LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[edluva]

Originally Posted by mdiederi

February 1-7, 2011 Fashion Los Angeles at First and Grand in Downtown L.A.



Not exactly in the "Fashion District" but it is downtown.

i know people who work in fashion - la's fashion week is considered a joke full of b-level celebrities trying to be seen. again, trying to be a west coast bookend to new york. Kudos to fashion district for being near Fashion Los Angeles. that's got to count for something, right? even though it probably had nothing to do with the fashion district, aside from also being in downtown.

dktshb - i'm not a downer. there's just a lot of bs/delusional forumers here other city forums have real things to talk about - eg. fashion district in new york. so when they talk about their goings ons, they're not making crap up or exaggerating like we are. their forumers also tend to be less ignorant, more articulate, and better informed about things, sorry to say.

[edluva]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

Not that I didnt care...just hoped for something NEW, you havent been on here much and I took a break from the site. Hoping that you could make a comment on a particular point without dragging it into a philosophical debate about city vs city, and argue just the merrits of the particular item. Again, hopes were dashed...so....YAWN.

Anywhoo, Im curious to see what they have planned for Broad, I just hope that they give it a welcoming street presence there on Grand.

it's spelled "merit", btw. there was no city versus city going on here, was there? I was saying LA is a little bit of a wannabe NY. Did I miss something? Or is it your inability to comprehend the difference?

Anywhoo, I'm curious to see what Broad is doing there on Grand. I wonder if it's going to be welcoming or like, the opposite of welcoming.

[milquetoast]

"IT ISN'T AS THOUGH AEG NEEDED TO SCOUR THE GLOBE

TO FIND TALENTED AND INNOVATIVE STADIUM ARCHITECTS!"

CHRISTOPHER HAWTHORNE/LATIMES

.

EXAMPLES OF HKS LOS ANGELES AND HKS DALLAS

THERE'S NOTHING GROUNDBREAKING

IN DOWNTOWN L A STADIUM DESIGN PROPOSALS

Safe, sleek, inoffensive corporate architecture is offered that does little

to elevate the conversation about the kind of large-scale

civic architecture we want or need in downtown and region.

.

If the three competing designs for a football stadium in downtown Los Angeles released Wednesday were an NFL division, they'd be the NFC West.

As is the case with that sorry division — which is now led by a pair of teams with losing records, the Seattle Seahawks and the St. Louis Rams — one of the stadium proposals eventually will win the design competition put together by entertainment giant AEG.

But that doesn't mean it'll do much more than limp to victory — or to elevate the conversation about the kind of large-scale civic architecture we want or need in downtown L.A. and across the region.

Safe, sleek, inoffensive corporate architecture was the order of the day at AEG's Wednesday news conference, at which the company announced that after soliciting designs for a 72,000-seat, $1-billion stadium from eight firms around the country, it has shortlisted three: HKS, which designed the new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas; HNTB, architect of Invesco Field in Denver; and Gensler, which designed the new hotel and condo tower at AEG's L.A. Live.

As a site for this kind of facility, downtown, with its existing parking, freeway and transit infrastructure, makes more sense than City of Industry, where developer Ed Roski has been pushing a competing stadium proposal. But none of the designs shortlisted by AEG is a match for the energetic design Roski commissioned from L.A. architect Dan Meis, who now works for giant firm Populous. And Meis' design is itself hardly world-beating.

The HNTB scheme calls for a barn-like structure that seems oblivious to the urban character and architectural form surrounding it. The top-heavy HKS proposal would enclose the playing field beneath a pair of awkward sail-like forms on the roof.

The Gensler design, while doubtless the strongest and most fully developed of the three, with elegant trusses supporting a roof covered in lightweight, translucent foil panels, has the same placeless, generic quality that marks Staples Center and L.A. Live.

To a large extent, the lack of architectural ambition evident in the designs comes as little surprise. Anyone who has spent much time downtown knows AEG is hardly a patron of innovative architecture.

But there were glimmers, when AEG began to explore the idea of building a stadium downtown, that it might take a more active interest in architecture and urban design this time around. In part this had to do with the involvement of Casey Wasserman, who has teamed with AEG's Tim Leiweke and Ted Tanner on the stadium planning and who is fairly savvy about contemporary architecture. Early in the process, AEG held preliminary conversations with a small number of architects who are significantly more adventurous than the ones it later engaged formally. But conservatism won out in the end.

The proposals for the stadium — which will be squeezed between Staples Center and the L.A. Convention Center, and require some convention facilities to be rebuilt, presumably on AEG's dime, along Pico Boulevard — fall short on more than just aesthetic grounds. They are also fairly timid in their thinking about the future of downtown.

The Gensler plan, at least, makes clear that a strong pedestrian axis could be created leading west from Figueroa Boulevard along Chick Hearn Court toward the stadium entrance. But none begin to suggest how the stadium might manage the tough trick of creating an architectural presence bold enough to hold its own when seen from the Harbor Freeway while also creating a more modest and welcoming scale for pedestrians approaching from various parts of downtown. The design renderings AEG showed Wednesday — two each by the remaining three firms — also revealed little about possible connections between the site and nearby Metro stations on the Red and Blue lines.

Around the world, stadium design has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. The "bird's nest" Olympic Stadium in Beijing, by the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, is the best known of these new high-design sports facilities. But it has been joined by breathtaking designs for sports venues from Portugal to Qatar, where several new soccer stadiums are planned for the 2022 World Cup. You could make a case, in fact, that stadiums have replaced museums in the last decade as the leading site for architectural innovation at a large civic scale.

And it isn't as though AEG needed to scour the globe to find talented and innovative stadium architects. Hitoshi Abe, the chair of the architecture department at UCLA, made a name for himself with a remarkable design for the Miyagi Stadium in northern Japan.

.

HITOSHI ABE AND HIS DESIGN

.

Rather than tapping into that kind of design talent, AEG, in collaboration with the project management firm Icon Venue Group, solicited designs in a narrow architectural range, from firms that tend to produce stadiums indistinguishable from the work of their closest competitors. In addition to the three shortlisted firms, AEG considered designs from AECOM Ellerbe Becket; 360 Architecture; NBBJ; Manica Architecture; and Rossetti Architects. With the possible exception of Manica, which is developing stadiums in China and elsewhere, none could reasonably have been expected to push AEG to raise its level of design ambition significantly.

In a broader sense, the process AEG has followed in choosing an architect has to be counted a disappointment even in a vacuum — even if it leads nowhere and fails to land an NFL franchise. Proposals for sites as large and significant as these are not simply economic-development vehicles. They are also opportunities to elevate the discussion about architecture and design in Los Angeles, and to help build a constituency for enlightened urbanism here.

.

CHRISTOPHER HAWTHORNE

LOSANGELESTIMES

[pesto]

Originally Posted by Steve2726

Didn't see this posted yet, Christopher Hawthorne weighs in on the stadium proposals-

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-stadium-design-20101216,0,5294746.story

There's nothing groundbreaking in downtown L.A. stadium design proposals


Safe, sleek, inoffensive corporate architecture is offered that does little to elevate the conversation about the kind of large-scale civic architecture we want or need in downtown and region.

I think Hawthorne is just about right on this: nothing terrible, nothing great.

The Miyaki Stadium by the UCLA prof is indeed a beautiful stadium and much more appropriate for a sprawling, arts-related city like LA than those humpy little boxes that AEG is pushing. I suspect none of the designs are going to be very interesting given the ground space limitations and parameters required for football, concert, convention, parking, people movement, etc.

[Just-In-Cali]

Originally Posted by edluva

it's spelled "merit", btw. there was no city versus city going on here, was there? I was saying LA is a little bit of a wannabe NY. Did I miss something? Or is it your inability to comprehend the difference?

Anywhoo, I'm curious to see what Broad is doing there on Grand. I wonder if it's going to be welcoming or like, the opposite of welcoming.

Yep, no city versus city here...no Sir-ree!

la always wants to be a west coast version of new york - it has to have a fashion center, a times square, a skyline, etc. so self concsious. la is soenamored with the image of another city, it fails to be what it is.


I was saying LA is a little bit of a wannabe NY

I cant wait to hear the excuse you'll make this time.

Oh yeah, and YAWN

[Illithid Dude]

C'mon guys, don't feed the trolls.

Anywhoo, Brockman is going to action soon, which is really good (it's my favorite adaptive reuse). Ladowntownnews.com says so at least.

[Downtown Los Angeles]

would anyone know if there's going to be a concert or something at LA Live like last year tonight.

[JDRCRASH]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

C'mon guys, don't feed the trolls.

If this particular forumer lived in a different city making the same accusations against LA, he would have been banned a long time ago. It's sad, but true.

Anywhoo, Brockman is going to action soon, which is really good (it's my favorite adaptive reuse). Ladowntownnews.com says so at least.

I've had to learn myself that LADTnews is not the best source to get updates from.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by JDRCRASH

I've had to learn myself that LADTnews is not the best source to get updates from.

BlogDowntown reports the same thing.

[LAofAnaheim]

Subway has now opened at Union Station. Starbucks sounds to be confirmed from the staff I talk to at Union Station for the last remaining empty retail spot near the Red/Purple Line entrance.

[JDRCRASH]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

BlogDowntown reports the same thing.

Well if that's the case then it's probably true.

[BrandonJXN]

So I've been downtown all day (gearing up for Together As One...a rave at the Sports Arena for those not in the know) and did a lot of observing (citywatch loves these sorts of things).

You would think that the Rose Bowl was happening downtown with all of the TCU/Wisconsin fans roaming around. DTLA rolled out the red carpet in order to make these people feel welcome. The Ritz was decked out with the TCU logo (a horned frog of all things). Lots of purple Texans running around ooing and ahhing at the lights and nonsense at LA Live. I repeat: LA Live needs to expand YESTERDAY. With the Lakers, ice skating, Rose Bowl fans, as well as the gaggle of raver kids roaming LA Live tripping out over the lights, it was a interesting night for people watching.

It was also refreshing to see more tourists running around the Historic Core. Many times I heard people say, 'Wow...I didn't know all of this was in downtown LA).

It should also be said that Texan women are some of the most horribly dressed creatures on the planet. My God. It's like a convention for Designing Women. And I kid you not when I say that I heard a man say 'tarnation.'

Also, there seems to be construction for a new exit ramp for the 110 near LA Live.

The Watermarke has it's crown lit whiteish blue. Looks nice.

Crews were removing a bunch of stuff from the Embassy Building.

The Grand Ave Park is progressing nicely.

And that's pretty much it. Now I'm at a friends sipping on vodka and Squirt. About to dance the night away. Happy New Year and all that stuff.

[JDRCRASH]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

Lots of purple Texans running around ooing and ahhing at the lights and nonsense at LA Live.

What's "nonsense"?

I repeat: LA Live needs to expand YESTERDAY. With the Lakers, ice skating, Rose Bowl fans, as well as the gaggle of raver kids roaming LA Live tripping out over the lights, it was a interesting night for people watching.

Now just imagine if we had an NFL game happening at the same time, along with LA Central, Jardin (or whatever happens there), and a multi-story mall on the Holiday Inn site, all built.

It was also refreshing to see more tourists running around the Historic Core. Many times I heard people say, 'Wow...I didn't know all of this was in downtown LA).

They're seeing only half of what makes these buildings beautiful. Hopefully they got to see inside some of the converted lofts, and some perhaps thought "boy, it sure would be awesome to live here."

Also, there seems to be construction for a new exit ramp for the 110 near LA Live.

For 11th/Chick Hearn Ct?

The Watermarke has it's crown lit whiteish blue. Looks nice.

Now if only they can fix that shi**y podium.

[202_Cyclist]

Downtown L.A. hotels upgrade to compete with JW Marriott-Ritz-Carlton

Though some of the projects were planned years in advance, industry experts say the opening of the 1,001-room JW Marriott-Ritz-Carlton tower made the upgrades a priority.

By Hugo Martín
Los Angeles Times
January 1, 2011

"When a 54-story, glass-sheathed hotel complex next to the L.A. Live entertainment center opened last year, it altered the skyline of downtown Los Angeles.

It also changed the landscape for the city's hotel industry. Owners of existing downtown hotels are launching multimillion-dollar upgrades to keep pace with the upscale JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels that operate out of the glass tower.

Across the street from L.A. Live and Staples Center, the humble three-star Holiday Inn has nearly completed a $10-million makeover, becoming a four-star property with a fancy new name: Luxe City Center..."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hotel-upgrade-20110101,0,4124124.story

[RAlossi]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

So I've been downtown all day (gearing up for Together As One...a rave at the Sports Arena for those not in the know) and did a lot of observing (citywatch loves these sorts of things).

Thanks for the observations. I was thinking the exact same thing about the Rose Bowl attendees, with red jackets far outnumbering TCU in my opinion... Jake and I were confused about why they were all in DTLA rather than Pasadena. I'm not complaining, mind you - they were all pretty well-behaved!

I thought it was unfortunate for them to see DTLA on a holiday week though - the streets were light on people and activity, and many places were closed for a long weekend. I think it speaks well for Downtown that so many families felt safe enough to stay here, though, rather than in Pasadena. That's a story in and of itself.

I took some out-of-town friends around Olvera Street and the Civic Center yesterday, and even though the Civic Center was mostly dead -- again, holiday weekend and all -- it wasn't as dead as it was a few years ago. Lots of tour buses at Olvera Street. That cultural center across Main Street needs to open ASAP. I'm also looking forward to the Pico Building getting activated somehow on the ground floor.

2010 was a great year for Downtown... looking forward to 2011.

[mdiederi]

There were some events at LA Live where the marching bands were performing, that's why they were all down there.

[RAlossi]

^ I've been seeing them consistently for days. I'm certain a good number are staying in DTLA.

[[email protected]]

Good news for L.A.!! maybe even a studio apartment highrise in the future?? If only Phoenix looked like this, that would be awesome

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

ive also noticed the large number of Wisconsin fans in DTLA. lots of them for the last week, and thats great news. they were all over the bars and restaurants on fig.

in regards to the Embassy hotel, i actually walked a bit inside since the door was open the other day and i can tell you that the interior lobby area looks like its probably 75% complete. i dont know if its still going to be a hotel, but there are crews in there almost every day. They also replaced all the windows. interesting that no one (Blogdowntown, Downtown News, LA Times, Curbed) has reported on this.

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Thanks for the observations. I was thinking the exact same thing about the Rose Bowl attendees, with red jackets far outnumbering TCU in my opinion... Jake and I were confused about why they were all in DTLA rather than Pasadena. I'm not complaining, mind you - they were all pretty well-behaved!

I thought it was unfortunate for them to see DTLA on a holiday week though - the streets were light on people and activity, and many places were closed for a long weekend. I think it speaks well for Downtown that so many families felt safe enough to stay here, though, rather than in Pasadena. That's a story in and of itself.

I took some out-of-town friends around Olvera Street and the Civic Center yesterday, and even though the Civic Center was mostly dead -- again, holiday weekend and all -- it wasn't as dead as it was a few years ago. Lots of tour buses at Olvera Street. That cultural center across Main Street needs to open ASAP. I'm also looking forward to the Pico Building getting activated somehow on the ground floor.

2010 was a great year for Downtown... looking forward to 2011.

The only thing "dead" was that many office towers were not at full capacity with employees due to the holiday week. In all my years here (4 years), I have never seen sooooo many tourists roaming the streets during the Holiday break, especiallly New Years weekend. I knew it was going to be a busy few days leading up to New Years Day as you heard that Disneyland SOLD OUT for 2 consecutive days. How often you hear that story? So, there was a general spike in interest for tourism for all of southern California. Also, as I do spend quite a bit of time volunteering at Union Station, I met tons and tons of Cheeseheads and Horned Frogs just interested in seeing the city and most were looking forward to downtown above hollywood. I pointed them all to Olvera street, Cathedral of our Lady of Angels, Walt Disney Hall, Angels Flight (totally bragged about how it's the shortest railway in the world and the 1 cent fare on Friday), Grand Central Market and the Bradbury building. I gave this advice to at least 150 people on Friday morning, which, on a good day is usually 50 during my 4 hour shifts.

Also, generally more people from the universities who come for the Rose Bowl tend to stay in downtown over Pasadena as there is more capacity in this area. Pasadena doesn't have the amount of hotels to compete with downtown LA. Additionaly, both the Cheeseheads and Horned Frogs had rallys at LA Live! on Friday evening which made downtown LA more convenient. Nearly everybody was interested and looking forward to taking the Gold Line to the game. A lot of people were staying in hotels in Little Tokyo and I directed them to their Little Tokyo/Arts District station. I think downtown LA really shined these last few days and I'm sure made new fans from our visitors from Wisconsin and Texas. I was very proud to see how the city has grown over the last four years. It was a joy seeing tons of red and purple (significantly more red I might add) these last few days.