LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0 - Page 447

Virtual Urban Vision · #**8921** Posted **Jul 30, 2010, 6:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDRCRASH

Yeah but with so many parks (along with the LA River itself) planned in the area, do we really need that much green space?

um... Yes!!!

JDRCRASH · #**8922** Posted **Jul 30, 2010, 10:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virtual Urban Vision

um... Yes!!!

Couldn't we at least save some space on the Piggyback yards site for development? Like between Lamar Street and the 5 freeway, with everything west of Lamar Street as park space?

With the Metrolink and proposed Silver Line LRT in close proximity, it seems like a huge opportunity for transit oriented development close to Downtown.

BrandonJXN · #**8923** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 1:04 AM**

Awesome meeting other SSPers. Had much fun running all over downtown today. I wanted to meet Devan but he couldn't make it. Owell. From Little Tokyo to the Historic Core to LA Live and the library and everywhere in between, it was fun.

Oh and PS: Being inside The Bradbury Building does make you want to eat Subway.

StethJeff · #**8924** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 1:33 AM**

The second rendering for the railyards park is awesome and would have the potential to lead to further developing/preserving of the river. There is such a long stretch of river near downtown that parts could be turned into parkland or turned into some sort of San Antonio Riverwalk. The same could be true for the sections of the river in the valley or south LA. It would take something big, beautiful, and symbolic to get the ball rolling and I think the railyards park idea would be the perfect way to accomplish this. I would rather have Westsidelife's idea of a massive 500 acre LA River Park over 3 shiny 80-floor towers in downtown any day.

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8925** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 5:30 AM**

Saw this today after the SSP meet downtown

Looks like the Citigroup tower is actually branding the plaza to give it a stronger presence. There will be new landscaping and trees added. It reminds me of the revamp that the office plaza at 5th/Fig went through a few years ago (the one with the statue of the bear).

5th/Flower (future Downtown Connector subway station?)

Citigroup Center

Looking north

Looking east

The new landscaping in the background is shown in this rendering

Bonus shot of the library from Bunker Hill steps

RAlossi · #**8926** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 6:30 AM**

Was just told there's scaffolding outside the Embassy/Hotel Gansevoort/Trinity Auditorium... I sooo wish we would have gone down Grand instead today! Is it possible Chetrit Group is following through on their plans for their properties?

And by the way, great seeing everyone at the meetup today!

RAlossi · #**8927** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 6:32 AM**

Oh btw, good catch on the Citigroup Plaza, Brigham. I actually don't mind the current plaza, though I was JUST thinking the other day that it seems kind of barren on a bright sunny day while eating Mendocino on the plaza. Shade, greenery and seating are back in style, it seems.

BrandonJXN · #**8928** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 7:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Was just told there's scaffolding outside the Embassy/Hotel Gansevoort/Trinity Auditorium... I sooo wish we would have gone down Grand instead today! Is it possible Chetrit Group is following through on their plans for their properties?

And by the way, great seeing everyone at the meetup today!

There wasn't. After we all left, I went to Starbucks @ Elleven and walked past the Embassy. Nothing there. Not even that rabid German Shepard.

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8929** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 7:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Oh btw, good catch on the Citigroup Plaza, Brigham. I actually don't mind the current plaza, though I was JUST thinking the other day that it seems kind of barren on a bright sunny day while eating Mendocino on the plaza. Shade, greenery and seating are back in style, it seems.

And it translates into "our little downtown is maturing." Property owners are actually investing money into making the area look nicer and more pleasing to pedestrians.

RAlossi · #**8930** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 9:58 PM**

Went past the Embassy/Trinity Auditorium/Gansevoort. The scaffolding appears to have been to replace the front doors on the entryways, which are now covered in plywood. You can see the old porticos, which look VERY cool. Compare that to the old entry, which was covered in frosted glass. I'll take pics and upload them in a couple hours. Combine this with the movement on Hotel Clark, and it looks like things may actually be happening with these properties!

Now, if Chetrit can just start working on the Giannini Place building and the AT&T building at 6th and Grand...

DistrictDirt · #**8931** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 10:49 PM**

Great meeting everyone at the SSP meetup yesterday! It was great to be able to put faces to names, and hear everyone's unique perspective on downtown.

The walk was great too...I especially liked seeing the interior of the Biltmore and the Central Library- two places I probably never would have seen otherwise.

RAlossi · #**8932** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 11:15 PM**

RAlossi · #**8933** Posted **Aug 1, 2010, 11:17 PM**

Also, Chipotle restaurant will be opening catty-corner from Bottega Louie (across from the SugarFish which is under construction). Dublin's Irish Pub in the Fine Arts Building on 7th opens Monday, I hear.

Troubadour · #**8934** Posted **Aug 2, 2010, 12:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

I love any facade that looks like computer circuitry.

dachacon · #**8935** Posted **Aug 2, 2010, 5:25 AM**

what happened to the 7 grand bar? sorry im alittle behind on new and closing bars/restaurants. walked by there today and said that a new restaurants being built in the space.

Der Blut · #**8936** Posted **Aug 2, 2010, 5:46 AM**

Hi guys,

A little off topic, but does anyone know of a place where I can get a nice print of the Eastern Columbia building? I'd love to have something in my place displaying my love for this building.

Thanks

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8937** Posted **Aug 2, 2010, 6:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Also, Chipotle restaurant will be opening catty-corner from Bottega Louie (across from the SugarFish which is under construction). Dublin's Irish Pub in the Fine Arts Building on 7th opens Monday, I hear.

Whoo hoo love Chipotle! (It's still better than Qdoba)

Anyone know when Pig n Whistle is going to open up?

LAsam · #**8938** Posted **Aug 2, 2010, 2:44 PM**

Lots of fun meeting everyone on Saturday. Thanks for taking the initiative to coordinate everything Rich! Toured the El Dorado Lofts on the way back to my car... those corner units have some killer views down Spring St.

Bootstrap Bill · #**8939** Posted **Aug 2, 2010, 3:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeah215

Here is a really neat picture of a bookstore in Argentina that was once an old theater. There may be some interesting retail uses, like this, for the Broadway theaters. I imagine a bookstore in the theater section with name of the store across blade sign. The marquee could announce book signings or lectures by authors.

Wouldn't it be better to keep using the old theaters as theaters?

LosAngelesSportsFan · #**8940** Posted **Aug 2, 2010, 4:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

There wasn't. After we all left, I went to Starbucks @ Elleven and walked past the Embassy. Nothing there. Not even that rabid German Shepard.

actually, there is. there have been people working on it all weekend, emptying it out and they have boarded up the front of the building! i hope they are starting construction on this.