Brief

Santa Monica council eyes 700 affordable homes on Bergamot Station site

Council talks to developers could see the 5.6‑acre Bergamot Station turned into affordable housing, putting its galleries at risk.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 29 Sep 2026 22:30:14 GMT

The Santa Monica City Council met on Sept. 8 behind closed doors with developers to discuss converting the 5.6‑acre Bergamot Station arts center into more than 700 affordable homes, according to the Los Angeles Times.

What happened

Bergamot Station, a former railroad depot turned art hub, now hosts about 15 galleries, down from over 30 at its peak. The council’s plan would replace the existing facilities with housing to meet state affordable‑housing mandates.

What the reports add

The Los Angeles Times notes that the proposal emerged during a closed‑door meeting, and that artists fear mixed signals about the center’s future, with some owners hearing they have “five more years” while others hear “30 days.”

What was said

"You squint your eyes, and you have a vision," Krull said in an interview.

Robert Berman, who runs the Robert Berman Gallery at Bergamot since 1994, told the paper, “They keep giving us mixed signals — you’re going to be there for five more years, you’re going to be there 10 more minutes, you’re going to be thrown out in 30 days.”

How it came about

Bergamot Station was revived in the mid‑1990s by Craig Krull and others, becoming a renowned contemporary‑art destination. Over recent years, the number of galleries has declined, and the city is now weighing affordable‑housing requirements against preserving the arts complex.

Key facts

The Santa Monica City Council discussed converting Bergamot Station into over 700 affordable homes. (latimes.com)
Bergamot Station currently houses about 15 galleries, down from more than 30 at its peak. (latimes.com)
The council meeting on the proposal was held behind closed doors on Sept. 8. (latimes.com)