1-Bedroom vs. 2-Bedroom Condos in Downtown LA: What's the Difference in Value?

Quick Answer: 2-bedroom condos in Downtown LA typically have a lower price per square foot than comparable 1-bedrooms in the same building, but they usually command a higher total price and appeal to a different buyer pool, including small families, roommates, and investors targeting rental income. Floor level and view exposure affect both unit types, but the value calculus works differently depending on size.

Why 2-bedrooms often have a lower price per square foot

Kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways take up a relatively fixed amount of space regardless of unit size, so a larger 2-bedroom spreads that fixed cost over more total square footage than a 1-bedroom does. This is a common pattern across DTLA buildings, not just this one, so a lower $/sqft on a 2-bedroom doesn't necessarily mean it's a better value than a 1-bedroom, just a differently structured one.

1-bedrooms appeal to a different buyer and renter pool

1-bedroom and studio condos tend to attract single buyers, couples, and investors targeting individual renters, while 2-bedrooms draw small families, roommate pairs, and buyers wanting a home office or guest space. That difference in buyer pool affects resale demand and time on market independently of the unit's condition or finishes.

HOA fees don't always scale directly with square footage

Some buildings charge HOA dues proportional to square footage, while others use a flatter structure across unit types. A 2-bedroom isn't automatically double the HOA cost of a comparable 1-bedroom, so it's worth checking the actual fee rather than assuming it scales with size.

What this means when comparing your options

Comparing a 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom side by side on price per square foot alone can be misleading. The better comparison is against other units of the same bedroom count and similar floor level within the same building, since that's the pool of buyers you'll eventually be competing against or selling to.

Weighing a 1-bedroom against a 2-bedroom for your own purchase? Our Downtown LA buyer consultation walks through the tradeoffs for your specific situation.