The Street Seen: Power House Lease
3116 2nd Street @ Marine
Well, it is not actually a power house - it didn’t produce electrical power, it transformed electrical power for distribution to Ocean Park1 - but it is for lease.
The mission revival style structure is built on 2nd St,2 in 1909 to house a Southern California Edison (SCE)3 substation transforming electrical power4 for distribution to Ocean Park.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the property is turned over to the neighboring5 Temple Mishkon Tephilo. The Temple rents the facility to a variety of businesses and individuals. The space enjoys a short run as a recording studio for alternative music.
In 1982, the building is converted into a playhouse by Ry Hay, Paul Linke, and Lucinda Zeising.
By the early 1990s, the theatre is in disrepair and abandoned. The 1994 Northridge earthquake causes further damage.
In 1995, the Powerhouse Theatre Company revitalizes the space. The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble takes over in 2005. Its last performance is in September 2011.
In 2006, the Sailhouse Loft building is constructed on Main and Marine, nearly surrounding the building.
In 2013, a conversion to restaurant use6 begins. After 5 years of construction, Luigi al Teatro, named for chef Luigi Fineo, opens in 2018.
By April 2019, the space is occupied by the Asian restaurant Haruchan; followed by Julian's Tequila & Mezcal Lounge from May 2021 to December 2021. The space is vacant since then.
Updates
Powerhouse Sold to Bagel Company (June 2024)
High voltage is used to efficiently move AC electrical power over long distances. At the destination, a transformer ‘steps’ the voltage down to a manageable level. Power is stepped down several times by the time it reaches your home. The power line coming into your home is at 240 volts; from your breaker box, it is split into lines of 120 volts for most home sockets and 240 volts for appliance sockets.
The adjacent lot to the north (former “Lake St Feed”), remains a SCE substation with a transformer yard.
From 1884 to 1917, 2nd St is named Lake St - presumably as it leads towards the “lake” that existed where Marina Del Rey is today. From 1917 to 1970, 2nd St is named Washington Blvd.
While Southern California Edison is incorporated in 1909, the company is formed by the acquisition of small predecessor companies that go back to 1886. Due to the short duration of patents at the time, Thomas Edison allows electric utilities to use his patents if they include his name. This is why there are many utilities that include the name "Edison" but are not affiliated with each other.
Historic power transformer substations should not be confused with similar appearance, railroad-owned, electric trolley substations that convert 2400 volts AC supply to the 600 volts DC used by streetcar motors.
The Ocean Park Substation is built at the very edge of Santa Monica. Temple Mishkon Tephilo is located across Dewey St in Venice (City of Los Angeles). Founded in 1917, Temple Mishkon Tephilo is one of the oldest continuously operating synagogues on the Westside and has occupied its present historic building (built during WW2) since 1948.
The property is Santa Monica zoned Mixed-Use Boulevard Low (MUBL) with allowable uses that include active, local-serving retail, service-oriented commercial, and residential and hotel.