Downtown Torrance District

DOWNTOWN TORRANCE DISTRICT

The Downtown Torrance District, located adjacent to the Industrial Area, encompasses 88.5 acres and contains the original commercial core of the City which was founded in 1912. This area is also experiencing its own renaissance with the development of the Historic Downtown Project. This $44 million retail/residential mixed-use project is a result of a joint private and public effort by the ANA Real Estate U.S.A., Inc./Gascon Mar Ltd. and the former City of Torrance Redevelopment Agency. It occupies two sites in the commercial sector of the Downtown Project Area and features 28,000 square feet of commercial retail floor space (Plaza del Prado), and three residential complexes (Brisas del Mar, Brisas del Prado, Brisas del Sol) containing 148 condominium units.

In addition, the former Redevelopment Agency allocated $200,000 from the Downtown Bond revenues in 1986 to establish the Commercial Rehabilitation Program to help property owners and businesses make needed improvements to the exterior of their buildings. Accordingly, owners receive payment for half the cost of exterior improvements up to $40,000 per property. Numerous buildings have been renovated under this program, including the El Prado Apartments and the Newberry Building, located at the intersection of El Prado and Sartori Avenues. Since the adoption of the project area, the total property valuation for the Downtown Project has increased from just over $7 million dollars in 1980 to $66 million dollars in 1992 and $167 million in 2010.

Some of the current businesses located in the Downtown Project Area include:

Dining Establishments:
The Angara Indian Restaurant, Burger City Grill, Chado Team Room, Clutch and Coffee, Cozzi Cafe, Depot Restaurant, Eat at Rudy's, Foster's Old Fashioned Freeze, Ichimiann Bamboo Garden, Kagura, Keegan's Irish Pub, La Capilla Mexican Restaurant, Local Kitchen The American Tavern, the Red Car Brewery & Restaurant, Sartori Thai, Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr, Tortilla Cantina, The Crest, The Flame Broiler, Restoration Kitchen and Wine, Chado Tea House, & Miyabi Uni.

Commercial & Retail:
Activity Pointe Boutique, Antique Attic, Apartment Skate Shop, Bathtub King of California, Blue Flame Cigar Lounge, Board & Brush, Fred's Carpets Plus, Fox Drugs of Torrance, Illusion Flowers, Jaunts Boutique, Marsatta Chocolate, My Doll's House, Sartori Jewelry & Loan, South Bay Brewing Supply Co, Street Faire Antiques, The DropOut Cyclery, Threads & Needles, and Torrance Bakery and Torrance Flower Shop.

Neighborhood Services:
Bank of America, Bartlett Senior Citizens Center, Chase Bank, Bubblebath Hand Car Wash, Focal Point On Aging Info, Helping Elders Live Productively, Marcelina US Post Office Station, Maureen's Cleaners & Alterations, NCADD of the South Bay, Royal Dry Cleaners, Torrance Community Credit Union , The Torrance Historical Society Museum, Torrance Teachers Association, Torrance Theatre Company, Volunteer Center and Wells Fargo Bank.

Downtown is also known for its many mom and pop shops, Dance/Exercise/Photography/Art Studios, Beauty/Bridal Shops, along with medical/dental/law/marketing/construction/insurance/accounting/real estate offices to serve the many residents that live in the Downtown Project Area. Here is a list of some of these type of businesses:
Black Raven Tatto, Boogiezone Utopia, Buckingham Investments, Christensen Hsu Sipes LLP, Diane Lauridsen Ballet California, D.Reams and Company Real Estate, Every Body's Pilates, Fastsigns, Fit Culture Pilates, Grenda Chiropractic, Haru Dental, Jazz It Up Studios, Joey Ikemoto Photography, Law Offices of Joseph Pittera, Levy Living Legacy LLC, Monarch Ballroom, Mori & Yamamoto CPA's, Organically at your Best Wellness Spa, Pharaoh Construction, Professional School for the Arts, Red Curb Investments, Ron's Body Shop, RW Prints, South Bay Home Health Care, South Bay Cheer 360, Top Barber, Top Spa Nails, and Urban Zen The Salon,

Residential projects include Brisas del Prado, Brisas del Mar, Brisas del Sol, Coleman Court, and Cabrillo Family Apartments .

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