JUST before sunset on a recent Thursday evening, residents of the Toy Factory Lofts trickle up to the rooftop pool deck to enjoy some wine and a potluck dinner. The sun slides behind the downtown skyline, and shafts of warm orange and pink light fan out across the sky.
As residents pile their offerings onto a folding table -- a box of Pellegrino, bottles of red and white wine, chips and guacamole, tossed salad, fried chicken, grilled pita bread -- one thing is clear: With its comfortable cabanas, faux wood deck and cozy fireplace, the pool has become the center of their building's social scene.
Poolside gatherings like this one are happening at many loft, condo and apartment complexes throughout the city. As Angelenos give up their backyard gardens for urban communal living, they find that their private pool decks are oases in the concrete jungle. And what's more, they're conducive to impromptu cocktail parties that can, and do, happen at all hours of the day and night.
Downtown Los Angeles is arguably the epicenter of this trend. The area now has about 30,000 residents and is home for more than a dozen loft and apartment buildings with private pools already open or soon to be.
And these pools, while often not very deep, are nothing to scoff at. Located in buildings that possess distinct hotel-like vibes and cater to people who relish the sense of being chaise-longue tourists, they are amenity-laden and tend to take on the flavor of private bars or clubs.
The Pegasus Apartments on Flower Street, just across from the Standard Hotel (which has its own off-the-hook rooftop pool scene), throws poolside parties that former resident Alan Tsai describes as "really crazy."
"They always had DJs and sometimes a live band, and they had caterers come with free food and the bar was open."
The Market Lofts above the new Ralphs supermarket on 9th Street has a pool and a spa as well as an adjacent social room equipped with a kitchen, a living room, couches, tables and a TV. Nearby on 11th Street, the fourth-floor pool that will be shared by the Elleven and Luma lofts will feature outdoor speakers, changing areas and four barbecues.
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TSAI recently moved to the Biscuit Co. Lofts, which are directly across the street from the Toy Factory. Because the two buildings share the same developers and the Biscuit pool hasn't opened yet, Tsai has privileges at the Toy Factory pool. He reclines on a gray lounge chair with an Asahi beer and watches the potluck pick up steam. Residents from toddlers to retirees -- with a preponderance of thirty- to fortysomething professionals -- gather around the table and dip into the food.
