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

[craigs]

Why did moderation remove all the dissenting responses to a particular forumer's post about power poles, but allow that forumer's post and all supporting posts to remain?

We need a fair and unbiased moderator to uphold forum rules in LA-related threads without favoritism, instead of what we have currently got.

[ocman]

That’s a marked improvement for Anaheim. For a moment, I thought the two photos were comparing two different neighborhoods one with poles and one without. The LED lighting is also an improvement, but I feel cities shouldn’t light a street to the point it simulates daylight.

And yeah, a city and its population should care about these things. if they take pride in itself.

[citywatch]

but allow that forumer's post and all supporting posts to remain?

fwiw, I believe 2 or 3 of my posts were wished out to the cornfield too....a reference, btw, to an episode of the twilight zone.

[colemonkee]

craigs, I removed all city vs. city posts, which is part of the rules.

[dax_gray]

The LED lighting is also an improvement, but I feel cities shouldn’t light a street to the point it simulates daylight.

Never liked the change in color temp of our streetlights to daylight few years ago. Love LED but a warm white is just much better for night ambience. Also, am I the only one who is bothered by the inconsistency in color temperature of our streetlights? On one street there can be multiple color differences and even the street lamp fittings are different. Makes me wonder why we can't have uniformity in our designs across the city.

[FromSD]

[QUOTE=citywatch;9926911]I had a post that gave the other example of the underground program in the city of San Diego. So 2 key sections of Socal, anaheim & the larger San Diego, both have a better sense of how to clean up & modernize their environments. Why the city of LA is such a laggard, I don't totally get.

Undergrounding projects are extremely expensive. Even a small project for a few city blocks runs in the millions. The price tag is even higher when major power lines (like the ones shown in the before Anaheim picture) are involved.
I imagine that with all its other priorities, LA doesn't have a lot of surplus funds to do undergrounding, despite the obvious aesthetic benefits.

In San Diego, SDG&E customers pay a surcharge on their utility bills to fund undergrounding. I think that is a good thing, though many customers may feel differently, especially since utility bills are already sky high in California and many people have problems paying their bills. The San Diego City Council voted for the surcharge more than 20 years ago. I would be surprised if levying such a surcharge these days didn't require voter approval.

[colemonkee]

In non-power line news, there's finally activity again at the corner of Cahuenga and Waring, just north of Melrose. There have been two lots cleared on the west side of Cahuenga for well over a year. The lot at the corner of Waring now has construction fencing up and active excavation. Good to see this one start to move forward. The adjacent lot just to the south remains stalled - it's been excavated about two stories down for well over a year with no activity.

[HusBy]

Was hoping to get a bit more of an update together from west of the 405, but here are a couple photos. LOHA's project on Lincoln and a new mass timber office on Main St, both Santa Monica. Good stuff!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52831115556_1f9f5d786c_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52831115506_361c182fc9_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52831112446_a8339395b7_b.jpg

[ChelseaFC]

In non-power line news, there's finally activity again at the corner of Cahuenga and Waring, just north of Melrose. There have been two lots cleared on the west side of Cahuenga for well over a year. The lot at the corner of Waring now has construction fencing up and active excavation. Good to see this one start to move forward. The adjacent lot just to the south remains stalled - it's been excavated about two stories down for well over a year with no activity.

Any idea what's going in here? Been wanting to update the development map for this one.

[colemonkee]

Did a fair amount of searching and looking on Urbanize LA and couldn't find anything.

Any idea what's going in here? Been wanting to update the development map for this one.

[Easy]

Did a fair amount of searching and looking on Urbanize LA and couldn't find anything.

Seems like a lot of excavation just to redo the parking lot, but my guess is that's what it is.

[citywatch]

As-FmT9vZX4

[a9l8e7n]

https://twitter.com/LA_Construct/status/1653080005440856064

Via Avanti Complex adjacent to Sherman Oaks Galleria is now having rebar work done. We shall see this go above ground in no time.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvDrfQ1akAAJtUd?format=jpg&name=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvDrfRVaIAIzNcE?format=jpg&name=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvDrfRtagAEC7wI?format=jpg&name=medium

[a9l8e7n]

https://twitter.com/LA_Construct/status/1653433734929199104

16161 W. Ventura Blvd in Encino apartments

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvItMhMaEAIiCuN?format=jpg&name=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvItMg3acAEuBbR?format=jpg&name=medium

[LA21st]

The Sherman Oaks development retail will be a boon, pushing up activity on Sepulveda. :cheers:

[ChelseaFC]

Hopefully no one pretends to like this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fvy8t0XXwAAv7QS?format=jpg&name=small
https://twitter.com/Culture_Crit

[sopas ej]

I think it looks better from the other side:

https://metropolismag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/6678_100CSS.jpg
metropolismag.com

It's actually a fun building: https://metropolismag.com/projects/eric-owen-moss-architects-wrapper-building-rises-in-culver-city/

[Busy Bee]

It kinda dries the mouth out.

[NIMBY Slayer]

Hopefully no one pretends to like this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fvy8t0XXwAAv7QS?format=jpg&name=small
https://twitter.com/Culture_Crit

:haha: I actually commented on that tweet saying there are a lot of other buildings in LA to be angry at. This one is way down on my list.

[Illithid Dude]

Ashamed to say it, but I like it. It's an uncompromising building.

[colemonkee]

Choice of finishes ruined this one. Had the "wrappers" been clad in brushed metal panels, the stairways in fritted glass or glass with brise-soleil to combat heat gain, and the core in matte corrugated metal soffit panels or brick, you would have a very dynamic, funky composition with clear separation and purpose to the various portions and uses of the facade system.

Instead what we got is a building that looks like someone vomited concrete and glass.

[JACKinBeantown]

Hopefully no one pretends to like this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fvy8t0XXwAAv7QS?format=jpg&name=small
https://twitter.com/Culture_Crit

It reminds me of COVID.
https://www.crick.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/media_right_column_small/public/2020-03/covid%2019_smaller.png?itok=PJcHhfdS
https://www.crick.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/media_right_column_small/public/2020-03/covid%2019_smaller.png?itok=PJcHhfdS




In all honesty, it looks like a freshman architecture student's design that was approved by the spoiled stoner son of the billionaire developer.

[Busy Bee]

Looks like a concrete furball.

[colemonkee]

In all honesty, it looks like a freshman architecture student's design that was approved by the spoiled stoner son of the billionaire developer.

Ha! What's even funnier about this statement is that the architect, Eric Owen Moss, definitely has his benefactors, as Frederick and Laurie Samitaur-Smith have funded nearly all of his projects in the Hayden Tract area of Culver City, where most of his work lives (this project is immediately adjacent). And he has free reign more or less over design decisions. They just hand him the money.

But he's no amateur freshman, and he's relatively well-regarded in architectural circles, having won the Royal Institute of British Architecture's Jencks Award in 2011, and having been part of a group of celebrated - if not equally as controversial - architects at SCI-Arc since the late 70's that includes Frank Gehry and Thom Mayne.

His buildings are hit or miss, personally speaking, but they are always very attention grabbing, which is better than most of the schlock that goes up in LA. This one I agree is a big miss, and big because it's so prominent in the area.

[ed21x]

the design is fine, even innovative. it's the exposed concrete that makes it look like a brutalist structure without the brutalist charm. concrete is suppose to be imposing and domineering, not used for little bits of ribbon. in this case, if they would just paint the concrete white, the building will look 100x better.

[Jumprat]

I didn't see this posted yet but there are now renderings of the proposed development at 1000 La Brea from Wehoville (https://wehoville.com/2023/05/10/tallest-building-west-hollywood/?utm_content=expand_article)

It would replace the CEMEX plant and be the tallest building in West Hollywood. I think it would definitely boost the prominence of Sycamore Avenue even more - hopefully, it will get through unscathed since there aren't as many wealthy homeowner NIMBYs on this edge of WeHo.

https://wehoville.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1000labrea.jpg
https://wehoville.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Screen-Shot-2023-05-09-at-9.12.28-PM.png

[LA21st]

Wow!

Also, what is fenced off at Sunset and Highland? Sw corner.

[Illithid Dude]

Holly hell. I'd be surprised if this thing ever gets built, but fantastic to see such an ambitious proposal for the location. The architecture isn't the best, but knowing West Hollywood that will get refined with time.

[Zapatan]

Holly hell. I'd be surprised if this thing ever gets built, but fantastic to see such an ambitious proposal for the location. The architecture isn't the best, but knowing West Hollywood that will get refined with time.

Why?

[circuitfiend]

There are office proposals of 10-15 floors surrounding the Kaiser facility, which is directly behind this proposal on Labrea, at Sycamore & Romaine, which is city of LA. The demarcation runs right thru the middle of the block Cemex is located on. This will provide a nice "peak" to the evolving cluster. Can't wait to see this happen. That whole area was neglected for way too long and it's nice to watch it come into its own.

[LA21st]

Also a 9 story hotel or so by Cemex.

I go to Santa Monica/La Brea frequently and you can see the potential of a really cool area. They just built that trendy ass gym there too.

There's already a good amount of pedestrians from all the new housing/offices nearby. If you look down on it from Runyon, it already looks like a nice density node.

The proposal makes sense to me, it's a going to be a popular area. Alot of young people around.

On a side note, Highland Ave is also looking better/improving with new housing/retail. :)

Hollywood could be a very interesting place in time for the Olympics. These are small improvements, but it's all adding up.

[Illithid Dude]

Why?

It's hard to get any high rise project built in Los Angeles, let alone one isolated from any existing high rise cluster in an area known for byzantine bureaucracy and well organized NIMBY opposition. Very rarely does a project so out of step with it's immediate surroundings ever survive the trident of economics, zoning, and politics in this city. Something will eventually get built here, but that something will most likely be a much shorter, less ambitious development. Regardless, I am still tickled to see a proposal like this emerge for this area. I obviously dream about a Los Angeles dotted with similarly sized high rises in areas that are currently defined by predominantly low rise construction. I hope that my cynicism is misplaced, and this building does get built. Only time will tell!

BTW, the nine story hotel proposal has been downscaled to seven stories. It's still a nice looking proposal, with an exceptional architect behind the design, but the downsizing is indicative of the previously described difficulties in getting a project slightly more ambitious than the prevailing norm developed.

EDIT: In fact, the aforementioned seven story hotel proposal can be seen in the above rendering as the white seven story mass to the left of the tower.

One last thought... does this area really need another large scale grocery store? There are already four within a five block radius (Trader Joes, Sprouts, Ralph, and the new one underneath the massive apartment complex further east on Santa Monica Blvd). How many grocery stores can one submarket even support?

[sopas ej]

Also, what is fenced off at Sunset and Highland? Sw corner.

This: https://www.myharthouse.com/

[LA21st]

This: https://www.myharthouse.com/

Jeez, that's a sad development.

[Tykendo]

Hopefully no one pretends to like this.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fvy8t0XXwAAv7QS?format=jpg&name=small
https://twitter.com/Culture_Crit

I actually do like it, but they need to have some great artists mural up the concrete.

[ChelseaFC]

Jeez, that's a sad development.

Gotta say I'm actually less offended by that than I am about the awful, awful, awful strip malls on three corners of Sunset and La Brea.

[circuitfiend]

Gotta say I'm actually less offended by that than I am about the awful, awful, awful strip malls on three corners of Sunset and La Brea.

Hear, hear. A sad state of affairs. I live 2 blocks from there and that corner is an embarrassment. It attracts unsavory elements into the neighboring residential areas. I'll be long gone, as in dead, before anything happens to improve that commercial intersection. Hope springs eternal, but I've given up, what with the recent shootings, it's only getting worse. Since I'm a homeowner, I will not be moving, so we simply have to put up with the cities' neglect of what could be a major asset.

[LA21st]

Hear, hear. A sad state of affairs. I live 2 blocks from there and that corner is an embarrassment. It attracts unsavory elements into the neighboring residential areas. I'll be long gone, as in dead, before anything happens to improve that commercial intersection. Hope springs eternal, but I've given up, what with the recent shootings, it's only getting worse. Since I'm a homeowner, I will not be moving, so we simply have to put up with the cities' neglect of what could be a major asset.

I think once those big developments on Highland happen, it will trigger more development to La Brea. Plus, you have that new proposed tower/and other new developments on La Brea further south. Its only a matter of time.

[Blesha13]

I think once those big developments on Highland happen, it will trigger more development to La Brea. Plus, you have that new proposed tower/and other new developments on La Brea further south. Its only a matter of time.

There’s the northern Crenshaw Line proposal too. Maybe they’ll add a station at Santa Monica and La Brea instead of Santa Monica and Highland?

[hughfb3]

There’s the northern Crenshaw Line proposal too. Maybe they’ll add a station at Santa Monica and La Brea instead of Santa Monica and Highland?

... and it is my hope that Fairfax is as far west as this thing veers out of the way.

Great find @Jumprat on 1000 La Brea. Never saw this one rendered out. I'm over there all the time and CIM has really transformed that area.

other news, was looking at the LARGE Architects website and see some different renderings for approved projects like the Palladium Towers and the Sunset+Crescent Heights development. Does anyone know if these are the updated renderings or if they are old?? I like the Palladium ovals, but there are some old renderings of other projects on their site of things that are complete but dont look like the renderings on their site, so dont know how accurate these are.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52907438674_a8cafa5569_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52906717272_ea264b9c09_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52906716807_0e3fbf0616_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52907743148_be015a39b9_b.jpg

[hughfb3]

One last thought... does this area really need another large scale grocery store? There are already four within a five block radius (Trader Joes, Sprouts, Ralph, and the new one underneath the massive apartment complex further east on Santa Monica Blvd). How many grocery stores can one submarket even support?

I was thinking about this area and how another grocer could be justified. In addition to all the new apartment and office buildings going up, there does seem to be quite a few grocery stores in this area. The only thing I could think of to justify yet another are the amount of production studios in the area that are being expanded and built. Studios always need "Craft Services" for every shoot and this usually comes from Grocery Store shopping for snacks and drinks while food from onsite caterers may or may not use the local grocers. There are 2 medium size studios with sound stages and a few smaller ones within walking distance of these grocers and a third on the way at Television Center among many other spaces like Milk Studios and the numerous other offshoots of the entertainment and media industry.

The new one underneath the massive AVA Hollywood complex is "Mothers Market."

Green: Existing large grocers (Including Target)
Maroon: Studios with Soundstages

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52907674589_7532a3bc50_b.jpg

[LA21st]

8150 Sunset is on hold at the moment.

[Illithid Dude]

I was thinking about this area and how another grocer could be justified. In addition to all the new apartment and office buildings going up, there does seem to be quite a few in this area. The only thing I could think of are the amount of production studios in the area that are being expanded and built. Studios always need "Craft Services" for every shoot and this usually comes from Grocery Store shopping for snacks and drinks while food from onsite caterers may or may not use the local grocers. There are 2 medium size studios with sound stages and a few smaller ones within walking distance of these grocers and a third on the way at Television Center among many other spaces like Milk Studios and the numerous other offshoots of the entertainment and media industry.

The new one underneath the massive AVA Hollywood complex is "Mothers Market."


While it's a nice sentiment I can say from experience that productions never buy food themselves and will always use an outside catering company, and as such aren't reliant on nearby grocery stores.

And on the LARGE Architects renderings, those are very old renders from before the publicized designs were finalized.

[hughfb3]

While it's a nice sentiment I can say from experience that productions never buy food themselves and will always use an outside catering company, and as such aren't reliant on nearby grocery stores.


Where do you see the customers coming from then? You asked a question, although maybe rhetorical, I engaged with your thought and expanded.

While I get that this is text and we cannot hear each other’s tone, nor do we have a background of relatedness to interpret, I have a request… Rather than just saying what someone says as inaccurate, please take more thought to reply with something that furthers the conversation, like where else you think that CIM might get the customers for this grocery store, or if you have reason to believe that CIM will go another direction at some point other than putting a grocer at its retail space, then say that and why. What some people might see missing from this market might be the likes of an Erewhon to go along with that fancy Heimat gym, both of which draw from a much larger radius because of their “unique exclusivity.”

CIM is a major player and is directly responsible for the new found success in this area and I’m just looking to engage with your question and others to discover in this discussion board of where and why after their professional research they can justify it. They could also be incorrect in their assessments too, and maybe that’s a part of the point to bring up and bring to the discussion.

This will just help to keep the conversations in exploration and sharing rather than in “that’s wrong” and shutting down the conversation with nothing else to forward it.

Cheers

[Illithid Dude]

I would imagine the customer base would come from surrounding residents, retail workers, and office workers. I just question if there are enough of those around to support the increasing accumulation of grocery stores. Maybe there are! Perhaps CIM has calculated some equation proving that they have the customer base necessary to sustain an extra grocery store, or maybe they have figured that if they offer the best grocery store, their offering will draw business away from other existing options. I didn't mean to be blunt, but though it's an interesting idea that surrounding productions would draw from the new grocery store, my intimate knowledge of film production leads me to believe that probably wouldn't be the case.

[Quixote]

Two lots at the southwest corner of 7th/Serrano in Koreatown for sale being marketed as an opportunity to build a 6-story, 67-116-unit apartment or condo complex.

https://m1.cbhomes.com/p/510/23-236703/1756F74406E448d/pdl23tp.jpg

https://m1.cbhomes.com/p/510/23-236703/88B39877D9a0434/pdl23tp.jpg

https://m.cbhomes.com/p/510/23-236703/ffb3137A61c447E/pdl23tp.jpg

https://m1.cbhomes.com/p/510/23-236703/F445649315c24a5/pdl23tp.jpg

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/ca/los-angeles/715-s-serrano-ave/pid_52108484/

[Quixote]

It'd be great if Koreatown's community plan be updated, with the zoning allowing for ground-floor commercial space along 4th, 5th, 7th, James M. Wood, and San Marino — every east-west corridor between from 3rd to Olympic — and do away with parking minimums. These community plans (Downtown, Hollywood, wherever) should also focus on urban design, meaning putting together a plan to phase-in sidewalk widening, power line burial, continental crosswalks with bulb-outs at every corner, design standards/guidelines for street trees (i.e. grates), etc.

LA city's planners have it stuck their heads that any place with the potential to draw people must need parking because that's how people move about the city, ASSuming that there aren't other alternatives, that Angelenos are incapable of entertaining the idea of using any other mode of transport, that Angelenos would not and should not be forced to adapt, etc.

It's not enough to do away with parking minimums and grant density bonuses with the inclusion of affordable housing. Zero parking should be incentivized by allowing more market-rate units and encouraging better architecture. If the developer deviates from the originally approved design and value-engineer, they pay a penalty — regardless of "unforeseen economic circumstances" or whatever excuse they would concoct. This keeps them honest and also provides a mechanism for them to act more responsibly within their financial means.

It all begins with having the right values, ambitions, and willpower. If you have those things, creative solutions will follow.

[AskMrNoah]

Is there anyone on the Westside who has some updated photos of Overland Ave in Palms? Lots of new buildings going up and I was just curious on their progress.

[AskMrNoah]

It'd be great if Koreatown's community plan be updated, with the zoning allowing for ground-floor commercial space along 4th, 5th, 7th, James M. Wood, and San Marino — every east-west corridor between from 3rd to Olympic — and do away with parking minimums. These community plans (Downtown, Hollywood, wherever) should also focus on urban design, meaning putting together a plan to phase-in sidewalk widening, power line burial, continental crosswalks with bulb-outs at every corner, design standards/guidelines for street trees (i.e. grates), etc.

LA city's planners have it stuck their heads that any place with the potential to draw people must need parking because that's how people move about the city, ASSuming that there aren't other alternatives, that Angelenos are incapable of entertaining the idea of using any other mode of transport, that Angelenos would not and should not be forced to adapt, etc.

It's not enough to do away with parking minimums and grant density bonuses with the inclusion of affordable housing. Zero parking should be incentivized by allowing more market-rate units and encouraging better architecture. If the developer deviates from the originally approved design and value-engineer, they pay a penalty — regardless of "unforeseen economic circumstances" or whatever excuse they would concoct. This keeps them honest and also provides a mechanism for them to act more responsibly within their financial means.

It all begins with having the right values, ambitions, and willpower. If you have those things, creative solutions will follow.

Agree with all of those points, the more Street activation the better. Koreatown has the density to support retail and it’s only going to get better when the Purple Line Extension is completed.

[Radio5]

I find it fascinating/depressing that LA county had as many building permits as Philadelphia, which is half the size. Shows how much our govt is in the way of our progress.

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/subcounty-metro-micro-estimates.html

[Quixote]

Agree with all of those points, the more Street activation the better. Koreatown has the density to support retail and it’s only going to get better when the Purple Line Extension is completed.

The city should prioritize projects based on an algorithmic score that developers can "play with" to see how competitive their projects would be. Projects with the number of total units vis-a-vis livable square footage, higher percentage of affordable units, completion schedule, smaller percentage of blank walls at the ground-floor level, local economic impact, etc. would score higher. Because this methodology is transparent and merit-based, it would force developers to get more creative more quickly and optimize the interests of all parties involved.

The biggest challenges would be getting civic leaders and constituents to buy into the idea first and then determine the algorithm. The vision is fundamentally rooted in the idea that change is necessary and that the automobile is anathema to the vision. That right there is scary for many, but it's the only way in which true progress can be achieved.

[hughfb3]

Speaking of the Hollywood Media District around Santa Monica bl, La Brea, Highland...

Onni's Hollywood Level apartments are coming along and across Orange street, Tesla has demolished the Shakey's Pizza Parlor for their upcoming Drive-In Diner/Supercharger concept.

Left, Tesla/Shakey's lot; Right, Onni's Hollywood Level apartments
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52908440001_f78949bbe0_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52908439996_9ebfbffae7_b.jpg

Also, this is the recently completed AVA Hollywood complex with 3 buildings. Retail spaces have been leased out to Mother's Market, Yoga Six, Solid Core, and Stretch Lab. They seem to be going with the health conscious consumer.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52908894538_6faec66d56_b.jpg

[AskMrNoah]

The Onni building is quite nice, even with the lighter appearance compared to the renderings.

Santa Monica Blvd in LA city limits compared to WeHo is just a mess. It’s filled with self storage facilities, automobile shops, one story buildings with no street activation. I think it’s going to take another decade for it to make a decent improvement. Which is crazy timeline because the areas to the West and North are booming.

[citywatch]

LA city depts like the DWP have a 'who gives a damn?' attitude. Santa Monica Blvd should have been cleaned up by that agency yrs ago. Same thing with streets like La Cienega Bvld....in a high visibility section of LA (next to the Beverly Ctr), no less......south of the Sunset Strip. Meanwhile, this city in LA County, increasingly downtrodden after locations like its Hollywood race track or Forum saw its operators close or move to dtla, is getting a few shots in the arm....

M-GKIw11lvU

[LA21st]

Are you obsessed with power lines?

Why not comment on the developments themselves, which are actually fixing the neighborhood with new housing and retail. :koko:

That stretch of Santa Monica really sucked and these new developments will increase vibrancy. But the power lines...good grief.

[LA21st]

The Onni building is quite nice, even with the lighter appearance compared to the renderings.

Santa Monica Blvd in LA city limits compared to WeHo is just a mess. It’s filled with self storage facilities, automobile shops, one story buildings with no street activation. I think it’s going to take another decade for it to make a decent improvement. Which is crazy timeline because the areas to the West and North are booming.

I think it will be 5-7 years. But yea, SM blvd mostly sucks in Hollywood.

That huge new studio development in East Hollywood is going to be a huge deal for SM Blvd.

Highland Ave from Melrose northward is getting interesting, low key. I think in 5 years its going to be the next hip spot for restaurants/cafes and bars. It's a nice walk, and new housing is being added. Those restaurants are there, but it's kinda scattered at the moment.

[Radio5]

I think it will be 5-7 years. But yea, SM blvd mostly sucks in Hollywood.

That huge new studio development in East Hollywood is going to be a huge deal for SM Blvd.

Highland Ave from Melrose northward is getting interesting, low key. I think in 5 years its going to be the next hip spot for restaurants/cafes and bars. It's a nice walk, and new housing is being added. Those restaurants are there, but it's kinda scattered at the moment.

The tree lined median and sidewalk trees from Melrose to Willoughby makes that a great street; shaded, intimate. All it needs is a protected bike lane and a few more storefronts to activate it a bit more.

[LA21st]

The tree lined median and sidewalk trees from Melrose to Willoughby makes that a great street; shaded, intimate. All it needs is a protected bike lane and a few more storefronts to activate it a bit more.

And there's few powerlines for citywatch.

I'm surprised the city of LA isn't looking at it's potential for something better. Something more cohesive.
It's right in your face if you walk through there. It's in walking distance of many creative companies too.

SM blvd east of Labrea isn't fun to walk on, but Highland could be for 1.5 miles. And it's mostly surrounded by light industrial/offices, so more nightlife or whatever wouldn't even bother anyone.

[citywatch]

Why not comment on the developments themselves, which are actually fixing the neighborhood with new housing and retail.

The public via local govt doesn't have any control over or as much influence on private property, including private devlpt. Projs or new devlpt also affect the frontage of a few hundred feet of a street, not thousands of feet of it. Or even miles of a street. In most cases, private devlpt also affects just a few acres & isn't visible throughout thousands of acres...or a few square miles.

If a new proj or devlpt catches on fire & the fire dept takes too long to arrive & put it out, I'm not going to then complain the devlpr or property owner should have made his bldg bigger or shorter or covered in granite instead of stucco.

As for local govt & its depts like the LA's DWP, that does both directly or indirectly influence a city....for better or worse.


b_P1I3vlC_s

[HeySparky]

On Large's website it says 8150 Sunset was made for Townscape Partners who are the current owners that are looking to sell the property as they cannot get financing to build. Based on that I would assume this is an old rendering before Frank Gehry was brought on board.

... and it is my hope that Fairfax is as far west as this thing veers out of the way.

Great find @Jumprat on 1000 La Brea. Never saw this one rendered out. I'm over there all the time and CIM has really transformed that area.

other news, was looking at the LARGE Architects website and see some different renderings for approved projects like the Palladium Towers and the Sunset+Crescent Heights development. Does anyone know if these are the updated renderings or if they are old?? I like the Palladium ovals, but there are some old renderings of other projects on their site of things that are complete but dont look like the renderings on their site, so dont know how accurate these are.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52907438674_a8cafa5569_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52906717272_ea264b9c09_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52906716807_0e3fbf0616_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52907743148_be015a39b9_b.jpg

[craigs]

Onni Group high-rise at 708 Cloverdale on track for 2026 groundbreaking (https://la.urbanize.city/post/onni-group-high-rise-708-cloverdale-track-2026-groundbreaking)

The 46-story tower would rise near Wilshire/La Brea Station

Steven Sharp
Urbanize Los Angeles
May 22, 2023

An initial study published by the L.A. Department of City Planning offers a more detailed look at a proposal from Onni Group to build a new high-rise apartment complex on the Miracle Mile.

The proposed development, slated for a roughly 1.4 acre site located at 5350-5376 Wilshire Boulevard, would rise just west of the new Wilshire/La Brea subway station. Plans filed in October 2022 with the City of L.A. call for redeveloping the surface parking at the rear of the site, which stretches between from Detroit Street and Cloverdale Avenue, with a new 46-story building featuring 419 one- and two-bedroom dwellings atop 2,645 square feet of ground-floor restaurant space. Parking for 443 vehicles would be located within four subterranean levels and a five-story podium at the base of the tower.

Onni is pursuing entitlements using Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit a larger, denser development due to the property's location near the new subway station. In exchange, the proposed tower would include 47 units of extremely low-income affordable housing.

The tower, designed by MVE + Partners would stand approximately 530 feet in height, with a look that it described as a "contemporary interpretation of the Art Deco architecture." The building would peak in a crown containing five penthouses, while amenities such as a fitness center, a sky lounge, and a pool deck would be located below.

Onni also is proposing to retain 42,000 square feet of commercial uses fronting Wilshire Boulevard - including the Dark Room building, which is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The 1920s and 1930s construction are described as the inspiration for the high-rise design concept in a narrative included with the entitlement submission.

"At 5350-5356 Wilshire Boulevard, [renowned] architect Edward Sibbert's use of strong vertical lines and Art Deco details has heavily influenced the [faceted] framing at the tower," reads the narrative. "As the gateway to Miracle Mile east, the new tower will serve as an elegant beacon that will highlight an entry to the collection of cultural arts buildings, museums, and public art spaces within [the] Miracle Mile."

Pending approvals by the City of Los Angeles, the environmental study indicates that the Wilshire and Cloverdale tower is expected to commence work in 2026 and open for residents by 2029.

The project is one of a small handful of high-rise buildings in the works for the Miracle Mile, including the 42-story residential tower at 5411 Wilshire Boulevard proposed by Walter N. Marks, Inc. and Onni's planned revamp of the Wilshire Courtyard complex (though that project may face headwinds).

Vancouver-based Onni Group, one of the most prolific developers of high-rise buildings in L.A. County, is also behind new office and residential developments at multiple sites in Downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Hollywood.

[craigs]

And the images:

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2022-10/708%20cloverdale%201.jpg?itok=8jJCoNYc

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2022-10/708%20cloverdale%202.jpg?itok=F6Pbn8gr

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2022-10/708%20cloverdale%203.jpg?itok=rrvbt_xo

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2022-09/5350%20wilshire%20boulevard.jpg?itok=jroRsgmx

[Illithid Dude]

Love how they are retaining the existing commercial streetwall with this one. Basically an ideal situation.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Love how they are retaining the existing commercial streetwall with this one. Basically an ideal situation.

Definitely agreed! Would love to see a lot more of this with buildings that are worth saving

[craigs]

Another interesting thing about 708 Cloverdale is that, at 530 ft. tall, it will be the tallest tower in Southern California outside of Downtown LA and Century City, and tied with three other towers in those two aforementioned areas for the 28th tallest tower in the region.

[bossabreezes]

Why is it taking 3 years for them to break ground? The slowness of project realization in this city is even worse than SF in many cases, no wonder there is a housing crisis.

[Zapatan]

That's awesome but 2026 is too far away ;), hopefully some other cool proposals arise in the time being.

[craigs]

20-story, 223-unit apartment tower planned at 1830 N Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood (https://la.urbanize.city/post/20-story-223-unit-apartment-tower-planned-1830-n-cahuenga-boulevard-hollywood)

The Franklin & Cahuenga development is being designed by AC Martin

Steven Sharp
Urbanize Los Angeles
May 24, 2023

Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm CGI Strategies has plans for its biggest project yet: a mixed-use high-rise complex just south of the US-101 freeway in Hollywood.

The proposed project, filed earlier this month with the L.A. Department of City Planning, would rise from a corner lot located at 6400 Franklin Avenue and 1830 Cahuenga Boulevard. Plans call for the construction of a 20-story building featuring 223 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments, accompanied by 19,837 square feet of retail space at the ground and roof levels. The tower would also include parking for 282 vehicles located in two subterranean levels and a four-story podium.

Requested entitlements include density bonus incentives to permit a larger structure than would otherwise be allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, plans call for the inclusion of 27 very low-income affordable units, offsetting the 24 rent-stabilized apartments which would be demolished to make way for the new high-rise.

AC Martin is designing the tower, named Franklin & Cahuenga for its cross streets, which would incorporate amenity decks at the podium and roof levels.

Other approvals required for the tower include a conditional use permit to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in association with a proposed restaurant.

According to a landing page on the CGI website, a groundbreaking for Franklin & Cahuenga is expected in mid-2025, with completion scheduled for late 2027.

The tower joins a handful of similar mixed-use high-rise developments planned for sites north of the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, such as the 30-story apartment tower slated for 6220 Yucca Street and the $1-billion Hollywood Center complex.

CGI is no stranger to Hollywood, is currently in the midst of construction at an 86-unit apartment complex a few blocks to the west at 1818 N. Cherokee Avenue. The company's other upcoming developments include a proposed housing and hotel complex just north of the Wilshire/La Brea subway station.

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/6400%20franklin%20avenue%20rendering.jpg?itok=OR0DzOXq

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/6400%20franklin%20avenue%20rendering%201.jpg?itok=tHyJFX7I

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/6400%20franklin%20avenue%20rendering%202.jpg?itok=o0bJ_pR_

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/1830%20n%20cahuenga%20boulevard%20street%20view.JPG?itok=bWPURX6i

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/1830%20n%20cahuenga%20boulevard%20map.JPG?itok=RO_RgeGb

[112597jorge]

Ritz Carlton Tower coming to Newport Beach. 22 floors standing 295 ft tall. To be built at the former Newport Marriot Resort along the Fashion Island Perimeter road.

https://www.ocbj.com/oc-homepage/putting-up-the-ritz/

[LA21st]

Ritz Carlton Tower coming to Newport Beach. 22 floors standing 295 ft tall. To be built at the former Newport Marriot Resort along the Fashion Island Perimeter road.

https://www.ocbj.com/oc-homepage/putting-up-the-ritz/

Nice!

[Quixote]

Perfect development scale for Hollywood and generally everywhere east of Western. In fact, I think 12-15-story buildings, or anything in the 120-150-foot range, is more my ideal sweet spot.

[Quixote]

delete

[LA21st]

https://stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/13299-planning-commission-approves-ritz-carlton-residences-051322

Newport Beach tower approved yesterday:cheers:

That Fashion Island area could easily add in more 20-25 story hotels and condos.

[202_Cyclist]

https://stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/13299-planning-commission-approves-ritz-carlton-residences-051322

Newport Beach tower approved yesterday:cheers:

That Fashion Island area could easily add in more 20-25 story hotels and condos.

I agree. We lived within a mile of Fashion Island when I was in high school more than 25 years ago now. I haven't visited in a long time but I think there have been one or two new residential buildings completed around Fashion Island in the past couple of years.

[LA21st]

I agree. We lived within a mile of Fashion Island when I was in high school more than 25 years ago now. I haven't visited in a long time but I think there have been one or two new residential buildings completed around Fashion Island in the past couple of years.

Yea, and a new 20 story office.

[202_Cyclist]

Yea, and a new 20 story office.

Is that where the Chipotle world headquarters is located? If you are in the area, please take and post some photos. I am interested what it looks like now.

Orange County really missed out by not building the Centerline light rail project in the early 2000s that would have served the offices in the around Santa Ana/John Wayne in Irvine and Costa Mesa.

[ChelseaFC]

Overhaul of The Commons at Calabasas to include new mixed use buildings with 119 apartments, replacement of movie theatre

https://www.theacorn.com/articles/caruso-planning-major-changes-at-the-calabasas-commons/

https://www.theacorn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Commons-Lane-1024x512.jpg
https://thecommonslane.com/plan-features/

[homebucket]

The specs:
- 4 floors
- 17 units
- 12,000 sq ft for ground floor commercial
- Parking for 148 cars

Rosewood Residences start to rise at 9900 Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills
$100-million development takes shape on the former site of the Friars Club
MAY 24, 2023, 9:30AM STEVEN SHARP

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2022-08/rosewood%20residences%20beverly%20hills%201.jpg?itok=yhXN3Q5A

Nine months after breaking ground at the former site of the Friars Club in Beverly Hills, construction is ramping up for the Rosewood Residences.

An orange crane is now in place at 9900 Santa Monica Boulevard, where New York-based Nahla Capital and Los Angeles-based GPI Cos. are partnering on a $100-million project which will consist of a four-story building featuring 17 condominiums above 12,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Plans also call for parking for 148 vehicles.

https://la.urbanize.city/post/rosewood-residences-start-rise-9900-santa-monica-boulevard-beverly-hills

[Steve8263]

delete, sorry

[craigs]

Here's a look inside the completed Wrapper office tower (https://la.urbanize.city/post/heres-look-inside-completed-wrapper-office-tower)

The Eric Owen Moss-designed landmark has spurred plenty of hot takes

Steven Sharp
Urbanize Los Angeles
May 25, 2023

Its construction has spurred no shortage of hot takes on Twitter, and The Guardian has even described it as a "gas-guzzling villain’s lair." Whatever your feelings may be, there can be no doubt that the monumental Wrapper development has made its mark on the L.A. skyline.

The project, which is now officially complete more than a half-year after our tour inside, occupies a property located at 5790 W. Jefferson Boulevard - a short walk west of Metro's La Cienega/Jefferson Station. Developed by Frederick and Laurie Samitaur Smith, the 16-story tower features approximately 180,000 square feet of space across 16 floors, seated atop a subterranean parking garage, and adjacent to a multi-use trail which parallels the neighboring E Line right-of-way

"Wrapper’s structural concept originated in 1998 and was first presented in an exhibit at the Wexner Center in Columbus, Ohio," reads a narrative provided by Eric Owen Moss Architects, the firm responsible for the project's design. "Unlike conventional high-rise structural systems based on columns organized along modular grid lines, Wrapper is supported by a network of curvilinear bands originating from a number of geometric center points. Each curving band is wrapped around the largely rectilinear building envelope, and folded around each vertical and horizontal corner of the building until it reaches the ground."

Below the ground, the steel bands are supported by a base isolated foundation, allowing the building to move more safely during an earthquake. EOM Architects contends that the tower is five times more seismically resilient than a typical American high-rise.

The use of the steel frame exterior also allows building to have a column-free interior, with the tower's elevator core located at the rear. That also accommodates multiple floor-to-floor height options, ranging from as just over 13 feet to cavernous 24-foot-tall spaces with mezzanines hung from the ceiling.

Wrapper's height, which culminates in a rooftop deck 235 feet above ground level, was at one point unprecedented for the neighborhood. However recent years have brought a sea change to the Baldwin Hills and West Adams neighborhoods which surround La Cienega/Jefferson Station, notably in the form of the nearby Cumulus District with more than 1,200 apartments, a Whole Foods Market, and an even larger 30-story high-rise.

More changes are also on the horizon. Just east of the of the Wrapper site, real estate and construction firm Lendlease is planning to redevelop a Public Storage facility with a mixed-use project that would include a 12-story apartment building and offices.

Meanwhile, Samitaur and Moss also have big plans for neighboring sites - including a 22-story building which would eclipse the height of Wrapper and two additional high-rise buildings. The two firms have also proposed the construction of a pedestrian bridge which would connect Wrapper and its neighbors to properties across Ballona Creek in Culver City, where the two firms have developed a number of sculptural buildings over the course of a 35-year partnership.

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/101_6678_101CPS.jpg?itok=K6MMvjQ2

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/102_6678_100CPS.jpg?itok=gsEciA5L

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/104_6678_097CPS.jpg?itok=QWUWBWyz

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/106_6678_107CPS.jpg?itok=NFibP8m9

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/109_6678_029CPS.jpg?itok=K1SyRPxn

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/201_6678_056CPS.jpg?itok=UypN1jRE

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/211_6678_116CPS.jpg?itok=dK7j2BHw

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/213_6678_117CPS.jpg?itok=D4wxdToq

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/215_6678_119CPS.jpg?itok=gNQ9OGFK

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/300_6678_019CPS.jpg?itok=MyYGd9Td

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/301_6678_032CPS.jpg?itok=fjWqG_pp

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/405_6678_015CPS.jpg?itok=ymGMtrjt

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/412_6678_045CPS.jpg?itok=RlnuoX37

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/413_6678_098CPS.jpg?itok=XS1342k9

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/500_6678_099CPS.jpg?itok=jheEt-pC

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/501_6678_002CPS.jpg?itok=znBV-v4a

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/502_6678_005CPS.jpg?itok=OmlAvGNv

[craigs]

Views from inside the Wrapper are pretty good--in no small part because you can't see the Wrapper.

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/Interior%20Looking%20North.jpg?itok=oXh5nXcc

[ChelseaFC]

Aerial view of The NOW at Sunset and La Cienega (https://mithun.com/project/sunset-mixed-use/), set for completion in March 2024

https://twitter.com/LaytonConstruct/status/1662140560088641538

[LA21st]

Aerial view of The NOW at Sunset and La Cienega (https://mithun.com/project/sunset-mixed-use/), set for completion in March 2024

https://twitter.com/LaytonConstruct/status/1662140560088641538


Hmmm...

[LAsam]

Views from inside the Wrapper are pretty good--in no small part because you can't see the Wrapper.

:haha:

I think what really makes this building special is that it's supported from the exterior via the exoskeleton, and has its elevator bay off to one side. This gives completely open floor plates in a high rise office building... I don't know if you get that in any other office in LA. The elevator bay being off at the side is interesting because my understanding is that was one of the structural flaws in the office tower that collapsed in Christchurch NZ back when they had their big earthquake. Presumably, that issue has been accounted for with this building.

[Quixote]

The Wrapper is a great example of the idea that “anything goes in LA.” It’s bad in a quirky way, which makes it good in a sense. But stuff like the shit boxes with bright-colored accents that were popping up more frequently 10 years ago are just flat-out horrible.

[craigs]

:haha:

I think what really makes this building special is that it's supported from the exterior via the exoskeleton, and has its elevator bay off to one side. This gives completely open floor plates in a high rise office building... I don't know if you get that in any other office in LA. The elevator bay being off at the side is interesting because my understanding is that was one of the structural flaws in the office tower that collapsed in Christchurch NZ back when they had their big earthquake. Presumably, that issue has been accounted for with this building.
The Wrapper is base-isolated.

[HeySparky]

Its been over a year since Faring had a ground breaking at the French Market in West Hollywood, and there has been zero work done since their big gala. Nothing. Anyone know whats going on here? I assume Faring has major financing issues, but its embarrassing for everyone involved including WeHo's politicians who never miss a photo opportunity. i= https://wehotimes.com/faring-hosts-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-french-market-project/

[HeySparky]

I was in West LA the other day and noticed this lot that was to become a Whole Foods/Mixed Use Residential has become a surface parking lot. I guess it safe to assume this project in its current form dead.

https://la.urbanize.city/post/mixed-use-development-whole-foods-could-break-ground-next-year-west-la

[craigs]

Residential conversion planned for 17-story office tower at 6380 Wilshire Boulevard (https://la.urbanize.city/post/residential-conversion-planned-17-story-office-tower-6380-wilshire-boulevard)

Jamison Services proposes 210 apartments

Steven Sharp
Urbanize Los Angeles
June 1, 2023

Over the past decade, Jamison Services has converted numerous mid-century office towers in Koreatown to housing. Now, the Los Angeles-based firm turns its sights to a different stretch of the Wilshire corridor.

Last month, Jamison filed an application with the Planning Department seeking approvals to convert the 17-story, 144,000-square-foot high-rise at 6380 Wilshire Boulevard into apartments. The proposed project would convert the interior of the 1963 building into 210 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, while also offering parking for 176 vehicles in an existing above-grade garage.

Next Architecture is designing the adaptive reuse project, which would retain the building's existing windows and glazing, while also adding new windows to portions of the above-grade parking garage, as well as a rooftop penthouse structure.

Approximately 27,000 square feet of amenities are proposed for use by residents, including a theater, co-working space, a fitness center, a club room, a yoga studio, a game room, a golf simulator, a sky lounge, and a rooftop pool deck.

The proposed project would rise two blocks to the east of Metro's upcoming Wilshire/Fairfax subway station, and in close proximity to a handful of new and proposed mixed-use and residential projects.

Across Wilshire Boulevard, the 16-story NMS La Jolla apartment tower opened for residents earlier this year, while an AC Hotel occupies the shell of a converted 11-story office building next door.

A short distance to the west at Wilshire's intersection with San Vicente Boulevard, upcoming projects include a proposed 20-story apartment tower and an approved 12-story medical office tower.

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/6380%20wilshire%20boulevard%20map.JPG?itok=samm4N-i

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/6380%20wilshire%20boulevard%20rendering.jpg?itok=ae0VVpzb

https://la.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_article_gallery_image_2000w/public/2023-05/6380%20wilshire%20boulevard%20street%20view.JPG?itok=-CVDIbDp

[colemonkee]

This is exactly what that stretch of Wilshire needs: to diversify from a primarily office and retail use to more mixed with residential, office, and retail being a bit more balanced. This block will be in much better shape with the hotel and the apartment tower both across the street, surrounded by office, medical, and retail.

[craigs]

This is exactly what that stretch of Wilshire needs: to diversify from a primarily office and retail use to more mixed with residential, office, and retail being a bit more balanced. This block will be in much better shape with the hotel and the apartment tower both across the street, surrounded by office, medical, and retail.
Agreed.

We may not be able to convert some of the big downtown office towers to other uses because of their huge floorplates, but we can definitely focus on converting smaller office buildings like this one into badly-needed housing. There are tons of these kinds of opportunities throughout LA, and that's especially true of Wilshire Blvd.

[Easy]

Pasted from the downtown thread.

A lot of these bigger projects are fast coming up to the
(we won't be seen during the Olympics) deadline awfully fast.

I'm fairly shocked that the Olympics hasn't been a catalyst for new large, private projects. Previous host cities saw massive private spending directly related to the Olympics, especially with hotels. While downtown has seen new hotels, they were all in the pipeline before the Olympics were awarded and are predominantly meant to serve the convention center.

The 2028 Olympics are meant to be car free with no parking for spectators. So where are all of the new hotels along the transit lines convenient for events? Near LAX, the K line, and Sofi stadium? On the B line between Westwood and mid-city?

And yeah, I know that we've been seeing new hotels and entertainment but I don't get the impression that any of them are related to LA2028. Maybe visitor travel post-pandemic is expected to be less significant?

[Radio5]

Pasted from the downtown thread.



I'm fairly shocked that the Olympics hasn't been a catalyst for new large, private projects. Previous host cities saw massive private spending directly related to the Olympics, especially with hotels. While downtown has seen new hotels, they were all in the pipeline before the Olympics were awarded and are predominantly meant to serve the convention center.

The 2028 Olympics are meant to be car free with no parking for spectators. So where are all of the new hotels along the transit lines convenient for events? Near LAX, the K line, and Sofi stadium? On the B line between Westwood and mid-city?

And yeah, I know that we've been seeing new hotels and entertainment but I don't get the impression that any of them are related to LA2028. Maybe visitor travel post-pandemic is expected to be less significant?

I don't think developers are planning projects based on a two week spike in people. Certainly not residential. I think it's more of a vanity thing for big players that want their building seen, but if financials don't make sense (and they don't for most right now), then nobody is building. I suspect in 2024 after the Paris Olympics, all eyes will be on LA and we will get a rush of buildings trying to make it by 2028.

[Easy]

I don't think developers are planning projects based on a two week spike in people. Certainly not residential.

Yet previous Olympic cities have seen a spike in private construction. I agree that it's never been about a 2-week spike, so there must be other reasons. Maybe public incentives, maybe optimism, maybe both and more. Look at what London went through prior to 2012. The Olympics reshaped the city. Same thing to a lesser degree in other host cities. Salt Lake, Atlanta, others.

And we aren't just getting the Olympics, we're also getting World Cup games in 2026.

[LA21st]

Still, the city should be looking to at least revamp Hollywood blvd in a exciting way. And parts of downtown for the Olympics. It does seem like all they care about is discussing homeless, which is kinda pathetic. Like the city is more than it's freaking homeless situation. Imagine if Chicago just focused on it's violence and nothing else.

I don't know of any real plans. The council are the most brain dead people we could have. They really don't give a fuck about improving LA at all. Everything is small.

The atheletes housing is going to be by UCLA. What are the plans to improve Westwood exactly? Its 5 years away, but they shouldn't be thinking of this stuff last minute.

[citywatch]

C9UfTbqnbbk

[colemonkee]

Wow, Intuit is really coming along!

[craigs]

Crescent Heights plans 34-story apartment tower at 3100 Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown (https://la.urbanize.city/post/crescent-heights-plans-34-story-apartment-tower-3100-wilshire-boulevard-koreatown)

Hartshorne Plunkard-designed project will retain portions of a 1939 commercial building

Steven Sharp
Urbanize Los Angeles
June 8, 2023

Miami-based developer Crescent Heights is once again adding to its portfolio of Los Angeles projects, with plans for a new high-rise apartment complex near Bullocks Wilshire in Koreatown.

The new project, submitted recently to the L.A. Department of City Planning for review, would rise from a property located at 3100 Wilshire Boulevard, which has been developed with a three-story commercial building since 1939. Crescent Heights intends to the facade of the existing structures, as well as nearly two thirds of its interior, while razing rear-facing portions of the building and an adjoining parking lot to clear the way for the construction of a new 34-story tower which would feature 297 apartments above a 410-car garage in six subterranean levels and seven above-grade levels. Remaining floor area from the existing building would be converted into approximately 7,100 square feet of retail and restaurant space, as well as amenities, a leasing office, and a lobby.

Crescent Heights is pursuing entitlements using the Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit greater density than would otherwise be allowed on the property. In exchange, 33 of the proposed studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments would be set aside for rent as affordable housing at the extremely low-income level.

Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, whose work is frequently showcased in Urbanize Chicago, is designing 3100 Wilshire. Plans describe the tower as rising approximately 393 feet to its apex, with the tower's mass set back from the street behind the existing facade. Above-grade parking would likewise be largely masked by the existing construction, and capped by a seventh-floor amenity space. Other open spaces for residents would be located at the roof level.

The proposed tower is the latest in a recent series of high-rise buildings in the works for the blocks surrounding Wilshire between Lafayette Park and Wilshire/Vermont Station, following the 25-story Kurve on Wilshire, UDR's 3033 Wilshire development, and Holland Partner Group's Hallasan project. Koreatown mainstay Jamison Services is also planning two smaller podium-type apartment complexes along the same stretch of Wilshire.

The existing construction, which is eligible to be listed in the California Register of Historic Places, is located on a site once occupied by the home of Ruben Shettler, a millionaire credited with inventing the friction clutch. The property was subsequently redeveloped with commercial buildings, and eventually the three-story structure which remains to this day.

Crescent Heights, which started off developing smaller-scale projects in Los Angeles more than 30 years ago, has long since moved on to building some of the region's largest buildings. Its portfolio includes the Ten Thousand apartment tower in Century City, two high-rise buildings planned next to the Hollywood Palladium and a proposed 70-story apartment tower which would rank as the city's tallest residential building when completed.

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[scania]

Amazing project! I love it!!!

[Busy Bee]

Yes! I love the saving of the original low rise and setting back the new tower programming. It's the best of both worlds.