LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

how the hell are they fitting 96 units in that building?? must be very long... as in grand to olive long. my building is 8 stories, covering half of the block between grand and olive and we have 49 units.

anyways, i dont mind the size of this. it could mix in well with larger projects in the area.

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

Not to get into a huge debate here but the city is in a huge hole financially, it still looks like Beirut in too many places, streets are in terrible shape, homelessness is still a major issue (even in upscale areas), and a true liveable, walkable urban community is still very unnatural, and something that one has to really make an effort to experience. In my experience, it all too often feels very forced. There were some nice things done over the past decade, but to think that another occupant in the office wouldn't have presided over similar development, if not more, is a bit naive. Saw him speak at UCLA and he came off as a used car salesman who thinks he's the s***. Which pretty much confirmed the impression I've gotten all along. Pretty hesitant to give him that much credit here.

Other politicians were in his place and outside of Bradley, who else advanced public transportation further and pushed a sales tax increase (Measure R) that has changed LA? It's easy to armchair and think each politician is the same, but notable achievements should be recognized. Pre-2005, subway construction was illegal (remember that? Antonio got that overturned with his methane gas study for Waxman, his first order of business), only 1 rail line could be under construction due to limited revenues with Prop A and C (now we'll have 5 rail lines under construction with Measure R), bike lanes have significantly increased, cicLAvia is now LA's largest and popular event and crime is way down than 2005.

It's all about giving credit, just like we should never forget contributions which changed LA, just like Jim Hahn legalizing Adaptive Reuse which can be credited to downtown's beginning resurgence.

BTW, each Mayor, Independent, Republican, Democrat had financial problems over last 4 years during the recession. So Antonio can't be blamed for a national problem. Recognize what he did at a local level and think about LA in '05 compared to today. I'm not saying you have to like him, or hate him, but recognize and appreciate his achievements before thinking he was "just another politician".

[LAofAnaheim]

It's unfortunate that Urban Village will have no retail. That should be a development requirement in downtown.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Other politicians were in his place and outside of Bradley, who else advanced public transportation further and pushed a sales tax increase (Measure R) that has changed LA? It's easy to armchair and think each politician is the same, but notable achievements should be recognized. Pre-2005, subway construction was illegal (remember that? Antonio got that overturned with his methane gas study for Waxman, his first order of business), only 1 rail line could be under construction due to limited revenues with Prop A and C (now we'll have 5 rail lines under construction with Measure R), bike lanes have significantly increased, cicLAvia is now LA's largest and popular event and crime is way down than 2005.

It's all about giving credit, just like we should never forget contributions which changed LA, just like Jim Hahn legalizing Adaptive Reuse which can be credited to downtown's beginning resurgence.

BTW, each Mayor, Independent, Republican, Democrat had financial problems over last 4 years during the recession. So Antonio can't be blamed for a national problem. Recognize what he did at a local level and think about LA in '05 compared to today. I'm not saying you have to like him, or hate him, but recognize and appreciate his achievements before thinking he was "just another politician".

Don't forget the LAX modernization and something that is rarely mentioned here-- the Port of Los Angeles expansion as well. Both of these are significant achievements and vital to Southern California's economy.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

im sure you guys have noticed that i love lists by now, but i think it they really help show whats happening in a easy to read fashion

So here are the major projects that are helping define downtown. We got a lot going on!

U / C

1) 8th and Grand - 700 Units
2) 8th and Hope - 290 Units
3) 9th and Olive - 313 Units
4) One Santa Fe - 438 Units
5) Jia - 280 Units
6) Parcel M Tower - 271 Units
7) Broad Museum
8) Wilshire Grand Tower
9) Avant (3 phases) - 441 Units
10) Olympic and Hill - 281 Units
11) Blossom - 262 Units
12) Renaissance
13) Da Vinci - 526 Units
14) Regional Connector
15) Ava Little Tokyo (2 Phases) - 280 Units
16) 6th and Maple (Star Apartments) - 102 Units
17) Good Samaritan -
18) Ace Hotel
19) Kind and Groove (2)
20) Smart and Final
21) Cliftons
22) 806 Broadway - 9 Units
23) Alameda Square Rehab
24) New Pershing Apartment Rehab - 65 Units

Total Units = 4256 Units U/C



Scheduled to Break Ground / Start Conversion in next year

1) Marriott Hotel
2) Urban Village - 100 Units
3) 6th and Main (Barry Shy) - 350 Units
4) Topaz 6th and Main (between Los Angeles and Main) - 159 Units
5) 6th and Spring
6) Title Insurance Building + Parking Lot (Hotel ground up and Conversion) - 250 Units
7) 4th and Spring Banco Popular Conversion
8) 4th and Broadway Tower
9) The Bloc Rehab
10) Courthouse
11) Block 8
12) Astani South Park Project - 640 Units
13) South Park Boutique Hotel (1130 Hope)
14) St Vibiana
15) Pico Hotel (across from Staples that city is selling?)
16) Bringing Back Broadway
17) Streetcar?
18) My Fig Project
19) Park across from City Hall
20) Broadway Mart
21) Desmond Building
22) 6th Street Bridge
23) Cornfields Expansion
24) Olympic and Broadway - 600 Units
25) Bike Share
26) Broadway Theater Rehab (4)
27) Barry Shy 2
28) Barry Shy 3
29) Barry Shy 4 (Conversion)


Potential / Possibly in next year

1) LA Central
2) Downtown Hilton
3) Farmers Field
4) Commercial Exchange Building
5) Onni projects (3)
6) Ninth and Hill
7) Grand Ave (Next Phase)
8) Metropolis

Retail

1) Zara
2) Urban Outfitters
3) Acne
4) Macy Flagship Remodel

[202_Cyclist]

Thank you for posting this list. Do you know how many units of housing this is?

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

last i counted, there are about 6000 units under construction / imminent to break ground in DT right now, but i think that may be a bit low

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

last i counted, there are about 6000 units under construction / imminent to break ground in DT right now, but i think that may be a bit low

What is the population of downtown now? 50,000? If these new units have an average of 1.5 people per unit, that would be at least a 20% increase in population for downtown. Pretty respectable.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Contemplating on weather to head to Downtown or not..Don't really see the need since nothing new has happened since my previous venture.

I appreciate all the effort you put into taking pics of the latest changes to dt. however, if you think totally new projs don't need an update, or have been covered enough recently, you can always consider taking snapshots of the smaller changes, or new projs, to the hood. Showing renovation of existing bldgs, or the addition of new stores, or even pics of how newer devlpt is doing.....such as the number of ppl supporting (or not) restaurants, stores, apts, would be always worth a look to me.

As for the upcoming renaissance hotel, I too wonder what the plans for that will look like...how tall it will be....& wonder why they haven't released them to the public yet, assuming the artwork is available.

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Library Tower and Gas Company Tower are clearly in the worst shape here.

Too bad your link doesn't work, but the fact two of the most important & newer bldgs in dt have lots of vacant space is one answer to those ppl who keeping asking why new projs in dt aren't bigger & taller.

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

There were some nice things done over the past decade, but to think that another occupant in the office wouldn't have presided over similar development, if not more, is a bit naive. Saw him speak at UCLA and he came off as a used car salesman who thinks he's the s***. Which pretty much confirmed the impression I've gotten all along. Pretty hesitant to give him that much credit here.

one difference between antonio villaragosa & james hahn was that the mayor over 8 yrs ago was very passive about improving & adding to the metro rail system. Hahn didn't have enough 'fire in his belly', & I think he had more of a burban mentality about what the city needed or didn't need. If he's still living in san pedro....which is where his residence was when he was mayor....that would be another indication that he is more laid back & burban than his successor was.

when Villaragosa became mayor, I do recall his becoming ambitious about promoting the extension of the red line, while Hahn had taken more of a looky loo approach. I also liked how villaragosa coined the phrase 'elegant density'...or at least what one of his advisers put together in a planning guide....since LA has long lacked enough proper density & elegance.

but I agree with your comments about the city in other ways....& how previous or recent leadership hasn't done enough to deal with the problems you mention.

Originally Posted by eclipse

that is totally unexpected!!! I haven't seen it listed before in articles about new or proposed projs in dt. So if it does break ground in sept, it will be the reverse of notorious projs like the glass tower or LA central. Projs that got lots of advance publicity, & even saw construction walls installed, but where the proposals eventually were cancelled.

but as losangelessportsfan wonders, how can such a small looking bldg....based on the artwork....hold 96 units? But that's assuming the proj won't be mainly studios or bachelor sized units.....like what's found in tokyo.

[blackcat23]

LASportsFan provided a very nice list, but I think listing some of the larger projects as breaking ground next year is very optimistic. Some of them haven't even listed a start date.

The courthouse is supposed to start sometime in the next few months. The Renaissance Hotel is scheduled for Q1 of 2014.

Related told the Grand Avenue Authority that a 2015 was their most optimistic groundbreaking date for Parcel Q, so I think we still have a ways to go on that one.

Onni has four other residential high rise projects lined up. One next door to 888 Olive, one on the lot formerly intended for the Kurtzman, and two on the parking lot at 1212 Flower. Someone from Onni stated that those towers probably wouldn't break ground until 888 Olive is near completion, though. I'd guess a 2015 start date for that as well.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

So here are the major projects that are helping define downtown. We got a lot going on!

add in other possible new changes to dt, such as what brigham is talking about today for macys plaza, & things are getting more & more, & more, exciting. I wouldn't trade this time in the city's history for anything.....although my curiosity does torment me, since I wouldn't mind getting into a time machine & witnessing things as they may be 5, 10 or 20 yrs from today.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

It's unfortunate that Urban Village will have no retail. That should be a development requirement in downtown.

It has live work units on the ground floor, which, depending on who is living/working, could easily be retail.

Anyways, it doesn't bother me very much just because of how out of the way the building is, and the smaller scale of the building.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

LASportsFan provided a very nice list, but I think listing some of the larger projects as breaking ground next year is very optimistic. Some of them haven't even listed a start date.

The courthouse is supposed to start sometime in the next few months. The Renaissance Hotel is scheduled for Q1 of 2014.

Related told the Grand Avenue Authority that a 2015 was their most optimistic groundbreaking date for Parcel Q, so I think we still have a ways to go on that one.

Onni has four other residential high rise projects lined up. One next door to 888 Olive, one on the lot formerly intended for the Kurtzman, and two on the parking lot at 1212 Flower. Someone from Onni stated that those towers probably wouldn't break ground until 888 Olive is near completion, though. I'd guess a 2015 start date for that as well.

youre right... ill just say potentially breaking ground because we dont know for certain.

Edit: added number of units and cleaned it up a bit

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

youre right... ill just say potentially breaking ground because we dont know for certain.

Edit: added number of units and cleaned it up a bit

Nice list! It's exciting to see it laid out that way.

You might also want to move the Title Insurance condos back. They're tied up in legal wrangling and I heard it would be a few years until they get underway. And there is the boutique hotel right next to it that's part of the same deal.

[brudy]

Also #22 - the Chester Williams has been open for a while. There is the Alexandria annex building though right aross the street.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by brudy

Nice list! It's exciting to see it laid out that way.

You might also want to move the Title Insurance condos back. They're tied up in legal wrangling and I heard it would be a few years until they get underway. And there is the boutique hotel right next to it that's part of the same deal.

Thanks for the heads up. i thought they legal issues were hammered out? still in limbo? thats too bad.

So, whats the building on the corner of 5th and Broadway with the ornate decorations thats still being worked on where walgreens is going in? is that it? the apts are already open?

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

Thanks for the heads up. i thought they legal issues were hammered out? still in limbo? thats too bad.

So, whats the building on the corner of 5th and Broadway with the ornate decorations thats still being worked on where walgreens is going in? is that it? the apts are already open?

That is the Chester Williams building. The apartments opened last fall. The walgreens is set to open october/november from what someone who lives in the building told me.

Across the street is the Alexandria Annex - the ghost building that didn't have an entrance to the floors above the first floor. That's somewhere in approvals although I've seen them doing demo work and installing stairs from time to time. Not sure how many units it will be...

One more for the list - the last remaining parcel next to the Ava/Little Tokyo project is set to break ground in the next month or so. 240 Units. Here's an old link (http://brighamyen.com/2012/07/24/sares-r...-to-break-ground-in-2013-in-downtown-la/)

[blackcat23]

The Sares Regis project at 2nd and San Pedro was supposed to break ground last month, but it's still in use as a parking lot. From what I can see, they've received every permit they need to start construction, so there shouldn't be any red tape holding them back at this point.

Hopefully we see shovels in the ground soon.

[ChelseaFC]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Other politicians were in his place and outside of Bradley, who else advanced public transportation further and pushed a sales tax increase (Measure R) that has changed LA? It's easy to armchair and think each politician is the same, but notable achievements should be recognized. Pre-2005, subway construction was illegal (remember that? Antonio got that overturned with his methane gas study for Waxman, his first order of business), only 1 rail line could be under construction due to limited revenues with Prop A and C (now we'll have 5 rail lines under construction with Measure R), bike lanes have significantly increased, cicLAvia is now LA's largest and popular event and crime is way down than 2005.

It's all about giving credit, just like we should never forget contributions which changed LA, just like Jim Hahn legalizing Adaptive Reuse which can be credited to downtown's beginning resurgence.

BTW, each Mayor, Independent, Republican, Democrat had financial problems over last 4 years during the recession. So Antonio can't be blamed for a national problem. Recognize what he did at a local level and think about LA in '05 compared to today. I'm not saying you have to like him, or hate him, but recognize and appreciate his achievements before thinking he was "just another politician".

I appreciate your opinion, but I still have major issues with the city under his leadership.

[MarshallKnight]

Originally Posted by brudy

That is the Chester Williams building. The apartments opened last fall. The walgreens is set to open october/november from what someone who lives in the building told me.

I came super close to living there just three months ago! Apartments were super nice, and much less expensive than I expected. Ultimately, my roommate and I decided on a place in Fairfax instead -- for all the exciting developments, it still feels like a comfortable, accessible downtown with all the necessary amenities is still a couple years away.