LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[inSaeculaSaeculorum]

^I hope in the future developers would first explore re-using existing buildings in the arts/warehouse district cause I love the brick fabric of the area. The Megatoys warehouse was not one of those buildings though and is certainly dispensible, so this is a good project for the area

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

it better be real brick or else that project is going to look like dog —

[brudy]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

^I hope in the future developers would first explore re-using existing buildings in the arts/warehouse district cause I love the brick fabric of the area. The Megatoys warehouse was not one of those buildings though and is certainly dispensible, so this is a good project for the area

I agree. Some of those buildings are very cool and it would be a shame to lose them. And yeah, I hope that's real brick, although the LAT article makes it sound like it will be.

The AD is really blowing up, it will be great when the regional connector is done and you can get there easily from the rest of downtown. Right now we walk up to 2nd and then over as there's no cutting through skid row.

[bjornson]

For all of the polarity that One Santa Fe gets, at least it's consistent with Maltzan's work and he churns out well-thought out projects. Even with his use of stucco.

This project, however, is awful. I'm going to assume TCA designed this project (don't hold me to it though) and decided to change some facade elements that would otherwise be completely bland and stucco.

The brick you see is going to be "real" in that veneers will be used giving the effect of an actual brick-layered wall. It's no different in aesthetics.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by bjornson

For all of the polarity that One Santa Fe gets, at least it's consistent with Maltzan's work and he churns out well-thought out projects. Even with his use of stucco.

This project, however, is awful. I'm going to assume TCA designed this project (don't hold me to it though) and decided to change some facade elements that would otherwise be completely bland and stucco.

The brick you see is going to be "real" in that veneers will be used giving the effect of an actual brick-layered wall. It's no different in aesthetics.

It's being designed by Togawa Smith Martin Inc., according to the article. They did the Americana at Brand. The rest of their work looks ok, but nothing outstanding. And their website is so 2000 it hurts.

[SoCalKid]

I like it the way the brick reflects the industrial character of the neighborhood. Also, its going to convert Garey Street into a pedestrian zone lined with shops and restaurants. How could anyone not like that?

[The Illusive Man]

Originally Posted by SoCalKid

I like it the way the brick reflects the industrial character of the neighborhood. Also, its going to convert Garey Street into a pedestrian zone lined with shops and restaurants. How could anyone not like that?

It's not a 50 stories high rise, isn't a brownstone high rise, doesn't have a spire, and doesn't have a rail station. So it's not urban, dense, walkable, and world class enough. That's why they don't like it.

[LA21st]

Hey guys,

I finally will be moving to LA by November. I'm thinking Koreatown or Hollywood for a centralized location. I'm born and raised in the DC burbs, lived in northside of Chicago (Albany Park, Gold Coast, Rogers Park) 10 years.

I'm planning on breaking into Hollywood as a writer, but know that won't come right away.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

It's not a 50 stories high rise, isn't a brownstone high rise, doesn't have a spire, and doesn't have a rail station. So it's not urban, dense, walkable, and world class enough. That's why they don't like it.

Nobody said that. Please quote where someone said that.

[Illithid Dude]

According to Brigham Yen, Aesop skincare and some Portland leather store is coming to Broadway. Yay!

[The Illusive Man]

Originally Posted by brudy

Nobody said that. Please quote where someone said that.

That's pretty much the bar that needs to be reached, wouldn't you agree? I mean, wouldn't you be ecstatic if the building I described was being built there?

[brudy]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

That's pretty much the bar that needs to be reached, wouldn't you agree? I mean, wouldn't you be ecstatic if the building I described was being built there?

Actually no, not from my perspective.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

That's pretty much the bar that needs to be reached, wouldn't you agree? I mean, wouldn't you be ecstatic if the building I described was being built there?

Uhh... for the Arts District? Not at all. All I want is some nice architecture with good materials. Is that too much to ask?

[bjornson]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

That's pretty much the bar that needs to be reached, wouldn't you agree? I mean, wouldn't you be ecstatic if the building I described was being built there?

That's a sort of lazy response. I'm never one to promote scale or context but rather good design which is what downtown has been lacking of late. The expectation is what design-builts Venice, West Hollywood, and even Hollywood have received in the past 10 or so years have been of much higher substantial quality overall. It's a disappointment in the compromises that result after ambitious plans fall through. Can't there just be good design--quality materials, well-thought out circulation, etc?

[The Illusive Man]

Originally Posted by bjornson

That's a sort of lazy response. I'm never one to promote scale or context but rather good design which is what downtown has been lacking of late. The expectation is what design-builts Venice, West Hollywood, and even Hollywood have received in the past 10 or so years have been of much higher substantial quality overall. It's a disappointment in the compromises that result after ambitious plans fall through. Can't there just be good design--quality materials, well-thought out circulation, etc?

This isn't NYC though or any other single hub cities. LA has too many hubs and hot spots. That's the nature of LA now and how it will always be. Expecting all of the best stuff to go downtown when the interest is spread throughout the city will only drive you crazy. If you want a NYC clone or Chicago or whatever, you're never going to get it. Either live with it or do something about it. Sure, I'd love downtown to improve as much as anyone, but I also want the other parts of LA to improve as well.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Uhh... for the Arts District? Not at all. All I want is some nice architecture with good materials. Is that too much to ask?

Yes

Originally Posted by bjornson

That's a sort of lazy response. I'm never one to promote scale or context but rather good design which is what downtown has been lacking of late. The expectation is what design-builts Venice, West Hollywood, and even Hollywood have received in the past 10 or so years have been of much higher substantial quality overall. It's a disappointment in the compromises that result after ambitious plans fall through. Can't there just be good design--quality materials, well-thought out circulation, etc?

No

Seeing whats going up around DTLA is so depressing. Even our most beautifully designed building pale in comparison to MUCH smaller cities. It's baffling to me. I can only assume city planners/developers dont bother trying because theres no outside desire for them to. LA has always had spectacularly low architectural standards. Why spend more now when Angelenos are generally happy with — quality?

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

According to Brigham Yen, Aesop skincare and some Portland leather store is coming to Broadway. Yay!

OMG, yes, 9th and Broadway is ON FIRE!

It is now truly the epicenter of the Broadway revitalization.





http://brighamyen.com/2013/09/26/breakin...ds-portland-coming-broadway-downtown-la/

[inSaeculaSaeculorum]

I'm so glad most of you aren't city planners.

[inSaeculaSaeculorum]

broadway is gonna resemble portland oregon in due time. not a bad thing if i say so myself.

[Valyrian Steel]

This thread is so miserable. Maybe we should all put on eyeliner and form an emo band to rage about buildings not being pretty enough.