LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0 - Page 126

LosAngelesSportsFan · #**2501** Posted **Nov 6, 2011, 9:31 PM**

Not sure if this was mentioned before, but we have a second crane in downtown now. the holland group project in City west has a blue crane up.

LosAngelesDreamin · #**2502** Posted **Nov 7, 2011, 12:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by alki

if you like this building, you will like these from santiago calatrava:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&suge...osb&fp=df050c5001851642&biw=1488&bih=681

nice!!

LosAngelesDreamin · #**2503** Posted **Nov 8, 2011, 10:04 PM**

OneMetropolis · #**2504** Posted **Nov 9, 2011, 6:39 PM**

It looks like its coming along nicely

Link

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/11/do..._starbucks_arriving_barriers_leaving.php

DistrictDirt · #**2505** Posted **Nov 9, 2011, 11:25 PM**

Just got the word that the green, separated bike lane on Spring Street is now underway. Weather permitting, it should be done by thanksgiving. LA may be behind cities like Portland and NYC in cycling infrastructure, but it looks to be catching up in a big hurry.

jamesinclair · #**2506** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 12:18 AM**

Freshand Easy coming to USC.

Should have happened 3 years ago, it's a no-brainier.

The question is, will it be a full size (for them) 10,000sqft store, or one of their new express stores? (4,000)

Illithid Dude · #**2507** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 1:07 AM**

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/11/6_...no_and_norman_foster.php#reader_comments

For the redevelopment of Union Station. Apparently, we are looking at something around the size of Century City (!). Norman Foster is on the shortlist. A Norman Foster designed TOD the size of Century City is actually wet-dream worthy.

all of the trash · #**2508** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 4:37 AM**

^The 'size of century city' is way too hopeful for this project.

I hope Metro goes with a developer with a bold and ambitious plan for the design but I'm not going to hold my breath for anything. It'd be nice to think that as the hub of a growing transit network, Union Station would be complimented with iconic architecture. But its difficult to be iconic without height and there's no demand, office or residential, for a 20+ story building. Interesting list of teams for the project but if I had to make a prediction this will inevitable be pared down to some boring wooden structure with lots of stucco.

all of the trash · #**2509** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 4:37 AM**

I'm actually a lot more excited about the Spring St. bike lane

all of the trash · #**2510** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 4:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneMetropolis

It looks like its coming along nicely

Link

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/11/do..._starbucks_arriving_barriers_leaving.php

Palm trees really? I thought we were through with palm trees in Los Angeles. Not that I had high hopes for this park but I was expecting something a little more classy.

Illithid Dude · #**2511** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 5:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by all of the trash

^The 'size of century city' is way too hopeful for this project.

Six million square feet is six towers the size of one of the Century Plaza towers. Saying that the Union Station redevelopment is the size of Century City is right on the mark.

edluva · #**2512** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 8:21 AM**

Well see how much legs this 6msf figure ultimately has. Grand avenue had plenty of entitlements too didn't it, and now look what happened there. When will you guys figure out that it's all about funding, which is a product of demand. No demand, no funding. anybody can produce pretty pictures.

And where's the demand? Well, what city and era is this?

pesto · #**2513** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 4:53 PM**

This is definitely going to be something to look forward to. Hopefully no disappointments.

I always seem to be marching to a different drum. This is a TOD area if there ever was one. I would find it hard to imagine that demand for upscale high-rise housing would justify the cost of development. Filling the area with Mission/Deco derivate styles complementary of Union Station is just fine. So is 3 to 12 stories. Save high-rise for Pershing Sq. and South Park, along Fig, etc.

It's interesting that many posters are OK with low-rise along Fig (the Liebeskind replacement and the shopping mall on Francisco) but want iconic and high-rise in an industrial area surrounded by freeways and prisons.

A serious question: does anyone have a sense for what the real demand for housing or office space in this area is? There's no point in putting together plans that will attract no investors or buyers.

Muji · #**2514** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 5:56 PM**

Pretty great news for Broadway from blogdowntown.

Quote:

Historic Broadway Cafeteria to be Revived as French Bistro
By ERIC RICHARDSON
Published: Wednesday, November 09, 2011, at 11:56AM

A Broadway building that was nearly burned to the ground by rioters in 1992 will come back to life 20 years later as a French bistro.

Figaro Bistro on Broadway will be the second restaurant for the Mgaieth family, who also operate Figaro Bistro on Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz. According to a release sent out Wednesday morning by Councilman Jose Huizar's office, the restaurant could open as early as mid-2012.

The Spanish Colonial Revival-style structure at 618 S. Broadway was the only Downtown building destroyed in the riots that erupted after the police officers who beat Rodney King were declared not guilty. Looters ransacked the Carl's Jr. and Foot Locker inside before setting the building on fire the following night. Only the facade and the mezzanine remained.

[...]

2012 should be a big year for Broadway as a dining destination. Also on track to open during the year are Umamicatessen and Two Boots Pizza, both of which are headed for the block between 8th and 9th.

LosAngelesDreamin · #**2515** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesto

Filling the area with Mission/Deco derivate styles complementary of Union Station is just fine. So is 3 to 12 stories. Save high-rise for Pershing Sq. and South Park, along Fig, etc.

Why limit high rises to only those areas?? i think downtown should have a mix of everything everywhere.

Quixote · #**2516** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 10:34 PM**

Speaking of the Civic Park, here's a long-overdue photo update:

http://civicpark.lacounty.gov/c/11092011/constructionphotos2.html

Virtual Urban Vision · #**2517** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 10:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muji

Pretty great news for Broadway from blogdowntown.

This will be great for Broadway, thanks for posting!!

ocman · #**2518** Posted **Nov 10, 2011, 11:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by all of the trash

Palm trees really? I thought we were through with palm trees in Los Angeles. Not that I had high hopes for this park but I was expecting something a little more classy.

The problem with palm trees is that when they're planted in concrete, they have a way of inadvertently emphasizing the concrete, especially when they're randomly dispersed rather than aggregated. The eventual disease that LA palms inevitably contract doesn't help either. In fact, in that photo above, some of them look as if they're dying now. There are native California trees that are lush but don't make the place more of a concrete desert.

Illithid Dude · #**2519** Posted **Nov 11, 2011, 12:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesto

Filling the area with Mission/Deco derivate styles complementary of Union Station is just fine. So is 3 to 12 stories. Save high-rise for Pershing Sq. and South Park, along Fig, etc.

It's interesting that many posters are OK with low-rise along Fig (the Liebeskind replacement and the shopping mall on Francisco) but want iconic and high-rise in an industrial area surrounded by freeways and prisons.

I've been to many different cities in the world. In my opinion, I've been to a few cities that I can safely say are as close to perfect as they come (Copenhagen, Tokyo, New York). I've seen the best of what the world has to offer in terms of not only architecture, but Urban Design as a whole. Frankly, it seems that 7 stories is about as low as these thriving urban areas get ergo I am fine with anything 7 stories and above. However, I have also seen how great architecture is far greater a boon to an area, and a draw for residents, then mediocre architecture. I hate the building going where the Libeskind building is going because it is ugly. If it was attractive, then I would have no issues with it.

Also, Mission/Deco architecture today? That would be atrocious, especially next to something as beautiful as Union Station. Architecture that tries to replicate the past never turns out well as a rule. Stick with what you know, AKA todays modern architecture, and try to make that as good as possible. Luckily, if Norman Foster is chosen, then it would seem that my hope for quality architecture would be realized.

LA/OCman · #**2520** Posted **Nov 11, 2011, 12:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by all of the trash

Palm trees really? I thought we were through with palm trees in Los Angeles. Not that I had high hopes for this park but I was expecting something a little more classy.

I am not sure I would say that palm trees are not classy. Having lived in the South and Midwest...coming back to Calif was especially nice seeing all of the palms. It looks like there are a lot of trees...Olive, Tipu, Jacarandas and various species of Palms. As long as the palms are integrated with beautiful landscaping, I am all for it. It does appear there will be a lot of shade trees....and no Ficus thank God. I always loved the fountain so I am glad that it is being restored. Also look forward to concerts by the LA Phil and tenants of the Music Center.