As Weingart Tower prepares to open its doors at 555 Skid Row, the view from its rooftop garden offers a stark contrast. Standing 19 stories high, the tower overlooks a sea of tents that blend together, while the downtown skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains to the north appear crystal clear.
The opening of this building, which features 278 residential units, marks just the first step in the Weingart Center’s initiative to rehabilitate the area. An additional building with 302 units is expected to open in 18 months, and plans for a third, housing another 104 units, are already in development. The goal is to transform Skid Row into a more livable community.
Kevin Murray, the CEO and General Manager of Weingart Center, expressed his aspirations for this project: “We want to make this corner of the world feel a little bit better.” The 19th floor is envisioned as a venue for fundraising events and meetings, located just steps away from the Weingart Center’s headquarters.
Murray, who dedicated himself full-time to the Weingart Center after retiring from his position as a California state senator in 2014, aimed to deviate from traditional methods of relocating homeless individuals away from the area. Instead, he chose to build a facility right where they are familiar.
“Weingart Tower will have four times the average number of units per location, as proposed by the city’s $1.2 billion Proposition HHH,” Murray claimed. “We believe that there should be no self-imposed limitations. Just because we can only receive tax credits for 75 units doesn’t mean we should restrict our capacity.”
Murray’s vision extended beyond mere construction; he wanted to create a comprehensive living environment. “We’re not here to build just for incentives. If we only build a few dozen units, we’re not solving the problem,” he noted. The finished residential building boasts impressive amenities, and humorously, its address is fittingly 555.
The facility offers more than just housing; it includes designated spaces for staff offices, a conference room, and property management, as well as a gym, an art studio, soundproof music rooms, a computer room/library, and six shared balcony areas—four of which feature dog-walking zones. A café with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooks the courtyard, providing a welcoming gathering spot.
To make way for the third building, an existing central kitchen will be demolished, with a new kitchen set to serve over 600 beds in a nearby transitional housing facility. Residents will have the option to prepare their own meals or purchase prepared food from the kitchen.
With a construction budget of $165 million, Weingart Tower’s design rivals some of the buildings on Wilshire Boulevard. The cost per unit is kept below $600,000, making it a more economical choice within the framework of Proposition HHH, despite being one of the pricier options.
Once all three buildings are completed, the project aims to provide a home for over 700 residents, allowing them to engage with their inner needs without external distractions. Murray emphasized that having more balconies encourages activity within the building, allowing even dog owners to enjoy outdoor space away from Skid Row.
Looking ahead, plans are in place to introduce grocery stores and pharmacies to the area, further enhancing the community.
The initiative has garnered attention from downtown stakeholders. Nella McOsker, Executive Director of the Central City Association of Los Angeles, commended Weingart Tower as a forward-thinking project that diversifies the population composition within the downtown area. Estela Lopez, Executive Director of the Downtown Industrial District, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that affordable housing projects like this one can inspire hope for the homeless.
Pete White, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network, expressed optimism that Weingart Tower could help stabilize the appearance of Skid Row. He doesn’t see it as an isolated entity but rather as a catalyst for improved housing options that could benefit those in need.
Reflecting on the past, Murray recalled the Charles Cobb Apartments across the street, built by the now-defunct Skid Row Housing Trust in 2009. He described the experience of stepping inside the dimly lit 72-unit building as akin to entering a “dark cave,” questioning who would want to live there.
