PORT OF LOS ANGELES MOVES FORWARD WITH PLANS TO OPEN WATERFRONT CRAFT MARKETPLACE IN SAN PEDRO
‘Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles’ Will
Showcase Unique Local Art and Offer Gourmet Food Vendors
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — December 1, 2011 — The creators of Bergamot Station Arts Center have entered into an agreement with the Port of Los Angeles to transform two 1940s-era warehouses into a bustling crafts center to be called Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners today approved a 25-year lease agreement that enables Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles Ltd. to operate the marketplace along the heart of the San Pedro Waterfront, located near Cabrillo Way Marina and 22nd Street Park.
“The creative team behind Bergamot Station has developed a wonderfully unique concept and they have a track record of success,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles will bring a new mix of visitors and more interest to the burgeoning LA Waterfront.”
“Crafted will showcase high-quality handmade items from local Southern California artisans against the magnificent backdrop of the working waterfront,” said Wayne Blank, President of Bergamot Station Ltd and majority partner of Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles Ltd. “The Harbor Area is a hidden jewel and we think Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles will attract both residents and visitors to experience the artistry and beauty of the waterfront.”
Crafted will host a community of one-of-a-kind local artists, handmade goods, gourmet concessions, live music and entertainment. The unique marketplace plans to offer free admission, ample parking, public restrooms and ATMs for convenience.
The planned indoor venue boasts 140,000 square feet between both warehouses, with 500 vendor stalls, spacious aisles and natural lighting, plus a large outdoor courtyard. At full occupancy, it is estimated that the marketplace could attract up to 500,000 annual visitors to the LA Waterfront. Select juried artists at Crafted will lease spaces to sell their own original items year-round.
Port of Los Angeles Warehouses 9 & 10 are currently vacant but were used until a few years ago to store general cargo. The Port then requested bids for a unique redeveloper to retain the maritime and industrial history of the vintage, wood-frame structures, and revitalize the warehouses to accommodate vibrant, new visitor-serving uses that complement existing and future development of the San Pedro Waterfront.
The first phase of Crafted is expected to open during the summer of 2012, with full development of the complex expected in summer 2014. Initially, Crafted will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit www.craftedportla.com.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.
The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.