From Tract Homes to Historic Landmarks: How Izek Shomof Helped Shape Downtown LA's Renaissance

Written by:

Steve Marcinuk

Date:

24 Nov 2024

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In the early 1980s, a twenty-something developer began building single-family homes in the San Fernando Valley. Today, that same developer, Izek Shomof, is recognized as one of the pivotal figures in downtown Los Angeles’ transformation, particularly known for his masterful adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

Shomof’s journey in real estate began with modest projects – building one to three homes at a time before gradually scaling up to larger developments of 15 to 20 homes. By the late 1980s, he had expanded into condominiums and apartments, having built over 150 tract homes and hundreds of condominium units. This early experience laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable career in urban development.

The turning point came in 1993 when Shomof acquired his first high-rise building. While he initially struggled with how to repurpose the property, the city’s introduction of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 1999 provided a crucial framework for downtown redevelopment. This legislation proved transformative, allowing developers to convert historic commercial buildings into residential units while preserving their architectural character.

“I love historical buildings. I’m obsessed with historical buildings,” Shomof explains, his passion evident as he describes what drew him to downtown LA’s historic core. This enthusiasm and vision have earned him the unofficial title “King of Spring Street,” where many of his restoration projects are located.

What sets Shomof’s approach apart is his holistic vision for urban renewal. Beyond residential conversions, he emphasizes the importance of ground-floor retail in creating vibrant neighborhoods. “I always concentrate on bringing in the right retail mix – ice cream shops, barbershops, beautiful restaurants,” he says. “That’s what brought people to downtown – the foot traffic and nightlife.”

His preservation philosophy strikes a careful balance between old and new. While maintaining historic facades that date back to the 1920s, Shomof modernizes interiors to meet contemporary living standards. “We keep the facade original, as it was built back in the twenties,” he explains. In cases where buildings underwent unfortunate modernizations in the 1950s and 60s, his team works diligently to restore original architectural elements.

Today, Shomof Group owns and operates more than 2,000 residential units, with recent expansions into new markets including Las Vegas, where they’ve already completed successful renovation projects. However, like many urban developers, Shomof faces modern challenges in downtown LA, particularly regarding public safety and homelessness. He sees promise in recent changes to city leadership and their more proactive approach to urban management.

“We have a beautiful city, a golden city,” Shomof reflects, noting that downtown LA’s perfect weather and architectural heritage provide a strong foundation for continued growth. With new city officials taking a more focused approach to public safety and urban management, he anticipates positive changes ahead for the district he helped transform.

Through four decades of development work, Shomof has demonstrated that historic preservation and urban vitality can go hand in hand. His portfolio stands as a testament to the power of viewing historic buildings not as obstacles to progress, but as opportunities for renaissance. As downtown Los Angeles enters its next chapter, Shomof’s longstanding commitment to both preservation and progress continues to shape the city’s future.