Creating Value Through Adaptive Reuse and Placemaking
Buildings alone don’t drive value—experiences do. In today’s competitive real estate landscape, the most successful developers go beyond building. They create places people want to be.
Placemaking—the art of creating vibrant, distinctive environments that attract people and generate activity—has emerged as the differentiator. It separates ordinary developments from extraordinary financial performers.
ROW DTLA bustles with typical weekend activity that demonstrates successful placemaking in action
The evidence is compelling:
- Office leases in mixed-use developments have commanded a 25% rent premium over market averages since 2014
- Properties within walking distance of well-designed public spaces see up to 26% higher assessed values
- Thoughtfully designed mixed-use environments consistently outperform traditional developments in both attracting and retaining premium tenants
- Destination-driven placemaking draws more visitors, directly benefiting retail performance
- Districts with authentic character attract creative professionals and innovative companies
- Municipalities collect higher property and sales tax revenues from successful placemaking
Street-level retail at ROW DTLA exemplifies how placemaking generates visitor engagement that directly benefits retail performance
Strategic Placemaking Drives $361M Value Creation
ROW DTLA shows how strategic commercial revitalization can create authentic urban experiences that deliver exceptional returns, transforming a $357 million acquisition into a $718 million landmark development.
The project represents one of Los Angeles’ most ambitious adaptive reuse developments. The 30-acre site transforms a historic industrial complex into a vibrant mixed-use destination. Originally built as a produce distribution center, the project expands on 100 years of history.
LA Terminal Market in the 1930s
ROW DTLA Concept Plan Sketch
The scale of ROW DTLA is impressive:
- 1.3 million square feet of creative office space
- 400,000 square feet of retail space
- 300,000 square feet of arts and cultural space
- 4,000 parking spaces in LA County’s largest parking structure
Atlas Capital Group acquired the site for $357 million. After three years of design and construction, the project was completed in 2017. ROW DTLA exemplifies how thoughtful architectural intervention can drive significant economic returns while honoring a site’s history.
Dock Street transitions from delivery zone to popular dining terrace
Beyond Traditional Development
Rather than bulldozing history for a sterile new development, Atlas Capital Group partnered with RIOS to harness the site’s existing characteristics. The location presented a unique opportunity.
Positioned at the intersection of the Industrial Business Improvement District and the Arts District, ROW DTLA was conceived as a catalyst that would capture demand spillover from surrounding areas while creating a distinct identity of its own.
The development centers on creating a 16-hour ecosystem where people work, shop, dine, and gather. What was once an industrial rail hub for goods has transformed into a premier destination for creative professionals and visitors alike.
The project maintains authenticity by preserving a portion of the site as an active produce market. This connection to its roots keeps the development grounded in its authentic industrial history.
Family-friendly programming like oversized chess games activates the site
Historic Preservation Meets Financial Performance
The architectural approach balances preservation of historic integrity with strategic modern interventions. This balance maximizes both cultural authenticity and financial performance.
Adaptive Reuse Excellence
RIOS preserved the industrial character while upgrading buildings to meet modern needs. Original concrete floors, mushroom columns, and high ceilings were maintained. These distinctive spaces command premium rents while reducing environmental impact.
Street-level Activation
The team revitalized the ground place experience, fitting out retail storefronts and intermittent office lobbies with modernized metal windows and industrial-inspired finishes. Now streets lined with flexible retail spaces are a backdrop for regular festivals and special events that drive consistent foot traffic and magnetic appeal.
Parking as Destination
The site houses the largest parking structure in Los Angeles County. Rather than hiding this infrastructure, the design incorporates retail shops in the podium of the parking structure, maximizing leasable space and creating seamless connection with the larger destinations.
Central Plaza Creates Community
At the central plaza, the team brought in a large, old-growth ficus tree to attract gathering. This space connects radiating buildings and creates premium positioning. Dynamic graphics and placemaking moments combine with rewilded landscape to create an irresistible character and experience combination.
Exceptional Returns through Strategic Design
The project has demonstrated exceptional financial returns and market performance. It delivers substantial economic benefits to both the property owner and the broader community.
Unlike traditional retail centers, ROW DTLA succeeds through its curated tenant mix and destination-driven ecosystem. Businesses reinforce each other’s value rather than competing for the same customers.
The preserved warehouse buildings frame Dock Street's active pedestrian corridor
Blueprint for Adaptive Reuse Success
As downtown Los Angeles continues to evolve, ROW DTLA stands as a testament to the power of design and visionary development. By preserving historic character while creating contemporary value, the project has established itself as a model for urban transformation that delivers both cultural significance and financial returns.
Its success paves the way for similar adaptive reuse projects in industrial districts nationwide, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform underutilized assets into thriving mixed-use destinations based on the following key learnings:
Play the Long Game
Adaptive reuse delivers strong returns while positioning properties for future appreciation. As surrounding neighborhoods evolve, patient capital combined with strategic vision creates lasting value.
Curate Stategic Tenants
ROW DTLA prioritizes complementary tenants that collectively enhance the property’s positioning and long-term value. This approach creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem of businesses that support each other’s success.
Design Drives Performance
Thoughtful architectural interventions and high-quality design directly impact financial metrics. The investment in premium design pays measurable dividends through higher occupancy rates and rental premiums.
Catalyze Neighborhood Change
As a pioneering project, ROW DTLA shows how developers can influence neighborhood trajectories while benefiting from first-to-market advantages. Strategic timing and bold vision create competitive advantages that compound over time.
ROW DTLA demonstrates how strategic placemaking and adaptive reuse create lasting value for communities and investors alike. Ready to explore how thoughtful design can unlock your site’s potential?
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