LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

I personally have no desire for these historic movie palaces to be used for movie screenings/premieres (what a waste that would be) and live comedy acts. I want actual live theatrical performances, both touring Broadway shows and local productions. Think a dozen Pantages Theaters all concentrated on 7 city blocks, plus another eight within neighboring blocks.

I read an article a few yrs ago of an interview of the person in charge of theatrical productions for the disney company. He was asked why disney, based in LA, didn't put more effort into shows nearer its hometown. He pointed out the way that plays get enough business to run for yrs & yrs & yrs in NYC, far less anywhere else. Makes me think of the bank robber who's asked why he always held up banks. his reply: cuz that's where the money is.

I like how you're thinking....& wishing....big, so I don't want to discourage it. But I do remember my reaction a few yrs ago to the idea of a huge apt tower like parkfifth being built at 5th & olive st....& believing the hood finally.....finally!!!....had matured enough to support something as ambitious as that. of course, I always hope I'm being too skeptical.

btw, the name of the owners of the figaro is mgaieth, which is quite unusual. But I just assumed it was of french derivation, since the owners originally are from France. but since I don't know enough about etymology, I guess it may mean they were immigrants there, just as they're immigrants here.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

Problem is NYC's tourists are spending all their time in Manhattan. LA...well. So not exactly congruous.

That's true, but once the expo line hits Santa Monica, you can get to all the main tourist centers (except mid-city) by Metro. That would increase the viability of a centralized entertainment district, although the west side certainly has tons of theaters and some performance spaces now obviously

[ChelseaFC]

Originally Posted by brudy

That's true, but once the expo line hits Santa Monica, you can get to all the main tourist centers (except mid-city) by Metro. That would increase the viability of a centralized entertainment district, although the west side certainly has tons of theaters and some performance spaces now obviously

Yes, theoretically the Expo and Red Lines give tourists more connectivity to downtown. But until downtown becomes more of a destination, it's unrealistic to expect developers to pour millions of dollars into rehabbing these theaters, which there is already currently little demand for. First, make it a real, thriving neighborhood. We typically want to see a quick fix around here, but these type of culture shifts have to happen more organically. Until then, that level of investment is unconscionable.

[112597jorge]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

All this Broadway talk got me thinking about the vast transformative potential there is for the street to become the hub of a thriving theater district, certainly the second largest in the country and probably one of the largest in the world. I personally have no desire for these historic movie palaces to be used for movie screenings/premieres (what a waste that would be) and live comedy acts. I want actual live theatrical performances, both touring Broadway shows and local productions. Think a dozen Pantages Theaters all concentrated on 7 city blocks, plus another eight within neighboring blocks.

Million Dollar
Roxie
Cameo
Arcade
Los Angeles
Palace
State
Globe
Tower
Rialto
Orpheum
United Artists

Nearby:

Warner Bros.
Olympic
Mayan
Belasco
Regent
Los Angeles Theater Centre
Ahmanson
Mark Taper Forum

Between those 20 venues, there are approximately 30,000 seats. By comparison, NYC's Broadway has 40 venues and 50,000 seats. London's West End has 42 venues and about 50,000 seats.

The possibilities are endless. My hope is that organizations like the Shubert and Nederlander will recognize this potential and snatch up most of those venues to showcase some of their Broadway productions.

Do you guys share the same aspirations for Broadway?

I certainty do, that would be a gamechanger, it would become more active than is, it would attract tourists, which would cause all those rundown stores to be converted into national retailers, and abandoned towers converted into hotels and residential. Broadway has tons of potential.

[alki]

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

Ha. I guess. Kind of random, given both groups aren't known for French food, even if France does have a decent-sized Armenian community. French restaurants owned by Persians/Armenians is definitely one of those quirky, oddball arrangements that makes LA unique and largely unparalleled place.

Iran and Armenia have been greatly influenced by the French and Paris. For many countries in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Paris was the city and culture to which they aspired. Even true in South America.........Buenos Aires is called the Paris of South America.

[alki]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

There has to be a market for it. People have to be willing to go downtown to watch these productions. Cost, convenience, and peripheral amenities are going to be crucial for something like that. Remember, restoration work takes a lot of money, and there has to be a return for the developer. I'd prefer to focus first on retail, restaurants, the streetcar, Regional Connector, etc. Once more of the appropriate clientele are actually in the area, then it might make more sense. As it stands, I would take more movie screenings, live comedy, and concerts in a heartbeat. A heartbeat.

At this point, I would take nearly anything that prevents these structures from getting torn down. They are irreplaceable. Fortunately, I think they will be coming off the endangered list during the next ten years.

[LA/OCman]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

Yes, theoretically the Expo and Red Lines give tourists more connectivity to downtown. But until downtown becomes more of a destination, it's unrealistic to expect developers to pour millions of dollars into rehabbing these theaters, which there is already currently little demand for. First, make it a real, thriving neighborhood. We typically want to see a quick fix around here, but these type of culture shifts have to happen more organically. Until then, that level of investment is unconscionable.

I couldn't agree more. As we evolve with interesting hotels like the Ace and the Korean Air high-rise, tourists will stay Downtown and it will become more 24/7 than it is now. Right now, Downtown is a draw for sports (Lakers, USC, Clippers, Kings), Theater and Music (Redcat, Ahmanson, Taper, WDCH, Dorothy Chandler, Colburn, LA Theater Center, Nokia, Club Nokia, Staples, Orpheum, East West Players), Work (hundreds of thousands of workers DT each day), Restaurants and clubs (Edison, Perch, Bottega Louie, Mayan, Church and State etc) and new residents. It is growing organically and will continue to grow. It is becoming the "city center", especially with our transportation options. Still missing as a draw, Retail!

The old theaters will find their niche. To see all the young people show up to a sold out movie, Romeo and Juliet? I see a real mix in the future. It will happen over time. Each year you will see more and more changes on Broadway, much like you see on Spring. A few years ago I walked to a wine bar where Spring St. bar is now and there was one person in the entire place (626 Reserve, I believe). Spring has come alive only in the past 5 or 6 years. Change is inevitable. The Theaters have great exposure. BTW, the Regent is supposed to open this summer. I say it will be closer to late fall as they have indicated it is a 7 month buildout after receiving permits. Here is a Nov 30th article from the DT News:

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/summe...6145fb8-3b18-11e2-913c-001a4bcf887a.html

[ConstructDTLA]

Coco Laurent now. The manager came over and was very nice. Their inside is a little empty, everyones out on the patio. I feel the buses make it a little unpleasant.

Untitled by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

Wetzels. I asked if they've had many people in since opening. She said no.

Untitled by Hunter Kerhart, on Flickr

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Wetzels. I asked if they've had many people in since opening. She said no.

You can't have all this retail without people nearby to buy. I feel like they're rushing retail a bit at this moment. Don't get me wrong, retail is good, but Downtown's population hasn't even hit 75k yet. With all these projects the population will rise, but that takes time, and we see places open up on a daily basis now! Yet it takes a couple years for residential projects to be completed to fill that certain place. I foresee a decline in retail in certain areas. Like Wetzels, they aren't doing so great, and that could in turn become a domino effect. But, once people come in, the decline will fade away. Forgotten.

[Quixote]

Brudy, Nederlander (them and Shubert hold an oligopoly on Broadway) owns the Pantages and would presumably own a lot of these theaters in question. I don't think one theater alone generates "competition."

LA/OCman, I forgot about the Redcat. Thanks!

ChelseaFC, I know I'm being quixotic if not a bit greedy (beggars can't be choosers). I'm talking about 15 years down the road when we're hopefully in a position to be more critical and demanding. Hollywood wasn't always a desirable place to visit and the Pantages hasn't always been the go-to place to see a hit Broadway show.

Citywatch, if plays like Phantom of the Opera and Chicago are that successful (and they are), wouldn't it only make sense to bring those productions to other cities? People shouldn't have to travel all the way to NYC just to see Mamma Mia!

[LA/OCman]

Redcat is an awesome place if you have never been. Now Huizar has funding for the preliminary work to develop the Broadway Arts Center on Broadway. Cal Arts in Valencia is looking at having a Downtown facility there. I believe Cal Arts runs the Redcat (Roy Disney money).

BTW, Phantom of the Opera ran for 4 1/2 years from 1989 to 1993 at the Ahmanson yet Cirque du Soleil only lasted a year in Hollywood (they were supposed to be there 10 years).

[Quixote]

^ That's the first time I've heard of such plans! I had no idea. Great news.

Broadway Arts Center:


http://www.nea.gov/national/micd25/images/losangeles.jpg

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by hunterk

i took a bunch of pics inside the united artist/ace hotel last november during construction.

At the time they had a few demo rooms set up. They were pretty basic, very small, very boutique-y. Their construction offices were set up on the stage of the main theater itself (theres a screening room in the building as well). The plans were massive. Thats where i first learned they planned to put a pool on the rooftop. I think the pool is a must. That will be a huge draw for the area.

Here are just a couple pics from that.

beautiful!!

[blackcat23]

Grand Avenue Rental Tower

[Mojeda101]

I think the Grand Avenue project will benefit immensely once the Regional Connector station at 2nd and Hope is completed. It will bring more people into that certain part of town, and i'm sure the citizens in the parcel towers will love the luxury of going around the city with a station just one block away. Hopefully it pushes all the projects forward once they see construction of the station.

[Valyrian Steel]

Thanks blackcat for that update, great to see the progress on this tower.

[ChelseaFC]

Does anyone have info on how far down the street the elevated plaza between the museum and tower extends? That street will essentially become a tunnel, no?

[Mojeda101]

Interesting video by our mayor

I hope that last line he says will be fully realized by 2020.

[blackcat23]

Here's some interesting news.

Developer Planning 22-Story Tower at Fourth and Broadway

by Ryan Vaillancourt

Izek Shomof, a veteran developer in the Historic Core known for turning around old buildings, is working on what would be his first ground-up project.

And he’s thinking big.

Shomof is working on a plan for a 22-story high-rise at Fourth Street and Broadway. The developer last week closed escrow on a deal for the site on the southeast corner of the intersection. He declined to disclose what he paid for the property, but said it cost more than $10 million.

The site is currently a one-story retail building with parking on the roof. The rooftop parking has long been used for outdoor movie events and was home to the Devil’s Night Drive-in.

The plans for the site are preliminary and could change, but Shomof is bullish on the residential market in the area. At his three Historic Core apartment complexes — Premiere Towers, Spring Tower and City Lofts — “we have no vacancy,” he said.

At 22 stories, Shomof’s project would be the first Historic Core development that the city would require be built with steel and concrete. Most residential projects in Downtown have involved mid-rise, wood-framed structures.

[brudy]

According to LADN, a 22-story residential building is coming to the SE corner of 4th and Broadway!

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/devel...59c0a76-7ad0-11e2-b139-0019bb2963f4.html

Also, in that piece is the tidbit that the Barry Shy tower at 6th and Main should break ground by end of year.