531 Cowper Street - The LoggiArcade [Downtown South] 1991

Is this a Loggia or an Arcade or a LoggiArcade? A space for leisure or a passageway or both?

This rather elegant pedestrian arcade, is the only covered POPOS in Palo Alto. This LoggiArcade (a made up word) has three benches along the wall - two of which have tables. Nice! While this is mainly used as a fancy sidewalk as an alternative to the parallel driveway that feeds into the Cowper Street Garage, this POPOS is a pleasant spot to linger in the midst of a dense part of Downtown. You have an excellent view of the screen in the lobby of BMO Wealth Management through the windows. And they have a good view of you, too.

HOURS: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

WHAT’S THERE: There are three wooden benches along the wall, two of which have round metal tables. Seating! And tables! This is a spacious arcade with serious columns dividing the Loggia and the driveway. BMO Wealth Management is the neighboring tenant with its lobby on the other side of the wall and visible through the windows, including their video monitor. They seem to mind their own business. Again, this is the only covered POPOS in Palo Alto.

So much potential!

WHAT YOU CAN DO THERE: You can sit on the benches and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea (maybe from Il Fornaio across the street on Cowper or your own, You can people watch, in particular the people going to and from the parking garage. You can take a pleasant break from work to eat lunch from home or a nearby cafe, and get out of the elements under the covered roof. You can sketch, read, meditate, have a meeting, write poetry, play chess with a friend (BYO), get away from your screen and hang out with your tiny screen, Plus it’s close to the Food Closet at All Saints Church around the corner on Hamilton. No reason you can’t bring your own chairs to have a bigger group.

WHAT I HAVE DONE HERE: I have sketched, enjoyed coffee with a friend, and hosted a free Pop-up yoga class with Johnny Gonsoulin from YogaSource, gotten out of the rain. I have visited with someone who was taking a break from his job at Tamarine, the nearby restaurant. I have just sat there and counted people going by, noting who used the LoggiArcade vs the Driveway to get to and from the parking garage. I tried to make eye contact and say hello with mixed results.

WHAT YOU CAN’T DO THERE: I am not sure. You might have to try some things and find out for yourself. You can always read the Ordinance #4052 for guidance.

WHAT MIGHT YOU DO THERE? Some ideas: roller skating/blading, skateboarding (it’s so lovely and long and smooth), have a glass of wine with a friend - your own or from Il Fornaio - and pretend/imagine you are in Italy. This could be an excellent canvas for sidewalk chalk. You could do relay races up and down the Loggia. Skip, saunter, slide.

This worked well as a relaxing spot for a yoga class, and seems like another great spot for a dance party You could have your own dinner party with one long table with food from any number of take out spots in downtown - or your own picnic. What else?