LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[Mojeda101]

I appreciate all the positive feedback, it's what keeps me going. I talked to the guard outside of the Chase building next to 9th and Olive but he hardly gave me much information in regards to the tower. I went inside to see if I could talk to the manager of the establishment but apparently you need an appointment 2 days in advance, wtf? I wanted to know if he knows anything as to why the construction lot goes all the way around the building to hill. It was to my understanding that Onni bought the Chase building and with that in mind, I had hoped the manager could tell me if the second tower would be built there. Maybe I'll schedule an appointment in advance next time I go.

When I was walking Figueroa I walked into Figat7th. To be honest the only thing attracting attention was Target. The lower level was dead. Aside from a few people eating, it was empty. I couldn't snap any pictures due to lack of interest, but take my word for it. It was around 1:20, so I'm not sure if it was due to the time, but the only people I saw were heading into the Target.

One thing LA really needs to fill are the lots between 7th and 8th. If the Wilshire Grand is going to open up a big retail spot and with Figat7th getting bigger by the day, we can't have this across the street:



Oh, and I wasn't offered drugs this time, but I was followed between 8th and 9th going to 9th and Olive. Once you reach 8th, the atmosphere changes, and with less foot traffic, you feel much less safe.

[SoCalKid]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

To start things off, I was in awe to see how packed the streets were this afternoon. So many people walking our streets. People claim LA has a ton of parking, but the reality is, I took me a while to find a good meter in the heart of the city, they were all taken!

When I read this I was hoping you included pictures of the street scene, and you did! Thanks for an awesome update. A lot of forumers may have problems with each other, but I have to say, I'm very grateful for this community. We may argue sometimes, but it only happens because we all really care about downtown development. I would rather read through an argument about DTLA than an argument about any other topic! It's so often that I see an article in a major publication about a development and laugh to myself because a forumer broke the news days or even weeks in advance! So thank you to everyone for sharing your passion, even if things do sometimes get a little heated.

[kpexpress]

Originally Posted by Chef Boyardee

8th/grand night rendering



http://www.afsfire.com/index.php/component/k2/item/248-8th-and-grand-aka-g8

this project looks nothing like this anymore..... looks way better now

[ConstructDTLA]

Does anybody know if the Banco Popular building at 4th/Spring is still being turned into apartments?
http://www.centuryhousing.org/blog/?p=1091

Also the Regent Theater restoration?
http://m.ladowntownnews.com/news/summer-...6145fb8-3b18-11e2-913c-001a4bcf887a.html

I feel like there are at least a dozen things that are supposed to be happening right now but aren't.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Does anybody know if the Banco Popular building at 4th/Spring is still being turned into apartments?
http://www.centuryhousing.org/blog/?p=1091

Also the Regent Theater restoration?
http://m.ladowntownnews.com/news/summer-...6145fb8-3b18-11e2-913c-001a4bcf887a.html

I feel like there are at least a dozen things that are supposed to be happening right now but aren't.

I'm assuming both are just going through approvals. They're both relatively new proposals, don't forget.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by kpexpress

this project looks nothing like this anymore..... looks way better now

please elaborate

[brudy]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Does anybody know if the Banco Popular building at 4th/Spring is still being turned into apartments?
http://www.centuryhousing.org/blog/?p=1091

Also the Regent Theater restoration?
http://m.ladowntownnews.com/news/summer-...6145fb8-3b18-11e2-913c-001a4bcf887a.html

I feel like there are at least a dozen things that are supposed to be happening right now but aren't.

I haven't seen any work happening at those sites, but hopefully soon. The Banco Popular building is very nice and having a solid smaller music venue downtown will be great.

Walked by 8th and Grand today and like Mojeda's pics, the activity was fast and furious. They were unloading some very large steel beams and hauling away dirt as fast it could be dug up.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

When I was walking Figueroa I walked into Figat7th. To be honest the only thing attracting attention was Target. The lower level was dead. Aside from a few people eating, it was empty. I couldn't snap any pictures due to lack of interest, but take my word for it. It was around 1:20, so I'm not sure if it was due to the time, but the only people I saw were heading into the Target.

It is quiet at night, but the last few times I've been there mid-week it's actually been picking up, so I think we're on the upswing. I do think there's a disconnect between the quality of the food (good), prices (high) and the vaguely food court atmosphere. It's nicer to eat at the outside tables. I think once Mendocino Farms opens up, it will be better at night. OTOH - try going down there for lunch during the week. It is absolutely insane.

[blackcat23]

Plans were submitted for 1200 S Grand and 1211 S Olive. Seven floors/20,000 sq ft of retail each. 347 and 293 units.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Plans were submitted for 1200 S Grand and 1211 S Olive. Seven floors/20,000 sq ft of retail each. 347 and 293 units.

Thats great!

Hopefully things turn around by then for retail. Because nearby Luma, EVO, and Elleven all have vacant retail (save for Starbucks, Corkbar, andHygge Bakery).

[Gram3000]

Looks like that's the site of the South Park Towers proposal with the 3 towers in front of At & t tower. Can they at least push for 10 stories geez or better yet rowhouses? lol

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by Gram3000

Looks like that's the site of the South Park Towers proposal with the 3 towers in front of At & t tower. Can they at least push for 10 stories geez or better yet rowhouses? lol

I believe those are intended for the large surface lot on the north side of 12th street.

These buildings are going to occupy the south side of the street. Sonny Astani is the developer. Curbed did an article on this a few months back.

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/11/mi..._seven_stories_slated_for_south_park.php

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Plans were submitted for 1200 S Grand and 1211 S Olive. Seven floors/20,000 sq ft of retail each. 347 and 293 units.

Great news, but where are you getting this information from?

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Great news, but where are you getting this information from?

http://cityplanning.lacity.org/CNCRpts/dsp_viewFileDetail.cfm?filename=255

[Quixote]

I'll take 7 stories, although that's less than ideal to say the least. That area really needs something.

[Gram3000]

My only gripe is with these developers...Why do they have to use the whole lot for their squatty developments instead of a portion, then allowing another to come and possibly build higher on the rest of the lot? It makes the block look like it grew organically instead of instantly, this is what adds to the urban fabric!

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

When I was walking Figueroa I walked into Figat7th. To be honest the only thing attracting attention was Target. The lower level was dead. Aside from a few people eating, it was empty.

One thing LA really needs to fill are the lots between 7th and 8th. If the Wilshire Grand is going to open up a big retail spot and with Figat7th getting bigger by the day, we can't have this across the street:

I'm guessing if the 2 original dept stores at figat7th, bullocks & may co....or what was once the 7th st marketplace....built in 1986, had attracted enough customers each yr, even mergers of various stores over the past 25 yrs wouldn't have resulted in almost the entire first group of stores at 7th/fig being closed & the whole mall redone. that's why I'm hoping that luring shoppers to the 2nd gen version of the mall isn't a problem that's innate to the hood itself instead of it being a question of whether all the new stores & restaurants have opened or not.

figat7th is a 2nd generation revamp....& so is the demolition of the grand wilshire hotel & its replacement across the street....although in that instance the 2nd generation was delayed for over 40 to 50 yrs.

Your pic of the parking lot at 8th & fig shows there's still plenty of major, very high profile parts of the hood that need to be filled in. and that's only the tip of the iceberg. So when ppl worry that a new proj in dt isn't perfect in some way.....based on their standards.....they need to look at locations like the NE corner of 8th & fig.

In a way, that means what I consider the current 2nd generation of new devlpt throughout dt is still closer to the 1st phase or generation. It would be totally 2nd or 3rd generation if the only gaps left right now were locations like astani's planned proj south of the old transamerica....now AT&T....bldg. So in some ways even the new projs at 8th & grand, & 9th & olive, & 8th & hope, & the other new bldgs, still can't be considered a layer of improvement on top of existing improvement that's full enough to now represent 2nd gen devlpt.

[Illithid Dude]

7 stories that far south doesn't really bother me. I mean, there isn't really anything there anyways.

EDIT: And if Astani is developing then at least the architecture will be good.

[Quixote]

^ Not necessarily. See Vero in City West.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

^ Not necessarily. See Vero in City West.

In his defense, that was his first project in the downtown area. Everything else he's build/planned/planning has been fairly attractive.