LOS ANGELES | METRO Project Rundown 2.0 (non-downtown)

[colemonkee]

^ That's not half bad! And the LOHA building in Westwood is very nice! More of that, please!

[Doctorboffin]

http://www.dezeen.com/2015/11/05/lorcan-oherlihy-architects-loha-sl11024-student-faculty-housing-los-angeles-architecture/

Like it over all, but the stairs come off as very prison like.

[Muji]

Here's a small update from various biking trips in the last week or so. First, here's the slow-moving apartment building rising behind the Desmonds on Wilshire.
https://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/img_4392-e1446836564898.jpg

Also, a 6-story apartment building has topped out on Ingraham St in Koreatown, just east of Wilton Pl.
https://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/img_4381-e1446836558136.jpg

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Proof that LA can have mature, attractive, contemporary architecture.

Love it... That street looks great, we should have dozens of similar projects all over

[cesar90]

1000 Santa Monica rising ...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1600x1200q90/908/hbzDIl.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/p8hbzDIlj)

source: Imageshack.com

[King Kill 'em]

http://urbanize.la/post/six-story-hotel-rise-hollywood

A few renderings of the six-story, 159-room hotel planned at 1925 N. Wilcox Ave in Hollywood.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/wilcoxhotel1_1.jpg?itok=faYwtWH4

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/wilcox.JPG?itok=hXP-jKXk

Why would they make a hotel that small? it's silly

[SoCalKid]

Why would they make a hotel that small? it's silly

Why is that silly? Not uncommon in size for a limited service hotel.

[ethereal_reality]

:previous:
And they're tearing down this old garage (and the building next door) for their 6 story hotel.
I like the architectural cartouches, medallions and the rather unusual spirals.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/911/0eF3rE.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pb0eF3rEj)
gsv

I wish they could have incorporated the front of the old garage into the hotel design (especially since the design isn't anything special).
If anything, it would give the hotel design a bit of character.
__

[King Kill 'em]

Why is that silly? Not uncommon in size for a limited service hotel.

Well it's silly for that area at least.

This is the kind of development we'll look back on in 10 years and realize what a wasted opportunity it was.

[King Kill 'em]

:previous:
And they're tearing down this old garage (and the building next door) for their 6 story hotel.
I like the architectural cartouches, medallions and the rather unusual spirals.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1280x1024q90/911/0eF3rE.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pb0eF3rEj)
gsv

I wish they could have incorporated the front of the old garage into the hotel design (especially since the design isn't anything special).
If anything, it would give the hotel design a bit of character.
__

It seems like recently they've been proposing to save and reuse buildings which aren't really special and should be torn down and proposing to tear down buildings which are special and should be saved. Ex. Parker Center and that old art deco hospital off the 101.

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/affordable-housing-lausd-employees-rises-hollywood

Selma Community Housing -66 affordable apartments for LAUSD employees - at Selma/Cherokee.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140wb/public/field/image/20151108_114409.jpg?itok=dT9Kh1Nz

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/selma_0.jpg?itok=0xPVk08y

[caligrad]

Some metroish updates.

"The Current" tower 1 in Long Beach topped out last week..... The building is actually not what I expected. A little on the dated side already and looks cheap ( 19 story steel skeleton with 7 story stucco box exterior materials) but ill just wait and hope for the best. No news on the 32 story sibling right next door.

I was in Carson yesterday and drove past the stadium site, just to beat the 405 traffic, and they have already renamed a few streets "stadium way, Main gateway"... Thought that was weird since I was unaware of approval yet and than I saw some earth movers digging deep for what looked like foundation work and pile drivers working around the earth movers. This thing hasn't been approved yet has it ? and if so what does this mean for the Inglewood stadium.... theres no way that LA will be getting both.

[blackcat23]

There's a pretty lively debate on SSC regarding the NFL-back-to-LA situation, and the consensus is that Inglewood is the real proposal, while Carson is little more than smoke and mirrors to force Oakland/SD's hand.

Objectively, Inglewood has a significant advantage both in terms of location and its conceptual plan.

[Steve8263]

There's a pretty lively debate on SSC regarding the NFL-back-to-LA situation, and the consensus is that Inglewood is the real proposal, while Carson is little more than smoke and mirrors to force Oakland/SD's hand.

Objectively, Inglewood has a significant advantage both in terms of location and its conceptual plan.

Doesn't take a rocket scientist to reach that conclusion. The Inglewood proposal is backed by an owner that already controls the land and a team, as well as pockets more than deep enough to build the stadium on his own. And don't forget the fast track approvals from the city to bypass the brutal EIR process.

The Carson proposal has two much weaker team owners that would be mostly dependent on outside funding sources and selling naming rights, seat licenses, etc. That has been a failed recipe here in L.A. for many years now.

[King Kill 'em]

^Thank god. I hate the Carson plan so much. It's a 20th century development in the 21st century. Ingelwood is a plan fit for today and the future

[ChelseaFC]

I was in Carson yesterday and drove past the stadium site, just to beat the 405 traffic, and they have already renamed a few streets "stadium way, Main gateway"... Thought that was weird since I was unaware of approval yet and than I saw some earth movers digging deep for what looked like foundation work and pile drivers working around the earth movers. This thing hasn't been approved yet has it ? and if so what does this mean for the Inglewood stadium.... theres no way that LA will be getting both.

I can't imagine Carson would ever get selected by the NFL, but it would be nice if someone in the area can get some photos to confirm. If they are already building it, that would be big news.

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/more-mixed-use-pico-boulevard

Strip mall at Pico and Gateway, near Expo/Sepulveda Station, to become five-story development with 129 residential units and 5,200 square feet of retail space.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/gateway.JPG?itok=LY6flPN3

[King Kill 'em]

^The expo line exstension is spurring so much added density

[Jaycruz]

I know I'm late to the topic but I really hope the Carson proposal doesn't happen. I noticed some movement too when I was in that area a few weeks ago but I don't think its foundation work. I think its just pushing dirt around in the literal sense. Inglewood is the better location but the FAA just gave them a major hurdle to deal with according to KTLA last night. Something about a flight plan being right over the site and the lights and etc. Might be a distraction for incoming flights.

^The expo line exstension is spurring so much added density
Yeah youre right. I think the expo line might end up being the most successful/crucial line when it finally opens, until the purple line extension is complete all the way to santa monica. But the exp is already transforming the neighborhoods that line it which is great and its not even fully open yet.

[King Kill 'em]

^When the regional connector is complete I think the E line going from SM to East LA will be the most important line in the system

[Wally West]

Good news for the East Hollywood Target.

The unfinished Target at Western Avenue and Sunset Boulevard has been stuck in a state of limbo since a judge ordered construction to stop in August of 2014. The major problem was that the Target is 74 feet tall, while the existing height limit for commercial buildings in the area was only 35 feet tall. The L.A. City Council approved the Target in 2012 despite the discrepancy.

Today, the Planning Commission decided to amend zoning rules to set up a limited area allowing commercial projects up to 75 feet tall, City News Service reports.

Now that all that height business is out of the way, the Planning Commission has also recommended moving forward with the project. Future discussions about the Target will surround the store's potential benefits, including job creation and convenience for its neighbors. Other changes to the store to be considered include how close the location is to bus lines and the Metro Red Line, including possible bike-sharing options.

The L.A. City Council will weigh in next.

http://laist.com/2015/11/12/target_husk_victory.php

[ChelseaFC]

^When the regional connector is complete I think the E line going from SM to East LA will be the most important line in the system

My issue with it is it takes so damn long. Waiting for traffic lights is incredibly irritating and oftentimes the train stops for like 2 minutes at a time, sometimes longer. NYC is so congested and the streets so narrow that it makes driving a nightmare there, so the subway is a comparable joy. It would be great if you could zip around the city on the subway like you can in other cities, but that's not our reality here in LA.

And I think they are vastly overrating the number of people who will take the train to LAX. I always get rides to the airport because as long as you schedule your flight at non-peak hours (early morning/late night), the freeway is way faster.

Sorry to vent. :hell:

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/first-look-latest-hollywood-boulevard-hotel

CIM Group planning to break ground in February 2016 on a six-story hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. 167 guest rooms, 19,900 sq. ft. of retail space and a 1,600 sq. ft. art gallery.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/hollywood1_0.JPG?itok=oezT5XYE

[NSMP]

Good news for the East Hollywood Target.



http://laist.com/2015/11/12/target_husk_victory.php

You seriously just made my day. No more schlepping to west hollywood soon.

[Doctorboffin]

http://urbanize.la/post/first-look-latest-hollywood-boulevard-hotel

CIM Group planning to break ground in February 2016 on a six-story hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. 167 guest rooms, 19,900 sq. ft. of retail space and a 1,600 sq. ft. art gallery.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/hollywood1_0.JPG?itok=oezT5XYE


Looks like it could end up looking either pretty good, or horrible. The outside stair case looks pretty bad no matter what though.

[Steve8263]

^This explains why there's no "For Lease" signage in the vacant Lucky Devils space or adjacent storefronts. I think Loteria Grill is the only active tenant remaining in that block.

[Wilcal]

Looks like it could end up looking either pretty good, or horrible. The outside stair case looks pretty bad no matter what though.

It does look to be very busy. Also, there is no effort to blend in with the more "historic" storefronts along the boulevard.

[caligrad]

http://urbanize.la/post/first-look-latest-hollywood-boulevard-hotel

CIM Group planning to break ground in February 2016 on a six-story hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. 167 guest rooms, 19,900 sq. ft. of retail space and a 1,600 sq. ft. art gallery.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/hollywood1_0.JPG?itok=oezT5XYE

I know people are going to HATE me for saying this. But......Hollywood blvd. Between highland and vine needs a lot more of this. That entire stretch needs to be leveled and lined with 5-7 story buildings like this. This design can go either really good or really bad but it fits for Hollywood. Hollywood Blvd. Will always be our tourist trap, Like time square is for NYC. The locals (US) may hate it but lets leave it for the tourists. It will never be organic so why not "Disney" it up a bit and stretch out the tourists all the way between the Chinese theater and the Pantages.

By the way. Is it me or is CIM group becoming an irritating firm.....I mean... their current Hollywood tower is facing an uncertain future and their current downtown tower has stopped at the parking structure with no movement. Why would they put more on their plate with another project. They need some serious new management because current management seems like a chicken with its head cut off. Its flopping all over the place....In the literal sense.

[DJM19]

My only wish is that we were getting a little more fine-grained urbanism. This building is replacing 3 buildings. Though those buildings are really no big loss at all, I kind of appreciate how the street wall along hollywood blvd is pretty well broken up by smaller lots and paint-schemes.

[Doctorboffin]

It does look to be very busy. Also, there is no effort to blend in with the more "historic" storefronts along the boulevard.

I think it could work if there were more building around like it. It does have a Paris vibe what could work well with Hollywood.

[King Kill 'em]

My issue with it is it takes so damn long. Waiting for traffic lights is incredibly irritating and oftentimes the train stops for like 2 minutes at a time, sometimes longer. NYC is so congested and the streets so narrow that it makes driving a nightmare there, so the subway is a comparable joy. It would be great if you could zip around the city on the subway like you can in other cities, but that's not our reality here in LA.

And I think they are vastly overrating the number of people who will take the train to LAX. I always get rides to the airport because as long as you schedule your flight at non-peak hours (early morning/late night), the freeway is way faster.

Sorry to vent. :hell:

It's all good. The E line though will be grade seperated or at least not greatly affected by traffic most of the route I think. From riding the expo line, the only part that really is a pain in the ass and takes too long is around USC.

[King Kill 'em]

That CIM design looks pretty awful to me but I think it's only because of one detail. The tan color. Make it a dark green and it will look 1 million times better

[DistrictDirt]

My issue with it is it takes so damn long. Waiting for traffic lights is incredibly irritating and oftentimes the train stops for like 2 minutes at a time, sometimes longer. NYC is so congested and the streets so narrow that it makes driving a nightmare there, so the subway is a comparable joy. It would be great if you could zip around the city on the subway like you can in other cities, but that's not our reality here in LA.

And I think they are vastly overrating the number of people who will take the train to LAX. I always get rides to the airport because as long as you schedule your flight at non-peak hours (early morning/late night), the freeway is way faster.

Sorry to vent. :hell:

The city and county need to take a leap of faith that if they sped up the train at the expense of slowing down cars via signal priority, the net effect will be positive because the train will entice more people to ride instead of drive. So far they have been unwilling to make this leap.

Same thing with active transportation. We get shitty bike lanes instead of true protected cycle tracks because god forbid we have to remove car lanes.

Same thing with the BRT lanes on Wilshire. Can't put them in the middle of the road where they'd actually work. Instead they put them on the sides so they can still be shared by cars making right turns, and where their usefulness is therefore limited.

Still waiting for LA to really make the leap on this stuff. It talks a big game but is hanging onto car culture so hard that it prevents any actual progress.

[Jun]

http://i.imgur.com/G4Ctyhx.jpg?1

[timpdx]

And aiming my camera North, 10000 Santa Monica and the Sunset Strip in the 2nd Pic

http://i.imgur.com/nqWZavl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/R8cli16.jpg

[colemonkee]

Ha! You can see my office window in that first shot. I'll wave at you next time...

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/hotel-tower-goes-vertical-hollywood

16-story Argyle Hotel now underway near the Capitol Records Building.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/950w/public/field/image/hotel3.png?itok=YDZk0u_J

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140wb/public/field/image/20151114-DSC06388.jpg?itok=2BJZOje8

[Wally West]

Activists seek ballot measure for moratorium on L.A. 'mega projects' (http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ballot-measure-mega-projects-city-hall-20151118-story.html)

A group of activists said Wednesday that it wants voters to place new limits on real estate "mega developments" by imposing restrictions on projects that need major changes to city planning rules to get built.

The Coalition to Preserve L.A. announced plans for a ballot measure, titled the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative, that would put a moratorium of up to 24 months on development projects that cannot be built without votes from elected officials to increase density.

The proposal also would make it harder for those officials to change the city's General Plan -- the document that spells out the city's policies on land use and traffic -- for individual real estate developments.

The coalition's announcement comes amid a real estate boom in Los Angeles, with multistory projects being approved in downtown, Hollywood and elsewhere. Opposition groups have filed lawsuits challenging some of those projects, including the Millennium skyscraper towers in Hollywood.

A key member of the ballot measure coalition is Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is fighting the proposal for two 30-story towers next to the Hollywood Palladium. The project, which goes before the Planning Commission on Thursday, would add 731 homes to the neighborhood. It needs both a zoning change and an amendment to the General Plan, according to city documents.

"Runaway development like the Palladium is destroying the quality of life and increasing the Manhattanization of Hollywood," said AIDS Healthcare Foundation spokesman Ged Kenslea, whose office is near the Palladium site. "It's just one of many, from the Millennium on down."

Kenslea, who also serves as spokesman for the ballot effort, said the proposed measure would crack down on exceptions to planning rules that are granted by the city's elected officials on a citywide basis, not just Hollywood.

"Developers should not be given exceptions just because they have deep pockets," he said.

Representatives of Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, who represents part of Hollywood, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. But real estate developer Mott Smith voiced alarm at the proposal, saying it would have a devastating effect on housing construction at a time when rents are steadily climbing.

Smith said the reason L.A. gives so many exceptions is that it still relies on an outdated suburban model for reviewing and approving real estate projects, he said.

This measure "would basically stop residential development, except at the smallest scale, in Los Angeles, and much commercial development as well, for two years," he said. "And ... we're seeing housing affordability slip through the hands of about everybody who doesn't already have a stable place to live -- or isn't rich."

An official with the city clerk's office said 61,486 valid signatures would be needed to qualify the proposal for the ballot. If proponents of the measure succeed, the council would need to decide whether to adopt the proposal as an ordinance or put it on a future ballot, the official said.

[blackcat23]

BTW, this appears to go beyond just employees of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation fighting against the towers.

They organization itself is hosting the proposed ballot initiative on their website: http://www.aidshealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Initiative-FINAL.pdf

If any of you have ever given these guys money, please consider calling and asking why resources which should be going towards HIV/AIDS research and prevention are being redirected to this anti-development initiative which has no relevance to their mission.

[hughfb3]

Activists seek ballot measure for moratorium on L.A. 'mega projects' (http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ballot-measure-mega-projects-city-hall-20151118-story.html)

I'll tell you what... I sure am glad I have an apartment I got into several years ago that doesn't raise rent (not a rent controlled building, just a building with a lot of long time residents and families under management that believes in keeping people long term rather than charging higher and having more turnover) because I don't know if I would ever want to pay the prices that are being commanded today for the amenities I already have in my building.

I wish they would put this on the ballot so that the elected officials can see where the true power is in LA. I believe its with the masses of people. Most people in LA are aware of the housing in-affordability and know that There is a limited supply of housing. While we are at it... Can we put ReCode LA on the ballot as well as the Hollywood community plan? Both of which are in limbo because of suits brought on by a select and recurring few. Let's get around the Silverstein group and everything else hindering us from moving into the new LA. Most people are enjoying the new LA of CycLAvia, resurgent yet pricey downtown, cleaner air, and Hollywood that is cleaned up. Well... At least I am!!

[King Kill 'em]

^I am scared that such a ballot measure would pass because they would be able to frame it saying that expensive dense housing hurts the poor when really it doesn't. They won't realize by limiting our housing supply rents will just continue to increase.

[Jun]

delete

[112597jorge]

We should all send emails to this AIDS Foundation and LA City Council and voice our displeasure. It's a disgrace that their funds are going to anti density purposes. We are in a serious housing crisis and projects like these do wonders for Los Angeles in terms of new desperately needed housing and activating and allowing los angeles to grow as the urban global city it is. It's fucking unbelievable groups and people get away with these types of shit. Just like they make their voices heard we should make our voices heard as well.

[Eightball]

I don't think I've seen much on this posted here: new housing/parking garage at Aviation Green Line Station. Plus at the end pylon construction

BdoEgipSGfQ

[UserName01010]

While not in LA County, One Broadway Plaza (37 story office tower) in Santa Ana, Orange County has moved forward with issuance of foundation only permit. Based on the City's "Search Plan Check Status" page, the permit was applied back in 05/05/2015 and issued on 09/08/2015. I will go check out the site to see if there is any activity, when possible. If anyone happens to be in that area, please check it out :tup:

Source: http://ww3.santa-ana.org/DynamicPages/PropertyActivity.aspx?property_id=61116

[UserName01010]

We should all send emails to this AIDS Foundation and LA City Council and voice our displeasure. It's a disgrace that their funds are going to anti density purposes. We are in a serious housing crisis and projects like these do wonders for Los Angeles in terms of new desperately needed housing and activating and allowing los angeles to grow as the urban global city it is. It's fucking unbelievable groups and people get away with these types of shit. Just like they make their voices heard we should make our voices heard as well.

^ Agreed! It's much unfortunate when NIMBYs hold much needed development hostage. We need to make sure our voices are heard too!

[112597jorge]

While not in LA County, One Broadway Plaza (37 story office tower) in Santa Ana, Orange County has moved forward with issuance of foundation only permit. Based on the City's "Search Plan Check Status" page, the permit was applied back in 05/05/2015 and issued on 09/08/2015. I will go check out the site to see if there is any activity, when possible. If anyone happens to be in that area, please check it out :tup:

Source: http://ww3.santa-ana.org/DynamicPages/PropertyActivity.aspx?property_id=61116

great news, happy to hear this moving forward.

[ozone]

We should all send emails to this AIDS Foundation and LA City Council and voice our displeasure. It's a disgrace that their funds are going to anti density purposes. We are in a serious housing crisis and projects like these do wonders for Los Angeles in terms of new desperately needed housing and activating and allowing los angeles to grow as the urban global city it is. It's fucking unbelievable groups and people get away with these types of shit. Just like they make their voices heard we should make our voices heard as well.

I totally agree. Michael Weinstein needs to go. He is spending his nonprofit's funds on lawsuits and ballot measures rather than on critical services for people living with HIV and AIDS. It’s totally inappropriate and has nothing to do with the group's mission. While there’s no denying that in the early years he made a positive contribution to the cause, today a lot of people in the gay community really dislike the man and see him as out of control and out of touch. Even staff members (past and current) are concerned that patient care is taking a back seat to his personal advocacy. There needs to be a campaign against Michael Weinstein, not the AIDS Foundation. Sending letters will do nothing. You have to strike at the head. He's tough but he's also made a lot of enemies.

[bzcat]

I don't think I've seen much on this posted here: new housing/parking garage at Aviation Green Line Station. Plus at the end pylon construction

BdoEgipSGfQ

blackcat and I talked about it a while back. But thanks for posting the video of construction progress.

[caligrad]

I totally agree. Michael Weinstein needs to go. He is spending his nonprofit's funds on lawsuits and ballot measures rather than on critical services for people living with HIV and AIDS. It’s totally inappropriate and has nothing to do with the group's mission. While there’s no denying that in the early years he made a positive contribution to the cause, today a lot of people in the gay community really dislike the man and see him as out of control and out of touch. Even staff members (past and current) are concerned that patient care is taking a back seat to his personal advocacy. There needs to be a campaign against Michael Weinstein, not the AIDS Foundation. Sending letters will do nothing. You have to strike at the head. He's tough but he's also made a lot of enemies.

Yeah, that dude needs to step down ASAP, I understand he was the creator of the startup but now wasting millions on fighting developments needs to be an automatic ouster for him. He has a non profit meaning hes receiving a lot of grants and other funds from the gov. If the gov got a little cautious on what hes doing with funds given to his non profit and ask to audit the book, they will shut him down.

I have many HIV/Aids clients who are really upset in the direction the aids foundation is heading, they are telling me services and other benefits have deteriorated dramatically recently. He needs to be stopped. Protest, potation, boycott. the media LOVES a good and valid protest. Especially our news media in LA. Rally the troops.

[caligrad]

In some different news out of Long Beach, The city is in the process of dismantling its massively wide, 5 lanes for some, one way streets in favor of two way traffic of two lanes in each direction and one lane being taken away in favor of separated bike lanes in each direction. It really couldn't come soon enough.

Long Beach has 4 massive highway like one way streets in Downtown ( which ironically form from the beginning and ends of the 710 freeway) that are never fully utilized, most only reaching 50% capacity if I remember correctly from a recent study, Its about time they dismantle them. I for one HATE one way streets. They work in some instances but most of the time they just act as confusing widened streets with freeway speeds. Hopefully Downtown LA does the same in the future.

[UserName01010]

Article from Los Angeles Business Journal (11/19/2015)

"Mid-Wilshire developer CIM Group plans to transform the long-deserted Sears Hollywood site into a mixed-use complex with as many as 700 apartments and more than 300,000 square feet of retail.

Sources said the developer paid $43.5 million, or $8.2 million an acre, earlier this month to acquire the 5.3 acres at 5601-5667 Santa Monica Blvd. between North Wilton Place and North Saint Andrews Place...

...

The seller, Culver City developer Continental Development Group, acquired the property with plans to break ground in 2009 on a $275 million development with 475 residential units and 380,000 square feet of retail, dubbed Paseo Plaza. Things didn’t go so smoothly. First, it faced community opposition in the form a lawsuit brought on behalf of the La Mirada Neighborhood Association. It was ultimately approved by the city of Los Angeles in 2007, but funding for the project was not available in the downturn."...

Link: http://www.labusinessjournal.com/news/2015/nov/19/cim-buys-old-sears-hollywood-site-development/

[timpdx]

KCRW is interviewing Michael Weinstein of Aids Healthcare Foundation right now, and the guy sounds like he is going to blow a gasket.....the...traffic....its so tall....in a residential neighborhood (Hollywood has always been AT LEAST midrise for 100 years). He sounds like he wants LA 1950. Certainly he heads an organization that I will never donate too....

[King Kill 'em]

Got a link? Hope this persuades at least some people to our side

[timpdx]

Got a link? Hope this persuades at least some people to our side

It will probably appear tomorrow as an archive at KCRW, the show is the very decent "Which Way LA" It takes a day or two for the archived shows to be playable.

[Urbannizer]

Not sure if there's anything here on this one yet. Mixed-use development proposed @ Wilshire/Hoover.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xtf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12256832_535901213233302_1855876487_n.jpg
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wilshire+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90010/@34.0612819,-118.2854009,197m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x80c2b97052342889:0x66aa8d6faf8aadc4

[DJM19]

The density is cool. Wish the podium was not so monolithic and the towers closer to Wilshire.

[JerellO]

Not sure if there's anything here on this one yet. Mixed-use development proposed @ Wilshire/Hoover.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xtf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12256832_535901213233302_1855876487_n.jpg
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wilshire+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90010/@34.0612819,-118.2854009,197m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x80c2b97052342889:0x66aa8d6faf8aadc4


WOOOOW :D i love it... would be nice to close the gap between mid-city and downtown for a more unified skyline... people always say it doesnt count because its not downtown... but the area is still part of the city of los angeles. if NYC's midtown can count as part of its skyline then the rest of LA's skyscrapers (DTLA, Hollywood, Century City, Koreatown, Mid-City) should count as well.

[Quixote]

Not sure if there's anything here on this one yet. Mixed-use development proposed @ Wilshire/Hoover.

Could you provide a link to the source?

[Muji]

Wow, I'll be very happy to see something that dense go up at Wilshire and Hoover since it will go a long way towards improving the pedestrian link between Westlake and KTown. It would be nice though if they could break up the lot into separate buildings - a single podium on a lot that size would be truly massive.

[JerellO]

Wow, I'll be very happy to see something that dense go up at Wilshire and Hoover since it will go a long way towards improving the pedestrian link between Westlake and KTown. It would be nice though if they could break up the lot into separate buildings - a single podium on a lot that size would be truly massive.

i agree.. they could cut through the podium to make a pedestrian alley with retail.. add some benches and planters also :)

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/rendering-revealed-sony-pictures-office-building

Rendering for the eight-story office building going up at Sony Pictures Studios. Design by Gensler.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/sony1.png?itok=SMOja5ue

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140wb/public/field/image/20151114-DSC06491.jpg?itok=z1i6WUjI

[StethJeff]

http://urbanize.la/post/rendering-revealed-sony-pictures-office-building

Rendering for the eight-story office building going up at Sony Pictures Studios. Design by Gensler.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/sony1.png?itok=SMOja5ue

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140wb/public/field/image/20151114-DSC06491.jpg?itok=z1i6WUjI

I love everything about it except for Tobey Macguire.

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Looks like 3670 Wilshire is about to begin construction--fencing has gone up and there are tractors at the site. 377 apartments, 8,460 square feet of retail, 710 parking spots.

[112597jorge]

Looks like 3670 Wilshire is about to begin construction--fencing has gone up and there are tractors at the site. 377 apartments, 8,460 square feet of retail, 710 parking spots.

Is a 7 story typical development going there or is it something bigger? I do t remember seek proposals for this site.

[RaymondChandlerLives]

Is a 7 story typical development going there or is it something bigger? I do t remember seek proposals for this site.

It's a stumpy now (albeit on a massive footprint), but the original proposal called for a 40 story tower:

http://urbanize.la/post/3670-wilshire-revived-going-low-rise-0

I don't recommend looking at the renderings for the tower. They're depressing to look at when compared to what's actually being built.

[King Kill 'em]

Looks like 3670 Wilshire is about to begin construction--fencing has gone up and there are tractors at the site. 377 apartments, 8,460 square feet of retail, 710 parking spots.
1.88 parking spaces per apartment is ridiculous for that close to a subway stop. Even with that much retail

[timpdx]

From driving down Sunset this morning:

Sunset|La Cienega

http://i.imgur.com/y5ZdQ9y.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6B2m79k.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NT67Ije.jpg

Edition Hotel site

http://i.imgur.com/pZpzDp4.jpg

[colemonkee]

I've driven by the Gensler office building being built on the Sony lot. Couldn't get pictures because I was driving, but the first few levels of cast in place concrete panels are up, and while it's difficult to tell from Hunter's aerial photo, the panels do not line up well at all. There are noticeable gaps, and the gaps themselves are wildly inconsistent. It looks like a total mess right now. I'm surprised to learn that it's Gensler, as the only thing I could think of driving by was who the hell did they hire to design this? Hopefully this is something that can be corrected by tweaking, and not a value engineer of what looks like a decent design in the rendering.

[kelbeen]

Taken by me yesterday 11/21, enjoy!

Century City skyline
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5825/22853801349_9f56516ab7_b.jpg

10,000 SMBLVD
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5795/23194831946_c76fc23648_b.jpg

Petersen Automotive Museum
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/616/22853015269_e26d48fbbb_b.jpg

[Valyrian Steel]

So, does anyone know what's going on with 2-tower proposal behind the Century Plaza Hotel?

[blackcat23]

So, does anyone know what's going on with 2-tower proposal behind the Century Plaza Hotel?

It's still alive, albeit the life signs are very quiet.

-------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in Hollywood...

http://urbanize.la/post/fresh-renderings-5901-sunset

New renderings for Hudson Pacific Properties' proposed 18-story tower at 5901 Sunset Boulevard. 10 floors of offices above an eight-story podium with seven floors of parking (plus two below-grade). 274,000 sq. ft. of office, 26,000 sq. ft. retail, 1,118 parking spaces.

Designed by Gensler.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/5901sunset1_0.JPG?itok=CVjINv2E

[timpdx]

Forgot to post these the other day when I was down in OC.

Meet Orange County's new tallest: 200 Spectrum Center, Irvine, 21fl, 323 ft/98m

http://i.imgur.com/nQ9r3MC.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qVg3tbG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ofJN5jz.jpg

[NSMP]

An 8 story podium? Christ almighty

[caligrad]

Ugh. Is it me or is it completely sad how Gensler dropped the ball with 5901 sunset ?..the sad part is that the parking podium and sub level is actually bigger than the building itself ??? I mean I get that developers have certain needs and they have to design accordingly but this is ridiculous. There will be a LOT of dead space in that building when its done.

If the Nimbys decide to fight this one, i'll be on their side.

Can it even be considered a Tower ?? when its just a massive block.

[Steve8263]

Will be interesting to see if the new neighborhood extremist group- AIDS Healthcare Foundation -gets involved with this one.

That podium has the potential to become Hollywood's version of 1100 Wilshire.

http://www.skyscrapersunset.com/skyscrapercity/la/44.jpg

[NSMP]

TimPDX, great shots of all the acivity on sunset. I just rode the 2 through to vine last week and I was amazed at how much change that corridor is undergoing. It's awesome! Looking forward to work resuming on the sunset target as well

[Wally West]

An 8 story podium? Christ almighty

I'm hoping Gensler is doing this as an attempt to deal with NIMBYs. Perhaps they're hoping to "compromise" with NIMBYs by removing the excessive parking in exchange for more retail/office space. Just a optimistic theory.

9 stories of parking is laughable anywhere so there has to be more than meets the eye.

[King Kill 'em]

That is the ugliest rendering reveal in this city this year. I can't think of anything that even comes close to it in terms of awfulness.

Also as someone pointed out in the urbanize comments it has TWICE the amount of parking that's required. This is why you don't negotiate with the nimbys. Just tell them to go fuck themselves and while that may end up making the process of building a project longer so be it because then the end result will be good.

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/proposed-hollywood-tower-adds-height-and-hotel-rooms

Proposed tower at 6220 Yucca changes plans. Previously a 21-story, 277-unit residential building, now will be a 32-story/368-foot tower with 180 residences, 260 hotel rooms and ground-floor retail.

A smaller six-story building on the eastern side of the property will contain additional residential units.

Developer is Champion Real Estate Company, architect is Togawa Smith Martin.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/6220yucca1.JPG?itok=yxIQAkGm

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/6220yucca2.JPG?itok=fW_fDpGQ

[brudy]

Well that's awesome. They better get going before the morons vote.

[Steve8263]

The hypocrisy here is beyond ridiculous. Such a shame to see an extremely important cause take a back seat to whatever absurd motivation this AHF guy has-

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-palladium-20151123-story.html

Hollywood debate is trial run for city growth fight
The neighboring AIDS Healthcare Foundation is waging a zoning fight over the Palladium Residences project. The development would contain 731 housing units, one block from a subway stop on Hollywood Boulevard.

For example- they complain about Palladium being 23 stories tall, but-...the building that houses AIDS Healthcare Foundation is 22 stories

They complain about all the traffic and additional levels of parking, but then say- Brereton said she frequently carries a laptop or large amounts of documents during her commute — making a car essential.

-Huh?

http://www.trbimg.com/img-5652787c/turbine/la-la-me-mega-development-jpg-20151122/700/700x394

[caligrad]

^^^ Its actually laughable, she's complaining of increased Traffic and parking being limited but yet she drives to her office everyday and her excuse for that was "well I have a laptop and lots of papers"....uuumm ive carried two backpacks worth of papers and a laptop all at once on the red line here and it wasn't a hassle. THAN she says its to tall??? but the building the aids foundation is housed in, her current employer, is currently one of the tallest in Hollywood and right next door :koko:....

WASTE OF FUNDS ! they will lose easily if they go to court. The Hollywood target is back after that minor setback by Silversteins slime A$$. The Hollywood Gordon tower will reopen eventually once CIM gets its act together. And Hollywood is booming. Hollywood is LAs next "Downtown District" in the making. If the people there don't like it, MOVE. easy fix.

The sad thing is, When you click on the link and read the comments at the bottom, Most all of the comments are against the project sadly. And their reasons are BS!

"I cant find parking anymore" :koko:

"I sit in traffic for way to long now because of construction, enough is enough" :koko:

"The Mayor needs to stop forcing development in the city and let LA stay as it is" :koko:

"I refuse to bike and walk anywhere because Its to hot in LA most of the time, I don't like getting sweaty and dirty and I like my air conditioned car, but traffic is a mess" :???:

"Enough is enough, all these mega developments in the city need to stop, They need to focus on housing" :???::koko:

"I'm tired of sitting in traffic, It takes me way to long just to take a small trip 3 blocks from my house" :???::sly::koko:

(These are actual quotes people !)

:surrender: I give up. They are complaining about all of these problems but they themselves are part of the problems. WTF. :surrender:

This is a whole new breed of Nimby.

[brudy]

Reading their fragile arguments is a mind bending experience. People want to maintain current zoning so they don't have to drive through construction? What the hell is wrong with people? How stupid, self-centered, and ultimately self-defeating can they be?

[NSMP]

Yes it is completely insane and they will lose. Contact your councilmembers early and often, I've been emailing O'Farrell to voice support for everything blackcat has posted from hollywood and east hollywood.

Speaking of, would 368 ft be a new tallest in Hollywood?

[caligrad]

^^ Not sure. Technically since West Hollywood is officially its own entity, The answer is yeah. But less than a mile or 2 away from that tower proposal, we have the 398 foot Sierra Tower currently in the West Hollywood city limits.

Reading their fragile arguments is a mind bending experience. People want to maintain current zoning so they don't have to drive through construction? What the hell is wrong with people? How stupid, self-centered, and ultimately self-defeating can they be?

I know people hate when the government gets overly involved in every situation but there needs to be something done to end all of this unnecessary and time consuming opposition for frivolous reasons. There really isn't one solid argument against this project at all. Nothing.

This is how they sounds to me :

"its not fair that I wont be able to afford one of these condos so I'm going to whine and cry about it until I stop it with all means necessary"

Its HILARIOUS ! It truly is the LA way "Trying to keep up with the Joneses by stopping the Joneses from getting above me in the first place". There needs to be a rally in front of the Aids foundation, call some news stations to bring national spotlight on the misappropriation of funds that a current Aids organization non profit is spending thousands, soon to be millions on a ridiculous fight, money that should be spent elsewhere.

[King Kill 'em]

Quotes from the article that I find insane

Jack Humphreville, a member of the newly formed ballot coalition, described the Palladium as an "out-of-context luxury development" that will generate huge traffic congestion.
oh boo fucking hoo. It's LA we have traffic. get over it.
"Some of the people's vision for Los Angeles and development frightens me," said Ambroz, who lives in Hollywood.
Then you have some seriously misplaced priorities
Under the current rules, buildings in the back of the Palladium site cannot be taller than 45 feet, Ibarra said.
absolutely ridiculous
Lawyers for AIDS Healthcare Foundation dispute the city's numbers, saying planning officials are letting the developer more than double the number of housing units allowed on the site.
so what?
"My two-mile drive sometimes takes 25 minutes because of all the construction that's going up around Vine and Sunset," Hollywood resident Liza Brereton
Again boo fucking hoo. It's only 2 miles. Walk it or bike it.

Here's the comment I left on the article.

Holy shit! so many nimbys on here. You all need to get your heads out of your asses. If we don't build more denser housing we will never become a liveable urban city. We'll continue to be a city built for cars rather than people. Also you do realize we're facing a housing shortage right? If we don't build more housing we'll end up with rents equivalent to those in San Francisco. A dense, urban, and transit-oriented Los Angeles is the future whether you like it or not. You can either leave your car and come enjoy it with the rest of us or move to some place like the cancerous tumors of sprawl that are the OC and inland empire. I'm awaiting your hate comments

[112597jorge]

Yes it is completely insane and they will lose. Contact your councilmembers early and often, I've been emailing O'Farrell to voice support for everything blackcat has posted from hollywood and east hollywood.

Speaking of, would 368 ft be a new tallest in Hollywood?

I'm not sure, maybe the taller millennium Hollywood tower is taller or a crossroads of the world tower.

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/long-delayed-koreatown-project-pushing-dirt-0

As mentioned by someone a few days back, work is now underway at 3670 Wilshire Boulevard. Seven stories, 377 apartments, 8,500 square feet of retail. Developer is the Hankey Investment Group, earlier designs were by VTBS.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140wb/public/field/image/20151121_104414.jpg?itok=qReLGlCK

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/3670wilshire.JPG?itok=yNRvkhv_

[brudy]

That's so epically awful in every way. Another generic horizontal skyscraper.

[King Kill 'em]

^that poor development choice in Koreatown brings me back to reality because last night I had a dream where Wilshire through the neighborhood was more busy and bustling than downtown. There was this pedestrian plaza with this light sculpture over head at a 6 way intersection with a subway station. The details are fading but it was a magnificent vision for one of LA's most dense and transit oriented non-downtown neighborhoods

[Jaycruz]

Another Horizontal Skyscraper indeed. Its actually a shame. Wilshire is legit at being one of our most urban streets in the city. Its a shame that these developers don't act smart and cut up these lots for development in progressions instead of slapping monolithic masses on these giant lots like 8th and grand.

IF they were smart they could have asked the city to develop this parcel in sections ( tower one here this year, tower two there in a few years and tower three when the other two are done and leased) Metropolis did this, I remember reading the new tower project in long beach is doing the same thing. Some of these developers are just in it for a quick buck with less regard to future needs.

[Jaycruz]

In regards to the Hollywood Palladium towers. I'm off today and just had to read those comments this morning with my morning coffee. Those comments are so foolish that they almost seem fake and sarcastic, its unbelievable how people can be that detrimental to the progress that LA is seeing right now as a city whole( county ) whole. Hollywood needs this development and I hope whatever judge receives this case laughs it off because they cant possible be serious. You live in the second largest city in the nation. If you don't like the progress that its seeing now, as someone else stated " Easy fix, MOVE !"

[blackcat23]

http://urbanize.la/post/watch-construction-santa-monicas-expo-adjacent-hotels

Construction cam for new Expo Line-adjacent hotels in Downtown Santa Monica

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/Courtyard_Marriott_and_Hampton_Inn-20151123-083952.jpg?itok=BJi72zWU
http://oxblue.com/open/OTO/SantaMonicaCYHIS

[StethJeff]

Koreatown is where I would actually expect our boldest and densest planning, obviously especially on Wilshire. What a shame.

[Busy Bee]

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/3670wilshire.JPG?itok=yNRvkhv_

As my mom always said, gag a maggot.

[brudy]

I've been saying this for years but somehow the city needs to break up these huge lots or force diverse development...

[King Kill 'em]

In regards to the Hollywood Palladium towers. I'm off today and just had to read those comments this morning with my morning coffee. Those comments are so foolish that they almost seem fake and sarcastic, its unbelievable how people can be that detrimental to the progress that LA is seeing right now as a city whole( county ) whole. Hollywood needs this development and I hope whatever judge receives this case laughs it off because they cant possible be serious. You live in the second largest city in the nation. If you don't like the progress that its seeing now, as someone else stated " Easy fix, MOVE !"

Did you see the one where the woman said that it's not fair for people to suggest leaving cars because she's handicap and can't ride a bike or walk? Just silly to me and someone responded saying this that less cars on the road means less traffic for her.

[brudy]

These designs remind me of the worst aspects of Berlin, like these down the DDR-era Karl Marx Allee.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8384/8519769852_b2bdfbffc5_b.jpg

[mousquet]

These designs remind me of the worst aspects of Berlin, like these down the DDR-era Karl Marx Allee.

Except Karl Marx didn't expect any light rail or bikes. All he did is some fascist, all plain concrete facades for all others around while of course, he would live the older royal limestone palaces.

I see no reason in complaining here. This is just some densifying, hence gentrifying stuff. It's no billionaire stuff like they show off in NYC, but who's a billionaire? I'm asking.