LOS ANGELES | Central City Project Rundown 5.0

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/littl...69a900e-f28a-11e3-b84d-001a4bcf887a.html

Little Tokyo Mall to Get Major Upgrades

Well, anything is an improvement. Still, I wish they were punching some new windows through the thing...so much masonry and so little glass. The upgraded version is going to look like a slightly more visually interesting looking version of the Koreatown Galleria.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

Well, anything is an improvement. Still, I wish they were punching some new windows through the thing...so much masonry and so little glass. The upgraded version is going to look like a slightly more visually interesting looking version of the Koreatown Galleria.

I was going to post about this as the fencing has been up all this week. I wish they were putting more windows in, it will still look fortress-esque.

The bigger news is the owners doing a mixed-user on that lot behind the mall. Being right across the street from the arts district makes this a prime location I think.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by brudy

The bigger news is the owners doing a mixed-user on that lot behind the mall. Being right across the street from the arts district makes this a prime location I think.

Gentrification's ever so slow pincer attack on Skid Row.

[Quixote]

What's the appeal of living in the Arts District, particularly south of 6th Street? It's mostly industrial wasteland decorated with ugly power lines. The streets, most devoid of sidewalks, are completely dead and public safety at night would be a major concern of mine. I don't get it.

But...

$61 Million Development Planned for Arts District

By Donna Evans
June 13, 2014

Five warehouse buildings in the Arts District are poised to become a 125,000-square-foot retail center, ASB Real Estate Investments has announced.

The Maryland-based company partnered with Century City’s Blatteis & Schnur for the $32.5 million acquisition at Palmetto and Mateo streets. ASB plans to pour an additional $30 million into developing the industrial complex, which will include 430 parking spaces and create 900 feet of retail frontage along Palmetto and Mateo, which is bordered by Barker Block and Molino Street Lofts.

In a prepared statement, Robert Schnur, co-chairman of Blatteis & Schnur said, “A brilliant design is planned, allowing us to attract unique, compelling and artisanal retailers and food purveyors.”

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/milli...2fca8dc-f325-11e3-9779-001a4bcf887a.html

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Quixote

What's the appeal of living in the Arts District, particularly south of 6th Street? It's mostly industrial wasteland decorated with ugly power lines. The streets, most devoid of sidewalks, are completely dead and public safety at night would be a major concern of mine. I don't get it.

But...



http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/milli...2fca8dc-f325-11e3-9779-001a4bcf887a.html

The streets won't be dead for long, given how much is being built over there. Personally I just like how the area feels - the reused industrial buildings have history and are just cool looking, I like the odd street layout. It has a really good set of stores and restaurants right now and offers a feel like no other area in LA. And it just has a cool, mellow vibe. Plus Little Tokyo is across the street, you can walk to the core in 15 minutes, and it has metro access. Is it fully evolved, obviously not, but it will be soon.

[blackcat23]

More on the revived Glass Tower/1050 S. Grand Ave. Project

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-downtown-condos-20140614-story.html

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

More on the revived Glass Tower/1050 S. Grand Ave. Project

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-downtown-condos-20140614-story.html

The rendering in the article:



Looks like they are using the original design. How would have thunk that Glass Tower would finally break ground? Even in 2007 it seemed like a non-starter of a project.

EDIT: And the article says it's a condo tower! Very exciting!

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by Quixote

It's mostly industrial wasteland decorated with ugly power lines. The streets, most devoid of sidewalks, are completely dead and public safety at night would be a major concern of mine. I don't get it.

Originally Posted by brudy

Personally I just like how the area feels - the reused industrial buildings have history and are just cool looking, I like the odd street layout.... And it just has a cool, mellow vibe.

An interesting example of how individualized & personalized tastes & perceptions are! that's why I think dtla will finally have reached an optimum level when the opinions of most ppl converge in the middle.....with the city dwellers & visitors who like hipster reality grit & grunge finding enough to keep them happy in dtla, while the city dwellers & visitors who are more into euro type quaintness or tokyo type newness find enough in dtla to keep them happy too.

the stories about the snazzing up of the little tokyo mall & its proposed neighboring apt proj, the arts proj retail ctr, & the revival of the glass tower.....now that's a blast from the past!.....along with all the other projs underway or soon to be underway....combined with the opening of new stores & restaurants & other types of businesses, & art museums too.....& maybe even a sports stadium too?.....are proof positive that this is an exciting time in the history of dtla.

I sure wish this had been the LA of my youth.

btw, I was in the little tokyo mall several months ago & its exterior, while not all that welcoming.....which is why the new message boards should help.....isn't really the big sticking point. The bigger issue is there is too much retail space INSIDE the bldg & not enough customers for all that space originally built over 20 yrs ago.

I wish some of it could be converted into housing, although I don't know if many ppl would want to live in an apt without windows on one side & looking into the corridors of a mall on the other side. however, there is a bit of liveliness with the bowling alley & sports bars upstairs, at least on fridays & weekends, & some of the restaurants & grocery store do well. Perhaps as the arts district grows, including things like the new one santa fe apt proj a few blocks away, the hood & all the space in that mall will finally be a good fit for each other.

I noticed some updated renderings of the whole foods apt proj at 8th & grand were posted by blackcat to the other city skyscraper website & I'm surprised he hasn't posted them here....even more so since I've never seen them before & was under the impression that the original artwork was pretty much the way the final devlpt would look like. I guess since the proj has moved at such a glacial pace, the owner has had the luxury of time to allow the architects to redo their work....or presumably something like that.



theagencyre.com




archinect.com


archinect.com


archinect.com


archinect.com


archinect.com

[caligrad]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

The rendering in the article:



Looks like they are using the original design. How would have thunk that Glass Tower would finally break ground? Even in 2007 it seemed like a non-starter of a project.

EDIT: And the article says it's a condo tower! Very exciting!

Awesome at its best. Love it. I always liked the design of it. Glad it wont be changed. The article is informative of the downtown market as far as condos go. If you guys haven't read it, its worth the few minutes to read. Very good. only 12 condos left for sell in all of downtown and they are expected to sell out in the next couple of months. Awesome . The only thing I would change is to cover the podium with glass as well.

[Hubris]

I know she's got fans on this site, so mark your calendars.

There's be a free lecture and discussion with Zaha Hadid at USC on October 24. You can start RSVPing on September 26.

http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/113/event/909621

[blackcat23]

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/06/introducing-south-parks-latest-low-rise.html

This is what's heading to 1400 S. Figueroa Street, the parking lot in-between the two Avant Buildings. 106 apartments, 1,400+ sq ft of ground floor retail. Option for either four live/work units or an additional 3,350 sq ft of commercial space. Designed by GMP Architects (AVANT, 801 Olive Street).

[Illithid Dude]

Could have been worse

[caligrad]

^^^ LOL true. better than seeing development downtown come to a screeching halt like when the recession hit. I thought there was a moratorium of these in the area around Staples?

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by citywatch

An interesting example of how individualized & personalized tastes & perceptions are! that's why I think dtla will finally have reached an optimum level when the opinions of most ppl converge in the middle.....with the city dwellers & visitors who like hipster reality grit & grunge finding enough to keep them happy in dtla, while the city dwellers & visitors who are more into euro type quaintness or tokyo type newness find enough in dtla to keep them happy too.

the stories about the snazzing up of the little tokyo mall & its proposed neighboring apt proj, the arts proj retail ctr, & the revival of the glass tower.....now that's a blast from the past!.....along with all the other projs underway or soon to be underway....combined with the opening of new stores & restaurants & other types of businesses, & art museums too.....& maybe even a sports stadium too?.....are proof positive that this is an exciting time in the history of dtla.

I sure wish this had been the LA of my youth.

btw, I was in the little tokyo mall several months ago & its exterior, while not all that welcoming.....which is why the new message boards should help.....isn't really the big sticking point. The bigger issue is there is too much retail space INSIDE the bldg & not enough customers for all that space originally built over 20 yrs ago.

I wish some of it could be converted into housing, although I don't know if many ppl would want to live in an apt without windows on one side & looking into the corridors of a mall on the other side. however, there is a bit of liveliness with the bowling alley & sports bars upstairs, at least on fridays & weekends, & some of the restaurants & grocery store do well. Perhaps as the arts district grows, including things like the new one santa fe apt proj a few blocks away, the hood & all the space in that mall will finally be a good fit for each other.

I noticed some updated renderings of the whole foods apt proj at 8th & grand were posted by blackcat to the other city skyscraper website & I'm surprised he hasn't posted them here....even more so since I've never seen them before & was under the impression that the original artwork was pretty much the way the final devlpt would look like. I guess since the proj has moved at such a glacial pace, the owner has had the luxury of time to allow the architects to redo their work....or presumably something like that.



theagencyre.com




archinect.com


archinect.com


archinect.com


archinect.com


archinect.com

These have been posted numerous times

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/06/introducing-south-parks-latest-low-rise.html

This is what's heading to 1400 S. Figueroa Street, the parking lot in-between the two Avant Buildings. 106 apartments, 1,400+ sq ft of ground floor retail. Option for either four live/work units or an additional 3,350 sq ft of commercial space. Designed by GMP Architects (AVANT, 801 Olive Street).

This is not awful. Sandwiched between Avant makes a nice streetwall.

[alki]

Originally Posted by caligrad

Awesome at its best. Love it. I always liked the design of it. Glad it wont be changed. The article is informative of the downtown market as far as condos go. If you guys haven't read it, its worth the few minutes to read. Very good. only 12 condos left for sell in all of downtown and they are expected to sell out in the next couple of months. Awesome . The only thing I would change is to cover the podium with glass as well.

Danger! Danger! The developer is talking about 'refreshing the design'. When actors refresh their faces, they rarely are recognizable afterwards. I really like the design. Lets hope the developer means he plans to tweak the design; not refresh it.

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/06/introducing-south-parks-latest-low-rise.html

This is what's heading to 1400 S. Figueroa Street, the parking lot in-between the two Avant Buildings. 106 apartments, 1,400+ sq ft of ground floor retail. Option for either four live/work units or an additional 3,350 sq ft of commercial space. Designed by GMP Architects (AVANT, 801 Olive Street).

Apparently doing cutouts in mostly primary colors is spreading to other architects. Maybe we should contact the CDC and do a quarantine.

[losangelesnative]

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/accou...62b3c18-f35e-11e3-8049-0019bb2963f4.html

Deloitte moving into gas company tower and putting its logo on top of the building bringing the towers occupancy up to 80%, but unfortunately its vacated another downtown office building (two cal plaza). they will be moved in by the end of the year

[ChelseaFC]

Updated the development map with a couple things in the Arts, Old Bank, and South Park districts. If I've missed any news, let me know.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/1/edit?mid=z1caQAJj-ESI.kH-zzyoJaAeI&authuser=1

[alki]

Originally Posted by losangelesnative

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/accou...62b3c18-f35e-11e3-8049-0019bb2963f4.html

Deloitte moving into gas company tower and putting its logo on top of the building bringing the towers occupancy up to 80%, but unfortunately its vacated another downtown office building (two cal plaza). they will be moved in by the end of the year

The moving ain't the problem. The problem is that they are vacating 276,300 square feet at Two California Plaza, but only taking 113,000 sq ft in the Gas Company Tower. That's what's hurting office occupancy not just in DTLA but in cities throughout the country. Its why no city is seeing lots of office development like we usually do after a recession. Companies are downsizing.

[ChelseaFC]

Parcel M plaza with denser greenery than I expected