An Inside Look at Boyle Heights’ Gentrification

Boyle Heights has always been a place of transition. From its earliest roots as a Jewish enclave to its many years as a majority-Latino neighborhood, the region's population has changed throughout the decades. Lately, Boyle Heights has become a battleground over gentrification as a new wave of development has sprung up in the area. Boyle Heights has a long history of art and culture, but recently some residents were outspoken against new galleries moving to the area. There was also some controversy over a real estate deal at the historic Mariachi Plaza, which has gone up for sale for $6.2 million. More changes are on the way with the Sixth Street Viaduct Project, set to be completed by 2020; it will incorporate a 1.4-acre public arts space, bike lanes and a pedestrian mall. To further explore the changes in Boyle Heights, here are some recent photos showing the various old-school buildings and newer developments that reflect the neighborhood's metamorphosis.