LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0 - Page 275

WestCoastSupertall · #**5481** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 4:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

So in order to appease DTLA's lack of apartment buildings, you want to build a 2,000 foot tall building?

No it's just something id like to see - I love height, and I miss living in a massive highrise. I also think the market could accommodate. As an aside, is that even possible, seismic technology wise? Isnt Hong Kong in a subduction fault zone? Our strike-slip San Andreas can't be as daunting in terms of engineering.

I've always thought that parcel of land at 8th and fig is gold - its probably our most prime real estate - so it has to be something other than $5 a day parking. According to the LA Downtown News, 9/12/10:

“You have to always go back to the fundamental math of how many jobs are there versus how much housing, and the ratio is still way out of whack,” Gilmore said. “We could probably use 200,000 more units of housing.”

Im no mathlete but with only 2,396 units under construction, and 200,000 more units in potential demand, does that not equate to massive boom?

Illithid Dude · #**5482** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 4:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

1100 Wilshire was never more than 10% leased when it was an office tower. It failed dramatically as an office tower. It was only until 2005 or so when it was converted into condos. What sense does it make to build a building and it go unused?

1100 Wilshire was a building built in a bad area at a bad time. Eventually, though, it did find a use, and is now at sold out, I believe, as condos. And think about developers starting construction on projects geared for todays economy, when two or three years down the line, the economy will be much much better. By the time Angelini is done, for example, three or four years from now, the original version of 8th and Grand will make financial sense. While this isn't a Los Angeles specific problem, it is a problem nontheless.

ConstructDTLA · #**5483** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 5:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Fell in love with this video

We are indeed changing, and the streetcar return will only make it better. =]

Side note concerning the streetcar. If it goes ahead. How many will use that rail line?

Me. The streetcar is more important than most realize.

Mojeda101 · #**5484** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 5:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterK

Me. The streetcar is more important than most realize.

Yeah. It sickens me seeing three stories of streetcars all on top of eachother that no longer grace the streets. What a shame.

blackcat23 · #**5485** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 5:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

1100 Wilshire was a building built in a bad area at a bad time. Eventually, though, it did find a use, and is now at sold out, I believe, as condos. And think about developers starting construction on projects geared for todays economy, when two or three years down the line, the economy will be much much better. By the time Angelini is done, for example, three or four years from now, the original version of 8th and Grand will make financial sense. While this isn't a Los Angeles specific problem, it is a problem nontheless.

I've wondered about what will actually happen with 8th and Grand. It sold back in June, but we haven't heard anything about it from the group that actually purchased it. The only person who has said anything about the project has been Astani, and even those comments have been vague.

Personally, I'd love for them to go forward with something more in scale with the original design, but that's probably just wishful thinking on my part.

Illithid Dude · #**5486** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 5:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcat23

I've wondered about what will actually happen with 8th and Grand. It sold back in June, but we haven't heard anything about it from the group that purchased it. I'd love to see them opt to go with something more along the scale of the original plans (i.e. 37 floors), but that's probably just wishful thinking on my part.

I'd be happy with just the 15 story aspect of the original proposal being built. It wasn't the height of the original proposal that intrigued me, but the architecture. Looked like something out of Melbourne.

ConstructDTLA · #**5487** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 5:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Yeah. It sickens me seeing three stories of streetcars all on top of eachother that no longer grace the streets. What a shame.

Thank GM, Standard Oil, and BF Goodrich. They did it to every city in America. Sadly though LA's transit system was probably the best. (BTW when I think transit I think RAIL - I don't believe in or agree with buses)

There is still 1 original LA Streetcar lurking in DTLA. Hidden in plain sight unless you know where to look.....

Sorry for the off topicness.

Mojeda101 · #**5488** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 5:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterK

Thank GM, Standard Oil, and BF Goodrich. They did it to every city in America. Sadly though LA's transit system was probably the best. (BTW when I think transit I think RAIL - I don't believe in or agree with buses)

There is still 1 original LA Streetcar lurking in DTLA. Hidden in plain sight unless you know where to look.....

Sorry for the off topicness.

Amazing how old it is and how it still works =]
So did you grab any pictures of the event at Grand Park? I didn't get to go and I remember you mentioning you went.

Mojeda101 · #**5489** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 6:16 AM**

Did you happen to get any pictures of the park and the newly opened lawn?

ConstructDTLA · #**5490** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Did you happen to get any pictures of the park and the newly opened lawn?

No I got there at 7:15 and got seats first thing. I'll get pics today most likely during CicLAvia - and great pics another night when its empty.

LosAngelesDreamin · #**5491** Posted **Oct 7, 2012, 10:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterK

Edit: Pics.

Bandaloop On City Hall by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

oh wow i never saw city hall up close.. i didn't know the materials were like stone or whatever... i've always thought it was that stucco stuff ppl use in mission architecture =] glad its not tho... THANKS FOR THIS!!! I love city hall even more now

LosAngelesSportsFan · #**5492** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 12:34 AM**

just got back from Cyclavia... Absolutely great event. Hundreds of thousands out and about, everyone having a good time, the park was fantastic with music, kids, frisbees, food trucks, just perfect.

Also, Bike Nation had a demo of the bike racks that are coming. very excited for these.

colemonkee · #**5493** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 12:49 AM**

The parking garage at 220 S. Spring St. is getting a paint job similar to the one next door to the Los Angeles Theater Company a few blocks down. I actually like the splash of color this brings to the neighborhood. I just wish it weren't on a parking garage.

(Image by me)

202_Cyclist · #**5494** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 12:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

just got back from Cyclavia... Absolutely great event. Hundreds of thousands out and about, everyone having a good time, the park was fantastic with music, kids, frisbees, food trucks, just perfect.

Also, Bike Nation had a demo of the bike racks that are coming. very excited for these.

Bike-sharing has been a huge success here in DC, with over 1.8 million rides in its two years. It has also introduced a lot of people to the benefits and enjoyment of bicycling and commuting via bicycle. I wish LA similar success.

BrandonJXN · #**5495** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 1:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

just got back from Cyclavia... Absolutely great event. Hundreds of thousands out and about, everyone having a good time, the park was fantastic with music, kids, frisbees, food trucks, just perfect.

Also, Bike Nation had a demo of the bike racks that are coming. very excited for these.

Such an amazing time. I ate lunch at Syrup on Spring and it was such a festive feeling all around. Thousands of bikes rolling by, a DJ blasting The Fugees and The Bee Gees. Plus it was perfect weather. Much fun.

Mojeda101 · #**5496** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 4:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

Such an amazing time. I ate lunch at Syrup on Spring and it was such a festive feeling all around.

Ironically, I took a picture of that restaurant when I was in downtown a week ago XD

colemonkee · #**5497** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 7:03 AM**

That picture was taken a while ago, no? That music store has been out of there for weeks.

BrandonJXN · #**5498** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 1:42 PM**

I was going to say that as well. That couldn't have been taken last week as Starbucks has been there for about 2 weeks.

Anyway, even though I didn't get a picture, the Wilshire Grand is totally fenced off. Can't even walk on the sidewalk.

colemonkee · #**5499** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 5:05 PM**

^ That's the one unfortunate thing about that project: It will close off that side of Figueroa for the next 4 years.

blackcat23 · #**5500** Posted **Oct 8, 2012, 5:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I was going to say that as well. That couldn't have been taken last week as Starbucks has been there for about 2 weeks.

Anyway, even though I didn't get a picture, the Wilshire Grand is totally fenced off. Can't even walk on the sidewalk.