LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by pesto

I think this was one of several student projects for what a 101 cap park would look like. The sillier versions included the "tallest building west of Chicago" as a gateway along the 101 and other dubious ideas for energy generation, deployable blinds, ecological plantings and hydration, museums, etc.

It will be interesting to see how these concepts juxtapose with the new Civic Center Park, which was hurriedly built so as to "create jobs" and with little focus on actual use, and with the Union Station plan, which could very well succumb to the same pressures.

Some, but not all of those ideas were silly. It would make sense to line a park like that with some highrises like other larger urban parks around the world. Museums (not sure we necessarily need any more) would also be realistic. In fact, unless a new park capping the 101 has some of these additional draws incorporated into its design, they might as well not spend that much money just to create open space.

[RST500]

The reason the 101 cap park is nessesary is not mainy for creating more park space but to bridge the gap between Chinatown, El Pueblo, Union Station with the rest of Downtown.

[Muji]

I was surprised today to see that nice new floors are going into the Broadway/Spring Arcade Building, a dramatic improvement over the old stuff. It also appears that the vendors are no longer allowed to exhibit their stuff in the passageway, though I don't know if that's only until they finish construction.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by Muji

I was surprised today to see that nice new floors are going into the Broadway/Spring Arcade Building, a dramatic improvement over the old stuff. It also appears that the vendors are no longer allowed to exhibit their stuff in the passageway, though I don't know if that's only until they finish construction.

Amazing!! What a difference. In a couple of years when all the discount vendors are out and Spring Arcade is filled with upscale shops, bars, and eateries, its going to be a destination.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by Muji

I was surprised today to see that nice new floors are going into the Broadway/Spring Arcade Building, a dramatic improvement over the old stuff. It also appears that the vendors are no longer allowed to exhibit their stuff in the passageway, though I don't know if that's only until they finish construction.

what did it look like before??? i never been inside this building... its beautiful

[Muji]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesDreamin

what did it look like before??? i never been inside this building... its beautiful

Things are slowly starting to look up for the building. Famima!! opened recently on the Broadway side, and I think there are plans for Royal Clayton's, a former Arts District pub, to open at the Spring Street entrance (though there's still no sign of activity). The arcade connecting Broadway to Spring Street is one of downtown's most unique structures, and one of its most underutilized assets. Change can't come fast enough.

As for what it used to look like, here's a photo on Flickr:

Broadway Arcade Building par fridayinla, sur Flickr

Just for kicks, here's one from better days in 1963:

Source: LAPL Images

[BrandonJXN]

^That picture begs the question: Whatever happened to fridayinla?

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Muji

Things are slowly starting to look up for the building.

thanks, muji! You forumers who actually are in the hood, taking photos or describing what's going on there help keep this thread alive.

I know when posts start focusing on projs that are pie in the sky, or devlpt that MAY be built by the time everyone here is ready to check into a senior citizens nursing home, my interest does wander.

I was worried about the Arcade bldg a few yrs ago when the owner appeared to stop renovating the upper floors for lofts. Or I read someone claiming that his contractors were doing a very fast, cheap job. The decline of landmarks like the Arcade bldg has been one of the tragedies of the decline of dt in general. so its renewal can't, as you say, occur fast enough.

I feel guilty that unlike forumers like you, I'm one of those who admittedly doesn't post pics from the front line, or give details on first hand experiences in dtla. So the best I can do in pulling my share of the weight is by showing pics from cams on....web sites.

here's the site of the marriott hotel as of a few minutes ago...


marriott2lalive.com

btw, threehundred, I recall reading somewhere that fridayinla moved to paris. If so, I wonder if ppl like him look back on their time in LA, esp dtla, & feel either nostalgic about it or don't miss it in the least.

[213]

Meh. Beaux arts meets Stevenson Ranch.

[Illithid Dude]

I don't like it. It looks tacky, and reminds me of a McMansion.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by IconRPCV

So while i wish it would be a retailer that i would actually frequent, a big name retail chain is coming downtown, on the corner of 7th and Hope, across the street from Botega Louie. Everyone lets welcome, Guess!

I wrote about the Guess ad mistaken as a Guess store here:

http://brighamyen.com/2012/05/31/guess-clothing-ad-mistaken-for-new-store-in-downtown-la/

[pesto]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Some, but not all of those ideas were silly. It would make sense to line a park like that with some highrises like other larger urban parks around the world. Museums (not sure we necessarily need any more) would also be realistic. In fact, unless a new park capping the 101 has some of these additional draws incorporated into its design, they might as well not spend that much money just to create open space.

A 100 story building in that location is silly for more reasons than I have time to state. Lining a park with highrises is even sillier. First, who is funding a corridor of, say, ten 40-story buildings? Who thinks that's a good idea next to El Pueblo? Where is the demand? Think about it: first comes the demand; then come the buildings; then comes the "Central Park". There is zero demand for highrise construction there.

The museums became silly because everyone wanted one: children, latinos, immigrants, diversity, ethnic cultures, ecology, urban life, etc. This was just the beginning and, of course, the city was going to pay for them.

[pesto]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

I don't like it. It looks tacky, and reminds me of a McMansion.

A lot of stuff does in the Southwest. The Mission style is the basic style in many areas, just as brick is in the East, etc. You have to distinguish between the crudely done McMansions and the more delicate and finished examples. The Arcade may not be worldclass but it's not bad.

Muji's picture barely shows the real squalor of the place. At some points it's hard to get through because bottom of the line goods are blocking the path. Cheap electronics, knock-off logo gear, $10 suitcases, etc. But no reason it can't improve with Spring and Bway.

[Kingofthehill]

Originally Posted by 213

Meh. Beaux arts meets Stevenson Ranch.

Closer to home would be Beaux Arts meets Beverly Hills/West LA/Tehrangeles

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by 213

Meh. Beaux arts meets Stevenson Ranch.

We can quibble about design, but lets look at the big picture:

• The building ownership is investing their money to improve the arcade.
• They are not renewing leases for the discount retailers.
• Upscale retailers are coming. Famima! has already moved in and Royal Clayton's will be soon.
• The Arcade connects two of the busiest streets in DTLA, and in the heart of the gentrified area.

I think Spring Arcade is one of the linchpins for DTLA's revitalization, so I find the fact that its transforming before our eyes to be incredibly exciting. While I'm not a big fan of the type of tile they're using either, it's way down on the list of things I care about, considering the big picture improvements being made.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

I don't like it. It looks tacky, and reminds me of a McMansion.

illithid, in the context of what has been there for quite awhile....



tanzirian

there is tacky, & then there is TACKY TACKY!!!

But I'll grant you your POV, since I believe you at least haven't accused me in the past of being a debbie downer.

As for you own sense of what's good or bad, I do remember you saying a few months ago that the photo of the southern part of dt taken in the 1930s----which showed that LA even back then was & ratty tatty poor-----not only didn't seem bad to you, it looked even nice.

however, if a new floor in a classic old bldg on broadway really is that to you, then I'm reminded of ppl who get into a car that has 4 bald tires, with one about ready to go flat, & complain that the seats are upholstered in velour instead of leather.



meanwhile, I ran across the following at downtownnews.com. It mentions a proj that I haven't heard or seen anything about for for almost....3 yrs!! I'm shocked at how much time has passed, since I could have sworn the FIDM apt bldg was in the news no later than around late 2009 at the earliest, but more like around 2010.....

Perry today invoked a rare legislative maneuver to expedite a council vote on proposed special signage rights for properties within a certain segment of South Park, including a 21-story tower planned by the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Her move to speed the approval of the plan came after a Tuesday hearing of the Planning and Land Use Committee at which Huizar successfully pushed to delay consideration of the proposed sign district. Huizar told the panel that he needs more time to study the issue.

Perry’s move could potentially work around the delay. The motion she filed today will trigger a council vote on Tuesday, June 26, on whether to take up the signage plan. If eight members of the 15-person council agree, the proposal can then be considered for final approval.

The proposed sign district has taken on one key wrinkle since it gained tentative approval in 2009, when a “digital animation” sign was OK’d for a proposed FIDM development.

The fashion school plans to build a 21-story tower with classrooms and offices on the first six levels and student housing above. Designs call for a 429-square-foot digital sign that would be embedded in the skin of the building. The sign would be permitted to show fashion videos and display student work.

Amy Forbes, the school’s attorney, described the proposed video display as “integrating the educational mission into the building.”

Perry said she would ask the council to support the video display for the FIDM project — that is, if her motion to even consider the proposal is approved on Tuesday.

If it will be another 3 yrs before any additional word comes out about this proj, then I'd just as soon forget about it.....



lacureb.com

however, I hope that if the school is now wanting to finalize details about things like signage, that's a hint they're getting closer to finally breaking ground on their proj. but in the meantime, I'm not sure if I should hold my breath.

the slowness in filling deadzones like the one where the FIDM bldg would be located is a great way of testing one's patience....


maps.google.com

[Illithid Dude]

@citywatch

I dunno. I think I like the floor before better. It may have been dated, but it wasn't offensive. Just sort of bland. The new floor is offensive, IMO.

Also, concerning the FIDM tower, I am really hopeful that it will break ground. Also, since an arts college is building it, I am hopeful that, when it is revived, it will have a new, innovative, modern design.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

So i got a notice in the mail today regarding the "Empire Hotel" which is the old Embassy building on Grand. Obviously, weve all noticed that work has been going on there slowly and now we have confirmation.
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[alki]

Originally Posted by travanx

I know I have mentioned we lived in a loft near Staples Center and the older crowd always has a smile and calls the people down there right now trendsetters. Brigham told me his stories over coffee when he was there before the Ralphs and can't imagine it back then. I really like the idea of developments randomly happening which means sooner than later every street will become better.

Cities have been in my DNA since I was kid of 11. With such a predisposition, the flaws of cities that bother so many don't bother me. Lots of homeless........yeah, I don't like it but I try to ignore it wherever possible. The greater possibility of a crime.........yeah, not cool but nothing is perfect. Grit I like; sparkly clean......not so much. The closest that LA did it for me was Venice and Melrose and sometimes DTLA.

I am not sure what makes a city exciting but as Illithid Dude points out it has little to do with traffic poles and wires. Its something in the air that makes you feel alive. I can still remember the smells of Paris, NYC, Mexico City etc. Even now with all that you all post, I don't know if DTLA has that spark.....it sure sounds like it but I would have to be there to feel it to be sure.

[alki]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

The great thing about development Downtown right now is it is not concentrated in one area. It is taking place in all directions.

And that's what makes it so amazing and cool. The LA Brahmins tried to do it on Bunker Hill and its still pretty much a sterile area. Urban revival can't be manufactured; it has to be organic. And that's what's happening in DTLA these days. Kudos!