LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[Easy]

LA Central has got to be the most likely on that list. I know that it was reported here that the fence was completely up, but what I didn’t know until I drove by yesterday morning was that the parking lot inside is completely closed. They must be planning on breaking ground sometime soon.

The Glass Tower has to be the least likely of all of the approved projects because it doesn’t appear to have ever secured financing. It could be that the owner is a speculator and not a builder and his real intention is to sell the property. There have been for sale signs put up a couple of times IIRC. Then if it is sold the rules downtown have changed so much that it will likely be totally reworked to include some of those smaller units that were only recently allowed.

[jlrobe]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

LA Central has been approved and the site is being prepared for construction.

So financing, approvals, and designs have been completely finalized? That construction fence is definitely ownerd by moinian? Why isnt there a design billboard like the Ritz, Solair, or Glass tower adversiting what's getting put in?

Anyhow, this is good news.

summer '08 is good enough for the others. December '08 is really when LA live will catch on as a household name, and as long as the other projects are drawing cranes by then, I'll be happy.

[RAlossi]

Yeah, Glass Tower is on the bottom of my list of what I believe will get built anytime soon. Their site still says "coming fall 2007." http://www.theglasstower.com/

I remember reading that the developer (Kalantari) was really young and relatively inexperienced. Who knows? Maybe we'll see construction fencing go up tomorrow, but I doubt it.

LA Central is most likely a go. Jardin is a definite "probably"; and FIDM is a definite "maybe." Whatever that means.

Whatever happens, I'm definitely satisfied with the state of things now (of course, there's always room for improvement). Fill up those condos and apartments that are already built or are near completion, and the neighborhood will already have changed so much from a few years ago.

Retail openings and announcements are happening almost every day lately:

Pastagina (open)
Robeks (multiple open)
Coffee Bean at Ralphs (open)
Main Street Grill (open)
Nabe Shabu (open)
LA Sandwich Shop (open)
Pinkberry (open)
Johnny Rockets Express (buildout)
Beard Papa's (open)
I <3 Boba (open)
7-Eleven (buildout)
Famima Water Court (buildout)
Wokcano (buildout)
Ralphs (open till 2:00 a.m. now)
Oh Restaurant in the Orchid Hotel (almost open)
MODE restaurant (planning? buildout?)
Unnamed eatery at Luma (planning)
Unnamed eatery at Union Lofts (planning)
Unknown eatery at Santa Fe Lofts (permitting)


These are just a few of the food-oriented establishments I've noted progress for in just the last couple weeks, and just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

[jlrobe]

Originally Posted by Easy

LA Central has got to be the most likely on that list. I know that it was reported here that the fence was completely up, but what I didn’t know until I drove by yesterday morning was that the parking lot inside is completely closed. They must be planning on breaking ground sometime soon.

The Glass Tower has to be the least likely of all of the approved projects because it doesn’t appear to have ever secured financing. It could be that the owner is a speculator and not a builder and his real intention is to sell the property. There have been for sale signs put up a couple of times IIRC. Then if it is sold the rules downtown have changed so much that it will likely be totally reworked to include some of those smaller units that were only recently allowed.

So no glass tower eh. Oh well. How about Jardin? Did they get their financing back in order or are they still looking for funding?

Is FIDM approved and financed? I havent heard much about them at all.

[jlrobe]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Yeah, Glass Tower is on the bottom of my list of what I believe will get built anytime soon. Their site still says "coming fall 2007." http://www.theglasstower.com/

I remember reading that the developer (Kalantari) was really young and relatively inexperienced. Who knows? Maybe we'll see construction fencing go up tomorrow, but I doubt it.

LA Central is most likely a go. Jardin is a definite "probably"; and FIDM is a definite "maybe." Whatever that means.

Whatever happens, I'm definitely satisfied with the state of things now (of course, there's always room for improvement). Fill up those condos and apartments that are already built or are near completion, and the neighborhood will already have changed so much from a few years ago.

Retail openings and announcements are happening almost every day lately:

Pastagina (open)
Robeks (multiple open)
Coffee Bean at Ralphs (open)
Main Street Grill (open)
Nabe Shabu (open)
LA Sandwich Shop (open)
Pinkberry (open)
Johnny Rockets Express (buildout)
Beard Papa's (open)
I <3 Boba (open)
7-Eleven (buildout)
Famima Water Court (buildout)
Wokcano (buildout)
Ralphs (open till 2:00 a.m. now)
MODE restaurant (planning? buildout?)
Unnamed eatery at Luma (planning)
Unnamed eatery at Union Lofts (planning)
Unknown eatery at Santa Fe Lofts (permitting)


These are just a few of the food-oriented establishments I've noted progress for in just the last couple weeks, and just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Sounds quite exciting. I am happy too. I love going downtown and I take a lot of my out of friends (SF'ers) downtown. Even though I wont go to LA live often (I am more looking forward to the opening of the ImaginAsian Center) I want that wow factor!

10 years ago, SOMA in DTSF did not impress me in the slightest, but when I rolled up to the Metreon I was like "whoa, what the heck is that?!"

For me, I wont be as happy with downtown if LA central isn't built. When I take people (including myself) to downtown at night, I want a grand entrance. I want to look at something and be impressed and feel like I have arrived at the city center. LA live will not have a WOW factor without the bright shiny towers along fig, just like the disney hall sorta falls flat due to all of the parking lots surrounding it.

Medallion, South Group, Roosevelt, Brockman, and other buildings are probably ones where I will hang out the most, but they don't have that WOW factor that LA central will help provide to downtown.

[JDRCRASH]

OMG, Nokia Theatre is bright and blue!!!
I just found out that my Instructor at college actually lives near the block of Union Ave. and 11th st, and he said that

I'm sooo glad that the exterior construction of Hanover is coming to a close, as I was sick of that fugly looking tarp covering it for months!

From the computer rendering of 1233 South Hope, it looks like it's metallic facade resembles that of Phase 1 of the Grand Avenue Project.
2 more projects in Downtown in the past 1 to 2 weeks, not bad huh!


BTW, remember that article I posted twice several days ago?.....
Did Zev Yaroslavsky get what he wanted in that ordinance about two weeks ago in revising the zoning changes the city was going to make?

[Easy]

Any ideas what the restaurant inside Luma will be? IIRC the news release had something in there about a liquor license and that the operating hours are from early in the morning until late at night. I was thinking that must mean that it’s some place that serves breakfast so I didn’t see how that could be as fancy as they were making it out to be. Unless putting in such hours are typical just to keep their options open. Anyone know how it works?

[RAlossi]

There was talk of alcoholic beverages and a jazz / piano lounge... which would imply dinner / late night as well.

[jlrobe]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Pastagina (open)
Robeks (multiple open)
Coffee Bean at Ralphs (open)
Main Street Grill (open)
Nabe Shabu (open)
LA Sandwich Shop (open)
Pinkberry (open)
Johnny Rockets Express (buildout)
Beard Papa's (open)
I <3 Boba (open)
7-Eleven (buildout)
Famima Water Court (buildout)
Wokcano (buildout)
Ralphs (open till 2:00 a.m. now)
MODE restaurant (planning? buildout?)
Unnamed eatery at Luma (planning)
Unnamed eatery at Union Lofts (planning)
Unknown eatery at Santa Fe Lofts (permitting)


These are just a few of the food-oriented establishments I've noted progress for in just the last couple weeks, and just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Another interesting part of downtown's arrival is the interest that certain restaurantuers have.

One of the more talented chefs in Los Angeles (probably the US), Michael Cimarusti is planning to open his brasserie in downtown los angeles. This restaurant will most likely be a top 10 restaurant in the LA metropolitan area. It wont be geared toward the suits and ties or the disney hall crowd, or an overpriced steakhouse "concept" by SBE. This will be one of his flagship, michelin chasing, CHEF-OWNED restaurants. I dont think any chef of Cimarustis caliber has ever actively searched for a culinary destination in DOWNTOWN.

His main competitors, David Myers and Alain Giraud are opening top-tier brasseries in West Hollywood and Santa Monica where there are plenty of great places available. Michael is still waiting and falling behind. What is he waiting for? The perfect spot in downtown. He is really interested in making one of the best and creative restaurants in downtown and he is willing to wait as long as it takes to find his perfect spot. That is conviction!

If other chefs of his caliber start actively scouting downtown instead of downtown property owners trying to lure them in, then ...........WOW!

I hope that all of the city's best entreprenuers (that are not SBE, hollywood, or nightlife related) actively SEEK access to the downtown market.

[k3d]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Yeah, Glass Tower is on the bottom of my list of what I believe will get built anytime soon. Their site still says "coming fall 2007." http://www.theglasstower.com/

I remember reading that the developer (Kalantari) was really young and relatively inexperienced. Who knows? Maybe we'll see construction fencing go up tomorrow, but I doubt it.

LA Central is most likely a go. Jardin is a definite "probably"; and FIDM is a definite "maybe." Whatever that means.

Whatever happens, I'm definitely satisfied with the state of things now (of course, there's always room for improvement). Fill up those condos and apartments that are already built or are near completion, and the neighborhood will already have changed so much from a few years ago.

Retail openings and announcements are happening almost every day lately:

Pastagina (open)
Robeks (multiple open)
Coffee Bean at Ralphs (open)
Main Street Grill (open)
Nabe Shabu (open)
LA Sandwich Shop (open)
Pinkberry (open)
Johnny Rockets Express (buildout)
Beard Papa's (open)
I <3 Boba (open)
7-Eleven (buildout)
Famima Water Court (buildout)
Wokcano (buildout)
Ralphs (open till 2:00 a.m. now)
Oh Restaurant in the Orchid Hotel (almost open)
MODE restaurant (planning? buildout?)
Unnamed eatery at Luma (planning)
Unnamed eatery at Union Lofts (planning)
Unknown eatery at Santa Fe Lofts (permitting)


These are just a few of the food-oriented establishments I've noted progress for in just the last couple weeks, and just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

A reminder that Sky (8th/Grand) is about to open a restaurant/lounge called "TRANQUILITY BASE" between the commercial lobby and the parking garage on Grand Ave soon. They were pouring cement for the outdoor dining patio last weekend.

[PeterJ]

Originally Posted by jlrobe

Another interesting part of downtown's arrival is the interest that certain restaurantuers have.

One of the more talented chefs in Los Angeles (probably the US), Michael Cimarusti is planning to open his brasserie in downtown los angeles. This restaurant will most likely be a top 10 restaurant in the LA metropolitan area. It wont be geared toward the suits and ties or the disney hall crowd, or an overpriced steakhouse "concept" by SBE. This will be one of his flagship, michelin chasing, CHEF-OWNED restaurants. I dont think any chef of Cimarustis caliber has ever actively searched for a culinary destination in DOWNTOWN.

Do you have an inside scoop on what Cimarusti is waiting/looking for? I know there was an article a year ago in the LAT about brasserie and Cimarusti wanting to open one in DT was mentioned, but I haven't heard a peep since. Is there new news on this front? Would love to know.

[RAlossi]

Originally Posted by k3d

A reminder that Sky (8th/Grand) is about to open a restaurant/lounge called "TRANQUILITY BASE" between the commercial lobby and the parking garage on Grand Ave soon. They were pouring cement for the outdoor dining patio last weekend.

Thanks for the reminder! I knew I was missing a couple.

Does anyone know what is in the ground-floor space of the Hotel Barclay at 4th/Main? I'm referring to the corner space that looks like a diner or something.... It's been there for a while and at first I thought it was a film set but now I'm not so sure. It's never been open, to my knowledge.

[jlrobe]

Originally Posted by PeterJ

Do you have an inside scoop on what Cimarusti is waiting/looking for? I know there was an article a year ago in the LAT about brasserie and Cimarusti wanting to open one in DT was mentioned, but I haven't heard a peep since. Is there new news on this front? Would love to know.

Just chatter. Chowhoud, food blog rumor mills, and other small sources are still buzzing. The most recent news comes in Sept of this year.

Here is one more reliable report as of late.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2007/09/providence-bras.html

but again, I hear a lot of unofficial chatter from the foodie-bloggers. As you know, these sources arent super reliable.

[ocman]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

The columns rising in the picture I posted are coming out of the Concerto site. The site of the FIDM tower is still a surface parking lot being used to stage materials and construction offices for Hanover Tower. I am 100% sure of this.

I stand correct. If you say so. You were there. Although the orientation of FIDM to the top overhanging balcony of Hanover in the rendering pic I posted seems to be the exact spot of where those columns are, to me anyway. I guess I need more visuals to make out the site.

[PeterJ]

thanks, jlrobe.

man, would i love to see cimarusti's brasserie within walking distance of my place. i wonder if they're looking for a location that is oriented towards the office lunch/event crowd or one more focused towards local residents.

maybe they're going into elleven? that would be something.

[colemonkee]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Does anyone know what is in the ground-floor space of the Hotel Barclay at 4th/Main? I'm referring to the corner space that looks like a diner or something.... It's been there for a while and at first I thought it was a film set but now I'm not so sure. It's never been open, to my knowledge.

It's kind of a standing diner film set. The diner booths and tables have been there since I can remember, and every now and then there's filming in the space, but I've never seen any activity outside of that. I'm sure it was a diner at some point, but right now the owner of that space makes more money from filming than operating a greasy spoon. Perhaps that will change when the Medallion, El Dorado Lofts and Rowan Lofts open up.

[RuFFy]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

I wish Nokia Theater would promote more of its transit proximity. Alas, did anybody catch the light show this evening at Nokia Theater? It was unbelievable.

I was looking at the Nokia Theater site and clicked on the LA Live link. I found a small section that talked about the local public transportation..

http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com/lalive.php

[alikaalex]

Originally Posted by RuFFy

I was looking at the Nokia Theater site and clicked on the LA Live link. I found a small section that talked about the local public transportation..

http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com/lalive.php

It's there alright ... all the way at the bottom of the page. Imagine that!

[hughfb3]

Originally Posted by jlrobe

Another interesting part of downtown's arrival is the interest that certain restaurantuers have.

One of the more talented chefs in Los Angeles (probably the US), Michael Cimarusti is planning to open his brasserie in downtown los angeles. This restaurant will most likely be a top 10 restaurant in the LA metropolitan area. It wont be geared toward the suits and ties or the disney hall crowd, or an overpriced steakhouse "concept" by SBE. This will be one of his flagship, michelin chasing, CHEF-OWNED restaurants. I dont think any chef of Cimarustis caliber has ever actively searched for a culinary destination in DOWNTOWN.
I hope that all of the city's best entreprenuers (that are not SBE, hollywood, or nightlife related) actively SEEK access to the downtown market.

What's wrong with SBE? They are a fabulous company... and speaking of them, they are looking heavily into the downtown market. They are signed on and ready to have Katsuya LA Live open in the summer. Other concepts are in the works for downtown

[alikaalex]

While somewhat Downtown related, for those who are interested, Metro is holding public comment meetings regarding its Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study. Unofficially known as the "subway to the sea" or the Purple Line extension project, this project seeks to connect Downtown with the Westside along an alignment that will be to the north of the under-construction Expo Line.

http://www.metro.net/news_info/press/metro_176.htm

Looks like the closest meeting to Downtown will be this coming Tuesday at the Wilshire United Methodist Church in the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood. Hopefully they'll have some cool potential alignment maps to drool over. This is transit geek porn.