LOS ANGELES | Central City Project Rundown 5.0

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by bobcat

Interesting interview with a Brookfield exec in the California Apparel News. A possible Figat7th expansion?
http://www.apparelnews.net/news/2014/jul/03/brookfields-hogan-why-figat7th-retail-center-paid-/

He also shares some interesting thoughts on parking in DTLA.

I love articles like that since they give a better sense of the nuts & bolts...the nitty gritty....behind what's going on in dtla. Without that insider info, it's easier to get blindsided & end up either over or underestimating why things are moving in a certain direction, either good or bad.

I know that dtladenizen said not long ago that the sales of the new zara store at 7th & fig were lower than expected, which wasn't exactly music to my ears. I remain curious how stores like urban outfitters are doing on broadway, esp several months since their grand opening, while I've heard that ross down the street has done okay.

I like to think the person from brookfield didn't want to reveal sale figures for 7th at fig not cuz they're kind of tepid but cuz he doesn't want to make his competitors too jealous.

Issues involving the density, height & architectural quality of at least certain projs probably will be influenced....at least a bit...& probably for the better, if dtla's economy is booming, from A to Z.

Originally Posted by alki

I thought this was interesting observation as well:
In addition to the success of LA Live opening, it was really effective at how it pulled people from all over Los Angeles into downtown. It didn’t register with a lot of people then. I used to ask people, “Do you ever go to downtown?” They’d say, “I never go there.” I’d ask, “But did you go to the Lakers game? Did you go to [downtown restaurant] Bottega Louie?” They’d answer yes.

that bit of schizophrenia is a remnant of all the yrs & yrs, & yrs, that ppl throughout LA, or visiting LA, not only got out of a habit of going to dtla, but also got accustomed to thinking of it as a place to avoid on most occasions.

I remember an article published around the time that gh palmer's first apt proj was built....about 14 yrs ago....which kicked off the construction boom of new apts. One of the ppl interviewed said he could see himself renting a place in a city like NY or SF but not in LA, not in dtla. now, in 2014, it's not quite so easy to make a jab like that. Slowly but surely, the bad habits of the past are being cast aside.

[Illithid Dude]

Looking at the Metropolis webcam, is it just me, or does it look like they are demolishing a lot more than just what phase 1 is covering? Are they gonna build all the podiums, and then build the phase 2 towers later perhaps?

[caligrad]

^^^ Yeah i was thinking the same thing. looks like a little more than what phase one calls for... But maybe they are using part of phase 2 land as a staging area?

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by bighomey3000

Ask and ye shall receive:

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

what will they think of next!?

I'm old enough to remember what things were like in the ancient past, before the internet was in existence. Ppl back then had to rely on mainly the LA Times for coverage on changes taking place in dtla, or anywhere else, for that matter. It was exasperating cuz I recall several yrs when almost any new proj going on in dt....or planned for it....was ignored by or barely mentioned in that paper.

I think it's now safe to say that #12 can be removed from this list....


theurbanobserdotcom

^ based on a quick perusal, I believe #6,13, 17, 20, 33, 61, 58, 44, 73, 74 & 51 also can be marked off that list.

as for the new parking garage west of 801 fig, I think its significance....or questionable impact....on the hood is far less than that of #15 & 16. the parking lot across from 7th at fig, on the other side of fig street, south of the old barker bros bldg, to me represents a far more noticeable gap. But the fact such high visibility areas still need to be filled in as of today does show there remains alot more new devlpt that will be needed in the future.

[ChelseaFC]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Looking at the Metropolis webcam, is it just me, or does it look like they are demolishing a lot more than just what phase 1 is covering? Are they gonna build all the podiums, and then build the phase 2 towers later perhaps?

It looks about right. Each phase takes up roughly half the site.

[alki]

Originally Posted by brudy

Thanks for the explanation, Colemonkee. It's a little sad that this lot may never get redeveloped, or at least to any height. It's one thing to buy air rights in Manhattan where the existing structures are most likely already a decent size, but it's another here where we're talking just a few stories.

I am not all that familiar with the air rights law, but its my understanding that just because you sold your air rights that doesn't mean you can't buy air rights from another location sometime in the future.

[elcoronel]

What ever happened to the projects planned on parking lots 24 and 25?

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Exactly. But a covenant, once recorded, effectively becomes part of the zoning - or rather a condition to the zoning - on the property moving forward, unless the covenant is released by both parties. I don't see Mani Brothers releasing that any time soon. Or as long as they hold on to 801 Fig.

Jaycruz and brudy, to answer your questions, the City didn't force the height limit on the property, but Mani Brothers negotiated a covenant on that property (and possibly others nearby) as a condition of developing 801 Figueroa, likely to preserve western views for their tenants. It's akin to buying the air rights to the property next door and building higher on an adjacent lot.

The real question is whether or not that covenant applies to the parcel that the tinker toy parking garage sits on. If not, that could easily be an attractive development parcel once Metropolis is fully developed and the area becomes a popular, thriving area.

You are correct. Mani had the building up for sale and they had offers, just not sure what happened cause the property was pulled from the market. Also, if i recall correctly, the covenant was only for the lot where they are building the garage.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by citywatch

what will they think of next!?

I'm old enough to remember what things were like in the ancient past, before the internet was in existence. Ppl back then had to rely on mainly the LA Times for coverage on changes taking place in dtla, or anywhere else, for that matter. It was exasperating cuz I recall several yrs when almost any new proj going on in dt....or planned for it....was ignored by or barely mentioned in that paper.

I think it's now safe to say that #12 can be removed from this list....


theurbanobserdotcom

^ based on a quick perusal, I believe #6,13, 17, 20, 33, 61, 58, 44, 73, 74 & 51 also can be marked off that list.

as for the new parking garage west of 801 fig, I think its significance....or questionable impact....on the hood is far less than that of #15 & 16. the parking lot across from 7th at fig, on the other side of fig street, south of the old barker bros bldg, to me represents a far more noticeable gap. But the fact such high visibility areas still need to be filled in as of today does show there remains alot more new devlpt that will be needed in the future.

by my eye, you can also scratch off 12, 13 20, 17, 33, 61, 57,58, 59, 60, 44, 51, 73, 74, 9 and 8... In the next year, if all goes to plan, you can scratch off 6, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 76, 78, 75, 62, 63, 37 and 38... not too shabby!

[Mojeda101]

****Some News****

I spoke with the son of Barry Shy yesterday. He told me that his father has been actively getting the permits needed for his projects and he intents to keep his word. Groundbreaking for the Broadway project(13 floors on Broadway, 20 on Olympic), and the Hill project(21 floors) is in October while SB Omega, the 40 story planned behind SB Tower would begin next Spring. I hope it's true, and I wonder how the Broadway project design will be with the height difference on the corner. He also mentioned renderings should be released to the public in the summer so keep an eye out for them guys!


imagine how it'll look like once Metropolis fills in that gap. With Fig Central extending the cluster further south and the Wilshire Grand giving the bulk another peak. It'll be something else by 2020.


User by mojeda101, on Flickr

Originally Posted by elcoronel

What ever happened to the projects planned on parking lots 24 and 25?

We haven't heard any news in regards to Fig Central, but they were also the ones who said they'd break ground before Metropolis. I still remember talking with them saying they wouldn't break ground until Summer and that they would have shovels for Fig Central in June, while Metropolis would break ground in August. I guess they were wrong. Although with the news of Metropolis breaking ground it could accelerate the timeline for Fig Central. When I talked with them(Spring) they said they were 60 percent done with the design changes and finalizing permits. I should give them a call again tomorrow and see what they have to say. As for lot 25 wasn't there supposed to be the Topaz project which was two 36 story residential towers? Wonder what happened with that.

Although we can't deny SOME of these projects will ultimately become reality within the coming years. Slowly but surely the parking lots are biting the dust and our skyline is growing at an immense pace. It won't be long before we see 7+ 20-40 story towers all rising up at once. Metropolis(19, 38 floors), Fig Central(44, 38 floors), 1212 flower(40, 31 floors), Topaz(36, 36 floors), Broadway@4th(34 floors), 820 Olive(50 floors), 1133 Hope(28 floors), Glass Tower(24 floors), 801 Olive(27 floors), and 888 Hope(33 floors).

Each of those projects have a big chance of seeing reality within 2 years. Did Onni mention which project that wanted to go for after 888 was done? The 50 story or the two towers down in South Park?

[BrandonJXN]

A trip down memory lane...


http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/michael-graves-metropolis.jpg

http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/51424246f92ea15b9c01efbd/2011.07_metropolis1990.jpg


http://i1.wp.com/brighamyen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/metropolis.jpg?resize=475%2C340


http://brighamyen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1.jpg


http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.607993380035363984&pid=1.7


http://www.afriat.com/images/metropolis.jpg


http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2008.09.-marketisfucked.jpg


http://gruenassociates.com/images_news/images_cp/metropolis1.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2860461747_baa098cefd_o.jpg


http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%203/Fullscreencapture7302011122032AM.jpg


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mljCZidOdrg/UlOOHg_Q1fI/AAAAAAAABFs/-wuq8nyQ1HY/s1600/metropolis2.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BgdaqsTCIAARVe-.jpg:large


http://i.imgur.com/3PhIf8r.png

[Steve2726]

Great post, crazy to see all the proposals over the years. Thank God that Michael Graves one didn't get built.

[Jaycruz]

I think the current proposal is the best out of all of them. When its done, imagine the movies that will be filmed in and around it.

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

****Some News****

Although we can't deny SOME of these projects will ultimately become reality within the coming years. Slowly but surely the parking lots are biting the dust and our skyline is growing at an immense pace. It won't be long before we see 7+ 20-40 story towers all rising up at once. Metropolis(19, 38 floors), Fig Central(44, 38 floors), 1212 flower(40, 31 floors), Topaz(36, 36 floors), Broadway@4th(34 floors), 820 Olive(50 floors), 1133 Hope(28 floors), Glass Tower(24 floors), 801 Olive(27 floors), and 888 Hope(33 floors).

That will be a lot of tower cranes. exciting stuff. Glad i'm here to see it all happen

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Steve2726

Great post, crazy to see all the proposals over the years. Thank God that Michael Graves one didn't get built.

Hahaha, I actually like the Michael Graves one, but I think the current iteration is also the best.

[mdiederi]

I think this was hinted at last fall, but this Chinese developer just announced a supertall project in Chicago yesterday and in the presentation they reiterated interest in LA.

. . . Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jianlin said in the company statement. "Within a year, Wanda will invest in more five-star hotel projects in major US cities like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestat...ans-89-story-skyscraper-on-chicago-river

No clue if it will be DT or elsewhere.

[ninjaz]

Hey all
I remember reading somewhere on here about a new Argentinian restaurant that just opened up near the Ace hotel or around there. Does anybody know the name of this place? (Looking for a place to watch the game to support my team!!)

[alki]

Originally Posted by citywatch

that bit of schizophrenia is a remnant of all the yrs & yrs, & yrs, that ppl throughout LA, or visiting LA, not only got out of a habit of going to dtla, but also got accustomed to thinking of it as a place to avoid on most occasions.

I remember an article published around the time that gh palmer's first apt proj was built....about 14 yrs ago....which kicked off the construction boom of new apts. One of the ppl interviewed said he could see himself renting a place in a city like NY or SF but not in LA, not in dtla. now, in 2014, it's not quite so easy to make a jab like that. Slowly but surely, the bad habits of the past are being cast aside.

Actually, I think its more than just historical negativity. These are the kinds of people Jimmy Kimmel plays with........they can't tell you who the president of the US is, or what state is north of CA.

[Jaycruz]

I was downtown today, just exploring the area alone for the first time, got off on the 9th street exit and it looks like the pile drivers, hopefully I'm saying that right, were on site for Metropolis and looked like one was already doing some work on the corner of 9th and Francisco, just getting home and checked the webcam to confirm and two are onsite. Looks like they are trying to move metropolis along very quickly.

[DJM19]

Im all for a chinese investor building a supertall in downtown. I hope its not as ugly as that though.

[colemonkee]

To confirm JayCruz's observation, shoring rigs and shorting piles are indeed on site at Metropolis. From the looks of the shoring piles, I would say that they're going 2-3 levels down.