LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[LA/OCman]

Originally Posted by HunterK

I'm not sure how many are being converted into hotels/apartments at the moment. There are (to my knowledge) none being converted to be to-own condos.. Probably wont be for a long while.

I know there are a ton 'planned'. Like the beautiful art deco Title Insurance building across from Rowan into a hotel. And Banco Popular.


Honestly I was just changing the subject before anyone went on an off-topic tangent.

Just a clarification, the Title Insurance Company building will be 250 condos and the building next door (north) will be a hotel.

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/title-insu...cf71a6a-fecc-11e1-93c3-001a4bcf887a.html

Also, the Singer Sewing Machine building is under renovation on Broadway that will be house 9 huge lofts. One loft per floor, each up to 6,000 sq. feet.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

Just a clarification, the Title Insurance Company building will be 250 condos and the building next door (north) will be a hotel.

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/title-insu...cf71a6a-fecc-11e1-93c3-001a4bcf887a.html

Also, the Singer Sewing Machine building is under renovation on Broadway that will be house 9 huge lofts. One loft per floor, each up to 6,000 sq. feet.

Wow thats great news. I totally misread the original article, thinking the amazing art deco structure was going to be the hotel.

We'll see if it actually happens. Building to-own condos is still terrifying for developers, though I believe its something downtown needs a lot more of.

I haven't seen construction on the Singer building, though I'll have to take a closer look this weekend. And the Spring St buildings haven't done anything either.

For those interested, the Singer building article: http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/steve...c7eaa7e-d500-11e1-8212-0019bb2963f4.html

[LA/OCman]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Wow thats great news. I totally misread the original article, thinking the amazing art deco structure was going to be the hotel.

We'll see if it actually happens. Building to-own condos is still terrifying for developers, though I believe its something downtown needs a lot more of.

I haven't seen construction on the Singer building, though I'll have to take a closer look this weekend. And the Spring St buildings haven't done anything either.

For those interested, the Singer building article: http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/steve...c7eaa7e-d500-11e1-8212-0019bb2963f4.html

I don't know if you will see much as I understand the construction is going on inside the Singer building. Also, I haven't seen any activity at the Sparkle Factory building yet (908 S. Broadway. I am anxiously awaiting that renovation.

[Easy]

Originally Posted by Easy

Does anyone know what's going on in the parking lots across Grand from LATTC? They are dug up and it looks like something has broken ground. I went to the college website and it looks like the only thing that they had for that side of Grand was a parking garage that looks like its already completed and just north of the lots under construction.

I drove by again and there's lots of activity. It looks like some sort of expansion of LATTC across Grand, although I can't find any mention of it on their website. One of the signs says that one of the buildings is going to be the LATTTC New Technology building. Not sure if that means advanced technology or if it replaces the old technology building. According to wikipedia they just replaced the old technology building so maybe the former.

[Muji]

Originally Posted by Easy

I drove by again and there's lots of activity. It looks like some sort of expansion of LATTC across Grand, although I can't find any mention of it on their website. One of the signs says that one of the buildings is going to be the LATTTC New Technology building. Not sure if that means advanced technology or if it replaces the old technology building. According to wikipedia they just replaced the old technology building so maybe the former.

I did just a little bit of digging and found a rendering on Flickr for LATTC's "Construction Technology Building." Is this the site you're talking about?

Source: HMC Architects on Flickr

[ConstructDTLA]

Big photo update (from this morning) coming later today once I get time to sit down and upload. Even got photos of the guys putting a window back in at Cliftons. Was cool to watch!

[Easy]

Originally Posted by Muji

I did just a little bit of digging and found a rendering on Flickr for LATTC's "Construction Technology Building." Is this the site you're talking about?

Yes, that's it exactly. Thanks!

It looks like one lot will be that building and the other will be another parking garage. I say "another" because they just built one on the same side of the street just north of the building under construction. I think that it may be too much parking.

And this is great, but where in the world did they get the money for all of this construction that's been happening? They were struggling for awhile and then with the budget cuts...?

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Big photo update (from this morning) coming later today once I get time to sit down and upload. Even got photos of the guys putting a window back in at Cliftons. Was cool to watch!

I have to say thanks for checking up on the all the projects so frequently! I might not need to drive down to Downtown anymore, I rest the duty on your shoulders, lmfao jk I'd still go for no reason. I want to be one of the first to ride the streetcar. I'll pay whatever it takes to be on the first go. We have so much to look forward to now, all these projects will only be going up for the stars

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

I have to say thanks for checking up on the all the projects so frequently! I might not need to drive down to Downtown anymore, I rest the duty on your shoulders, lmfao jk I'd still go for no reason. I want to be one of the first to ride the streetcar. I'll pay whatever it takes to be on the first go. We have so much to look forward to now, all these projects will only be going up for the stars

Haha it's still great to get a feel for the neighborhood in person. Specially since it will (has been) be changing so quickly.

You know there is still 1 LARy streetcar within downtown? It's kind of hidden in plain sight. I guess someone brought it to downtown a decade or two ago when they were trying to revive the streetcar, but that never panned out.

[Easy]

Originally Posted by HunterK

You know there is still 1 LARy streetcar within downtown? It's kind of hidden in plain sight. I guess someone brought it to downtown a decade or two ago when they were trying to revive the streetcar, but that never panned out.

Yeah in Metro 417 the former Subway Terminal Bldg. Forest City didn't put it there?

[Easy]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

I have to say thanks for checking up on the all the projects so frequently! I might not need to drive down to Downtown anymore, I rest the duty on your shoulders, lmfao jk I'd still go for no reason. I want to be one of the first to ride the streetcar. I'll pay whatever it takes to be on the first go. We have so much to look forward to now, all these projects will only be going up for the stars

The first passenger ride or the first revenue (paying passengers) ride? Because the first few rides when lines open are usually a bunch of politicians and invited guests.

[ConstructDTLA]

Teaser from this mornings pics:

What started it all...

4th & Main by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Title Insurance Building by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

This site is changing daily.

Spring Street Park construction by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Spring Street Park construction by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

Cant imagine this block of Spring (between 4th & 5th) after Spring Street Park, Banco Popular restoration, Title Insurance restoration, etc. !!

Spring & 5th. Rowan. by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Parking lot behind Broadway theaters by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Spring Street garage, people, dogs. by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


6th from Spring by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Spring Street Parklet by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Ross Construction by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Broadway between 7th & 8th by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Broadway from 8th by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Singer Building by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

Cant remember, is there another restaurant coming to this space (left of CrossFit)?

Hill from 9th by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

Trucks lined up on Olive to either assist 8th & Grand or 8th & Hope project. Made me think of Die Hard 3.

Olive from Olympic by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

More to come...

[SoCalKid]

Hunter, I really enjoy when you post pictures of miscellaneous Downtown scenes alongside project update pictures. It may not be directly related to development, but it gives insight into the vibrancy of the neighborhood, which does affect development. You should include some of your instagram pictures in your updates! Thanks for the pics!

[Dale]

Stupendous pics!

[ConstructDTLA]

Courtyard Marriot Construction by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

Cliftons moving along quickly now.

Cliftons Restoration by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Cliftons Restoration by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Cliftons Restoration by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

Every which way you turn theres a crane it seems.

Main & 6th looking East by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

Gary Leonard taking pics at the still seemingly untouched Regent...

Regent Theater on Main by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr


Main from 4th by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

For people who may not understand what we've been talking about with Broadway, I took a few pics.

[Quixote]

Beautiful photos and fantastic effort, once again.

What those pictures show is that while DTLA has come a long way, it has an even longer ways to go before it ever reaches a respectable level (not just Broadway). The Ross Dress for Less is a perfect example of how you can clean up the shittiness of Broadway while still keeping it affordable.

[Quixote]

Before I go on, I'd like to say that I realize that the tone of my statements of late have been somewhat incendiary and that I can see how they could've been construed as racist rants. It's just that ever since I was a child, I've had an affinity for skyscrapers/urbanism (although I wasn't cognisant of it) and I could never understand why LA wasn't more like NYC. When I finally realized this lifelong passion of mine (circa November 2005), DTLA was already on the rise and I was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of excitement, hope, optimism, and even nostalgia like never before. To me, these businessess on Broadway -- these shops selling wholesale jewelry, luggage, and counterfeit goods (among other things) -- are a roadblock and hindrance to what is in essence my childhood dream of a thriving and prosperous downtown core. I know you guys feel the same way, otherwise you wouldn't be posting on this site.

...

Now that that's out of the way, I think the standard for Broadway should be Chicago's State Street. What do you all think? What type of retailers would be appropriate? Ross, Walgreens, and (if true) Urban Outfitters are about right in my view. Nothing higher-end than Apple and lower-end than Ross would fit.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Before I go on, I'd like to say that I realize that the tone of my statements of late have been somewhat incendiary and that I can see how they could've been construed as racist rants. It's just that ever since I was a child, I've had an affinity for skyscrapers/urbanism (although I wasn't cognisant of it) and I could never understand why LA wasn't more like NYC. When I finally realized this lifelong passion of mine (circa November 2005), DTLA was already on the rise and I was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of excitement, hope, optimism, and even nostalgia like never before. To me, these businessess on Broadway -- these shops selling wholesale jewelry, luggage, and counterfeit goods (among other things) -- are a roadblock and hindrance to what is in essence my childhood dream of a thriving and prosperous downtown core. I know you guys feel the same way, otherwise you wouldn't be posting on this site.

...

Now that that's out of the way, I think the standard for Broadway should be Chicago's State Street. What do you all think? What type of retailers would be appropriate? Ross, Walgreens, and (if true) Urban Outfitters are about right in my view. Nothing higher-end than Apple and lower-end than Ross would fit.

Agreed.

Apple is years upon years away. I cant shake the suspicion that the Urban Outfitters deal fell through almost as quickly as it came to the public eye. Whoever knows the truth would likely keep it from us until something else as equally positive came up to distract us with.

Telling us Urban fell through would cause a lot to lose hope, and many to possibly view the Bringing Back Broadway campaign poorly. I dunno. Just my opinion. Wish I was wrong.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

I didn't get a chance to do it last trip due to time constraints, but I'll be sure to go now that I know better parking lots to go to. I used to spend up to 18 dollars for parking due to how much time I spent in downtown. Once arrived at 8 AM, and stayed until 11 PM. Time flies when you are in Downtown.

mojeda101, it's tougher to get a good sense of dt when one is not there, either as a resident or employee. I know when I've visited the hood, & start thinking of the locations where I'd want to take a photo...or spots where I wish someone would snap a shot...I feel quite overwhelmed & distracted by actually being there. There are so many nooks & crannies throughout the hood....some good, some bad, some quite unexpected.....that it makes my head spin.

I also get nervous about the possibility of having a strange run in with a homeless person who catches me off guard, or security patrols yelling at the passer by for violating private property.....or intruding on ppl's privacy if they're perhaps in a restaurant or entering or exiting a store or office. That's why your pics, & pics from other forumers like hunterk, are much appreciated. And with all the exciting changes taking place right now, & how they'll be evolving over the next few yrs, there can never be too many ppl taking photos in dtla.

In terms of the pace of change, I wonder why so many new projs, like the marriott hotel, are being built of concrete instead of steel. It seems that method is slower.....that a new bldg will rise more slowly.....when concrete is being poured than when steel beams are being framed. I also think of concrete as being somehow more vulnerable in an earthquake. I wonder what method will be used on the apt towers at 8th & hope & 9th & olive? whatever occurs there, I hope those projs move faster than the courtyard hotel. It does seem to be going up slower than I would have assumed a few months ago.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Agreed.

Apple is years upon years away. I cant shake the suspicion that the Urban Outfitters deal fell through almost as quickly as it came to the public eye. Whoever knows the truth would likely keep it from us until something else as equally positive came up to distract us with.

Telling us Urban fell through would cause a lot to lose hope, and many to possibly view the Bringing Back Broadway campaign poorly. I dunno. Just my opinion. Wish I was wrong.

I've always said that the arrival of DTLA will be heralded by the presence of multiple mainstream retailers, because that more than anything is what attracts the masses (for better or worse). People will flock to Old Town Pasadena, The Grove, and Third Street Promenade/Santa Monica Place, but not the indie coffee shops on Spring Street. That is partially what I meant when I said that DTLA has a long ways to go before it ever reaches a "respectable" level (IOW, a place that has broad appeal).

As of today, the closest thing to a "mainstream retailer" I can think of is American Apparel in Little Tokyo (I don't count Target). There is a Brooks Brothers in the Financial District, but that's an anomaly.