Trancas Market: A Civic Triumph!

Sometimes a group of disparate people come together to find common interests and you are left with a masterpiece.  Sometimes city officials and city planners and developers and commissions, and activist groups, etc., do something extraordinary.  The way I see it, the Trancas Market is such a place...Extra-ordinary!

On so many levels this whole complex is a masterpiece.  It is pleasantly bucolic, far from garish, not drawing attention to itself visually but yet fitting organically into the hillside as the foreground to the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains.  The colors that were picked and the architecture are so thoughtful and complimentary, nary a bright color or a verbose signage.  The wood planks that act as the facade to the whole complex create a simple and calming continuity, almost reminiscent of the "old west".  Stroll around past the market and you will find large courtyards and seating areas...surely the venue for amazing things in the future, music?, mime?, who knows what will take shape.

  There are empty buildings, many of which are already earmarked for great establishments.  "Mangia" the creation of Antoni Alessi of Tra Da Noi fame, has a restaurant that will open, I am told, in just a few months.  There is a French cafe that will open in approximately 9 months.  I have met the owners and they are Parisians...100% french and I am very impressed with what they have planned.  Let's just say that you are in good hands....get ready for some amazing eateries at Trancas.

And now for the market itself!!  The crowning jewel.  When I first walked past the entry alcove, a high vaulted enclosure that is not only very attractive but highly practical, I first noticed the beautiful and calming lighting...not over lighted like so many establishments of it's kind, void of romance and civility, but, like Ernest Hemingway's short story of the same name, "A clean, well lighted place".  Lighting, to me, is everything, and this lighting is like a visual massage.  Overall, it's hard not to make comparisons to Whole Foods due to it's freshness, cleanliness, and access to organic and high quality foods.  Just today I had a freshly sliced "off the "bird", turkey sandwich with buffalo mozzarella on gluten free bread.  There are simply too many culinary delights to describe in one story.

If you live at Malibu West or Broad Beach, or even up above the high school I don't think it is a stretch to say that your property values have gone up ...what I know about real estate would fit on the end of a toothpick but that is my hunch.

Bravo! to all who had a "hand" in making Trancas a civic triumph....you guys and gals worked hard and you got this one right (imo).   I would say that no one "Cross Creeked" Trancas....though, in my opinion, you are welcome to "Trancas" anyplace you want around our state and country.  This one was well thought out and everyone came up winners.

I raise a goblet to you all!