LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Personally, I don't think that building a football stadium will make much of a difference. It is replacing a big old hulking structure with another big old hulking structure. Nothing gained, nothing lost.

I wanted to respond to your post only because I happened to drive by the convention ctr last sunday. That bldg truly is cheap & fugly looking, which for some reason was more noticeable than usual to me.

Much of the CC's facade reminds me of the corrugated steel surface used on backyard tool sheds or storage locker bldgs. So I really hope that what's shown in the pic from jamesinclair is a look into the future (& hopefully near future) of the convention ctr.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

archpaper.com

Is the LED lighting really necessary?

the bigger question to me involves a very visible part of the proj site, which is where the taller tower is supposed to be located. How long will that portion of the block be allowed to remain vacant?

the 2nd tower is going to be at the SW corner of Fig & Wilshire, which is one of the most prominent locations in the hood. so if the devlpr ends up delaying start of work on the highrise for a good amt of time, that means the WG proj will have a noticeable gap in it. I don't want it to end up like the gap across the street, where a 3rd tower just a few dozen feet from the new target store was penciled in yrs ago.

[JDRCRASH]

Slightly off-topic:

Google Earth has released it's most recent satellite views, with much of LA's from March 8 this year. You can see a lot of progress on the Expo Line, as well as construction on the Civic Park.

[pesto]

Originally Posted by citywatch

the bigger question to me involves a very visible part of the proj site, which is where the taller tower is supposed to be located. How long will that portion of the block be allowed to remain vacant?

the 2nd tower is going to be at the SW corner of Fig & Wilshire, which is one of the most prominent locations in the hood. so if the devlpr ends up delaying start of work on the highrise for a good amt of time, that means the WG proj will have a noticeable gap in it. I don't want it to end up like the gap across the street, where a 3rd tower just a few dozen feet from the new target store was penciled in yrs ago.

So what is the solution? Mandate a starting time for the new tower, even if there is no demand? Or mandate a building of at least 3 stories with a right to put up a taller one if and when demand arises?

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

I would concur this arguement with what I saw at Fenway Park in Boston. The neighborhood is filled with bars, restaurants, etc.. a very lively atmosphere whenever the Red Sox are playing..or not because they have built thousands of residential units within walking distance of the baseball stadium. So everything is relative.

I agree... Petco Park in san diego revitalized it's surrounding area, tons developments of hotels built, bars and clubs and an iconic pedestrian suspension bridge... Farmers Field will bring a lot to Los Angeles.

[RAlossi]

Just a couple photos from out and about today.

YWCA






Belasco Theater reopened



Parking lot at Olympic and B'way getting repaved and integrating the former mini-street into the lot. That in and of itself isn't much, but there are brand-new sidewalks installed all around with tree wells.



Blackstone Lofts completed with ground-floor retail.



Blogdowntown/Indie Printing's new co-working space on B'way. Looks great from the inside and out!


In case you haven't seen it, the Metropolitan Lofts looks complete, at least above ground level. Not sure if they're going to be doing anything with the ground-floor retail space.



Chimu Peruvian restaurant opened on the patio at Grand Central Market. I've been hoping for something to open there for years now. There were so many people sitting there and enjoying the beautiful day. It was really nice with Angels Flight going up and down the hill across the street.

[Illithid Dude]

THAT is what I call quality architecture. Check out that hulking massing, reflective, anti-pedestrian windows, and super-classy beige stucco. Sexy.

[RAlossi]

The ground floor is still hidden behind the construction fencing... so how can you tell the windows are somehow anti-pedestrian?

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

The ground floor is still hidden behind the construction fencing... so how can you tell the windows are somehow anti-pedestrian?

The visible ones are. I'm just assuming.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

THAT is what I call quality architecture. Check out that hulking massing, reflective, anti-pedestrian windows, and super-classy beige stucco. Sexy.

I agree that its pretty fugly. They can't all be winners though. At least its development.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

I agree that it isn't pretty by any means, but it's urban infill, and it's STILL better than the parking structure at Watermarke!! LOL

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by RAlossi

Chimu Peruvian restaurant opened on the patio at Grand Central Market. I've been hoping for something to open there for years now. There were so many people sitting there and enjoying the beautiful day. It was really nice with Angels Flight going up and down the hill across the street.

Whoa awesome restaurant! Didn't know that was open, thanks Rich!

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

archpaper.com

Is the LED lighting really necessary?

Originally Posted by citywatch

the bigger question to me involves a very visible part of the proj site, which is where the taller tower is supposed to be located. How long will that portion of the block be allowed to remain vacant?

the 2nd tower is going to be at the SW corner of Fig & Wilshire, which is one of the most prominent locations in the hood. so if the devlpr ends up delaying start of work on the highrise for a good amt of time, that means the WG proj will have a noticeable gap in it. I don't want it to end up like the gap across the street, where a 3rd tower just a few dozen feet from the new target store was penciled in yrs ago.

I only asked what I did because I feel that these towers would be far more elegant and attractive without LED lighting and ads.

I agree with what you're saying about the new development; why can't they just secure the funding for the whole project and then build the whole project instead of doing it piecemeal? It just ends up looking like a comb with teeth missing; you can't appreciate how the whole thing is supposed to look until the whole thing is built.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesDreamin

I agree... Petco Park in san diego revitalized it's surrounding area, tons developments of hotels built, bars and clubs and an iconic pedestrian suspension bridge... Farmers Field will bring a lot to Los Angeles.

Hasn't it been discussed before, though, how baseball and football are completely different animals? Not that I'm against Farmers Field necessarily, but I believe there are other ways to revitalize downtown LA and make it very lively. I would think a football stadium would SCARE some potential residents from moving into the immediate area.

[ChelseaFC]

From everything I've heard/seen, South Park residents are in favor of the stadium. Most notably because of the projected peripheral development and conventions it will bring. That means more retail, more restaurants, more foot traffic, and more vitality overall. AEG is working hard to project this stadium as a true events center, and not just a pro football stadium. If the public sees the stadium as more than just an 8-day a year venue, and more as a gathering place well-integrated with LA Live, I think current and prospective residents will be quite satisfied.

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

Hasn't it been discussed before, though, how baseball and football are completely different animals? Not that I'm against Farmers Field necessarily, but I believe there are other ways to revitalize downtown LA and make it very lively. I would think a football stadium would SCARE some potential residents from moving into the immediate area.

Honestly...whoever it scares away are not the urban types. If they want a place of no traffic, desolate sidewalks, etc... then they should not bother coming.

Again, this Farmers Field is being placed in the back end of the convention center. A deadzone..and it will not have any residential/office zoning anytime soon. It's the worst location in downtown. If Farmers Field was going to be plopped around 11th and Grand...then I can understand a downtowner's concern.

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

From everything I've heard/seen, South Park residents are in favor of the stadium. Most notably because of the projected peripheral development and conventions it will bring. That means more retail, more restaurants, more foot traffic, and more vitality overall. AEG is working hard to project this stadium as a true events center, and not just a pro football stadium. If the public sees the stadium as more than just an 8-day a year venue, and more as a gathering place well-integrated with LA Live, I think current and prospective residents will be quite satisfied.

Totally. As a South Park resident (I live at 9th and Flower)...most of my neighbors are in favor the development. It's funny those who complain about the "traffic" problem are those that don't live in downtown. I'd say "don't bother" to those people...they should consider moving to Billings, Montana in my opinion. Every city has traffic...EVERY CITY.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

Hasn't it been discussed before, though, how baseball and football are completely different animals? Not that I'm against Farmers Field necessarily, but I believe there are other ways to revitalize downtown LA and make it very lively. I would think a football stadium would SCARE some potential residents from moving into the immediate area.

forgot bout that discussion haha -__-'' but yea.. if i were given the opportunity to live in a condo close to farmers field i wouldnt mind at all, thats just me.. of course residents might be afraid of all the traffic it could bring, but hey.. get the hell out of your car and walk lol(for the downtown residents of course).. you're in the city use the public transit and walk your ass.

[bmfarley]

I support a stadium downtown. I think a baseball stadium would offer a much better situation for the local neighborhood.

Football has fewer games each year. The attendees for football games, or for convention events, will be not be regulars and will not be vested in the neighborhood itself. Plus, the stadium would be bigger and more intimidating.

Baseball, on the other hand, will have many games and relatively higher number of returning attendees. Regulars. They'll feel relatively more vested in the area. The stadium will be smaller and fit in a bit more.

As aside.... my wife and I are looking for a place to live and the South Park area is one of the areas we are looking at closely. Particularly around the 12th/Hope area or 2-3 blocks north of there. If the stadium were to be a baseball one.... I'd have no second thoughts. I saw the improvement in San Diego and San Francisco with Petco and AT&T. Did wonders. Football is different

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesDreamin

forgot bout that discussion haha -__-'' but yea.. if i were given the opportunity to live in a condo close to farmers field i wouldnt mind at all, thats just me.. of course residents might be afraid of all the traffic it could bring, but hey.. get the hell out of your car and walk lol(for the downtown residents of course).. you're in the city use the public transit and walk your ass.

Well I wasn't talking about potential residents being scared of the traffic, but of the hoojies and hooligans football can bring.

From the standpoint of Farmers Field actually being a multipurpose events center and added convention space, I think that's more of a plus.