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

[hughfb3]

I think the Gateway Tower in Long Beach has finally topped out, its already very massive in the skyline, from the 405 it looks 3-4 floors taller than the world trade center which is odd since its only supposed to be 10 feet taller than the trade center. Almost feels like they were at a good pace, a floor every 5 days, that they decided to just keep going haha I know that's not likely but it is massive, Everyone knows i have no idea on how to post pictures here, maybe i can get a little help from somebody ?

email them to me. I will send a PM

[bobbyv]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2020-09-08/clippers-arena-given-final-approval-from-inglewood-for-land

[Radio5]

Not the best photos, but updates nonetheless! Taken Sept 2nd in Koreatown. 3rd and Mariposa actually came out a lot better than I thought.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50364323386_680d54094e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJwjFd)20c31099-cf42-4704-9f11-17f5a114ada4 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJwjFd) by Radio 5 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190303400@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50364323161_b258430460_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jJwjBk)fd57f8eb-f841-43f0-933f-0edd83c254d5 (https://flic.kr/p/2jJwjBk) by Radio 5 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190303400@N06/), on Flickr

[Quixote]

A great way to make these apartment monoliths work is to have ground-level flats. That would at least reduce the fortress-like experience when walking along the sidewalk.

[ocman]

Is California still dealing with the disease that affects palm trees specifically? Those look like expensive palms, but maybe not a good long-term decision.

[CaliNative]

A great way to make these apartment monoliths work is to have ground-level flats. That would at least reduce the fortress-like experience when walking along the sidewalk.

Ground level apartments might be considered less desirable by some because they are (perhaps incorrectly) considered more prone to burglaries. Perhaps markets (bodegas), shops, restaurants, etc. are the better choice for first floors.

[Easy]

Ground level apartments might be considered less desirable by some because they are (perhaps incorrectly) considered more prone to burglaries. Perhaps markets (bodegas), shops, restaurants, etc. are the better choice for first floors.

Live/Work apartments are also good for the ground floor and I don't think that enough are being built.

[112597jorge]

Is California still dealing with the disease that affects palm trees specifically? Those look like expensive palms, but maybe not a good long-term decision.

Those date palms are resistant to the disease that affects the Canary Island Date Palms. So those are ok and is why you see them being planted much more now a days, they are cheaper than the CIDP as well.

[saybanana]

One of the nice things that occupy my time during the pandemic is watching all the Driving LA youtube videos. The mostly drive along a single major street so you can see all the construction happening. There is just so much that is not posted on this site and that is just on major streets, you dont see the side streets/ minor streets / residential streets. I wish there is a recent video along the Expo line. I was wondering if the big projects are done like at Culver station, Sepul Station and La Brea Station.

[hughfb3]

Those date palms are resistant to the disease that affects the Canary Island Date Palms. So those are ok and is why you see them being planted much more now a days, they are cheaper than the CIDP as well.

That's correct. These are Medjool Date Palms and this is what's been planted as of late and they are the ones with their fronds still tied up. Canary Island Date Palms are the main ones affected by the disease and they are the ones you see that are much older and planted on the street in this same photo by the city

[Radio5]

Taken today...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50377008861_40dbc05b98_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jKDkCi)Wilshire Boulevard Temple Pavilion (https://flic.kr/p/2jKDkCi) by Radio 5 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190303400@N06/), on Flickr

[SLO]

They complement the Century Plaza Hotel nicely, which thank goodness, was spared from the wrecking ball.

Century City is still a soulless corporate wasteland though. There's very little that can be done to change that, but these towers are a great addition to the skyline and add some residential density nearby jobs and a forthcoming subway station.

I totally agree on the salvaging of the hotel. I drove by on the 405 today and was pleasantly surprised to see the towers appear to be the tallest in Century City. Not sure if they actually are, but from my vantage point it looked like it.

I kind of see Century City like La Defense in Paris, which is relatively soulless, but its a nice skyline and a major employment center for the west side...

[pwright1]

I totally agree on the salvaging of the hotel. I drove by on the 405 today and was pleasantly surprised to see the towers appear to be the tallest in Century City. Not sure if they actually are, but from my vantage point it looked like it.

I kind of see Century City like La Defense in Paris, which is relatively soulless, but its a nice skyline and a major employment center for the west side...

The twin tower condos in Century City have officially topped out. But $2million to $50million for the pricing is absolutely ridiculous.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50401151768_ec6eb5bdd0_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50402000562_987351f82b_b.jpg
https://urbanize.la/post/two-tower-century-plaza-development-reaches-its-peak

[Radio5]

The twin tower condos in Century City have officially topped out. But $2million to $50million for the pricing is absolutely ridiculous.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50401151768_ec6eb5bdd0_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50402000562_987351f82b_b.jpg
https://urbanize.la/post/two-tower-century-plaza-development-reaches-its-peak

Agreed, but I guess people from out of town who just need an LA spot will pay it. Only need a couple hundred of those people from around the world. But yeah, plenty of amazing houses in LA for under 4m that would be way bigger than these condos with your own backyard.

[Niftybox]

Tons of pro sports athletes can afford those easy, pro athletes all over L.A. The penthouse is probably for a billionaire though.

[Radio5]

DMH Headquarters and the Kurve are making a good impact on the Koreatown skyline, especially the Kurve from the 10 freeway, they stand out. Will be great when that new koreatown tower is up.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50409240421_f20d70b31f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jNuwWR)Koreatown (https://flic.kr/p/2jNuwWR) by Radio 5 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190303400@N06/), on Flickr

[Niftybox]

Yeah it sure looks like L.A. is going to be the metro of many skylines, the basin is just too big to have one cohesive/tapering connected skyline like NYC or Hong Kong. Very interesting.

[LA21st]

Yeah it sure looks like L.A. is going to be the metro of many skylines, the basin is just too big to have one cohesive/tapering connected skyline like NYC or Hong Kong. Very interesting.

At some point, these 6-7 story mixed use buildings will become 15-20 stories in alot of places.
Maybe in the 2030s, but it's gong to happen.

[pwright1]

From yesterday.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50410102158_76fc8bf4e0_b.jpg

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[delts145]

Yeah it sure looks like L.A. is going to be the metro of many skylines, the basin is just too big to have one cohesive/tapering connected skyline like NYC or Hong Kong. Very interesting.

There are a few caveats to that. For the immediate future sure. There will be many skyline islands like Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, Century City/Westwood etc. However, who knows what the future might hold over the next one to two hundred years, or even fifty years. It wasn't that long ago that the basin was filled with large orchards of fruit. The Los Angeles Basin is not the vast core of Paris, and I don't think its skylines are destined to remain isolated islands. Many of us have Grandparents who remember large sections of Wilshire and Olympic that looked more like Irvine than how they appear today. If you are traveling along the 10 and gaze northward, it won't be too many more decades before Wilshire appears to be one long string of unbroken skyline from Westwood to Downtown. IMO, we're going to see examples of that thinner linear vertical type of expansion like we now see through Westwood and Koreatown. Of course, the width or overall connected unbroken vertical circumferance of the skyline between say Washington and Wilshire may never happen, but there are already many signs on certain parallel commercial streets such as Olympic, Pico, Venice and Washington or 6th of continued linear East/West ever-increasing vertical, and the north south expansion of many vertical nodes. North/South streets such as Vermont and Western have been showing signs of a lot of teardowns and added height replacements over this past decade, increasing the breath and number of vertical nodes. Those mid-rises along Vermont seem to be getting increasingly taller and more numerous between the 10 and Sunset. Of course, a lot of the unbroken skyline vertical development change depends on how fast and where the Basin continues to build its mass-transit corridors, particularly how much subway the Fed. Government will contribute to L.A.'s infrastructure buildup. As far as unbroken vertical development between Westwood and Downtown along Wilshire, and even much of Olympic, vertical is going to explode among the remaining underdeveloped plots as soon as the Metro reaches the coast. The bar of what is considered underdeveloped is rising very quickly. Also, what will developers be able to squeeze out of those making the laws at any given decades period? For example, Manhattan gave up a lot of gilded architectural treasures, even those that were quite tall, in order to reach ever taller in connecting its Upper, Mid and Lower nodes. Many of those grand structures of the late 19th and early 20th Century were far more significant architecturally than much of what lines Wilshire, Pico or Olympic today. Even neighborhoods like Beverly Hills or Hancock Park are not immune to seeing a lot of ever increasing vertical along its major commercial East/West corridors such as Wilshire and Olympic. The Basin will always have a smattering of Deco and Hollywood Golden Age memorabilia. But let's face it, most of what remains along the mixed-use Basin commercial/residential corridors is throw-away and will be replaced by something taller and showing bigger dollar profits. Of course, God forbid that the Basin would ever become another San Paolo, and I don't think it ever will. However, I think a setup like we see with Chicago's thinner strings of mid and high-rise vertical, puncuated by larger more expansive vertical nodes is not too far out over the next few decades. While many of us won't be around to see it reach a mature level, I think it's a given it will happen, and many of us will see a lot of progress to that end. It will also be fascinating to see how far and how fast the Downtown southern and western expansion continues to evolve.

Then again, who knows what the patterns will be after the Big-One strikes. Perhaps taller, but with Chilean like building standards. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Los Angeles or some of the most prone Big-One cities in the West are even now at Chile's urban seismic standards. If a predicted Santiago type earthquake happens to any of the major metros along the coast, or say Salt Lake City's Wasatch Front, it's anyone's guess has to what will evolve.

[Radio5]

Was in Long Beach over the weekend. I love it down there more and more. A couple I know just moved there from Highland Park if that's any indication of where Long Beach could go. The creative class don't want to retreat north east anymore. It's reached its limit I think. Long Beach is a great alternative.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50428547058_b8dc556947_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jQcu8U)Long Beach (https://flic.kr/p/2jQcu8U) by Radio 5 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190303400@N06/), on Flickr

[saybanana]

I wonder why Los Angeles or most of America doesn't build basic high rise towers. I lived many years in parts of Asia where they build basic middle class housing. Basic rectangular blocks, stucco and some glass. I guess we call the commie blocks here. I guess they would be equivalent to 5-7 wood apartment blocks here.

[LA21st]

LA definitely could've benefitted from some Park La Breas.
One in Van Nuys, Mar Vista, Baldwin Hills, etc

[JerellO]

I wonder why Los Angeles or most of America doesn't build basic high rise towers. I lived many years in parts of Asia where they build basic middle class housing. Basic rectangular blocks, stucco and some glass. I guess we call the commie blocks here. I guess they would be equivalent to 5-7 wood apartment blocks here.

Suburban and owning own land and space kinda culture I think vs the cultures in the old world... Asia, Europe, Middle East, etc.

[ocman]

I wonder why Los Angeles or most of America doesn't build basic high rise towers. I lived many years in parts of Asia where they build basic middle class housing. Basic rectangular blocks, stucco and some glass. I guess we call the commie blocks here. I guess they would be equivalent to 5-7 wood apartment blocks here.

Capitalism. We think the free market is going to solve all our problems like our housing crisis.

[LAsam]

Capitalism. We think the free market is going to solve all our problems like our housing crisis.

How do you figure that capitalism and free markets are causing the housing crisis in California? California has tons of government intervention in the free market via regulations on environment impact, zoning, affordable housing/rent controls, Prop 13... etc. Maybe if we had less regulation... more housing density could get built, at a lower cost per unit, and we could start to dig out of this mess.

[caligrad]

Regulation is the issue. Especially here in the LA area. Must have XYZ and if it doesnt, its a non starter. IMO. Does it meet Earthquake and fire standards? Yes? BUILD IT. All of the other requirements the city demands just becomes wasteful at some point.

Yeah a friend of mine lives a block away. The tower has topped out it seems, I thought i noticed that the top 5 floors does this weird twist type deal that im not sure i saw in the renderings. Will be interesting to see how it looks once its done.

[edale]

Regulation is the issue. Especially here in the LA area. Must have XYZ and if it doesnt, its a non starter. IMO. Does it meet Earthquake and fire standards? Yes? BUILD IT. All of the other requirements the city demands just becomes wasteful at some point.



You say this, but then look at the comments on nearly any new development article. "It's so ugly, how could the city allow this to get built?" "Needs to have more affordable units." "Parking!!!" People generally want the government to intervene to make the city more walkable and attractive, incentivize more affordable housing, make sure development won't destroy their neighborhood character or take away parking (two NIMBY greatest hits).

I agree that we generally over regulate development, and I'd argue the regulation isn't very effective. Developers have to pay massive fees to fund affordable housing and new parks, but I sure haven't seen much in the way of new parks, and we all know the affordable housing situation. Our design regulations can be extremely detailed, yet we still get utter shit built all over the city. I don't think we should just do away with development regulations, but I agree they should be reigned in.

[hughfb3]

October seems to be the month for the 6 year stalled Husks of Hollywood to finally open. We finally have a date for Target Husk opening which is October 21st... and speaking of high rises... The Sunset Gordon Tower is FINALLY OPEN... AGAIN... after a 6 year vacancy. It initially opened in 2013, then was sued and court ordered to vacate in 2014 and has been sitting empty ever since. It is now known as Lumina Hollywood

www.luminahollywood.com (http://www.luminahollywood.com)

[WayOutWest]

Hi everyone, just want to introduce myself. I'm a huge fan of great architecture and urban development. I've been following this website for well over a decade since I was in my teens, but regrettably have never contributed. I'm originally from Buena Park/Huntington Beach but just recently moved to Las Vegas, NV. I hope to be updating the Vegas forum consistently, and when ever I'm back in SoCal (which is all the time) I'll do my best to update everyone on what's going on around Los Angeles, Orange County, and Long Beach. Thanks!

Long Beach:

Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/AnthonyDiaz94/B9933E34_0FC3_4DCA_9396_6A86274D00F3.jpeg?width=1620&height=780&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/AnthonyDiaz94/176AC420_8D66_4ED2_A015_B3C2DCEFC618.jpeg?width=1620&height=780&fit=bounds

Shoreline Gateway

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/AnthonyDiaz94/20218E9E_C586_44AD_BF9D_71C231062ED7.jpeg?width=1620&height=780&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/AnthonyDiaz94/14AF1F29_C809_4A0C_A223_2A4A54529D1D.jpeg?width=1620&height=780&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/AnthonyDiaz94/D5DEF06D_8A72_4290_976D_5BD47A14EB89.jpeg?width=1620&height=780&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/AnthonyDiaz94/91240820_942F_4A7C_B61F_921D3F22E196.jpeg?width=1620&height=780&fit=bounds

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[hughfb3]

Welcome and thanks for posting Wayoutwest!! I did not realize the bridge opened this month. Really cool. I look forward to driving over it. Love the picture of the high rise too

[caligrad]

Great photos ! you beat me to it.

The bridge is odd....I will say lol. I heard it was delayed a few times because of construction issues and etc. So....Its weird when i drive over the vincent thomas and its pretty smoth. But....On the approach on the new bridge and even during the main span.....its a bit....lumpy? there road isnt even and you can see the unevenness with the road deck. it ripples. Granted i went on the day it opened and the day after. So not sure if it was still setting or what but it was a bumpy ride.

[colemonkee]

Great updates, and welcome to the forum, WayOutWest!

[Stay Stoked Brah]

How do you figure that capitalism and free markets are causing the housing crisis in California? California has tons of government intervention in the free market via regulations on environment impact, zoning, affordable housing/rent controls, Prop 13... etc. Maybe if we had less regulation... more housing density could get built, at a lower cost per unit, and we could start to dig out of this mess.

California's housing affordability is all self-inflicted state governmental interventionism. No pity for self inflicted wounds.

[LA21st]

California's housing affordability is all self-inflicted state governmental interventionism. No pity for self inflicted wounds.

Ok???????????

Who asked if we wanted your pity?

[Stay Stoked Brah]

Ok???????????

Who asked if we wanted your pity?

Nobody did. nobody asked you for your opinion either. am I not allowed to say anything here?

just wonderin'.

[LA21st]

Nobody did. nobody asked you for your opinion either. am I not allowed to say anything here?

just wonderin'.

It's just a weird comment that came out of nowhere.

[IMBY]

California's housing affordability is all self-inflicted state governmental interventionism. No pity for self inflicted wounds.

I might agree to governmental intervention, partially, but the out-of-control Nimby's are also to blame!

[Easy]

I might agree to governmental intervention, partially, but the out-of-control Nimby's are also to blame!

Most places have NIMBY's, but California has armed them with CEQA. It's amazing to me to see how easy it is to build stuff outside of California.

[SLO]

I might agree to governmental intervention, partially, but the out-of-control Nimby's are also to blame!

Permit and regulation process is really to blame on the lower end. Homeowners and builders have a hard time affording the time and money it takes to hire architects, engineers and other consultants needed for permits before even starting the permit process that often times is impossible to define timelines and cost.

There has been a statewide attempt to make it easier for ADU's, but the process has generated industries and consultants that don't exist in other states which has continued to drive up cost.

[caligrad]

That's why a lot of people use the one wall rule. If you tear down a house but leave up one wall, its technically considered a remodel. Less red tape and less time needed in the approvals for remodels. People do it all the time in Lakewood and orange county.

At the end of the day, its all the red tape and regulation but that red tape and regulation comes form some where. Politicians who don't have a clue and jealous nimbys that are loud enough and rich enough to be heard. There are people trying to fight the gateway tower up above in long beach still and its already topped out. "The size of it has already slowed down traffic on ocean blvd because people are staring at it".... Says my best friends neighbor who lives 3 blocks away. its mind boggling. But under the same breathe she said its not fair that she couldn't afford a condo in it once its done. The world is full of idiots :shrug:

[Yackemflaber69]

https://urbanize.la/post/first-look-onni-groups-two-tower-glendale-hotel-complex

I'm just gonna leave this here

[LAsam]

https://urbanize.la/post/first-look-onni-groups-two-tower-glendale-hotel-complex

I'm just gonna leave this here

Glendale is a city that has really embraced growth and benefited from it with lots of new development. The shame with Glendale is that it's not somehow connected to the transit system, like how Pasadena is.

[cargocultpants]

California's housing affordability is all self-inflicted state governmental interventionism. No pity for self inflicted wounds.

"Government" is often just the will of the people, especially in the case of the housing crisis. Look at Prop U, in Los Angeles, for example. That was a voter backed initiative, which drastically cut allowable built capacity...

[NYC2ATX]

https://urbanize.la/post/first-look-onni-groups-two-tower-glendale-hotel-complex

I'm just gonna leave this here

There's an aerial rendering in that link that is really worth opening in a new tab and viewing individually because it's an impressive image... also that block of freeway directly abutting this site is a PRIMEEE target for a freeway cap park :cheers:

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

There's an aerial rendering in that link that is really worth opening in a new tab and viewing individually because it's an impressive image... also that block of freeway directly abutting this site is a PRIMEEE target for a freeway cap park :cheers:


It's in the works. Several blocks of the 134 freeway from central Ave to Glendale Ave, which are all in a tunnel with no roof basically

[edale]

It's in the works. Several blocks of the 134 freeway from central Ave to Glendale Ave, which are all in a tunnel with no roof basically

I'd love to see that happen, but can we PLEASE cap the 101 between Civic Center and Olvera Street/Chinatown/Union Station first? And the 101 in Hollywood-- that area could definitely use some park space.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

I'd love to see that happen, but can we PLEASE cap the 101 between Civic Center and Olvera Street/Chinatown/Union Station first? And the 101 in Hollywood-- that area could definitely use some park space.

All of those should happen plus 110 through downtown

[edale]

All of those should happen plus 110 through downtown

From a connectivity perspective, the 110 should be capped through downtown. But it's a pretty sweet view driving through there...in fact, I think it might even be a state designated 'scenic vista'. Odd as it may sound, that could cause CEQA delays, as it'd represent denigration of an existing resource.

[NYC2ATX]

I would not want them to cap the 110 honestly. As is being alluded to in the previous post, it's probably the most iconic stretch of freeway in Los Angeles, in California, and quite possibly the country, so I would also argue that it's worthy of preservation.

[JerellO]

Would be cool if the downtown portion of the 110 had a skyscraper canyon/wall on both sides. Like the Chicago river but not a river lol or something similar to the high rises built up around Tokyo’s freeways

[sopas ej]

From a connectivity perspective, the 110 should be capped through downtown. But it's a pretty sweet view driving through there...in fact, I think it might even be a state designated 'scenic vista'. Odd as it may sound, that could cause CEQA delays, as it'd represent denigration of an existing resource.

The state-designated "scenic route" is the CA-110/Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway portion, not the I-110/Harbor Freeway portion.

[edale]

The state-designated "scenic route" is the CA-110/Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway portion, not the I-110/Harbor Freeway portion.

That makes sense. Thanks for sharing!

[Easy]

I would not want them to cap the 110 honestly. As is being alluded to in the previous post, it's probably the most iconic stretch of freeway in Los Angeles, in California, and quite possibly the country, so I would also argue that it's worthy of preservation.

I don't consider there to be anything "iconic" about the 110 fwy through downtown and I certainly won't miss viewing it.

[CaliNative]

I don't consider there to be anything "iconic" about the 110 fwy through downtown and I certainly won't miss viewing it.Since the Harbor freeway is mostly below grade through downtown, in principle it shouldn't be hard to cap it and make a linear park or even put some buildings above it. Same for the 101 flowing between City Hall and Union Terminal. Use the land. The traffic can flow underground.

[colemonkee]

I would definitely support capping the 110 through downtown. Much better to stand in a park and enjoy the view than driving through it (or, sitting in traffic, more realistically).

[Easy]

I was looking at the areas around the planned D line (purple) extension to speculate on potential new large-scale development and, not surprisingly, some of the station areas are already quite densely developed.

I started by looking at the UCLA station because as it's the future busiest station in the entire system (once the sepulveda pass line opens), it seems ideal for large scale development. The parking lot on the NW maybe? That surely can't stay.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50540884423_120de72bb9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k18f82)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k18f82) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

Century City seems to lack much room other than on top of the station or tearing down parking.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50541609301_224b29e1f1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXAV)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXAV) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

Very little space near Rodeo as well.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50541752957_5aeeaaf7bb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1cGiK)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k1cGiK) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

Not much room around La Cienega either.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50540883923_740c0c2bb9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k18eYp)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k18eYp) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

I think that there's a surprising amount of developable land surrounding the Future Fairfax station. The buildings/ businesses on the NW side are undersized and the land not fully used. Is the Museum expanding to the large parking lot on the SE?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50541608631_80b83d1d79_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXpn)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXpn) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

[LA21st]

I was looking at the areas around the planned D line (purple) extension to speculate on potential new large-scale development and, not surprisingly, some of the station areas are already quite densely developed.

I started by looking at the UCLA station because as it's the future busiest station in the entire system (once the sepulveda pass line opens), it seems ideal for large scale development. The parking lot on the NW maybe? That surely can't stay.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50540884423_120de72bb9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k18f82)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k18f82) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

Century City seems to lack much room other than on top of the station or tearing down parking.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50541609301_224b29e1f1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXAV)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXAV) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

Very little space near Rodeo as well.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50541752957_5aeeaaf7bb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1cGiK)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k1cGiK) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

Not much room around La Cienega either.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50540883923_740c0c2bb9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k18eYp)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k18eYp) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

I think that there's a surprising amount of developable land surrounding the Future Fairfax station. The buildings/ businesses on the NW side are undersized and the land not fully used. Is the Museum expanding to the large parking lot on the SE?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50541608631_80b83d1d79_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXpn)Future D Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/2k1bXpn) by Shawn Graham (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188997169@N06/), on Flickr

They can always tear down a smaller building.
Century city has a few. And people will be willing to walk a few blocks from the metro.
I think people will walk to Beverly center

[Easy]

Maybe. Anything built before 1980 is at risk of being considered historical. :haha:

[NIMBY Slayer]

Maybe. Anything built before 1980 is at risk of being considered historical. :haha:

Hopefully the sane people who's decisions matter will consider Pre-1950, Googie, and Mid-Century (the good stuff) historical.

It's getting to the point that 70s Brutalism and 80s-90s Crapism (am I the first to use that term?) is now considered historical which I hope it never will be. Ugh! :runaway:

[LA21st]

I think so. Remember they're going to add 2 40 story buildings to that 1980s complex near Fairfax.

I think you'l see alot of that all down the purple line.

[ChelseaFC]

I was looking at the areas around the planned D line (purple) extension to speculate on potential new large-scale development and, not surprisingly, some of the station areas are already quite densely developed.

I started by looking at the UCLA station because as it's the future busiest station in the entire system (once the sepulveda pass line opens), it seems ideal for large scale development. The parking lot on the NW maybe? That surely can't stay.

The large parking lot on Wilshire is owned by UCLA and serves as the main lot for hundreds of UCLA employees who work in multiple Wilshire office buildings and the Geffen Academy next door. So the university is unlikely to sell the site. If they do develop it, any proposals would need to include a large parking component.

[Easy]

The large parking lot on Wilshire is owned by UCLA and serves as the main lot for hundreds of UCLA employees who work in multiple Wilshire office buildings and the Geffen Academy next door. So the university is unlikely to sell the site. If they do develop it, any proposals would need to include a large parking component.

Is it possible that UCLA will need less parking than now once the D line and sepulveda pass lines are open? Metro is expecting this to be far and away the busiest station in the system, so a significant number of people that drive now may opt for transit.

[Easy]

How one South L.A. neighborhood got a new luxury tower — and rents starting at $3,100 (https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-28/councilman-herb-wesson-cumulus-project-apartment-tower)

By DAVID ZAHNISER, EMILY ALPERT REYES
OCT. 28, 20205 AM
The sleek new residential tower called Arq is billed as luxury living for L.A.'s creative set, with commanding views and studio apartments for $3,121 per month.

Located at the edge of South Los Angeles, the 30-story high-rise is unlike any other residential building in that part of the city, looming over its neighbors. It’s part of the Cumulus District, a development slated to house restaurants, a Whole Foods supermarket and more than 1,200 apartments.


More in the link, including some questionable decision making by LA council person, Herb Wesson.

[Easy]

Skanska, the same company that's building the D line extension started a commercial property office in LA. Their first development will be a 3 story office building at 9000 Wilshire in Beverly Hills. It's about halfway between the Rodeo and La Cienega stations. A little closer to Rodeo.

They just broke ground this month. Not a big deal, but worth noting given that they are a new player in town and their relationship to the subway.

https://commercialobserver.com/2020/10/skanska-beverly-hills-office-los-angeles/

[pwright1]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50546066098_4d8dc78cef_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50546796381_ebcd9be64e_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50546789966_1fc76fc28e_b.jpg

Subway construction
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50546075088_012f1e5584_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50558364921_24f7b99493_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50557583223_cd75ca4b7d_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50558345881_ba42778870_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50558478092_58987aa4b4_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50546071798_ee897b302d_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50557638933_9829a7dd7c_b.jpg

[LAsam]

^ I see they got the public artwork out on display. I wonder if that bust is of anyone in particular?

[LA21st]

Wait, is that other tower starting construction?

[ChelseaFC]

Wait, is that other tower starting construction?

That construction appears to be the Purple Line Century City station.

[LA21st]

Ah. Damn it.

[Niftybox]

I still have yet to see a good shot of the impact those towers have on the CC skyline from afar. I know easier said than done but it'll come someday if I ask enough times lol.

[pwright1]

I still have yet to see a good shot of the impact those towers have on the CC skyline from afar. I know easier said than done but it'll come someday if I ask enough times lol.

This is all I have for now.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50503649283_b96c1af253_b.jpg

[CaliNative]

:rolleyes:xI still have yet to see a good shot of the impact those towers have on the CC skyline from afar. I know easier said than done but it'll come someday if I ask enough times lol.

Nice pics pwright. I confirmed that they are 600' tall, about 30 feet taller than the bulkier triangular theme towers across the street. So they do make a huge impact. They are currently the tallest skyscrapers outside of DTLA in the region. They are giants from the SD freeway, but nobody can stop to take a pic. Maybe from an overpass?

[CaliNative]

This is all I have for now.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50503649283_b96c1af253_b.jpg

The 31 story, 398' Sierra Tower (residential) shows up nicely in this pic at the base of the hill. One of the first real skyscrapers built in the area in the early 1960s. I believe it is not in L.A., but in West Hollywood just off the Sunset Strip. Was this pic taken in the Mt. Olympus development?

[Steve8263]

^^^
Photo most likely taken from near the top of Sunset Plaza drive.
The Original twins seem to block the view of the new ones from most views further east.

[colemonkee]

They are visible looking west along Pico and Olympic around La Brea. And very prominent.

[pwright1]

:rolleyes:x

Nice pics pwright. I confirmed that they are 600' tall, about 30 feet taller than the bulkier triangular theme towers across the street. So they do make a huge impact. They are currently the tallest skyscrapers outside of DTLA in the region. They are giants from the SD freeway, but nobody can stop to take a pic. Maybe from an overpass?
Thanks. A construction worker told me they're approximately 550'.

[CaliNative]

Thanks. A construction worker told me they're approximately 550'.

They are 600'. Punch in "list of tallest buildings in L.A." on Wikipedia and they have them at 600. Also in your distance pic from the hill you posted you can see they are a bit taller than the theme towers. All the distance views show them as taller, and I believe they are about the same elevation as the themes. In all your observations, aren't they noticibly taller?

From wikipedia: the Theme Towers are 571' tall, the Century Plaza twins 600'. This is from new and official sources. I'll post the link later.

[Zapatan]

They do look 600' in comparison to Yamasaki's twins but I'm not sure the elevation difference.

It would make sense since luxury condos have higher ceilings.

[BaldwinDPB]

They do look 600' in comparison to Yamasaki's twins but I'm not sure the elevation difference.

It would make sense since luxury condos have higher ceilings.


I think that some of the high rise buildings in and around LA get short changed when it comes to their heights. According to the Council on High Rise Building and Habitat (the people who list all the heights to all the tall buildings in every city) a building is measured from the street to it's highest point. Be it a roof or a spire (excluding radio antenna). Two buildings in downtown LA come to mind. (1) The KPMG/KMPG Building at 560 feet. And the (2) AECOM Cal Plaza Building at 578 feet. The first building has been changed from 560 feet to 606 feet, if you will notice in the Council's revised listings. The second building clearly has a side to it that exceeds 600 feet. These buildings were built into Bunker Hill. Olive street has two levels where they dug into Bunker Hill to add a lower street level that services all the receiving bays to these tall buildings. Also the taller Cal Plaza Building at 750 feet has a side to it that I believe exceeds 800 feet in height.

[BaldwinDPB]

They are 600'. Punch in "list of tallest buildings in L.A." on Wikipedia and they have them at 600. Also in your distance pic from the hill you posted you can see they are a bit taller than the theme towers. All the distance views show them as taller, and I believe they are about the same elevation as the themes. In all your observations, aren't they noticibly taller?

From wikipedia: the Theme Towers are 571' tall, the Century Plaza twins 600'. This is from new and official sources. I'll post the link later.




Emporis has them at 600 feet, but Skyscraper Page. Com draws them in at 550 feet on the LA buildings profile.

[caligrad]

Emporis isnt always the most accurate sometimes.

[Doctorboffin]

What's the deal with Constellation Park in Century City? I remember Urbanize reported that they broke ground, but that was over a year ago, and I haven't seen any activity there since?

[LAsam]

What's the deal with Constellation Park in Century City? I remember Urbanize reported that they broke ground, but that was over a year ago, and I haven't seen any activity there since?

I don't have any insider knowledge, but my perception is that Covid-19 put a pause in the plans for that project.

[Quixote]

Although this isn’t the place for political talk, I think it’s worth acknowledging that urban planner Nithya Raman defeated incumbent David Ryu for City Council District 4. And Paul Koretz, who killed the “Uplift Melrose” streetscape improvement project will be out of office by mid-2021 after having served a maximum three terms.

[Pedestrian]

Don't know if this has been reported here before but thought you guys should know if not:

Blackstone Flexes Its Muscles in Hollywood
BY Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
— 8:00 AM ET 11/17/2020

A Blackstone Group partnership is planning to develop a new office tower near the sprawling Burbank and Warner Bros. studio complexes in California, where television programs such as "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "Days of Our Lives" are produced.

Blackstone's plan with Worthe Real Estate Group to build the 500,000-square-foot tower represents one of the largest U.S. office developments to move forward this year.

The project, which will be positioned to attract employees in the entertainment business, is a sign that space serving the TV and film industries is one of the few bright spots in the office sector during the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced many employees to work from home . . . .

Mr. Worthe said the decision to move ahead with the new building was made recently at a meeting of the venture that he formed with Blackstone in 2017. The venture owns 13 buildings and five development parcels, acquired for a total of $ 1.7 billion . . . .

Blackstone and Worthe are likely to break ground on the new building in 2022 on a site adjoining an existing office tower. That 480,000-square-foot property is fully leased thanks partly to demand from the Burbank Studios, which is across the street . . . .


https://eresearch.fidelity.com/eresearch/goto/evaluate/news/basicNewsStory.jhtml?symbols=BX&storyid=202011170800DOWJONESREALTIME003152

[LAsam]

Blackstone ($$$$) and Worthe (Expertise)? That's a potent combination! I'd say this has a high likelihood of happening.

[LA21st]

Could this be a 20 or 25 story high-rise?

[Pedestrian]

Could this be a 20 or 25 story high-rise?

I am by no means an expert on LA geography. I looked at the Worthe web site (https://worthe.com) to see if there was more information there. There are several possible projects listed--I wasn't sure which, if any of them, might be the one in question.

Seemed like maybe it could be "The Tower" (that sounds like a preliminary name) at 3900 W. Alameda Ave. But maybe you guys can figure it out.

The Tower
http://worthe.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/burbank-3900-w-alameda-rx2.jpg

[LAsam]

^ "The Tower" is the existing building in the foreground. A 500,000 sq ft tower would likely be similar in stature to that building.

[LA21st]

Yea. That's what I'm guessing.
Maybe even 30 stories.
There's no nimby issues, right?

[ChelseaFC]

Great update from Roger Vincent at the Times on the multiple revitalization projects at the Port of Los Angeles and San Pedro.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-11-22/former-ports-ocall-village-san-pedro-development-entertainment-retail

West Harbor

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c0443b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5464x3640+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F14%2F2a%2F56b1d8a24951935829bddcc5c693%2Ffi-west-harbor-rendering-1.jpg
https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2edaa5f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1489+0+0/resize/840x417!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F55%2F91%2F812b8f094a27b5186832c0bb794a%2Ffi-west-harbor-rendering-3.jpg

AltaSea

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/235021e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5000x2092+0+0/resize/840x351!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0a%2F46%2F2721a99c4f4c8866c863e81628c4%2Ffi-altasea-berth-56-4.jpg
https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2e741de/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1037+0+0/resize/840x454!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe6%2F27%2F88e7f7494e3fbbd30b77bbabf36b%2Ffi-altasea-berth-58-60-2.jpg
https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/73993a9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4500x1882+0+0/resize/840x351!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2Fd5%2F27c590a4463688f218f49fe3ef29%2Ffi-altasea-berth-56-2.jpg

[BeachHouse]

Hi from Perth Australia !!

[CaliNative]

Hi from Perth Australia !!

Hello Perth!! Perth is said to be the most isolated major city in the world, being so far away from other major cities. I find that to be a selling point. I like plenty of legroom. Living in Perth, do you feel like you are isolated and lonely? If I lived in Australia I'm quite sure I would live in Perth or maybe Freemantle, with Adelaide and Hobart being my second and third choices. California is just getting too crowded, no advantage in a pandemic.

[WayOutWest]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Grabbed these shots a couple weeks ago when I came down from Vegas...Quality isn't the best but you can definitely get an idea of whats going on. Per the thread rules, i excluded the Downtown photos & put them on the other LA thread for you to check out.

Wilshire Blvd Temple

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50649738588_3e90bc51c1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kaK9EY)IMG_9869 (https://flic.kr/p/2kaK9EY) by Anthony Diaz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190754713@N06/), on Flickr

Vermont Corridor Tower

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50650573012_26638ef3b0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kaPqHA)IMG_9868 (https://flic.kr/p/2kaPqHA) by Anthony Diaz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190754713@N06/), on Flickr

2900 Wilshire

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50650572577_70d73c5f15_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kaPqA6)IMG_9862 (https://flic.kr/p/2kaPqA6) by Anthony Diaz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190754713@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50669775006_9e9f080911_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kcvQNs)IMG_9866 (https://flic.kr/p/2kcvQNs) by Anthony Diaz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190754713@N06/), on Flickr

Shoreline Gateway Long Beach

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50669868937_ae3347815e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kcwjHX)IMG_7359 (https://flic.kr/p/2kcwjHX) by Anthony Diaz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190754713@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50669792421_32331c9b3c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kcvVYH)IMG_7363 (https://flic.kr/p/2kcvVYH) by Anthony Diaz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190754713@N06/), on Flickr

Alamitos Concessions Stand Long Beach

https://www.presstelegram.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Capture2.jpg?w=780

https://www.presstelegram.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Capture1.jpg?w=780

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50669868377_e0ded686fc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kcwjyi)IMG_7345 (https://flic.kr/p/2kcwjyi) by Anthony Diaz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/190754713@N06/), on Flickr

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Awesome and welcome! Drove by the temple on Wilshire today and it looks great. High end quality materials used for the facade

[Prahaboheme]

Exciting time for the Wilshire corridor. Between all the infill development, the Purple Line extension, and the museum district developments, there is a ton to see all the way from Koreatown right through Miracle Mile, Century City, west to the 405.

[colemonkee]

Thanks for the shots, WayOutWest! Shoreline Gateway is coming along nicely. Can't say the same for the podium of 2900 Wilshire. Looks very cheap compared to the tower, and that's the part that's closest to how most people will view it.

[caligrad]

I drive through Downtown Long Beach every day.....it truly has soooo much potential. I wish it was more of a destination. It needs something to be a bigger draw. I wish Disney had built that theme park in the late 90s/ Early 2000s like they were going to (hate you nimby's and hotel lobbyist). I think that would have really pushed Long Beach to rival SD in terms of beach city.

(For those who don't know, Disney once planned for a theme park, now California Adventure, to be built right next to the Queen Mary when they were scouting for a new park. California Adventure meets Epcot, didn't happen because they were beaten down by nimbys who didn't want the traffic, Hotel lobbyist downtown who were offended that Disney planned on building its own hotel and to make it worse, disney was struggling finanically back then.)

[Radio5]

I drive through Downtown Long Beach every day.....it truly has soooo much potential. I wish it was more of a destination. It needs something to be a bigger draw. I wish Disney had built that theme park in the late 90s/ Early 2000s like they were going to (hate you nimby's and hotel lobbyist). I think that would have really pushed Long Beach to rival SD in terms of beach city.

(For those who don't know, Disney once planned for a theme park, now California Adventure, to be built right next to the Queen Mary when they were scouting for a new park. California Adventure meets Epcot, didn't happen because they were beaten down by nimbys who didn't want the traffic, Hotel lobbyist downtown who were offended that Disney planned on building its own hotel and to make it worse, disney was struggling finanically back then.)

I don't know, it's kind of a nice reprieve from the "city". Now it's calm, affordable, walkable. Don't think it would be if it had that element to it. Just like if the Port was built in the Santa Monica Bay instead of Long Beach, think of the surf/skate culture that would probably not exist because our downtown would be by the sea (as much as I would love to see it there sometimes).