LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[colemonkee]

I moved a bunch of posts about Hollywood to the LA Metro Thread. Please post comments/updates about Hollywood there. This thread is for downtown projects/discussions.

[Quixote]

From Flickr, by djjewelz

[JDRCRASH]

From Curbed LA,

That's Amore! Palmer Looks to Add Tower, Another Tuscan

November 23, 2009, by Dakota




It's location:



Developer Geoffrey Palmer is looking to extend his collection of faux Tuscan-themed buildings past downtown, and towards USC with his planned Lorenzo, a proposed two-development project on Flower Street near West Adams and 23rd. Everyone first heard about this project way back in June 2008--at that point, it was supposed to consist of a Tuscan building and a 50-story glass and steel luxury rental tower. It looks the tower got downsized a bit, as it's now 44 stories (by way of comparison, the new Ritz-Carlton in downtown is 54 stories), but the Tuscan is still on the table. Additionally, a skybridge would connect the two sites. Everyone knows Palmer just loves himself some skybridge. Additionally, the just-released draft environmental impact review report also states that Palmer is looking to take advantage of SB1818, which allows for greater density in exchange for offering affordable housing, slightly ironic given his unwillingness to do affordable housing elsewhere. But given the stallage seen at Palmer's Piero II project, you probably don't want to hold your breath on this one.

The Proposed Project would involve the development of a mixed-use project with a total of approximately 1,400 multi-family residential units (approximately 1,663,061 square feet) and ancillary common area and recreation amenities totaling approximately 65,480 square feet.

The Proposed Project would also provide approximately 34,000 square feet of retail uses, including approximately 6,000 square feet of restaurant use. More specifically, the Proposed Project would consist of two structures: a six-story building on the eastern side of Flower Street (Site A) and a 44-story building directly across from it, on the western side of Flower Street (Site B).

Site A would contain approximately 34,000 square feet of retail uses and 919 multi-family units; Site B would contain approximately 481 multi-family units. Parking for the Proposed Project would consist of approximately 3,204 spaces provided in three subterranean levels and one ground level located beneath Site A and five subterranean parking levels located beneath Site B.

Source:http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/11/developer_geoffrey_palmer_is_looking.php

[pesto]

OK: first of all what is a "multi-family" unit; does that mean separate sleeping areas but some shared portions?

Sounds like a big place; 3200 parking places. Are they closing Hope St.?

It's near transit, high density, mostly underground parking and has retail, so it's hard to complain too much.

[Quixote]

A rendering from the Broadway Streetscape Master Plan shows the roadway reduced to
three lanes, with curb bump-outs, street trees, loading and parking space and a granite
band design motif that runs along the street.

Refined Broadway Streetscape Plan Ready for Public Debut

By Eric Richardson
November 23, 2009

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — As they move forward on efforts to revitalize what was once Los Angeles' shopping and entertainment hub, Broadway planners are proposing something very un-L.A. -- taking lanes away from cars.

On Tuesday evening, the public will get the chance to comment on a Streetscape Master Plan that includes the removal of three traffic lanes, new space for parking and loading, a wider sidewalk and a unified motif for paving and fixtures.

Those who saw the very early plans presented by Melendrez in February will find the refined work to be much more toned down. Colorful paving flourishes have given way to a more stately design of granite and concrete, intended to allow the theatres and the existing stretches of colorful terrazzo to stand out.

The street itself would be reduced from three lanes in each direction to one lane traveling south and two going north. Sidewalk bump-outs at the corners and mid-block would frame new space for parking and loading on both sides of the street.

The western sidewalk would be widened eight feet, allowing a southbound streetcar track to run far enough toward the center of the street to clear existing utilities below.

Designs on tree grates and transit shelters would take their inspiration from the look of Broadway's original streetlights, replicas of which would be installed at half the spacing of the currently existing lights. Street trees would make an appearance, with a focus on vertical species that would not block views of the theaters. Planters in the bump-outs would provide stormwater filtration and greenery.

While the design is still being tweaked, traffic studies done for the project say that the lane configuration is doable, and both LADOT and Metro are said to be on-board.

Don't expect to see these changes any time soon, though. Environmental studies are likely to be done as part of the streetcar project, and installation would come in 2014. A demonstration project, using planters and paint to simulate the traffic changes, could take place in 2012 or 2013.

Both the streetscape plan and the streetcar are part of the Bringing Back Broadway effort being led by Councilman Jose Huizar's office.

A public presentation on the streetscape plan will take place on Tuesday, November 24, at The Exchange (114 W. 5th). Open house format from 5:30 to 7:30pm, with a presentation at 6:30pm.

[pesto]

In general, pretty good. A couple of thoughts:

1. isn't traffic going to be backed-up most of the time? cars getting in and out of parking spaces and the DT intersections have pedestrian traffic which slows things considerably
2. ban all buses, if that isn't already in the plan
3. ban bicycles and give them dedicated lanes on Hill and/or Spring
4. ban cars and parking as soon as possible, then bikes can return
5. picking up themes from existing buildings and fixtures is a good idea; localize whenever possible
6. hopefully we can see more specifics tomorrow

[BrandonJXN]

Ok...

So there is Medici, Piero, Orsini, Lorenzo, this ugly Tucsan thing, and wasn't there rumors of a Da Vinci? Seriously...where is April O'Neil when you need her?

[Kingofthehill]

I've always wondered as to why bicycle infrastructure in Downtown is so crappy ?

[edluva]

let's not "third-streetize" broadway.

[pesto]

ed: legitimate point. It's not 3rd St. and hopefully it's not Tijuana or 42nd St. around 1975. But is it "medical" marijuana, hostess dancing and liquor stores? Or Gap, Timberland and Ann Taylor? Or Math Learning Center, bistros and ballet lessons?

Families, tourists, upmarket, the young, struggling minorities, down and out? 3rd St. is an interesting example since it has all of the above. If you toss in the side streets, 2nd, 4th and Ocean you've got a pretty good DT experience. Broadway can do better but how do you envision it?

[RuFFy]

Ok, so I don't know how serious this is because the article seems casual.. but Costco, of all stores, might be scouting downtown. http://tinyurl.com/y9f9b3c

[JDRCRASH]

I love their churros...

[colemonkee]

Originally Posted by pesto

OK: first of all what is a "multi-family" unit; does that mean separate sleeping areas but some shared portions?

Sounds like a big place; 3200 parking places. Are they closing Hope St.?

It's near transit, high density, mostly underground parking and has retail, so it's hard to complain too much.

"Multi-family" means multiple units, or multiple families, living in one structure, they don't necessarily refer to the number of families living within one unit. A single-family detached home would be different from a 4-unit, "multi-family" apartment building, would would house four "families" in 4 connected units. So a 481 "multi-family" unit structure would be designed to hole 481 families in 481 units.

I agree with you here. I'm not a fan of the Tuscan design, and cringe at having more of it popping up downtown, but you can't argue with the use here, the proximity to mass transit (with the Expo Line), and the people it would bring to the area. It would also likely house students at LA City College, which is right across the street, and has two brand new buildings across 23rd Street.

I'm just hoping the tower ends up looking much better than that rendering.

[dachacon]

^^ im actually a fan of the Tuscan style architecture. i looked at some apartments at Medici, and Orsini, the landscaping and amenities are top notch especially since they are next to a freeway. but the prices are out of this world. i think im not the only one who is interested in living there because he would not propose another location if the demand was not there.
but most importantly its nice to see the skyline move south.

[dachacon]

Originally Posted by RuFFy

Ok, so I don't know how serious this is because the article seems casual.. but Costco, of all stores, might be scouting downtown. http://tinyurl.com/y9f9b3c

oh god please let it be true.
but there are a lot of factors playing against costco.
the biggest one is space. most costcos are more than 200,000 square feet. some are smaller like the one by my house at 160,000. another is parking there probably going to have to double the size of the parking structure at 7th and fig, just to deal with the added cars. and with more cars it equals more traffic. and costcos are famous for the traffic they cause around there stores.
but the positives are that the demographic that shops at costco are the same that are moving into downtown, the company is a great employer to work for, with great wages, and benefits. finally the pedestrian traffic will more than triple in the area benefiting the other businesses in the mall.
with la live down the street and costco or target moving there, they make nice book ends on Figueroa.

[pesto]

cole: thanks for the clarification; btw, that's Trade Tech not LACC (one of my alma maters), which is on Vermont. I would expect students in the low-rise and Koreans in the high-rise. A little far from FIDM but not bad for SC.

dachacon: I can't picture cramming a Costco and its parking into that spot. 7th+Fig seems to be too much in the middle of offices and hotels to be ideal for large-scale shopping and the cars that come with it.

[JDRCRASH]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

but you can't argue with the use here, the proximity to mass transit (with the Expo Line), and the people it would bring to the area.

And don't forget that the Silver Line Busway is opening next month.

I'm just hoping the tower ends up looking much better than that rendering.

For some reason, I feel it's something that belongs in Vegas, based on the rendering.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by RuFFy

Ok, so I don't know how serious this is because the article seems casual.. but Costco, of all stores, might be scouting downtown. http://tinyurl.com/y9f9b3c

Costco was sniffing out downtown as long back as when I was at the Downtown Center BID. I know, because I talked to the broker at the time representing them. In fact, the area they were CONSIDERING at the time was around Chinatown, building on one of the empty lots east of the Gold Line Station that probably Richard Meruelo owned.

Personally, I think the suburban Costco that seems to be the only model they have, has no place in Downtown LA. The whole point is to STRIVE for more businesses that cater to pedestrians, not freakin' automobiles packed with water bottles, 50 rolls of toilet paper, and 10 bags of rice. I thought if Costco was to open in Downtown LA, the outskirt around Chinatown might be more appropriate. Absolutely, definitely not 7+Fig.

[DJM19]

Target can handle a more urban design than costco can.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

^ Target already has more urban models that exist today in the US. The flagship in Minneapolis comes to mind. Even the one in Pasadena on Colorado.


flickr artefaqs


However, I do remember now that the Costco rep that I talked to DID mention that the Costco in Vancouver is the one they wanted to model after for the one in Downtown LA.

Here is a pic of the only urban Costco I am aware of in Vancouver:


speakupwinnipeg.com