With prices soaring at the gas stations and daily parking turning
into an excruciating nightmare, Smart has certainly picked the right time to set
up shop in Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Opening with a hip party on October 10, the temporary showroom
now welcomes the local crowd, VIPs and journalists to experience the Smart ForTwo.
It
is easy to spot the “Smart House” which is situated right on Abbot Kinney Blvd.
With a bright yellow car stacked on its roof the otherwise non-descript building is hard to miss. The
main target group being described as young, urban hipsters, the location could not have been chosen
more to the point.
For the past four years Abbot Kinney has made quite
a transition. It tangibly epitomizes the shift that has been visible in Venice Beach in general. What
used to be a rough, even violent neighborhood with crack dealers hanging out at the local parks, has
now turned into the West L.A. mecca of eco- and design-conscious hipsters and young families alike.
The
Abbot Kinney vibe is casual yet chic with fine dining, bars and neighborhood eateries next to small,
hip boutiques, quirky stationery, interior design, or decorating stores. Organic coffee and fat-free
frozen yoghurt are at hand when leisure-seeking locals drive by on their beach cruisers. Prefab homes
and sustainability are the talk of the town.
The bright, modern interior
of the Smart House is scheduled for entertainment, providing music, fine arts, fashion and educational
events. It caters precisely to the needs and wants of the local, urban “smart generation.” While soaking
up the joie de vivre, product information and test rides are readily available.
The unique urban car could be a hit with L.A. motorists, the house with
its stylish interior certainly is.
Check out the Smart
House on 1319 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CA. The temporary showroom is open
from October 11, 2007 to January 25, 2008.
Link:
http://thesmartcar.blogspot.com
