Downey approves third rooftop lounge in downtown

A rendering of the new rooftop restaurant approved at 11100 Downey Ave.


DOWNEY – A third rooftop restaurant is coming to downtown Downey. 

The Planning Commission last week signed off on a new rooftop eatery at 11100 Downey Ave. No tenant has signed a lease for the space yet. 

The property is owned by realtor Don Jervis, who plans to add a 776-sq. ft. rooftop deck, along with a 580-sq. ft. second-story addition. Jervis will also add 150 square feet of outdoor patio seating. 

Photo by Alex Dominguez

Construction will include a full-height wall on the south side of the building and a cover over the rooftop dining area to mitigate noise concerns, officials said. The building is located directly west of a 50-unit apartment complex. 

After renovations, the building will have “a rustic look and feel,” officials said.

Located across from Mi Cielo and Bastards, the property has been mostly vacant since 2013. It was briefly used by Councilman Rick Rodriguez during his 2016 election campaign. 

Mi Cielo was the first restaurant in downtown Downey to feature a rooftop lounge. It opened in 2017. 

Redevelopment of the former Avenue Theatre also includes plans for rooftop dining.

The theater, purchased for $750,000 by the Downey Restaurant Group in 2016, was originally constructed in 1925 and has been vacant since 2004. 

The plans approved earlier this month include two restaurants and an entertainment venue with rooftop lounge. The Downey Avenue façade will also be restored to reflect the façade as it was in the 1960’s.

The two restaurants are currently proposed to be called Avenue Pizza and Crawford Brewery.
According to the project applicant, the pizzeria will serve New York style pizza and Italian food, and will include a kitchen area, counter and table seating, as well as a takeout window styled after a ticket booth facing Downey Avenue.

The restaurant will offer 24-hour pizza delivery.