The Arts Meet the Waterfront: Bergamot Station founder finds new beginning for World War II warehouses at the LA Waterfront

LOS ANGELES, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty years after a vacant manufacturing warehouse site in Santa Monica was transformed into the bustling hub of Southern California's art scene, Bergamot Station's pioneering developers have been enlisted by the City of Los Angeles to create the nation's largest permanent indoor crafts market in two enormous World War II-era warehouses at the Port of Los Angeles, creating a landmark arts center in the middle of the city's new billion-dollar Waterfront redevelopment.

CRAFTED AT THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES, the new venture created by arts entrepreneur Wayne Blank, and his partners Howard Robinson and Alison Zeno will open to the public on June 29 and will create an arts-based destination that will complement other major new Waterfront attractions, including the inauguration of the new U.S.S. Iowa battleship museum, opening July 7, and on-going enhancements to Waterfront parks and promenades.

Similar to the successful Bergamot Station project, CRAFTED is an adaptive re-use of industrial buildings that makes use of the existing structures' Spartan lines, soaring ceilings and sense of abundant space to create an ideal showcase for the handmade one-of-a-kind products that will be the new center's stock in trade.  

The Harbor City commission overseeing the Port of Los Angeles re-development envisions CRAFTED as a destination for the influx of tourists who annually flow through the nearby World Cruise Center and for the ever-growing legion of local craft enthusiasts. Nearly at capacity for its' first phase with over 100 accepted vendors, CRAFTED is expected to draw half a million visitors in its first full year of operation.

CRAFTED, a key element of the new L.A. Waterfront, is bringing hand-made happiness 52-weekends a year to the bustling beachside. The L.A. Waterfront is Southern California's most exciting new destination for family fun. The 1.2 billion-dollar redevelopment is taking shape against the stunning backdrop of the Port of Los Angeles. In addition to CRAFTED, which will be the nation's largest permanent indoor craft marketplace, the new L.A. Waterfront features the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and the historic battleship U.S.S. Iowa. The L.A. Waterfront offers exciting opportunities for Southern California residents and world-wide visitors alike to explore, play, shop and dine.

Contact: Alexandra Llerena
WWW.CRAFTEDPORTLA.COM
[email protected]
t. 818-216-2963

SOURCE CRAFTED AT THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES