LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by brudy

Demolition will apparently be done by spring according to an article. So what about the next 2.5 years? It's not a very large space and it's contiguous with Grand Park. Put some grass and trees in and call it a day. I'm sure they will over-design it. Even calling it another name instead of just making it part of Grand Park reeks of overthinking. Not a ton of confidence here that it will get done well...

I agree. There is really no reason why this can't be complete in a tear. Some grass, some nice shade trees, places for people to sit, maybe a small water feature.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by SimonLA

Went to Spring Street today in the early afternoon and Spring St. Park was locked up with no explanation. Dozens of people walked toward the park and then turned around in disappointment. Several calls to 311 were greeted with, "Huh? We don't know why it's closed."

I saw there at least 2 comment threads on the DTLA Facebook group about the closure, with 50+ comments each. People are pissed. Consensus seemed to be that either A) Its a funding issue or B) Its a dogs-crapping-on-the-lawn issue.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

Poppycock. The Arts District is probably the best neighborhood in DTLA. That and what's going on in Little Tokyo will seamlessly transition one area to another. I only see The Arts District is only going to get getting better.

Since I don't live in the area I have to ask, how bad is skid row relative to the neighborhoods we are talking about? Is there such a negative effect such that it will impair or halt the revitalization efforts of the Old bank district/old core and Little Tokyo/Arts District?

[Wilcal]

Still no news about the Metropolis investment: Downtown News, Los Angeles Times, Brigham Yen--all quiet on the front.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

Since I don't live in the area I have to ask, how bad is skid row relative to the neighborhoods we are talking about? Is there such a negative effect such that it will impair or halt the revitalization efforts of the Old bank district/old core and Little Tokyo/Arts District?

Skid Row basically stops Downtown from connecting to the Arts District. The only non-car way to get to (1 section) of the Arts District is by taking 2nd to Little Tokyo and going a few blocks further east.

Skid Row will likely prevent any substantial development east of Main Street until after we're all long gone. There are facilities on Main that residents from Skid Row use (via 5th street), as well as a good deal of low income housing (and likely more to come).

Still - there is LOTS of space within Downtown (Main to 110) to be developed on. Even on Spring Street surface lots are plentiful.

[brudy]

I like the AD now and it will only get better. We walk over that way a lot (via Little Tokyo). But it's offerings are limited right now and we basically only ever walk to the northern area. What is there is all pretty good - from retail like Apolis and Poketo to the Pie Hole and Urth Cafe - there isn't a lot of garbage. The whole area has a really cool vibe that vaguely reminds me of Long Island City/Queens - industrial turned awesome. We've talked about moving over that way, but without easier train access, it's not going to happen. It can feel kinda creepy late at night till you get to Little Tokyo. I think the influx of residents will be a huge positive.

We'll drive to Handsome Coffee sometimes, but it's too far to walk since you have to go around Skid Row. There are some restaurants I'd like to check out down on Industrial St but in the interest of not drinking and driving, it never happens. It's one of the environmental casualties of Skid Row - you can't cut across or even take the bus. You'll always have to walk or bike around it or drive. And I won't even drive through there at night.

[Mojeda101]

Going to LA Friday to celebrate my birthday with a few friends. I'll try to get a few shots of the projects.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Easy

That article also states that they paid $1 billion for the lot instead of it being a $1 billion total investment.

I wish! that would suggest the value of land in dt is so great nowadays cuz the potential return will be so great. that might make sense if all the condos in the nearby ritz carlton had sold out in a split second & there was a long waiting list for more condos there. And if the hotel they're attached to, & other nearby hotels, & stores & office bldgs were packed 24/7 with guests, customers or businesses. Things are doing better today than in the past, but not to that degree.

so there's no way the new owners paid $1 billion, or would have been willing to pay that much, for that piece of land. If they did, any proj built there would presumably never pencil out.

Originally Posted by brudy

Downtown desperately needs condos.

It's my understanding that the price to build a decent condo still is too high in dt & that the demand for them still isn't strong enough that enough buyers will pay a listed price that covers both the cost of construction and allows a devlpr to make a nice profit. however, I'm still puzzled why a big devlpr like related, who was supposed to build on bunker hill around disney hall several yrs ago, took forever to get funding for its projs, while other devlprs....smaller ones....managed to get $$$ & start on their new devlpts before related was finally able to break ground on its new apt tower next to the rising broad museum.

Originally Posted by StethJeff

I figured you'd be more upset about Park Fifth. Like I've said before, I don't quite understand the shared boner here on SSP for One Santa Fe.

I can't understand why you or anyone else would be upset about park fifth in terms of the santa fe proj, or visa versa.

Unless I'm confusing you with someone else, I vaguely recall you becoming resentful about something I posted here awhile back. I have a hazy memory of an avatar of the griffith pk observatory & a posting in this thread some time ago that implied I was a debbie downer, or something like that. If my memory is playing tricks on me, disregard this comment. but if I'm correct, then any comments I've made that puzzle or bother you should be placed against your comments about the santa fe proj & very comments in another thread about LAX. iow, it's just a matter of different opinions, so take them for what they are.

this thread is becoming a bit dry....there still isn't any details about what the metropolis proj will be like.....& since I don't have anything exciting to add to the thread I'm not helping matters. So any new pics from mojeda would be welcome right about now.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Skid Row basically stops Downtown from connecting to the Arts District. The only non-car way to get to (1 section) of the Arts District is by taking 2nd to Little Tokyo and going a few blocks further east.

Skid Row will likely prevent any substantial development east of Main Street until after we're all long gone. There are facilities on Main that residents from Skid Row use (via 5th street), as well as a good deal of low income housing (and likely more to come).

Still - there is LOTS of space within Downtown (Main to 110) to be developed on. Even on Spring Street surface lots are plentiful.

Thank you Hunter for your input. I have many issues with the presence of skid row as it now exists, I'll say for the moment that it is not necessarily favorable based upon a moral or medical health (I have a medical health back ground) view. But this forum is about architecture, design and urban issues so I won't digress too much. But, suffice it to say, I think city hall is in itself somewhat schizophrenic in its view of the issue, that is to support gentrification along with "homeless humanity," because I just don't think that the two can easily coexist. However, I do believe that the improvements to Main st. will slowly move east gradually chipping away at the margin of skid row. One thing that did alarm me, however, is that I had read in passing that the hotel Cecil was considering conversion to an all very low income property. This to me would be a foolish and counter productive to the current revitalizing state of the street.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I agree. There is really no reason why this can't be complete in a tear. Some grass, some nice shade trees, places for people to sit, maybe a small water feature.

Wouldn't it be nice for the city to think so practically? My experience with LACO Parks & Rec. was at times so frustrating. There was always overkill of any subject. They probably had to consume a year to study, fund, and then pull requisitions just to paint the trash cans green! Simplicity and practicality were not in their vocabulary.

[Illithid Dude]

Medallion was just cranked up to 11.









Looks like something from Shanghai. Each tower is 13 stories, keeping them in line with the historic height limit that most of the historic core adheres to. The project will also include 28,000 square feet of retail space and a theater, which is rumored to be an Alamo Drafthouse. They plan to break ground in late 2015, which, unlike many projects, actually seems like a reasonable goal.


4 towers planned.

EDIT: Realized I forgot to credit Birgham Yen! All taken from his blog!

[LosAngelesBeauty]

My contribution for this week


dtlarising.com

Medallion 2.0

http://brighamyen.com/2013/07/30/medalli...-to-break-ground-in-2015-in-downtown-la/

[202_Cyclist]

Those skybridges are awful. This isn't Anchorage, Alaska. LA has some of the best weather in the world. Why are these skybridges necessary? This is a guaranteed way to kill any pedestrian activity these buildings would have otherwise encouraged.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Those skybridges are awful. This isn't Anchorage, Alaska. LA has some of the best weather in the world. Why are these skybridges necessary? This is a guaranteed way to kill any pedestrian activity these buildings would have otherwise encouraged.

I think there's a difference between a skybridge within a new project and a skybridge system that spans different developments block to block. Its not like this bridge will ever connect to anything else, the way the skybridge system in Minneapolis does.

This one is more of an architectural feature. I don't see it serving any actual function beyond helping residents circulate between the towers. Its not going to take any pedestrians off the street.

[Illithid Dude]

Yeah, apparently, the skybridge connects all the residents amenities together, like the pool, the fitness center, etc. So I have no issue with it.

[inSaeculaSaeculorum]

The skybridge and what appears to be an elevated private park is just part of a continued trend in suburbanizing new mixed use buildings. The effect is one akin to a gated community. Too many of these projects lack a neighborhood feel.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

The skybridge and what appears to be an elevated private park is just part of a continued trend in suburbanizing new mixed use buildings. The effect is one akin to a gated community. Too many of these projects lack a neighborhood feel.

I disagree with this project being "too suburban" with the exception of the 5-level parking structure, which btw, will have at least 10,000 SF of retail space fronting Los Angeles St.

The sky bridge is meant for residents to access their own building amenities. That doesn't take away life from the street level because those amenities would not be on the ground level anyway. Asking the residents to come down to the lobby just to take another elevator up to another tower to access the pool, fitness center, and community room is inefficient and actually a drain on the elevators (more use = more electricity = more chances for break downs).

Also, the ground level will be literally saturated with businesses. Don't forget this project is directly connected to Medallion 1.0, which is getting completely overhauled with a new farmers market/restaurants/artisanal shops on the lower level. In addition, you're getting a potential new theater (maybe Alamo Drafthouse) that will be synergistic with the farmers market portion of Medallion 1.0. Then you have another 28,000 square feet of retail space WRAPPING the towers facing 3rd and Main St.

How is that taking life away from the street? It's not.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

The skybridge and what appears to be an elevated private park is just part of a continued trend in suburbanizing new mixed use buildings. The effect is one akin to a gated community. Too many of these projects lack a neighborhood feel.

Agreed. The new apartment building my girlfriend and I moved to is great, new, clean, has plentyof amenities but these amenities (gym, conference room, recreation room, movie theater) also keep people inside and take away the need for people to interact with their surrounding neighborhood.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by BrighamYen

My contribution for this week

WOW! and now I don't have to wait for new pics from forumers like mojeda to save the day. your scoop certainly is a shot out of left field....totally unexpected. I definitely didn't see that one coming.

I recall the devlpr having a heckuva time in getting the medallion under construction a few....or is it now several?....yrs ago. So I'd never have guessed he'd be interested in something much more ambitious than his first phase.

but does that also mean his proposal should be taken with a big grain of salt? even more so since his time frame is stretched out for another good 2 1/2 yrs from today. due to that, in one way I wished he had kept his plans private until closer to the date of both actual construction & when financing has been fully guaranteed. Cuz now I'll be left wondering & waiting.

one good thing about a delay, however, is that the plans hopefully will be fine tuned. I hate to nitpick about proposals that won't be a reality til a few yrs from today, but the design & massing of those bldgs do make me somewhat uneasy.

[brudy]

I've stared at the designs for a while now, not quite sure what to make of it. The parking structure is a bummer for sure. At first it seems like an inner facing sim-city like building dropped onto Main. But if you look at the isometric view showing Main St, I think it's going to be great along the street.

I do think there's something kind of odd about the interior, with the theater being off the street, something very un-city about it that I can't quite describe. It's not suburban, but not exactly urban either for some reason. I do think it's going to be great for that stretch of main, which is nothing but a total wasteland right now. And it's not 6 stories or stucco. It's just a little odd I guess. I also think the timeline is just so far off. I was already watching movies and drinking beer at the Alamo Drafthouse. Now we'll be on the 3rd of the new Star Wars movies before this thing is done. It's just so far off...