care less about you or the building. They care about filling it and MONEY. That is it. We had to beg them to hire a second security guard when we were living there. They did. For three weeks. Many more horror stories and this is BEFORE the lawyers, courts and hell. We «won» and moved immediately. DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE A DIME. Ever since being taken over by Landmark Property Management Group a Subsidiary of KOR Group this place has SUCKED.

Very pretty and historic. The guy told me it was built in 1905. The elevators were slow but that’s because they’re old but they’re serviced often. I felt like I was entering a 1950s movie.
I came here for a dance class and the unit was HUGE. The view of the city was really pretty.
I wouldn’t live here because it’s old but it’s just pretty to take some photos here because of its’ history.
You need to be buzzed in to come in or know the code.
Location:
Kinda shady…
Parking:
Paid lots
Street parking — on main, free after 6pm; on 6^th, free after 7pm — but good luck

Elevator is still broken, note the date of my first review, and UPS has not come to pick up packages in all that time.
On top of that we have to move next week and as of yet have not been given extra time to deal with the move in light of the elevators being out.
I think that says it all, no?

I’ve had nothing but difficulty getting repairs done to our unit. Our heat doesn’t work, and it’s been months since requesting a repair. Our air conditioning doesn’t work right, and has never been fixed properly. The dishwasher fills up with disgusting sewage water and despite multiple calls it hasn’t been fixed.
The unit itself is spacious, but not luxurious. Great if you’re looking for a raw space.
There is no gym. There is no pool. The elevator is small, and there is only one for 40+ units.

I lived in Santa Fe Lofts from June of ’09 to June of 2010. I can say that overall, my experience was excellent. And what the old management from June of ’09 left to be desired, the new manager Thida (pronounced «tee-​da») made up for and more for the past 6 months.
First of all, the building can’t be beat. Originally built sometime in the 1930’s i believe, the vibe and feel of this building is amazing compared to the overly swanky feel that so many of the downtown lofts have tried to do. I’m a photographer, and even though I leased one of the smaller units, the huge 12-​foot ceilings and massive 10-​foot windows were perfect for my studio space and for shooting natural light as well as with lighting setups. My unit was on the Main St. side with amazing views of Downtown LA financial district at night.
As far as the building’s location goes, you’re right across from Coles, and Las Perlas is downstairs. J&J Sandwich shop is open 7 – 7 every day and I just love the owners… they treat me, and everyone else for that matter, like family. SFL is right in the middle of the DTLA Artwalk every month, and close to Pershing Square subway stop, which I took to Hollywood all the time. The amazing, original 1930’s windows aren’t the best sound blockers, and sometimes it can seem loud during Artwalk or on a Saturday night, but i bought a little $ 10 white noise machine and slept like a baby.
Yes, Los Angeles Street doesn’t feel the safest at night, but if you park in the garage on Main, you don’t really have to go near Los Angeles Street. Plus, with the police station just a couple of blocks away, the police presence is always really high.
Of the very few times I needed repairs, they were quickly completed within hours. Thida and the other managers call me when a Fedex or other package arrives, etc. and are otherwise friendly, responsive, and competent.

My 11months of living @ Santa Fe Lofts was a living nightmare! I mainly rented my loft for the breathtaking view (5^th fl. facing E.)
Watching the police helicopter land, & take off within arms reach!
But the rent was insane! The parking was insane! @6^th, & LA. the violent crime was endless! How many times could I chant’s”…It Is What It Is” «…It Is What It Is!»

The only reason why I’m giving this place a one is because I can’t give it a zero.
I JUST got off the phone with management letting them know that this is the third day they haven’t fixed my smoke detector so it rips out a skull splitting chirp every thirty seconds and it’s so high up the wall that I can’t get to it. I kindly asked the gentleman to call me when it’s done so I know for sure it gets done and he started copping this condescending attitude on me. That was the last straw. I’ve had to sleep over at my parents’ house the past two nights. My lease is up next month and I will definitely be moving.
Brian S. pretty much nails all the other problems on the head, but I’ll expand on it:
1. Rent is waaaay overpriced for what you get. My unit is nice, I like it, but the location BLOWS. You can get a better deal and more sq footage for less elsewhere.
2. If you enjoy sleeping, do NOT get a room with windows facing Los Angeles Street. Every night I watch and listen to the crack dealers’ lookouts stand on the corner of 6^th and Los Angeles and yell down the street every time a patrol car drives by. That’s right, there is a police station literally half a block down the street and the crack dealing is done right under their noses. Then with the semi-​trucks, buses, and crazies of Tent City, fuhggetaboudit.
3. They put in the most ridiculously cheap water saver toilet units and faucet restricters. It takes 3 flushes just to turn the water clear after taking a whiz.
4. No overhead lighting.
5. The electric coil stoves are bullocks.
6. Management are a bunch of turds.

So, here’s the thing…
I lived in The Santa Fe Lofts for over two years, when deciding to live Downtown I checked all the lofts in the Arts District, and these seemed to fit my needs the best. There was a dog run on the roof of the building, with a fantastic patio area and a stunning view of the city. They are dog friendly and there is even a fantastic pet store downstairs with all kinds of toys, treats and wonderfulness for your dog.
The Santa Fe Lofts was originally owned by the old Santa Fe Train Co and the building keeps much of the original architecture and charm.
Over the years I lived here there had been a few problems with the management, however, after the new manager Cherise arrived it was pretty much smooth sailing.
There is no parking attached to the lofts if you live on the residential side, which means you end up paying for monthly parking and walk down the street, this can be bothersome if you don’t pick up an old lady shopping trolley to cart your groceries around, but, take it from me, and pick one up down the street from one of the mexican street vendors and it’ll be the best 10 bucks you’ve ever spent.
I had a corner unit on the 4^th floor, the only loft on the floor with a balcony, and it was divine, huge floor to ceiling windows, tall ceilings, exposed flooring and a fantastically huge bathtub. Anytime something would go wrong in my place they’d send maintenance up asap.
Some of the perks of living in this building would be the little café under the building, JJ’s, owned and run by a korean husband/​wife team, they were a delight, I could order breakfast, buy smokes, and shoot the breeze all a short elevator trip from my door.
SalonPURE is also under the building, and I spent quite a bit of time with the entire SalonPURE crew, haircuts, color, beers and art parties, a fantastic group of people.
Cole’s is situated across the street, they recently reopened after changing ownership and renovating, and that place is insane, imagine getting hammered and walking back up to your pad, absolute haven.
There is also the monthly art walk, where galleries and stores in the hood stay open to showcase local art and hand out free booze, always good for people watching.
There is a plethora of good food, shopping, and fantastic nightlife all around the area.
There is a security guard posted at the lobby, and while security in the past was a little surely, these days they’ve stepped it up.
You will be living blocks from Skid Row, but keep your eyes open and you’ll be fine.