LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[JRinSoCal]

^Dude the city hall is 454 feet tall.

[JDRCRASH]

^ Sorry about that; my inexcusable fault.

I should probably edit it before most people see my mistake and whine about it.....

[colemonkee]

Originally Posted by JDRCRASH

Charlie, that may be possible, because I remember once seeing the peak of City Hall from the 10, and thats like what, less than 500 feet?

JDR, you should take into consideration your perspective. Looking west from the 10 freeway, City Hall will appear much taller than the Ritz building even though it's almost 200 feet shorter because it's approximately a mile closer to you. That's why the Ritz building doesn't appear to be that tall from that vantage point.

[JDRCRASH]

^Thats a strong possibility, too. I'm not able to see Transamerica from here either. Anyway, i'm back on my computer, and i've found several articles, so here we go: (this is the article I was talking about earlier)


Stallage Reported on Downtown's Park Fifth

Monday, October 20, 2008, by Neal Broverman

The Los Angeles Business Journal just wants to ruin your afternoon. They released a list of six big projects currently living in limbo, teetering on the verge of cancellation. Of note was the inclusion of the Park Fifth mixed-use towers of homes, retail, and hotel which would rise up to 76 stories on a parking lot near Pershing Square. This biggie always seemed like a long-shot, but the developer and investors seemed to be making slow but steady moves forward. According to the Journal, the developers need more capital and still have to finish architectural and engineering work. Project manager Rich Marr said there's a term sheet in place for a construction loan, but declined to discuss details, citing a confidentiality agreement. Oy.

[JDRCRASH]

From Curbed LA:

Hello, Honua! Grand Ownership Deal Approved

Wednesday, October 22, 2008, by Dakota

The Daily News follows up on yesterday's vote by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to approve adding a new partner-- the Honua Group, a group owned by three Korean insurance companies-- to Related Co's Grand Avenue project. With this second big partner (earlier this year, a Dubai investment group was added), Related remains in charge of operations and in control of the project, but if the company defaults, "Istithmar, Honua or a subsidiary would have the right to temporarily replace them as the developer." Meanwhile, the Grand's web site is showing a before and after we haven't seen before. That squat structure on the left is the the doomed tinker toy parking lot.

[JDRCRASH]

From Curbed LA:

Figueroa Central (aka LA Central) Not Dead Yet

Wednesday, October 22, 2008, by jwilliams

Last night we attended a USC-sponsored event at City Hall discussing the state of Downtown in this terrible economy. Things remain iffy. Councilwoman Jan Perry (CD9) held out hope that the Grand Avenue project might actually move forward but is cautious, noting that if the project fails to go forward, the Downtown renaissance may be in jeopardy. Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Bud Ovrom brought along a rendering of the area around Staples Center, which included the under construction LA Live and the 54-story Ritz Carlton tower (now at 42 stories tall). Several of us noted the presence of the Moinian Group's Figueroa Central project. What ever happened to that thing? Glad we asked. Per City Council records, the 860-unit mixed-use project at the corner of 11th and Figueroa is stalled. "Due to the current market situation, the Monion (sic) Group has been unable to secure Project financing and the development of the Project has been delayed." In addition, if it actually ever gets built, the Moinian group is planning to develop the project in two phases. No groundbreaking date or timeline was given.

[JDRCRASH]

I found another live webcam of L.A. Live, guys!!

It's here.

There's only one problem, though: you need to sign up and become a member of AISC.

[RAlossi]

^ You can use this info:
http://www.oxblue.com/pro
User name: [email protected]
Password: 90015

Question: What did they do to Staples Center between the 8th and the 15th of October?? Are they adding solar panels?

[JRinSoCal]

^Looks like they added solar panels to both Staples and the Nokia.

[friedpez]

JDR: I, too, often drive on the 10 and 210 and can see Downtown. I guess you can't see the Ritz from either vantage point because of Downtown's SW-NE alignment, which from the Inland Empire & SGV hides much of what is normally visible from other angles.

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

Here's the view from the 10 on top of Kellogg hill:



flickr user: Jay Jr.

[friedpez]

^ Nice. Similar views can be found from the 210 in La Verne and from several bridges over the 210, including Live Oak Cyn and Baseline. If it's clear enough, you can even get a view like that from the 330 coming down from Running Springs.

Anyhow, here's a pic I snapped yesterday from 11th St in Downtown.

[friedpez]

(Double Post)

[ladowntowner]

The degree to which some are spatially challenged is truly astonishing, as is the amount of energy herein that has been expended upon them as of late.

The irony of the fact that this post contributes to that is not lost on me. What a ridiculously wonderful world we live in.

[JDRCRASH]

Wow, thanks Rich!

Man, that view is just gorgeous. Looking at that photo just makes me crave LA Central and South Figueroa. And when will they tear down that goddarn Holiday Inn? I think something like multiple 717 Olympics-like buildings (in terms of billboard style) should go there.

Originally Posted by JRinSoCal

^Looks like they added solar panels to both Staples and the Nokia.

Yeah; hopefully that'll make certain Coalitions shut up for awhile.

Originally Posted by friedpez

If that sign in the shadows on the right says Hope St., would that be Luma on the left?

[JDRCRASH]

I don't believe it....Stephen Friday is leaving Los Angeles for Paris.

[BrandonJXN]

I would too.

[JDRCRASH]

Maybe you, but for me, L.A. is my life. Now, thats not to say I couldn't visit there for a few weeks; but c'mon, the City of Lights is nothing like Los Angeles. (Ehem, i'm not saying LA is better, but its quite different.)

Besides, wouldn't you like to bear witness of a city slowly in transition?

[BrandonJXN]

Paris has been in transition for thousands of years. Which is not to say I don't love LA because I do. LA will forever be my home. I was born at Cedars Sinai and lived on Wilshire and Cochran for most of my 25 years. I bleed Los Angeles. Well..technically I bleed red blood but you get the point. BUT if fridayinla has a chance to move to a awesome city such as Paris and to start a new life there then more power to him. I mean I'm going to Italy in March. I would be more than happy to have the chance to live in Paris. However back to friday; He has done alot in terms of keeping us informed of new development in DTLA. No matter if it's the Ritz or a Fanima. I for one love angelenic and he was a big part of that and I'll miss him much.

[JDRCRASH]

Fridayinla's constant photo and article updates shows his commitment to development, particularly Downtown. Plus, although I didn't meet him personally, I get the sense that he's a very considerate person.