South Robertson
We are watching a neighborhood being born in South Robertson. Between the 10 Freeway and Pico Boulevard, and Beverwil Drive and La Cienaga, a cluster of small communities surrounded by much larger neighborhoods such as Culver City and Beverly Hills, have long been isolated by freeway and major thruways. These residential communities collectively are a microcosm of Los Angeles' long overlooked hyper diversity, from Persian to Russian Jews, to Sikhs and Coptic Christians, among Caucasians, Latinos and African Americans.
Through its heart, Robertson Boulevard has divided the evolving neighborhood, both geographically as well as economically. To the west is the upper crust with its gated communities and winding streets; to the east are blue-collar workers and dilapidated apartment complexes. Pico Boulevard is lined with chabads, temples and Jewish businesses, producing a rich walking community that Robertson hopes to one day share.
With the formation of the South Robertson Neighborhoods Council, the communities are both excited and nervous at the new venture of creating a unified neighborhood. Initiatives to beautify the streets, to improve the Robertson business corridor, and to create common spaces are bringing communities together, while making others wonder: Who are my new neighbors?
