An L.A. loft for high-flying Depp

Johnny Depp has been busier than any pirate in the Caribbean, and that could be why the downtown L.A. loft he bought in the fall for close to $2 million is still vacant.

Depp bought a penthouse in the Eastern Columbia Building, an Art Deco landmark on South Broadway. The 13-story building, opened in 1930 as a retail and office tower and later used as a department store and movie backdrop, was converted into 147 residential lofts in 2006.

Since then, all except a half a dozen lofts on the penthouse level have been sold. Prices run from the high $600,000 range to $2.2 million.

Besides Depp, entertainment industry buyers have included comedian Ant and Slade Smiley, a heartthrob who was on the TV show "The Real Housewives of Orange County." Other buyers are architecture enthusiasts. Buyers in the Moderne, turquoise terra-cotta-clad building qualify for historic tax credits, or reduced property taxes, through the Mills Act.

It's not too late to become one of Depp's neighbors. There is a furnished corner unit in the building listed at about $1.8 million. It's on the 12th floor and is described as light-filled with an open floor plan and high ceilings. The unit has a bronze and iron entry gate, storage for 112 bottles of wine, flat-screen TVs, a jukebox, a vintage-style safe and city views. The 1,827-square-foot loft was decorated by designer Jim Hughes.

Kelly Wearstler, a celebrity designer, decorated the building's common areas such as the rooftop pool, spa and gym. The building also has a distinctive clock tower and a concierge.

Depp, who has played more than 40 unique roles on film, is as busy as ever, now starring as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street for the film adaptation of the musical "Sweeney Todd," released a few weeks ago. The 44-year-old actor starred as Capt. Jack Sparrow in "The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003), "The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (2006) and "The Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" (2007). In 2005, he was cast as Willie Wonka, a magical candy maker, in Tim Burton's adaptation of "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory."

David Kean, at Prudential California Realty in Beverly Hills, has the listing on the furnished loft.

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