Slated for Demolition?
542-568 Venice Boulevard, at Abbot Kinney
Venice Beach, CA
This is our home. It’s a garden apartment complex with twenty-eight units in two buildings, surrounded by big trees, courtyards, and lawns. We’re a few blocks from the beach, right in the heart of Venice. Some of us have lived here for more than twenty years.
The property is for sale, and the tenants want to purchase it. Our plan is to own the property jointly, retrofit it for environmental friendliness, and keep all 28 units affordable, forever. We want to create a showcase that demonstrates how regular people can help solve the housing crisis.
There’s just one problem. Robert D’Elia, CEO of RAD Ventures, is in contract to buy Venice Manor. He wants to tear it down and build 3-story luxury homes. If that happens, few of us would be able to stay in Venice.
But we’re organized, and we’re committing to being a force for positive change here in Venice. We think we have a decent shot of succeeding. Here’s what we’re up against.