Updated April 3, 10:15 a.m.
The longtime home of Papa Cristo’s in Pico Union could be demolished to make way for a self-storage facility, across the street from another storage facility.
The Greek market and restaurant closed its doors last year, after seven decades in the neighborhood. Now a Redondo Beach-based developer, who are in escrow over the property, said if they are able to move ahead with their project they would honor Papa Cristo’s in some capacity.
During a community meeting on Tuesday, some in the neighborhood were tepid about the proposal.
“I think everybody would like to see housing. It’s an important need,” said Stephen Post, manager of the Byzantine Latino Quarter Pico Business Improvement District. “I think there’s only so much the community can do to direct what they’d like to see. I’m glad that they want to include Papa Cristo’s. I know it’s been a staple in this community.”
The self-storage proposal would include a ground-floor retail space that could accommodate a scaled-down Papa Cristo’s presence if the family chooses to return to the restaurant business, but they have not spoken to the developers yet.
In a statement provided to The LA Local on April 2, a representative for the Papa Cristo’s family said they “are not affiliated” in any redevelopment plans at the former restaurant and that includes the brand name and trademark of the former Greek restaurant.
“We also have not been approached about the use of our name in any capacity,” the statement said. “We respectfully ask that any references suggesting a reopening or future affiliation with Papa Cristo’s at this address be corrected to avoid confusion within the community.”
The statement went on to say that the family are now focused on serving customers through their Papa Cristo’s seasoning blends, which remain available on their website.
Brian Sorenson from La Tierra Consulting, who would lead development behind the project, said the space could also be used by the community.
Sorenson maintains the neighborhood is “heavily underserved” when it comes to storage. But the area already has more than a handful of similar storage businesses, including one directly across the street from the proposed site on Pico Boulevard.
“Obviously, there’s already a storage facility a few blocks down on Pico, so from a competition standpoint, it will hopefully bring storage prices down for individuals in the area,” Post said.
Representatives for La Tierra Consulting said that storage costs would be market rate.
Still, La Tierra Consulting have presented their plans for the site to multiple community groups, like the Pico Union neighborhood council, and on Tuesday at the Byzantine Latino Quarter Pico Business Improvement District to get feedback on the project.
Other uses were considered for the site, including retail and industrial use, but none were as viable, the developers said.
Residential development would also be difficult on the relatively small lot because of parking requirements and high land costs, according to Post.
Last year, when Papa Cristo’s announced they would close their doors, the property was listed for sale on LoopNet for $5.2 million, according to Eater LA.
Papa Cristo’s was beloved in the community, in large part because of owner Chrys Chrys’s larger-than-life personality.
The restaurant also became famous for its rack of lamb, kebabs, and other classic Greek dishes.
At minimum, Sorenson said, the project would feature plaques, murals, or other public art honoring Papa Cristo’s legacy, and possible subsidized space for community groups.
Three design concepts were presented to the Pico Union Neighborhood Council in January, where the developers fielded questions from the community.
The initial proposal featured a more contemporary façade that some neighbors in Pico Union felt did not reflect the character of the area. In response, the design team developed alternatives inspired by nearby landmarks, including the local high school and surrounding historic buildings.
One revised concept incorporates brick and architectural motifs that echo the high school’s scale and materials, while keeping retail at the corner to help activate the street.
Another concept draws from the Huffington at Saint Sophia, the nearby Greek Orthodox cathedral, referencing its general shape and architectural details without directly replicating the chapel.
A third option embraces a “neo-industrial” look inspired by revitalized historic buildings across Los Angeles, blending industrial elements with a contemporary update.
The company went back to the Pico Union neighborhood council with all of the designs in February and there were different opinions on the designs, but ultimately the council voted 10-0 to support the project. The Byzantine Latino Quarter also voted to support the project.
Vanessa Rivera, who has been a resident of Pico Union for more than 30 years and is the president of the Byzantine Latino Quarter Pico Business Improvement District, said she does appreciate Sorenson’s company did seek community feedback.
“The fact that they have multiple designs based on community feedback is not something you see all the time,” she said. “They could have been someone that just came in and said, ‘This is our idea. We’ve already got it. We don’t care what you think,’ but they’ve come at it from a very community based perspective.”
Under all versions of the proposal, the upper floors would be dedicated to storage, with retail and potential community-serving uses on the ground level.
Customer access would be located at the rear of the property, where vehicles — including moving trucks — would enter a covered loading area built into the storage facility.
The project would also include a six-foot dedication along Pico Boulevard and Normandie Avenue to allow for wider sidewalks and potential future street improvements, along with a new bus stop.
The facility would operate during limited hours — generally from early morning to late evening — and include gated entry, keypad access, elevator controls restricted by individual codes, and 24-hour monitored security cameras.
Los Angeles Documenter, Aileen Mestas, contributed reporting for this story from the Feb. 2 Pico Union Neighborhood Council meeting. The LA Documenters program trains and pays community members to document proceedings at public meetings. Learn more about the program here.
