SweisKloss, all photos on this page by SK Staff

Tartine Bakery Santa Monica, a Unique Adaptive Reuse

by SweisKloss
January 20, 2022

If you are a foodie, you know the name Tartine, and if you are a baker, you really know the name Tartine. A mere tasting of their sourdough loaf could entice even the most dedicated of keto dieters to break bread. Tartine has been on the rise (can’t let an obvious pun go to waste) since 2002 when Elisabeth Pruiett and Chad Robertson partnered up, creating their first corner bakery spot in San Francisco’s Mission District.

Since then, the Tartine team seems to be taking Los Angeles by storm. And although The Manufactory—Tartine’s 40,000-square-foot complex of restaurant space, coffee roastery, and mega baking operation—didn’t last long in the DTLA area, they were undeterred and continued with opening smaller locations. The fourth one in West Adams just opened. At SweisKloss, us locals appreciate a good place to get a good meal in Santa Monica, but what’s most interesting is its story related to adaptive reuse.

Did you know the built structure that Tartine now occupies was once a long-serving funeral home? The chapel was constructed in 1933 and was the location of Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Directors for over 75 years, but they moved out, leaving the space available. Enter Tartine. Based on their various locations, one could conclude that they seek out older spaces that can be brought back to life. This makes sense because they describe their bakery as “Tradition. Made Modern.”

If you visit Tartine on 20th St. and Arizona, you can see the care that went into restoring the Tudor Revival. The materials and finish details on the exterior stayed true to the original architecture, especially the window and door shapes, resulting in a design that has a historic charm. The vaulted ceiling inside makes the main area open and airy. Stained glass that was kept intact accents the space. Columns and arches help to delineate the flow of the ordering counter and kitchen to where the tables are situated. The outside dining space is canopied and surrounded by an abundance of greenery and blooms, making it partially private.

Tartine Bakery & Café along with CIM Group received a 2020 Preservation Award from the Santa Monica Conservancy. Now, we leave you to ponder these two words when visiting the bakery. Lemon. Tart. You’ll thank us later.