You've probably walked past 110 East 6th Street Los Angeles without even realizing it. Most people do. It’s tucked right into that gritty, electric intersection of 6th and Main, a spot where the old-school soul of Downtown LA meets the aggressive, high-speed push of modern gentrification. Honestly, if you’re looking for the glossy, sanitized version of the city, this isn't it. This is the heart of the Historic Core. It’s loud. It’s crowded. It’s undeniably real.
The Pacific Electric Building. That's the name that actually carries weight here. While the address "110 East 6th Street" sounds like just another administrative line on a tax form, this structure was once the pulsing nerve center of the entire Southern California transit world. It wasn't just a building; it was the hub of the "Red Cars." Imagine thousands of people pouring through these doors every day, back when Los Angeles had the greatest electric railway system in the world.
The Evolution of 110 East 6th Street Los Angeles
Things are different now. Obviously. You won't find trolley conductors in crisp uniforms. Instead, you'll find residents living in high-ceilinged lofts and people grabbing coffee at the ground-floor shops.
The building itself—completed around 1905—was designed by Thornton Fitzhugh. It was huge for its time. Nine stories of Beaux-Arts ambition. If you stand back and actually look up, you can see the intricate stonework that survived decades of neglect. It’s sorta miracle it’s still standing in such good shape. During the mid-20th century, as the city fell in love with the freeway and abandoned the rails, these transit hubs became ghosts. But 110 East 6th Street didn't die. It pivoted.
Why the Location at 6th and Main is Everything
Location is a weird thing in DTLA. One block can feel like a five-star resort, and the next can feel like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. 110 East 6th Street sits right on that line. To the west, you’ve got the jewelry district and the financial towers. To the east, you’re heading toward Skid Row.
This specific corner is a magnet for film crews. You've definitely seen it on screen. The "urban grit" aesthetic is exactly what location scouts hunt for. The proximity to Cole’s French Dip—literally right there—makes it a landmark in its own right. Cole’s claims to have invented the French Dip sandwich (though Philippe’s would fight them in a parking lot over that claim), and the speakeasy in the back, The Varnish, is one of the best bars in the country. Period.
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The Loft Living Reality
Living at 110 East 6th Street Los Angeles (often referred to as the PE Lofts) is a specific lifestyle choice. It’s for the person who wants the "Big City" experience.
- You’re going to hear sirens.
- You’re going to smell the street.
- You’re going to see the best and worst of humanity within a ten-foot radius of your front door.
But in exchange? You get those massive windows. You get the history of the Jonathan Club, which used to occupy the top floors. You get a rooftop pool that feels like a secret island above the chaos. It’s a trade-off. Some people hate it. Others wouldn't live anywhere else.
What People Get Wrong About This Neighborhood
There’s this persistent myth that Downtown LA is "finished." That the revitalization is over or that it failed. That’s just not true. It’s just changing shape.
The area around 110 East 6th Street is currently seeing a weird, fascinating tension. High-end sushi spots are opening doors next to decades-old wholesale shops. It’s clunky. It’s not always pretty. But it’s active. When you look at the real estate data for this zip code (90014), the prices reflect a market that refuses to quit, even with the shifts in remote work over the last few years. People still want to be in the middle of the mess.
Architectural Nuances You Might Miss
The building is an "L" shape. Did you know that? Most people only see the facade on 6th. The way it wraps around allows for a lot of natural light in the units, which was a massive deal back in the early 1900s before modern lighting was standard.
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The lobby still has that sense of scale. It feels heavy. It feels permanent. In a city that often tears down its history to build glass boxes, 110 East 6th Street is a reminder of a time when we built things to last 500 years, not 50.
Navigating the 6th Street Corridor
If you’re visiting, don’t just stare at the building and leave. Walk.
- Start at the building and look at the old Pacific Electric signage if you can find the historical markers.
- Head into Cole's. Even if you aren't hungry, the interior is a time capsule.
- Walk two blocks south to The Last Bookstore. It’s the cliché tourist thing to do, but honestly, it’s a cliché for a reason. It’s beautiful.
- Check out the murals. The 6th Street corridor is a canvas. The street art here changes weekly.
The safety conversation is also something we have to be real about. Is it safe? Kinda. It's "city safe." Keep your head up. Don't wander around with your face buried in your phone. It’s an urban environment with urban challenges.
Actionable Insights for the DTLA Explorer
If you’re seriously looking at 110 East 6th Street Los Angeles, whether as a potential resident or just a fan of LA history, here is the ground-level advice you actually need.
For Prospective Residents:
Check the windows. No, seriously. In these historic buildings, the seal on the windows makes or breaks your quality of life. If they haven't been retrofitted, you'll hear every conversation on the sidewalk from the 7th floor. Also, ask about the parking situation immediately. Parking in the Historic Core is a nightmare that will eat your soul if you don't have a dedicated spot.
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For History Buffs:
Look into the archives of the Southern California Railway Museum. They have a massive amount of documentation on what this building looked like when it was the "Great Hub." Seeing the old photos of the trains pulling directly into the building's ground floor changes how you see the architecture.
For the Weekend Visitor:
Use the Metro. The building is a short walk from the Pershing Square station. Driving to 6th and Main is a mistake. You'll spend $20 on parking and 30 minutes in a loop. Just take the B or D line. It’s easier, and it fits the history of the location anyway.
Final Reality Check:
Downtown LA isn't for everyone. It's loud, it's expensive, and it's complicated. But 110 East 6th Street represents the best of what the city was and a weirdly hopeful version of what it’s trying to become. It’s a survivor.
To truly understand this area, your next move should be a visit during the Downtown Art Walk. While it's not the massive monthly festival it used to be, the local galleries around 6th and Spring still open up, and the energy of the neighborhood peaks. It's the best way to see the building in its natural habitat—surrounded by the people who actually make LA work.
Check the local transit maps for the "Regional Connector" updates. The way people get to 6th Street has changed drastically with the new station openings, making this specific block more accessible from the Westside and Santa Monica than it has been in nearly eighty years.
Plan your visit for a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. The crowds are thinner, the light hits the brickwork just right around 4:00 PM, and you can actually grab a seat at the bar at Cole's without a two-hour wait. Take a second to just sit there. You’re sitting in the exact spot where the city’s future was mapped out over a century ago.