Thank you for posting those pictures Citywatch.
Those "big gaps" are the main impediments to the future development of creating a retail shopping district in DTLA because all the great energy from the renovated/remodeled 7+FIG will be "wasted" when the energy generated by the future retailers cannot "spill over" onto nearby retail spaces not affiliated with 7+FIG.
Remodeling 7+FIG is a classic case of urban revitalization as Old Pasadena also started out with one large redevelopment (One Colorado at Fair Oaks/Colorado) that spawned a
whole new shopping district now a regional draw. But the difference is,
One Colorado (which includes businesses like: A/X, Sephora, J Crew, Soap Kitchen, Il Fornaio, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Gold Class Cinemas, AKA Bistro, Gap, Jumping JellyFish, etc.) is surrounded by other buildings that could easily take advantage of the positive energy that One Colorado was able to generate. When One Colorado became successful, other retailers were quick to lease up space nearby and it spread like wild fire after that where now Old Pasadena has over 100 restaurants and 200 retailers. Downtown LA could have WAY MORE than that as it WAY bigger.
Basically, 7+FIG sits in a bombed out location surrounded by a sea of surface parking lots and the one stronger connection it does have with the rest of DTLA, being 7th Street, has most of its spaces already filled up with restaurants.
That's why it is so important for the pictures citywatch posted to develop into high-density mixed use developments with LOTSA ground floor retail space to complement the renovations at 7+FIG.
When you think about what other businesses 7+FIG will attract because of Target, it just seems like such a wasted opportunity when Macy's Plaza is an embarrassment and there are actually NO BUILDINGS around 7+FIG to lease space in! LOL
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