LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[RuFFy]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I disagree with this. I'm 29 now. I've been going to clubs and raves since I was 14. There are people in the world who come to LA just to go to the clubs here. Look at all the clubs in Hollywood that are known the world over: LAX, Area, The Roxy, Avalon just to name a few. Look at the success of EDC when it was here. HARD Summer has been going strong for a few years now and only getting bigger.

I would love to see a nice club district in DTLA.

I'm not necessarily opposed to bars and clubs, I'm just not sure it should be done at the peril of the historic theaters. Historically clubs have been held in some of the theaters and I'm not sure they were too effective. I'd have to see more before deciding how I truly feel about it... But you're right. Some events that started in the southland have gung notoriety.

[DTLA87]

Not that this means there's an imminent opening but looks like Hotel Clark has started to remove the bars on the first floor that blocks us from seeing the lobby, etc.

Anybody know if they will be building out the restaurants BEFORE they open? And does K&G usually have in-house restaurants or if they're 3rd party? You'd expect that the leases would be signed and can be announced by now.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by DTLA87

Not that this means there's an imminent opening but looks like Hotel Clark has started to remove the bars on the first floor that blocks us from seeing the lobby, etc.

Anybody know if they will be building out the restaurants BEFORE they open? And does K&G usually have in-house restaurants or if they're 3rd party? You'd expect that the leases would be signed and can be announced by now.

They've been working there every day, but the front spaces seem far off. I'll walk over later and grab a few snapshots if I can. I'm dying for this to open as I hope it will be an impetus to get rid of the growing homeless encampment across the street. It's gotten significantly worse in the last two months, with some leaving up their box and tarp structures all day long now. I've seen several fights, loose pit bulls, and the usual loads of drugs and related behaviors.

As far as a club district goes, I don't know. I'm up for some clubs, but to make that area a large center of nightlife can have negative repercussions as well.

[brudy]

So I just walked by the Clark. I'm not sure what this means, but they're actually sanding those bars, not removing them. Could they actually be painting them? No way they can keep them...

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by brudy

So I just walked by the Clark. I'm not sure what this means, but they're actually sanding those bars, not removing them. Could they actually be painting them? No way they can keep them...

Ghetto chique

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Ghetto chique

Prison-themed hotel?

[112597jorge]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Agreed. Though it would be nice, studios downtown is a pipe dream - not something thats going to happen in our lifetime.

But the studios can rent office space in DT towers to manage business, and serve as HQ's, no?

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by 112597jorge

But the studios can rent office space in DT towers to manage business, and serve as HQ's, no?

The studios have been consolidating space to their campuses, not creating new real estate footprints.

For instance, Disney took the Interactive group from some leased space in North Hollywood and put them onto the Glendale Campus, and they are doing the same for other groups. Universal is doing the same thing on its lot with the development they have going there. Paramount too.

The idea is to have everyone under the same roof where possible, so a major studio taking up a lot of space downtown really is a pipe dream at this point.

That doesn't mean other creative ventures won't be looking downtown, however.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by 112597jorge

But the studios can rent office space in DT towers to manage business, and serve as HQ's, no?

Why would any of the major studios just get up and leave from historic campuses that they've occupied for decades? In order to respond to the growing demands of the very vocal online skyscraper enthusiast community?

[112597jorge]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Why would any of the major studios just get up and leave from historic campuses that they've occupied for decades? In order to respond to the growing demands of the very vocal online skyscraper enthusiast community?

I was just supposing, great question though, you should Google it!

[petescafe]

Walls are up in front of the Regent on Main Street.
The rehab is kicking into high gear now.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by RuFFy

Well, while Citywatch is busy reporting her childish opinions of other forumers (which speaks of her mental state as well), the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Zare (edit: Zara) will be opening a store at FigAt7th. Perhaps the renderings of the shopping plaza weren't all.. well.. false.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-zara-downtown-20130529,0,7714859.story

Looks like they'll be taking up 27k sq ft of the complex and opening next spring. And, in case anyone forgot, a Sports Chalet concept is going to be opening in the complex too. All we need is Meiman Narcus and we're all set.

And Sephora i LOVE Zara.... definitely gonna be my new shoppin destination when i go up to the city for sure

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

I don't expect this to do well. Food is one thing- office workers need to eat- but stores rely on street level activity to survive, and FigAt7th is sort of out of the way. The store would do a lot better if it was on Broadway, or 7th.

I don't mind it being at Fig@7th, but i agree i really wish Zara was opening up on Broadway or 7th street.. because Fig@7th is still just a mall =/ and although yes this Zara store will have street access.. i just think its better if it was in its own rather than attached to a complex u know??? Here in Greece, they have a 2 story Zara, next door and across the street is a cafe and flower shop and some gyro shop (greece equivalent to burrito shops in california)... the place is so dynamic here and what gave me an eye opener is that NON of the cities bldgs are taller than 7 stories, yet it feels sooooo urban because the streets are just a continuous flow of shops and no parking lots no matter which direction you go... this is was i want downtown to become and it has made me realize that a bldg doesnt have to be tall

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Why? Clubbing is part of L.A. culture. I see no issue with it.

Very true. And if anyways has seen the movie Gangster Squad, you'll know that Broadway wasn't just filled with the theatres but the clubs wit a woman singing in the middle?? idk what they're called. ladies selling cigarettes in those boxes.. i guess you can see clubs and bars today as our generations version of what Broadway had in the 30's and 40's you know?

Also i know some ppl here don't like the Gaslamp District in San Diego... but GD used to be dead and the center for prostitution and drug selling.. gentrified it to make it what it is today and district is just ALIVE.. it really brings in so much revenue to the city and i think DTLA would also benefit from that.. it has actually made DTSD a destination at night.

What's proposed for broadway well help activate the area and make Broadway a place to be at night.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesDreamin

Also i know some ppl here don't like the Gaslamp District in San Diego... but GD used to be dead and the center for prostitution and drug selling.. gentrified it to make it what it is today and district is just ALIVE.. it really brings in so much revenue to the city and i think DTLA would also benefit from that.. it has actually made DTSD a destination at night.

What's proposed for broadway well help activate the area and make Broadway a place to be at night.

Some club action would be good, but too much is bad. Depending upon the type of club, they can draw a lot of B&T, which in mind isn't always a net positive for locals who live in the area.

I think what downtown could use more of is neighborhoody bars, lounges, and cafes. We have a fair amount of epic/destination places already.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Streetcar or no streetcar, there is no 'Bringing Back Broadway' if the theaters aren't somehow involved. We're probably never gonna get a row of movie theaters or comedy clubs or live performance venues like we all dream about. If Delijani preserves the facades, seating, and stages to these four theaters, this plan may be our best bet.

Ives Street, Danbury; French Quarter, New Orleans; Art-Deco District, Miami, Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego have all benefitted from converting old spaces into nightclubs and bars. I really want this to happen on Broadway the streets WILL be reactivated without a doubt. Just lookup youtube videos of the places i mentioned.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I disagree with this. I'm 29 now. I've been going to clubs and raves since I was 14. There are people in the world who come to LA just to go to the clubs here. Look at all the clubs in Hollywood that are known the world over: LAX, Area, The Roxy, Avalon just to name a few. Look at the success of EDC when it was here. HARD Summer has been going strong for a few years now and only getting bigger.

I would love to see a nice club district in DTLA.

Me too... 99% of the time my sister, cousins, and friends go up to LA is when there is a party, bday at the clubs, raves or concerts.. Los Angeles is a party city.. i think it always has been. Usually from the ppl i know back down in San Diego.. when someone said "Im going to LA!" majority of the time it means "im gonna party in LA". Whats LA without the "scene"? Its like NY without Times Square.... i think....

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesDreamin

Ives Street, Danbury; French Quarter, New Orleans; Art-Deco District, Miami, Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego have all benefitted from converting old spaces into nightclubs and bars. I really want this to happen on Broadway the streets WILL be reactivated without a doubt. Just lookup youtube videos of the places i mentioned.

But reactivated with what? A ton of loud drunk people? Sounds ideal for anybody who doesn't live here.

And Times Square is about as far away from any scene other than the kid-toting tourist scene as you can get. It's never been a club destination, other than peep shows through the 90s.

[alki]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Why would any of the major studios just get up and leave from historic campuses that they've occupied for decades? In order to respond to the growing demands of the very vocal online skyscraper enthusiast community?

Sears, United Airlines, and Sarah Lee all have announced in the past two years that they are leaving their suburban locations for DT Chicago; ditto for Nike taking space in DT Portland instead of its Beaverton campus, ditto for Microsoft moving some offices from Redmond to DT Bellevue, ditto for Amazon moving its offices from a quasi suburban location to DT Seattle; ditto for Quicken loans and Blue Cross moving from suburban locations to DT Detroit, ditto for a bank and an insurance company moving from Stamford, CT to Manhattan; Google is opening up offices in DTs all across the country etc.

So then...........why is so far fetched that the studios might do the same in LA?

[pwright1]

Originally Posted by brudy

Some club action would be good, but too much is bad. Depending upon the type of club, they can draw a lot of B&T, which in mind isn't always a net positive for locals who live in the area.

I think what downtown could use more of is neighborhoody bars, lounges, and cafes. We have a fair amount of epic/destination places already.

I have to agree. Broadway with a bunch of dance clubs would be the absolute worst. And what would these clubs be during the day? I like what Clifton's is going to do with live jazz on the second floor. But a bunch of dance clubs with teeny bobbers all over the place is not a good thing for Broadway.