LOS ANGELES | Countywide Project Rundown Megathread

[Illithid Dude]

The problem with 3rd Street isn't the amount of people there, it's the amount of vacancies. It's easily half vacant. Santa Monica Place is also probably 2/3rds vacant. Not sure how that can be solved beyond turning it into offices or tearing the whole thing down and building housing.

[LA21st]

Third Street is 30 percent, but there's openings coming later this year that will chip into it.

The mall has a new owner is likely trying to figure out what he's gonna do with it.

[Radio5]

Originally Posted by LA21st

I'm confused, you were on Ocean Ave and saw barely anyone walking? Were you doing this at 8 am on a weekday? There was an absollute crush of people in downtown SM yesterday.
Third Street looked like 2007 third street. You dont see all the people walking in Palisades Park? I don't get what you mean.

The World Cup stuff doesn't pick up until after noon on any day.

The Farmers Market/Farifax/Third over on that side is crazy busy too right now.

I walk on ocean from san vicente to the pier. It usually is busy with locals and tourists pre world cup north of wilshire; people with tons of blankets on the grass, etc even at 4-5, But as of last week, I noticed barely anyone until you got down to the pier and promanade. I also was able to drive from the westside to glassell park and back in no time. Usually takes 50 min each way, last week it was 30. I've been out of town since the 24th so maybe it was just a slow week

[LA21st]

Originally Posted by Radio5

I walk on ocean from san vicente to the pier. It usually is busy with locals and tourists pre world cup north of wilshire; people with tons of blankets on the grass, etc even at 4-5, But as of last week, I noticed barely anyone until you got down to the pier and promanade. I also was able to drive from the westside to glassell park and back in no time. Usually takes 50 min each way, last week it was 30. I've been out of town since the 24th so maybe it was just a slow week

Wasnt last weekend bad because of the air quality? I think people were trying to stay indoors. I didnt want to go anywhere myself.
I actually went down to San Clemente last weekend.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Radio5

I walk on ocean from san vicente to the pier. It usually is busy with locals and tourists pre world cup north of wilshire; people with tons of blankets on the grass, etc even at 4-5, But as of last week, I noticed barely anyone until you got down to the pier and promanade. I also was able to drive from the westside to glassell park and back in no time. Usually takes 50 min each way, last week it was 30. I've been out of town since the 24th so maybe it was just a slow week

Anecdotally I also felt like there was no traffic last week, but I think it was basically a fluke. Last Monday I got from Santa Monica to Los Feliz in 30 minutes at 6pm, which is insane.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by LA21st

Wasnt last weekend bad because of the air quality? I think people were trying to stay indoors. I didnt want to go anywhere myself.
I actually went down to San Clemente last weekend.

Yeah, that week with the bad air, I stayed home for the most part.

Yesterday evening, after leaving Lucky Tiki (the awesome tiki bar above Tail O' the Pup), the hubs and I took a stroll down Santa Monica Blvd. The sidewalks were packed, and the World Cup tourists were out in force. We made a game of trying to figure out all of their different jerseys.

[LA21st]

I think it's having a postive showing for the city. They all look happy to be here.

There's WC fans all over, even going to coffee shops in Studio City. Maybe they're staying there at an Air bnb or something, but they appear to be all over the place.

[caligrad]

Overall from my perspective as someone whos forced to drive from LB/OC/Westside regularly for work, Its busier for sure. Traffic is lighter ( but when gas is as high as it is right now, thats to be expected).

In regards to 3rd street promenade, i would think that property owners would be a little smarter, ditch the retail component at this point and give LA a solid live music/entertainment district ( think Broadway in Nashville). Its time to pivot away from the retail and turn some of those stores to entertainment. I also believe Hollywood blvd between Highland and Vine need to go the entertainment route with live music as well.

WEHO has seen a massive uptick in hetero couples going to the bars there. Maybe. Just maybe these folks are dying for a space of their own.

[LAsam]

I'd guess that zoning is likely a big factor here. The property owners can only operate businesses and incorporate designs that adhere to the prescribed zoning by the city.

Originally Posted by caligrad

In regards to 3rd street promenade, i would think that property owners would be a little smarter, ditch the retail component at this point and give LA a solid live music/entertainment district ( think Broadway in Nashville). Its time to pivot away from the retail and turn some of those stores to entertainment.

[ethereal_reality]

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oops. . .I posted this on the wrong thread.



I would have guessed this slide was taken in Texas but the seller says it is the Port of Los Angeles.

"Fire Chief Gasoline Tanks @ Port of Los Angeles 1950's 35mm Slide"


eBay

But on closer inspection I spy a Los Angeles company...Do you see it?

.

[craigs]

Downtown L.A. World Trade Center to become affordable apartments

Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
June 30, 2026

• A $200-million makeover will turn the aging L.A. World Trade Center downtown into Sky Castle, a 512-unit complex anchoring a campaign to build 4,000 new affordable apartments across Los Angeles.
• Two major real estate firms, Jamison and Kennedy Wilson, plan about 15 projects, largely converting aging offices near transit between downtown and the 405 Freeway into subsidized, below-market homes for moderate-income Angelenos.
• Rents at Sky Castle are expected to start at $937 for one-bedrooms, with family-size units under $1,300, reflecting L.A.’s push to reuse offices to ease its housing crunch.

An aging downtown office complex will be converted into apartments as part of an ambitious plan by local real estate companies to create 4,000 affordable housing units in Los Angeles.

The first project will be a $200-million makeover of the L.A. World Trade Center, a sprawling white elephant of an office complex on Figueroa Street built in the 1970s that will be turned into 512 apartments in one of the largest affordable housing conversions to date downtown.

Future projects being planned in the central city for delivery over the next five years will include other office-to-apartment conversions and new housing built from the ground up.
. . . .

[caligrad]

Originally Posted by LAsam

I'd guess that zoning is likely a big factor here. The property owners can only operate businesses and incorporate designs that adhere to the prescribed zoning by the city.

Sounds like they need to push the city of Santa Monica to change zoning and quickly. 3rd street promenade is perfect for a live music row of venues/bars/clubs. Especially since the area is already closed off to street traffic.

[citywatch]

• Video Link


• Video Link

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Radio5

I must be going to the wrong places, because i feel like LA has been more dead than usual. Barely any traffic, barely anyone on ocean ave walking (I walk this almost everyday), i took the subway from lacma to DT (it was clean and no crazy homeless), and DT was looking bleak in the historic core, granted it was a weekday.

• Video Link

[LAisthePlace]

Originally Posted by citywatch

• Video Link

Can you please stop with the random, clickbait-y, travel influencer videos giving their "perspective" on "the state" of a city as massive and multi-faceted as Los Angeles.

I truly think you are the only one on the forum that gets value out of them.

[SC_00_05]

Not sure if old news or not, but 4th & Central approved

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/city-approves-massive-2-billion-downtown-la-development/

Of course doesn't mean it's going to be built...but one can hope.

[LA21st]

Originally Posted by LAisthePlace

Can you please stop with the random, clickbait-y, travel influencer videos giving their "perspective" on "the state" of a city as massive and multi-faceted as Los Angeles.

I truly think you are the only one on the forum that gets value out of them.

Exactly, he/she gives it so much weight. It's literally one person's opinion, and there's several videos in the WC that loved coming here. Also, those kinds of videos do better when it's overly negative for rage bait comments and clicks. Not sure why you can't figure this out in 2026 already.
Its not ust for LA, its Vegas, NYC, SF, rural america etc. MOST PEOPLE who watch these videos KNOW they aren't completely reality and take them with a grain of salt.

I'll say it louder for you. SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS THRIVE ON NEGATIVITY.

The boring, uneditied "driving/walking" videos dont do well because they're kinda boring. The person doesnt make comments, they just drive and people can observe for themselves.

[OakAngeles]

Originally Posted by craigs

Downtown L.A. World Trade Center to become affordable apartments

Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
June 30, 2026

• A $200-million makeover will turn the aging L.A. World Trade Center downtown into Sky Castle, a 512-unit complex anchoring a campaign to build 4,000 new affordable apartments across Los Angeles.
• Two major real estate firms, Jamison and Kennedy Wilson, plan about 15 projects, largely converting aging offices near transit between downtown and the 405 Freeway into subsidized, below-market homes for moderate-income Angelenos.
• Rents at Sky Castle are expected to start at $937 for one-bedrooms, with family-size units under $1,300, reflecting L.A.’s push to reuse offices to ease its housing crunch.

An aging downtown office complex will be converted into apartments as part of an ambitious plan by local real estate companies to create 4,000 affordable housing units in Los Angeles.

The first project will be a $200-million makeover of the L.A. World Trade Center, a sprawling white elephant of an office complex on Figueroa Street built in the 1970s that will be turned into 512 apartments in one of the largest affordable housing conversions to date downtown.

Future projects being planned in the central city for delivery over the next five years will include other office-to-apartment conversions and new housing built from the ground up.
. . . .

This might not be the flashiest project but damn that is honestly fantastic news. That part of Downtown was always kind of quiet but that could be a selling point for people who want to be Downtown but also be away from the hustle & bustle a bit. And just in general it's great to see some office conversions actually coming to fruition.

[scania]

Originally Posted by craigs

Downtown L.A. World Trade Center to become affordable apartments

Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
June 30, 2026

• A $200-million makeover will turn the aging L.A. World Trade Center downtown into Sky Castle, a 512-unit complex anchoring a campaign to build 4,000 new affordable apartments across Los Angeles.
• Two major real estate firms, Jamison and Kennedy Wilson, plan about 15 projects, largely converting aging offices near transit between downtown and the 405 Freeway into subsidized, below-market homes for moderate-income Angelenos.
• Rents at Sky Castle are expected to start at $937 for one-bedrooms, with family-size units under $1,300, reflecting L.A.’s push to reuse offices to ease its housing crunch.

An aging downtown office complex will be converted into apartments as part of an ambitious plan by local real estate companies to create 4,000 affordable housing units in Los Angeles.

The first project will be a $200-million makeover of the L.A. World Trade Center, a sprawling white elephant of an office complex on Figueroa Street built in the 1970s that will be turned into 512 apartments in one of the largest affordable housing conversions to date downtown.

Future projects being planned in the central city for delivery over the next five years will include other office-to-apartment conversions and new housing built from the ground up.
. . . .

This is amazing.

[scania]

Originally Posted by SC_00_05

Not sure if old news or not, but 4th & Central approved

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/city-approves-massive-2-billion-downtown-la-development/

Of course doesn't mean it's going to be built...but one can hope.

Technically, hella cool.