LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[edkao]

Originally Posted by fridayinla

Seeing this High School picture reminded me a question I was going to ask about the Glass Tower.

The see thru metal screens, is that the same stuff the developer of the Glass Tower is planning on installing on the lower floors of their building?

If so, I have to go thumbs down on that decision. I think that looks kist horrible.

[edkao]

Question about the AT&T Center remodel.

Now that Windows restaurant will be gone in a few months, and the refacing seems complete. What happened to the plans to enclose the top of the building with glass?

[edkao]

A quick shot of Eastern Columbia at night.

[citywatch]

Board OKs Grand Design

Work could begin in fall

BY TROY ANDERSON, Staff Writer
LA Daily News, 06/19/2007

Anticipating a futuristic 48-story tower near the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles County supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve schematic design drawings for the first phase of the $2 billion Grand Avenue project. Bill Witte, president of The Related Cos. of California, said the designs call for the tower to be designed by architect Frank Gehry and feature reflective, undulating glass. They also call for a second, 25-story tower with a more "sober, traditional design."

With approval of the drawings, construction on the project designed to transform the downtown skyline -- and create a vibrant heart for the city with entertainment venues, restaurants, a hotel and a 16-acre park -- is expected to begin in October.

"As you look at the model, you can see something that is very dynamic," Supervisor Gloria Molina said. "There is no other area in downtown like this."

Supporters of the project say it will revitalize downtown with 3.6 million square feet of development, including more than 2,000 condominiums and retail stores. But Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has repeatedly voted against the project, estimating $176 million in tax breaks and subsidies will be needed.

Tuesday, Antonovich questioned Witte about clashes between the architect and developer over the designs, why no bookstore or supermarket had signed up to lease space, whether potential glare from the buildings had been addressed and how officials will address concerns by court officials over the lack of parking. Witte said he's never worked on a project where architects didn't clash with developers. "Not only has it not hindered us, but the end product is probably much better because of the back and forth," Witte said.

It's still too early in the process for major retailers like bookstores and grocery stores to sign letters of intent to lease space, he added. And he said the firm that conducted a glare study on Disney Hall is studying the best materials to use on the towers to reduce reflections from the sun.

Antonovich said downtown parking for court workers and jurors was not enough. This could result, he said, in jurors having to park farther away and causing trial delays. "We are talking about people who are not necessarily active members at the neighborhood gym, and considering the type of geography this facility is located on in the hills, it's not convenient for some of the older people," he said.

He also raised concerns that court officials have no plans to replace the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, located between the proposed 16-acre park and the county Hall of Administration. Chief Executive Officer David Janssen said replacing the courthouse would cost $700 million to $800 million, but it's not on a state priority list.

"The cost to replace the courthouse and county hall will exceed $1 billion," Antonovich said.

Janssen said the county has set aside $100 million to replace the county hall. A location for the new county hall could be the existing Court of Flags off Hill Street. The supervisors have until next summer to decide whether to replace the hall, which was damaged in the Northridge Earthquake.

[Quixote]

VERY disappointing to hear that the County buildings will remain put. Though I have a feeling that they will eventually come down and be replaced by some much needed park space.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Antonivich proves he is an idiot once again.

[Steve2726]

Antonovich said downtown parking for court workers and jurors was not enough. This could result, he said, in jurors having to park farther away and causing trial delays. "We are talking about people who are not necessarily active members at the neighborhood gym, and considering the type of geography this facility is located on in the hills, it's not convenient for some of the older people," he said.


Good God, is this guy for real? We should hold up this massive project that could do wonders for bunker hill because people might have to walk more than a block to park? Brilliant.

[WonderlandPark]

Originally Posted by Steve2726

Good God, is this guy for real? We should hold up this massive project that could do wonders for bunker hill because people might have to walk more than a block to park? Brilliant.

and incredible short sighted. These courts building is one of the top priority replacement projects in the city and likely, because it is courts, there will be Federal dollars to dip into. So the thing is going to be replaced, likely moved and this joker wants to hold up a massive redevelopment for a rickety old parking garage because it is close? aargh.

[fridayinla]

From LACurbed:



Whole Foods (Sort of) Confirmed for Downtown!

"In one of those moments where we heard a conversation we shouldn't hear, but we still heard it, we get news that Whole Foods will definitely be taking up a retail spot in the LA Live project. Hopefully, we'll be getting an official announcement soon, but as for now you'll have to trust us. With Ralph's Fresh Fare opening up several blocks away, South Park is about to get a whole lot of expensive wine and cheese."

[Sodha]

This is the problem with an auto-based mindset. Why can't these jurors/employees take Metro instead of cars? If we build more compact, the bus & rail would run superior to the personal automobile.

[djerniepearl]

Also dissapointed here that the KREMLIN style court and County Hall will not be razed. Those have to be the ugliest rectangular boxes ever built in L.A.

[WonderlandPark]

Originally Posted by djerniepearl

Also dissapointed here that the KREMLIN style court and County Hall will not be razed. Those have to be the ugliest rectangular boxes ever built in L.A.

Almost want to make you pray for a 5.6 quake on Bunker Hill, which wouldn't do much to the modern towers but would probably make the County Hall unsafe and unusable. A city of 4 million, and a county more populous than the state of Michigan ought to be able to afford a replacement.

[colemonkee]

Hmm, I'm trying to figure out where they would put a Whole Foods in the first phase of LA Live. Can't seem to place it.

Speaking of grocery stores, I drove by Ralph's tonight and the lights were on and there were boxes of inventory (re: non-perishable food) ready to be stocked onto shelves that are largely in place. If this pending strike delays the opening, I'm going to punch the next Union leader I see.

[colemonkee]

Front page updated with new renders. Thanks, friday!

[hughfb3]

Originally Posted by fridayinla

From LACurbed:

Whole Foods (Sort of) Confirmed for Downtown!
"In one of those moments where we heard a conversation we shouldn't hear, but we still heard it, we get news that Whole Foods will definitely be taking up a retail spot in the LA Live project. Hopefully, we'll be getting an official announcement soon, but as for now you'll have to trust us. With Ralph's Fresh Fare opening up several blocks away, South Park is about to get a whole lot of expensive wine and cheese."

I think someone at curbedLA heard wrong. The grocery store is supposed to go in LA Live's sister project LA Central directly across the street. This might be the first news coming out about LA Central since NYC based Moinian Group purchased the lot early last year.

I think because LA Central is a part of the master plan that AEG put forth for the entire Sports & Entertainment District that it got mixed up. Rather than saying whole foods will be in the new Sports & Entertainment district that LA Live anchors, they simply said LA Live

[k3d]

Last night my wife and I walked to the 7th/hope subway station and for the first time we took the subway for a ride. We went to the Hollywood and Highland station which came out right on busy Hollywood way. It took about 17 minutes. We liked the restaurant Koji's Sushi & Shabu Shabu where you cook the food at your table in boiling water. Our table had a great view of the downtown we just traveled from. We will be taking the subway much more often. It was a great experience. It just made my 3 or 4 city blocks of restaurant choices a whole lot bigger.

[fridayinla]

Originally Posted by k3d

Last night my wife and I walked to the 7th/hope subway station and for the first time we took the subway for a ride. We went to the Hollywood and Highland station which came out right on busy Hollywood way. It took about 17 minutes. We liked the restaurant Koji's Sushi & Shabu Shabu where you cook the food at your table in boiling water. Our table had a great view of the downtown we just traveled from. We will be taking the subway much more often. It was a great experience. It just made my 3 or 4 city blocks of restaurant choices a whole lot bigger.

You live downtown in the Sky Lofts right? That's awesome you guys have discovered the red line. I go to Hollywood all the time now b/c of it. I'm sure you've looked at all your options, but the Hollywood/Vine station is only a long block away from the Arclight and restaurants at Sunset/Vine. Just keep an eye on the train schedule You can save yourselves 10-15 mins of waiting during those later night hours!

[fridayinla]

Originally Posted by hughfb3

I think someone at curbedLA heard wrong. The grocery store is supposed to go in LA Live's sister project LA Central directly across the street. This might be the first news coming out about LA Central since NYC based Moinan Group purchased the lot early last year.

Was Whole Foods ever confirmed for LA Central? I heard it as a rumor, but never saw anything official.

[k3d]

Originally Posted by fridayinla

You live downtown in the Sky Lofts right? That's awesome you guys have discovered the red line. I go to Hollywood all the time now b/c of it. I'm sure you've looked at all your options, but the Hollywood/Vine station is only a long block away from the Arclight and restaurants at Sunset/Vine. Just keep an eye on the train schedule You can save yourselves 10-15 mins of waiting during those later night hours!

Yes, I work around Cuengha and Fountain so I will try to take the redline to work 2 or 3 days a week. The new Charcoal opened at Arclight. Soon they will open a Hollywood Sushi, The Arclight Cafe is ok and convenient if yor late for the show. There is also, Baja Fresh, Zen, Kabuki and Molly's hamburger stand. Probably a dozen more at Universal and more in N. Hollywood. And that's just the Redline I suppose. Suddenly I feel like I'm in New York City (kinda)

[hughfb3]

Originally Posted by fridayinla

Was Whole Foods ever confirmed for LA Central? I heard it as a rumor, but never saw anything official.

It was never officially confirmed, but we are getting close to that time when LA Central is supposed to break ground as stated by others below. What I was saying is that curbed probably messed up in how they worded it. They should have said that whole foods has sort of been confirmed in LA Live's sister project within AEG's Sports & Entertainment District that [LA Live] anchors, rather than just LA Live.

future_trance011
April 28th, 2007, 01:42 PM
Any news on LA Central(formerly Figueroa Central)? I thought it was supposed to break ground pretty soon. I haven't heard any news about it for quite awhile. What's keeping the Moinan Group from building that son of a biscuit already!? Maybe after the NBA playoffs? IMO, this project will be a very crucial component to the success of LA Live and also important if Figueora is to become more pedstrian friendly. It must be built ASAP!!!
LosAngelesSportsFan
April 28th, 2007, 10:48 PM
i think its suppose to break ground in May or June, my guess is after the Lakers are done, hopefully Late June! There was a meeting recently about South Park Projects and i think it was announced that they would break ground soon!

THE MOINIAN GROUP ACQUIRES PRIZED LOS ANGELES DEVELOPMENT SITE

Further Expands Presence in LA Market

August 22, 2006

The Moinian Group, a leading real estate development company, has acquired from AEG four acres of prime land for development in resurgent downtown Los Angeles. The property, located at the corner of 11th and Figueroa Streets and across the street from STAPLES Center and the L.A. Live project being developed by AEG is considered to be the prime development parcel immediately adjacent to one of the largest sports and entertainment districts in the world. The Moinian Group's acquisition is valued at $80 million and closed in early August.

The New York-based Moinian Group is one of the real estate industry's most active developers. It has an expertise in multi-use urban projects and is in the midst of a nationwide expansion with a particular focus on Los Angeles, where they recently acquired a development site at 808 South Olive Street in partnership with Henry Shahery.

The Moinian Group has proposed an exciting vision for the site which includes a mix of residential dwelling formats including lofts, condominiums, townhouses and luxury penthouse units within two high-rise towers of 45 and 33 stories. Additionally, the plan, designed by international architecture firm, RTKL, calls for an array of retail amenities and services including lifestyle shops, a gourmet food store, luxury retail, new restaurant concepts, a health and fitness club as well as other hospitality/entertainment endeavors. Finally, the master site-plan has contemplated the potential inclusion of a boutique hotel to complete the nearly 2 million square foot development. Total cost of the project is estimated at more than $700 million, including site acquisition.

"Our design for the Figueroa Central mixed-use development completes the rapidly emerging heart of downtown and forms the connection between South Park, L.A. Live and the Los Angeles Convention Center along Figueroa Boulevard," said Joseph Moinian, CEO of The Moinian Group. "This important site fuses these areas together with two towers and street oriented retail and restaurants. This will become a neighborhood where people will live, shop and play."

Mr. Moinian's concept emphasizes the creation of a high-energy streetscape further defining the identity of this sprawling metropolis. Beyond framing downtown's image, the scheme animates adjacent streets and includes retail lining mid-block passages to create much needed pedestrian-only areas.

"We are thrilled to partner with The Moinian Group and are united with their vision for downtown Los Angeles, revitalizing this area along with AEG, as the next world-class destination," said Henry Shahery. "We believe that this will be a premier sports and entertainment venue and want to be part of the creation of this community."

The Figueroa Central development will make up the residential and retail core of the L.A. Live sports and entertainment district, envisioned as the world's largest combination of entertainment and performance venues comprehensively planned with vibrant residential and retail components.