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Dwarfed by the neighboring U.S. Bank Tower, the average passerby probably wouldn't even notice the 14-story Southern California Edison Company Building as they make their way between the skyscrapers in downtown L.A.'s Financial District. Missing it, however, would be a mistake.
The 1931 Art Deco landmark is a gem, and its lobby—complete with 17 different kinds of marble and artwork from famed muralist Hugo Ballin—is a true downtown hidden treasure. Said lobby is also about to be your new favorite place to drink coffee and work, thanks to the addition of Nossa Familia Coffee's first California outpost. The Portland, Oregon favorite has been hailed as one of the coffee-loving city's most respected local roasters, and this is their only location outside of Portland.
The stunning CalEdison building was recently renovated by Rising Realty Partners with Rios Clemente Hale Studios, and as they moved toward more creative office spaces, Rising also wanted to make the lobby feel more like a welcoming, public space. The gorgeous and grand Deco detailing remains, but there are now new seating areas, tables, and what they claim is the "fastest free wifi in Los Angeles."
“Nossa Familia’s commitment to community, sustainability, and history dating back to coffee farms founded in 1890 were all key factors that drew us to their brand and operation. But what really attracted us was the incredibly high quality and uniqueness of their coffee,” Christopher Rising, president of Rising Realty, said.
Set up in the western corner of the lobby, the Nossa Familia kiosk serves up serious beans from their family-owned farms in Brazil. There are also doughnuts from L.A.'s beloved, delivery-only Donut Snob (currently priced at $3 each, though that may change).
Once you've purchased your coffee, the lobby has plenty of cool corners to set up in, as well as a long central table decked out with the home-away-from-home holy grail: multiple outlets for plugging in your laptop. The table also has a lovely chess set (ask the security guard for the key to access the pieces if you'd like to play).
Nossa Familia is already open and serving, but they'll be having an official grand opening this Friday, September 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with coffee specials, local sweets, and giveaways.
Nossa Familia is located in the CalEdison Building at 601 W. 5th Street in downtown Los Angeles. They are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
