LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Replacing an ugly low rise
-Actually has money and will happen
-A new Supertall

only thing about wilshire/grand that makes me pause is that the main tower----the really tall portion of the proj----isn't scheduled as part of the first phase. The devlpr says that groundbreaking on the highrise isn't even certain or finalized. but If the 2nd phase depends on filling the office space that would be in it, then not sure what kind of timetable we're looking at.

the old hotel that will be torn down won't be missed by most ppl. but it's too bad it requires demolition while this site just down the street from it still remains a big gap....



that big gap is next to this other gap....



....which is across from macys plaza. Everyone isn't too happy with macy's, both inside & out. But the improvement process still is at such an early stage throughout the hood, that not only are sites like macys in need of an upgrade, lots of other spaces still are waiting to be filled in.

google streetview makes it easy to see what still has to be done!

[LosAngelesBeauty]

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

[Illithid Dude]

On the topic of the second tower getting built when the space is leased, I don't think that is an issue. Someone posted an article earlier about how a law firm was moving downtown due to the gentrification of the hood. This gentrification will continue. And with this continuation, more businesses will move downtown. By the time that tall building is ready to be built, after the demolition of the Wilshire Grand, downtown will be much nicer then it is now. Law Firms and offices will want to move downtown, and the space for them to move in will be approved and ready to go. Like I said before, leasing won't be an issue.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by BrighamYen

Basically, 7+FIG sits in a bombed out location surrounded by a sea of surface parking lots

this is what sits to the south of 7thFig....



google streetview allows the condition of dtla to be made more clear cut & obvious cuz it captures, location by location, exactly what causes lots of ppl to feel lukewarm about the hood. the reason they've historically found it very easy to walk away from dt, to other parts of the city, or to the burbs.

there have been arguments about connectiveness, parking podiums, rail transit, fugly new bldgs, density & height, old bunker hill vs new, parking requirements, & the way sidewalks should interact with bldgs & streets. the problem with those arguments is when they've become so generalized, they don't necessarily even apply to LA, or certainly dtla. They can be so vague they end up losing sight of what really destroys the appeal of the hood.

The biggest problem with DT since the beginning? Not enough $$ to develop enough of its land properly & nicely. A sense that money has always run dry before the hood could move to the next level. Until more of those $$ can be brought in to fill the gaps & deadzones, it sure would be nice if the fugly parts could be scrapped clean & nicely landscaped, or something along those lines.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by citywatch

this is what sits to the south of 7thFig....



google streetview allows the condition of dtla to be made more clear cut & obvious cuz it captures, location by location, exactly what causes lots of ppl to feel lukewarm about the hood. the reason they've historically found it very easy to walk away from dt, to other parts of the city, or to the burbs.

there have been arguments about connectiveness, parking podiums, rail transit, fugly new bldgs, density & height, old bunker hill vs new, parking requirements, & the way sidewalks should interact with bldgs & streets. the problem with those arguments is when they've become so generalized, they don't necessarily even apply to LA, or certainly dtla. They can be so vague they end up losing sight of what really destroys the appeal of the hood.

The biggest problem with DT since the beginning? Not enough $$ to develop enough of its land properly & nicely. A sense that money has always run dry before the hood could move to the next level. Until more of those $$ can be brought in to fill the gaps & deadzones, it sure would be nice if the fugly parts could be scrapped clean & nicely landscaped, or something along those lines.

Boy do I agree. Every time it feels like Downtown is on the tipping point, a damn recession gets in the way. It happened in 2008, it happened in the mid 90s. I hope it doesn't happen again. Though, I feel like enough happened before the 2008 recession that Downtown can now maintain it's pace of growth. I hope I am right.

[lawfin]

Supertall at 65 stories??

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by citywatch

this is what sits to the south of 7thFig....



google streetview allows the condition of dtla to be made more clear cut & obvious cuz it captures, location by location, exactly what causes lots of ppl to feel lukewarm about the hood. the reason they've historically found it very easy to walk away from dt, to other parts of the city, or to the burbs.

there have been arguments about connectiveness, parking podiums, rail transit, fugly new bldgs, density & height, old bunker hill vs new, parking requirements, & the way sidewalks should interact with bldgs & streets. the problem with those arguments is when they've become so generalized, they don't necessarily even apply to LA, or certainly dtla. They can be so vague they end up losing sight of what really destroys the appeal of the hood.

The biggest problem with DT since the beginning? Not enough $$ to develop enough of its land properly & nicely. A sense that money has always run dry before the hood could move to the next level. Until more of those $$ can be brought in to fill the gaps & deadzones, it sure would be nice if the fugly parts could be scrapped clean & nicely landscaped, or something along those lines.

We just haven't hit a critical mass of normalcy yet within DTLA. Once that happens, there will be enough demand from home buyers and renters to lower the risk involved with lenders who provide construction loans to developers who DO WANT to make MONEY by building buildings. However, as a real estate agent, I KNOW most people are still looking for single family homes to buy because they aren't into being "urban pioneers." However, it doesn't mean that if and when DTLA hits a critical mass of normalcy as projects SLOWLY fill those deadzones, that these same home buyers won't seriously consider DTLA as a place to live. But we gotta have the basics down before that can happen. We're getting there!

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by lawfin

Supertall at 65 stories??

It's supposed to be like 1200 feet tall. That's pretty damn tall for the West Coast.

[colemonkee]

lawfin, One Bryant Park (BofA) in NYC is 945ft. to the roof, 1,200 ft. to the tip of the spire and is only 55 stories. So 1,200 ft for a 65 floor tower sounds about right with a somewhat shorter spire. Office floors in newer towers are a bit higher to allow more natural light in, which is one of the factors that allows them to qualify for LEED status.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Two new hotels coming soon to South Park! Ya AEG!

AEG Set to Announce New Hotel Next to L.A. Live
By Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, March 11, 2011, at 03:41PM
AEG Eric Richardson [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Officials with AEG have been consistent in saying that their proposed $1.4 billion NFL stadium and events center would stimulate new developments in Downtown's hotel industry.

The company appears set to back that talk up by kicking off development of an entitled hotel site it owns just north of L.A. Live.

On Wednesday morning, Ted Tanner told the members of the Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Authority that the company is under contract with a hotel developer and plans to announce the development deal within the next two weeks.

Tanner, who heads up real estate development for the company, said the 375-room development would include "two brands," but did not specify what they would be.

The project could be the first of several to get announced for South Park.

"Every major brand is interested in being Downtown right now," Tanner said.

While much of that interest is being driven by the stadium project and the promise of a renewed Convention Center, the first year performance of the 1,001 rooms in the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hasn't exactly hurt. AEG projected first year occupancy rates in the two hotels to be 56%, but hit 64% instead. Room rates are similarly 10% higher than the company had projected.

The soon-to-be-announced hotel could get company on AEG's Olympic North parcel, which sits north of Olympic between Francisco and Georgia. The site is currently entitled for 600,000 square feet of office and broadcast studio space, but Tanner said that AEG may look to change some of that to hotel rooms. Since AEG first applied for the broadcast entitlement in 2009, Comcast purchased NBC Universal, giving the Comcast Entertainment Group a more natural home in the Universal City development.

http://blogdowntown.com/2011/03/6175-aeg-set-to-announce-new-hotel-next-to-la

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

Two new hotels coming soon to South Park! Ya AEG!

AEG Set to Announce New Hotel Next to L.A. Live
By Eric Richardson
Published: Friday, March 11, 2011, at 03:41PM
AEG Eric Richardson [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Officials with AEG have been consistent in saying that their proposed $1.4 billion NFL stadium and events center would stimulate new developments in Downtown's hotel industry.

The company appears set to back that talk up by kicking off development of an entitled hotel site it owns just north of L.A. Live.

On Wednesday morning, Ted Tanner told the members of the Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Authority that the company is under contract with a hotel developer and plans to announce the development deal within the next two weeks.

Tanner, who heads up real estate development for the company, said the 375-room development would include "two brands," but did not specify what they would be.

The project could be the first of several to get announced for South Park.

"Every major brand is interested in being Downtown right now," Tanner said.

While much of that interest is being driven by the stadium project and the promise of a renewed Convention Center, the first year performance of the 1,001 rooms in the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hasn't exactly hurt. AEG projected first year occupancy rates in the two hotels to be 56%, but hit 64% instead. Room rates are similarly 10% higher than the company had projected.

The soon-to-be-announced hotel could get company on AEG's Olympic North parcel, which sits north of Olympic between Francisco and Georgia. The site is currently entitled for 600,000 square feet of office and broadcast studio space, but Tanner said that AEG may look to change some of that to hotel rooms. Since AEG first applied for the broadcast entitlement in 2009, Comcast purchased NBC Universal, giving the Comcast Entertainment Group a more natural home in the Universal City development.

http://blogdowntown.com/2011/03/6175-aeg-set-to-announce-new-hotel-next-to-la

Woooo! They said they would bring five hotels to downtown. I suppose this is two. Exciting. Truly. Now, more new housing developments are in order, methinks....

[LosAngelesBeauty]

I'm going throw out some guesses on the possible 2 hotels:

1) The Edition

2) Hard Rock Hotel

3) AKA

4) Andaz

[Quixote]

So which site do you think it is? I'm pretty sure it's the parcel between Francisco and Cottage.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by BrighamYen

I'm going throw out some guesses on the possible 2 hotels:

1) The Edition

2) Hard Rock Hotel

3) AKA

4) Andaz

Four Seasons. It is zoned pretty much exactly like the one in San Fransisco. Just a guess, though.

[bobcat]

Hyatt is probably the biggest upscale chain not currently in Downtown so I'd guess something like a Hyatt/Andaz.

Regarding the other lots surrounding LA Live/Convention Center I hope whatever projects eventually get built there include major hotel components. The previous mad rush to build condos never made sense in that location and was only due to all the easy money being tossed around by the banks.

[DJM19]

I believe LA Central was suppose to include a hotel.

[pesto]

Moving off hotels, I walked around DT last night and was extremely impressed. 7th St. looks better every time and parts of Olive, Hill, etc. are improving. Macy's actually had some activity; it's time to open up that front and make it more welcoming.

Main and Spring have been good for some time and the homeless were less in view. Even the relatively deserted walk from Pete's to Jtown had people walking on it. Jtown was doing quite well and Lazy Ox (where I ate) was packed. The Far Bar is a nice little funky update to a classic old 1st St. landmark.

Bway was mostly quiet but I can feel the pressure building.

[RAlossi]

Glad you caught firsthand what amazing progress is taking place on 7th Street, Pesto. It's similar to what's happening with Spring Street.

With the Wilshire Grand Hotel tower replacement, plus 7+FIG's additions, here's what's going on from west to east on 7th:

7-Eleven and Green Hut Cafe at the Barker Brothers Building (7th/Figueroa). Recently reopened Dublin's at Fine Arts Building. New Italian restaurant concept at the Roosevelt (under construction). New gelato/froyo place at the Robinsons-May (I see people in there working now after three years). New bar in the Robinsons-May building next to recently opened SugarFish. Chipotle catty-corner from Bottega Louie. Pasta Primavera expanding.

Now, east of Grand Avenue: New restaurant under construction in the Collection Building (or whatever the building is adjacent to the Okada Building). New restaurant in the new Okada Building, under construction on all four floors. Mas Malo. New salon recently opened in the Mandel Lofts. Mo-Chica coming to the Mandel. LA Athletic Club cleaning/recent upgrade to hotel rooms.

Then that brings us to most of the area east of Olive, which is the heart of the Jewelry District. The building on the southwest corner of 7th and Hill (MITAA Jewelry Center) finished its facade cleaning/ground floor retail upgrade. There's a few buildings that need some serious scrubbing, and hopefully some ground floor retail or restaurants not jewelry related, since we all know that those stores close at 5:30.

Once you get to Broadway, things pick up again with the Clifton's renovation/upgrade, the vodka bar at the Haas under construction, recently opened Flames Grill at the Haas, and rumors of some new retail leasing at the Van Nuys Building on 7th/Spring.

With the exception of the blocks between Olive and Hill, that ugly parking garage on 7th and Broadway, Giannini Place and Macy's Plaza, most of the entire corridor is really taking off.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by SD_Phil

^The central areas of Mexico city are for the most part as clean and safe as the best american cities and they're served by an affordable mass transit system to boot. Having said that I think there is a lot in common in the built forms of the two cities and they 'feel' very much like one another in their urban parts (no pyramids or 500 year old cathedrals in LA though).

Good to hear about the new hotel. 300+ units could be a fairly tall structure. How big is the lot?

Not sure how big the lot is, but AEG was, as of 2009, trying to zone the lot for a 325 foot tall tower. So, not crazy tall, but not short, either.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

The amount of time it takes to find the most unflattering pictures of LA you can, just to contrast them with the best pictures of "City X" you can find, is borderline manic. Im sure if we found every bad angle picture of you and contrasted it against only the nicest shots of someone else, you'd look pretty homely yourself.
Downtown Los Angeles people...lets say it three more times while we click our heels and maybe we can get back on topic.
Any more info on those possible new hotels that were talked about around LA LIVE?

I remember specifically AEG mentioning that Hard Rock Hotel was one of the strongest possibilities for the site north of LA Live, with another studio network being lured to be based there.

And I also remember The Edition wanting to come to LA.

Andaz is another boutique hotel operator that is a possibility.