LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[colemonkee]

My guess for the inclusion of Caruso is that he's a recognized, successful, and one could argue influential real estate and business person who has connections throughout Los Angeles, and can pull in some big money players who may not already have their sights on downtown. When you're potentially vying for $65-$75 million in private funding, you have to reach outside of the sphere of big time downtown players, and include the entire region.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by IconRPCV

I think I am leaning more towards the Los Feliz area, I don't really know downtown, is a good alive neighborhood yet? If I lived downtown I could walk to work. Hollywood seems abit too much for me to live there full time. I have to say I am very excited about the move; I love LA, and although I love SD, she is a bit too conservative for my taste.

These guys have all given really good suggestions, but I figured I'd throw in my current neighborhood of Echo Park as another option. I love it more and more each day- its close to Downtown, Silverlake, Los Feliz, Glendale and not too far from Hollywood either. Its not right on the Red line, but it makes up for it with great bus service.

It also has a really unique feel- very hilly like Silver Lake, but filled with quality craftsman-style cottages instead of modern homes. There's tons of independent retail- lately there seems to be a new shop or restaurant every time I take a walk down Sunset.

My favorite part are the "staircase streets" throughout the neighborhood- vestiges of a time when cars were not the primary mode of transportation in LA. Some of the tallest staircases are over 200 steps, and have views of the whole basin from the top.

Definitely give it a look. Wherever you wind up though, you're definitely on the right track by looking on the Eastside...or whatever they are calling it now (don't ask.)

[Kingofthehill]

http://devanwells.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-sunday-afternoon.html

[northbay]

wow, the base of concerto looks FUGLY. is that really faux ORANGE brick?!

[colemonkee]

^ No, it's orange terra cotta. Actually looks pretty nice in person.

[Hubris]

Also not as bright as the picture makes them appear. Look at the traffic cones in the pic; those aren't that bright in person either.

[colemonkee]

Guys, I deleted a bunch of posts related to the "North Central" discussion as it doesn't pertain to downtown projects. You are welcome to carry that discussion on in the LA Metro thread.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

I took these today of Walgreens in Downtown LA opening within the next 2 weeks according to the sales associates inside. Everything Walgreens carries is well stocked and I believe they are just waiting for the green light from the city to open their doors.

The space adds a lot to Downtown LA as more residents move in. The space was vacant for so many years and was such a blight. Now it's filled by Walgreens and will be such a great asset to the community (way more so than Rite Aid across the street which is looking shoddy as ever).

[RAlossi]

Yeah, I am so frickin' excited that Walgreens is opening soon. RiteAid is crap.

[SD_Phil]

That's a great looking restoration and the walgreen's itself is well integrated. Having been the rite aid multiple times...I can honestly say I'll be going to WG in the future if I have the choice.

[colemonkee]

I don't care what you guys say, I'm still going to the RiteAid for their ice cream. Which is awesome. And cheap.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

http://devanwells.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-sunday-afternoon.html

I think that building is even more hideous since I found out what used to be on that corner:


USC Archive, Photo circa 1900.

Built in the 1880s, it was demolished in 1960. Now we have crap like the Medallion.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by SD_Phil

That's a great looking restoration and the walgreen's itself is well integrated.

The ground floor looks better than it did, but I think the building owners should get rid of the 1970s tract home greenhouse kitchen windows on the upper floors.

[pesto]

wow! Nice building. Doesn't look like traffic was much of an issue back then.

[colemonkee]

Man, what a shame. That was a beautiful building. Too bad the developers didn't do something to pay homage to the Westminster Hotel. Actually, on second thought, it's probably better that they didn't. I have a feeling it would have been horribly executed.

Great find, though, sopas.

[petescafe]

Speaking of the Medallion, the last couple of days the construction crew have been removing the old sidewalk along the 4th street side of the Medallion.
Woken up at 7:15 in the morning to the sound of jack hammers for the last two days. blah
But they're almost finished with it.

[Kingofthehill]

Yeah, I've always wondered if the owners could somehow un-do that terrible 70s "modernization." Still, even without atrocious terrible pop-out windows, I'm not sure how attractive the building would look; it's a hulking beast that is far from being graceful or elegant.

[pesto]

The windows are not great, but some work on the ground level would be nice and a lot cheaper. That block looks awfully linear and bare. Maybe some trees at least or a nice awning.

[sopas ej]

Yeah, I always felt the building was "beyond repair," thinking that most of its old architectural details were stripped. The building was built in 1922 as the Union Oil Building, so you would think that it would've had a lot of Beaux-Arts details, but it actually used to look like this... this picture is from 1940, courtesy of the USC Archive:


So it's always had a thin veneer; it's almost like the architect or architects were sitting on the fence between a traditional aesthetic and Modernism.

I think getting rid of the 1970s windows would make the building look a lot better. Comparing the old photo with this photo, I'm sure most people would agree:


you-are-here.com

I would add paned windows and install them more recessed/less flush with the outer walls on the top 2 floors, too...

[BrandonJXN]

I might be in the minority, but I actually like the pop out windows. Even before it was modernized, it wasn't exactly a gem. At least the windows makes it a bit noticeable. For better or for worse.