LOS ANGELES | Central City Project Rundown 5.0

[Jaycruz]

^^^ Your so right, that is a very solid tower, Downtown needs more of these on this exact scale in my opinion, towers like this one is what creates good density. But the issue I have is. whats worse in your guys opinion ? a building that goes from the ground up with no podium but a detached parking structure that takes up a parcel of land ? or a building that sits directly on a parking podium like watermark ?


Great to see Metropolis getting off the ground finally, Glad I moved here just in time to see it go up.

[alki]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

Just remember that Downtown is in the early stages of sidewalk cafes and patios. Some are very successful and others sit empty. The major problem in the past was that diners did not want to get harassed by the homeless…and so they are building better outdoor spaces with more greenery.

Historically, Los Angeles is all about courtyard spaces. I don't see it being a problem. We just have to encourage outdoor dining, benches, fountains and public green spaces. We are in the early stages but we starting to see changes. Who would have thought yoga would be so popular at Grand Park? There is also a proliferation of farmer's markets all over DTLA.

I wasn't talking about sidewalk cafes or restaurant patios..........I think they add to the activity on the street. However, I think most non retail plazas like this one take away from the energy on the street:



The Calder not withstanding there are like 4 people milling around and its very close to high noon, lunch time.

I think courtyards are great but mostly for residential. And I don't have a problem with roof decks. I was objecting to the half acre 'central park' on the podium. That seems like too much.

[alki]

Originally Posted by Jaycruz

^^^ Your so right, that is a very solid tower, Downtown needs more of these on this exact scale in my opinion, towers like this one is what creates good density. But the issue I have is. whats worse in your guys opinion ? a building that goes from the ground up with no podium but a detached parking structure that takes up a parcel of land ? or a building that sits directly on a parking podium like watermark ?


Great to see Metropolis getting off the ground finally, Glad I moved here just in time to see it go up.

I don't like podiums so if you throw retail in on the first floor of the garage I would be happy with that arrangement. I really like a bldg that goes straight up and doesn't have a set back until at least the 10th floor.

[alki]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

Alki, you are not being negative, you are speaking the truth. I have no issue with certain amenities being incorporated into a development. But when they are so vast and satisfying to the point where the resident does not want to leave the premises to interact with said amenities in the city, than the concept of gentrification is weakened. In other words a "self contained" living environment is desirable to a certain point, but if the resident leaves the building to shop, eat, mingle at bars, whatever, by getting into his or her automobile and driving to their destination in DTLA the efforts to create urbanity are wasted. As far as Pershing square is concerned it will change (albeit slowly) when desirable (for lack of a better term) people patronize it. People perceive safety in numbers, and when there are enough of "like people" who congregate in an area those who are undesirable slowly drift away. The process is slow but it will happen. I know I going to get hate mail for saying that, but I believe it's the truth. If a development has a very spacious garden incorporated into its design, then a resident has an option to stay in the safe and comfortable environment within his or her building. And, based upon the current condition of Pershing square, they probably will.

I agree completely. LA has a penchant or an affinity for plazas....maybe its like LA/OC said........because of the great weather. However, I think its very hard to design these plazas so they contribute to the street energy. And this 'central park' on the podium reminds me too much of the Boniventure Hotel which focuses very inward. Its like LA doesn't want to deal with the unpleasantness that can be found on any urban street. I am not saying you should have to put up with the homeless defecating on the street but at the same time I think people have to realize that not everyone on the street is going to look like they are from Central Casting. There has to be an acceptance and a certain level of tolerance IMO.

[alki]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://brighamyen.com/2014/07/07/new-ren...oming-888-s-hope-downtown-la/#more-12808

New Renderings Reveal Lots of Ped-Friendly Retail Coming to 888 S Hope in Downtown LA



t’s been three months since construction first began on the parking structure that will be attached to the new and exciting 888 S Hope, a brand new 33-story residential tower about to break ground later this year in burgeoning South Park. Being developed by LA-based CIM Group, new renderings from RTKL — the architect firm designing the project — show lots of retail space on the ground floor of both the parking structure and the tower itself. As you can see in the renderings (above and below), ample retail space will face Hope Street and wrap around the tower along 9th Street bordering the upcoming boutique Empire Hotel.

Oh no........that's way too much retail. It will just sit empty. DTLA will look like the utter failure that it is. The hi rise is no different than the other hi rises downtown and takes up too much of the sidewalk. **

The auto-oriented driveway for the parking structure is supposed to be placed on Hope Street adjacent to the tower, but with so much retail, the entire project will still act as a strong pedestrian connection between South Park and the Financial District working in concert with the Market Lofts and the brand new 8th and Hope tower across the street. The parking structure is scheduled for completion in summer 2015 and the tower is slated to break ground this fall 2014 (possibly in late September) finishing up in 2016.

Oh no.......more parking????! That's just great. More parking when DTLA doesn't need more parking with empty retail on the first floor. What will people from out of town think???!

**This post was brought to you by The Onion in collaboration with Debbie Downer.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by alki

The Calder not withstanding there are like 4 people milling around and its very close to high noon, lunch time.

Well, on fridays there's a huge farmer's market and it's packed. I eat lunch up this way a few times a week and there usually a lot more people sitting in the grassy areas and walking around. This shot is not representative.

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by alki

Oh no........that's way too much retail. It will just sit empty. DTLA will look like the utter failure that it is. The hi rise is no different than the other hi rises downtown and takes up too much of the sidewalk. **



Oh no.......more parking????! That's just great. More parking when DTLA doesn't need more parking with empty retail on the first floor. What will people from out of town think???!

**This post was brought to you by The Onion in collaboration with Debbie Downer.

You forgot one... It should be taller!!!1

[alki]

Originally Posted by eclipse

You forgot one... It should be taller!!!1

Yes........and the office space pre leased with a Burbank studio.

[alki]

Originally Posted by brudy

Well, on fridays there's a huge farmer's market and it's packed. I eat lunch up this way a few times a week and there usually a lot more people sitting in the grassy areas and walking around. This shot is not representative.

Come on, Brudy, no onesies. The reason its busy when there is a farmer's market is because people have a reason to enter the space. The rest of the week its dead space to be avoided. Look at all the dead plaza space around the towers on Bunker Hill even with all the water features. They can be pretty to look at but rarely do they make for an active street life.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by alki

Come on, Brudy, no onesies. The reason its busy when there is a farmer's market is because people have a reason to enter the space. The rest of the week its dead space to be avoided. Look at all the dead plaza space around the towers on Bunker Hill even with all the water features. They can be pretty to look at but rarely do they make for an active street life.

It's not active street life exactly, but it's also not devoid of life. It's not as packed as on fridays, but there are always people in those grassy areas during lunchtime. The people come out of the towers and eat outside. I was there today, in fact. It's a great place to sit and eat lunch and read. Downtown seriously lacks green space and quiet space, and there are some beautiful ones on bunker hill. But it's honestly not worth arguing about, it is what it is I guess.

[alki]

Originally Posted by brudy

It's not active street life exactly, but it's also not devoid of life. It's not as packed as on fridays, but there are always people in those grassy areas during lunchtime. The people come out of the towers and eat outside. I was there today, in fact. It's a great place to sit and eat lunch and read. Downtown seriously lacks green space and quiet space, and there are some beautiful ones on bunker hill. But it's honestly not worth arguing about, it is what it is I guess.

You're right. Its not worth arguing over but I do want to make one other point........which is that when the streets become more active so will the open spaces which people will seek out as refuges. However, I believe you can have too much of a good thing.....I think DTLA may be reaching that tipping point.

[colemonkee]

Not a big fan of the west-facing asshat, but the rest of the design looks nice enough. If we get this, Glass Tower, and Metropolis all underway by the end of the year, we'll have ourselves a nice little boom going in South Park. Throw in the Carmel project on 8th and Olive and possibly LA Central by the beginning of next year (fingers crossed), and we could be looking at an unprecedented boom in 2015.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by alki

You're right. Its not worth arguing over but I do want to make one other point........which is that when the streets become more active so will the open spaces which people will seek out as refuges. However, I believe you can have too much of a good thing.....I think DTLA may be reaching that tipping point.

Yeah, I agree. One ironic point to make about those grassy areas around the BOA tower, the security will actually remove you during non-business hours, which is kind of nuts. It's private space.

There are actually some other great semi-secret and semi-public spaces in downtown. There's a neat space off of Hope just south of the library on the left - go up the stairs beside that cafe, there's a great water feature and cool outdoor furniture to hang out on. And on the other side of the library, go up two escalators and then down the short stairs and turn left. You have a nice view of the library, macguire gardens and the towers along Flower. It's nice at sunset and also a great place to read or have coffee.

[alki]

Originally Posted by brudy

Yeah, I agree. One ironic point to make about those grassy areas around the BOA tower, the security will actually remove you during non-business hours, which is kind of nuts. It's private space.

There are actually some other great semi-secret and semi-public spaces in downtown. There's a neat space off of Hope just south of the library on the left - go up the stairs beside that cafe, there's a great water feature and cool outdoor furniture to hang out on. And on the other side of the library, go up two escalators and then down the short stairs and turn left. You have a nice view of the library, macguire gardens and the towers along Flower. It's nice at sunset and also a great place to read or have coffee.

I don't think the one off of Hope existed when I walked DTLA. At least I don't remember it. The one that disappointed was the library sq steps........I am not sure what they call them now. I know they are over-designed and that they tried too hard to make them look historic but in the end I thought they might become a draw like the Spanish Steps or Las Ramblas but it never happened. But you're right........there are a lot of small spaces...nook like......where someone can hang out in DTLA. Its nice.

What about Maguire Gardens....do a lot of people hang out there? Say what you want about Maguire but for a developer, he had a lot of vision.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by brudy

Yeah, I'm not that enthusiastic about this at all. While I'm sure as a resident it would be nice, it doesn't play well with their talk of TOD and new urbanism concepts. Too many of downtown's buildings/developments are creating self-enclosed worlds with all their amenities. It's an urban bedroom community, in way.

Thats what i don't like about every new development.. they all have plaza/parks included in them... its fine if theres a few of em.. but EVERY development??? is it necessary??? especially those like this that are right across from a public square. i feel like they draw ppl away from the real parks like Pershing, Grand and Spring street parks. older east coast buildings and those in like SF are buildings build along the sidewalk with no park or plaza included and then you have a public square somewhere for the residents of the city to enjoy.. just like pershing square is today with buildings surrounding it, or the maguire gardens, those should be the places for residents of the city to lounge around.. not in a private park that a building provides. thats just my opinion.. i know people will disagree -_-''

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by alki

What about Maguire Gardens....do a lot of people hang out there? Say what you want about Maguire but for a developer, he had a lot of vision.

I actually LOVE Maguire Gardens.. it actually looks and feels like a traditional park.. or mini park.. you see in NYC or in Europe.. not like todays wacky designed parks that have to include playgrounds, A LOT of concrete or that granite powder stuff, a little grass, barely any trees, and some sort of membrane pool thingy. Grand Park is pretty nice though... i liked the big lawn area and fountain thingy.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Not a big fan of the west-facing asshat, but the rest of the design looks nice enough. If we get this, Glass Tower, and Metropolis all underway by the end of the year, we'll have ourselves a nice little boom going in South Park. Throw in the Carmel project on 8th and Olive and possibly LA Central by the beginning of next year (fingers crossed), and we could be looking at an unprecedented boom in 2015.

The previous proposal had a much more egregious asshat, but a more daring design. Which do you prefer?


http://www.cimgroup.com/investments/9th-and-hope

[colemonkee]

^ I like the original much better. The asshat on that one was not really an asshat, but a symmetrical, multi-directional crown. "Asshats" are usually something that sits on only part, usually a corner, of a building roof and has a single direction. Usually. Not to say that the new design isn't nice. It is. That's just the only feature I don't like. The rest of it looks rather nice.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesDreamin

I actually LOVE Maguire Gardens.. it actually looks and feels like a traditional park.. or mini park.. you see in NYC or in Europe.. not like todays wacky designed parks that have to include playgrounds, A LOT of concrete or that granite powder stuff, a little grass, barely any trees, and some sort of membrane pool thingy. Grand Park is pretty nice though... i liked the big lawn area and fountain thingy.

Yeah, Maguire Gardens is really beautiful. People do hang out there all the time, of all stripes. It is at 5th and Flower, so it's not tucked away up on Bunker Hill.

As for that sitting area of Hope, you'd never know it was there unless you walked up the steps - you can't see it from the street.

I like Grand Park as well, and I don't get the hate, especially given the location.

[bighomey3000]

Originally Posted by brudy

Exciting stuff. I wonder if there will be a webcam?

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://www.earthcam.net/projects/webcor/metropolis/