LOS ANGELES | Central City Project Rundown 5.0

[alki]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://urbanize.la/post/dtlas-new-and-improved-seventh-street

Renderings for some of the upgrades planned for 7th Street between Figueroa and Olive in Downtown.

Probably stating the obvious but I think 7th has the potential to be the upscale shopping street DT along with that portion of Broadway south of 7th. These improvements will help make that a reality.

[retina]

Originally Posted by alki

Probably stating the obvious but I think 7th has the potential to be the upscale shopping street DT along with that portion of Broadway south of 7th. These improvements will help make that a reality.

These timelines are insane. No work for at least 1.5 years? It most be a complicated matter getting a few blocks re-striped.

[brudy]

Not sure about the scramble crosswalk, as it slows everybody down to some extent. I find them annoying as both a driver and a pedestrian in pasadena.

Also, just say no to the identity elements mentioned for the bridge, such as a huge sign saying "Welcome to DTLA" or whatever. That's trying waaaaay too hard to proclaim itself as a destination. But then so much in LA tries way too hard.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Even if they had chosen two facade treatments - a more historic treatment for the podium to match the current surrounds with a modern tower rising above - ala Hearst Tower in NY or The Heritage at Millennium Park in CHI or any dozen new towers in Toronto that have incorporated historic buildings at the base, it would have been fine, even really nice, potentially. Instead they went with the Costco variety pack of historic and contemporary styles, which is comically tragic to me.

I'm honestly not mad at this one the way I am at the stucco disaster that is Ava Little Tokyo. I'm more comically perplexed. That is, if the actual finishes end up as nice as the render suggests.

Yeah, there is something tragicomic about the design. It doesn't scream cheap like the stucco boxes, which is the worst. Each individual facade is nice on its own, but when combined has this unsolved Rubic's Cube aspect to it that's eyebrow squinchingly odd. It's like their trying to bring a piece of speculative architecture to life, only they shouldn't, like Frankenstein's monster.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

The main issue with the spring and 8th tower in my opinion are the circular balconies. If those were changed, the whole building would look much better

[Beverly Hills Nimby]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

The main issue with the spring and 8th tower in my opinion are the circular balconies. If those were changed, the whole building would look much better

It reminds me of the Sofitel across from Beverly Center:


UGLY!!!!

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Beverly Hills Nimby

It reminds me of the Sofitel across from Beverly Center:


UGLY!!!!

Yeah, they're similar, although I think this one works a little better. It has a Hotel De Ville/Parisian massing and form, but they're playing with the old and new with the glass. Still strange IMO, but not nearly as odd as the Spring St thing.

[Wally West]

Originally Posted by brudy

Also, just say no to the identity elements mentioned for the bridge, such as a huge sign saying "Welcome to DTLA" or whatever. That's trying waaaaay too hard to proclaim itself as a destination. But then so much in LA tries way too hard.

Yeah, it'd be incredibly corny for LA to do that. That's my biggest concern for that project.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by alki

Probably stating the obvious but I think 7th has the potential to be the upscale shopping street DT along with that portion of Broadway south of 7th. These improvements will help make that a reality.

Though 7th makes sense, it certainly won't be 7th.

8th (and 9th, 11th) will be our upscale shopping. Thats where the high-end development is happening, and its also where there are no crappy legacy businesses that need to be forced out / replaced.

Fig Central will 100% be the tourist shopping destination of DTLA.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by brudy

Also, just say no to the identity elements mentioned for the bridge, such as a huge sign saying "Welcome to DTLA" or whatever. That's trying waaaaay too hard to proclaim itself as a destination. But then so much in LA tries way too hard.

I just updated the post with the actual slides from Melendrez' presentation. You can see for yourself what their concept for the 7th Street bridge identity element looks like now:

[alki]

Originally Posted by retina

These timelines are insane. No work for at least 1.5 years? It most be a complicated matter getting a few blocks re-striped.

I wasn't too focused on the timelines..........yeah, why are they waiting 1.5 years.......is it because of The Bloc......they want that done first?

And to be honest, I only focused on the trees..........you put in trees and I am happy. They will reduce the impact of the cobra light and the 'historic' 5 globe fixtures, neither of which I like, while also reducing the heat from the LA sun.

The rest to me is like the sugary embellishments on wedding cakes. It makes things look completed and trimmed out but truly doesn't make that huge an impact overall.

I would have liked to have seen some wrought iron street furniture.......but $9 million doesn't go all that far.

[alki]

Originally Posted by DTLAdenizen

Though 7th makes sense, it certainly won't be 7th.

8th (and 9th, 11th) will be our upscale shopping. Thats where the high-end development is happening, and its also where there are no crappy legacy businesses that need to be forced out / replaced. .

We'll see. The bldgs on 7th lend it an elegance that will only be enhanced when the Bloc gets completed. I think a lot depends on how the two former dept store bldgs on the street are utilized.

And why are you trying to ruin my fantasies? lol

[alki]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

I just updated the post with the actual slides from Melendrez' presentation. You can see for yourself what their concept for the 7th Street bridge identity element looks like now:

I am sorry but that DT sign is just plain sad. Talk about dumbing down to make sure people understand where they happen to be.

Edit. I just saw Brudy's post.......I agree with you Brudy.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by alki

We'll see. The bldgs on 7th lend it an elegance that will only be enhanced when the Bloc gets completed. I think a lot depends on how the two former dept store bldgs on the street are utilized.

And why are you trying to ruin my fantasies? lol

It was my fantasy as well - and I understand how most people think 7th is going to be our main thoroughfare, unfortunately like all things LA thats not how things will work out. 7th is trafficked by skid row types (though not as bad as Hobo Highway 5th, or Poop Row 6th).

It also has far more bus stops than is acceptable which brings pedestrian life way down AND allows the bad guys to loiter amongst those waiting for the buses.

THEN theres CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, 7-Elleven all in a couple blocks. Add the jewelry district, which admittedly is leaving - but it'll take longer than 8th, 9th, and 11th will to build out.


I've put too much thought into this stuff...




20150529-DSC02829-2 by Hunter, on Flickr

20150529-DSC02839 by Hunter, on Flickr

Downtown Skyline / Federal Courthouse by Hunter, on Flickr

Federal Courthouse by Hunter, on Flickr

9th & Hill Onni backside by Hunter, on Flickr

Commercial Exchange / Freehand Hostel Restoration by Hunter, on Flickr


Edit:

Just saw DTLA destroyed in San Andreas, but on my way I noticed Metropolis popping up all the way from LA Live.
Metropolis from Courtyard Marriott by Hunter, on Flickr

[brudy]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

I just updated the post with the actual slides from Melendrez' presentation. You can see for yourself what their concept for the 7th Street bridge identity element looks like now:

Thanks for updating the post. I guess it could be worse but this is still fairly pedantic and unnecessary.

[alki]

Originally Posted by DTLAdenizen

It was my fantasy as well - and I understand how most people think 7th is going to be our main thoroughfare, unfortunately like all things LA thats not how things will work out. 7th is trafficked by skid row types (though not as bad as Hobo Highway 5th, or Poop Row 6th).

It also has far more bus stops than is acceptable which brings pedestrian life way down AND allows the bad guys to loiter amongst those waiting for the buses.

THEN theres CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, 7-Elleven all in a couple blocks. Add the jewelry district, which admittedly is leaving - but it'll take longer than 8th, 9th, and 11th will to build out.

I admit 7th is a work in progress but I think The Bloc will be an important anchor esp if Macy's upgrades the store significantly. I also want to see what they do with the former Robinson and Bullock stores.

I don't see the bus stops as a problem but homeless are....however, they are a DT problem; not just 7th, and there is nothing from stopping them from roaming over to 8th, 9th and 11th.

And I expect a couple of those drugstores to disappear due to the intense competition.

We'll see.......time will tell.

I've put too much thought into this stuff...

Ditto. Much to the irritation of people close to me. I use to spend hours on the weekends wandering Fig and 7th and Broadway, imagining how those streets could look. And think about how I would convince people to eat DT or see a movie at Laemle's when there was no one on the streets or in the restaurants or in Laemle's.......not even the homeless.

A lot of hate was directed at me.

20150529-DSC02829-2 by Hunter, on Flickr

I really like the glass they are using for the facade on WG...at least in your photos. Does the glass look as good close up? I think that's going to be one very classy bldg.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by alki

Ditto. Much to the irritation of people close to me. I use to spend hours on the weekends wandering Fig and 7th and Broadway, imagining how those streets could look. And think about how I would convince people to eat DT or see a movie at Laemle's when there was no one on the streets or in the restaurants or in Laemle's.......not even the homeless.

A lot of hate was directed at me.

I too spend a lot of time walking around trying to squint into the future. Despite what people may think here I've been pretty optimistic over the years, but that's starting to fade, even with everything happening. But man, how I wish that Laemmle was still here. There's nowhere that focuses on independent movies close to downtown.

[mhays]

Originally Posted by alki

Zoning out parking has been a mixed bag in cities like Seattle and Portland. For an example, parking is not required in DT Seattle but most new rentals have been developed with a ratio of .9 parking space per every unit and the new condos have a ratio of 1+ parking space per every unit. That means when developers are given the option to eliminate parking, they don't........because they don't believe they can successfully market their units without providing parking even in DT areas. I've only heard of one hi rise, DT condo in the US getting built without parking and that was in Miami.

In the Seattle neighborhoods, reduced parking is allowed in residential areas immediately adjacent to BRT or lite rail stations and that too has met with mixed success. Some have given up their cars but many have not. So parking has spilled out of the new rental bldgs and onto the streets of the adjacent residential areas. Consequently, the owners of the homes adjacent to those rental bldgs are up in arms.

I think the trend to less car usage is real but I don't think its nearly as pronounced as some would have us believe. Time will tell.

Why do you keep saying this when I've proven again and again that your numbers are wrong?

All major Seattle projects are in this bulletin. Select a twice-weekly edition and hit "print" to view (it won't print) the whole edition. Townhouses usually have 1.0 and condos can be 1.2 sometimes, but most apartments are far lower. In greater Downtown Seattle, highrises routinely go up with ratios like 0.5 or 0.6, and the average for rentals is probably less than 0.8...basically double the carless units than you claim. The micro trend of course involves nearly zero parking in most cases, involving thousands of units, usually on smaller lots in secondary urban districts.

[alki]

Originally Posted by mhays

Why do you keep saying this when I've proven again and again that your numbers are wrong?

All major Seattle projects are in this bulletin. Select a twice-weekly edition and hit "print" to view (it won't print) the whole edition. Townhouses usually have 1.0 and condos can be 1.2 sometimes, but most apartments are far lower. In greater Downtown Seattle, highrises routinely go up with ratios like 0.5 or 0.6, and the average for rentals is probably less than 0.8...basically double the carless units than you claim. The micro trend of course involves nearly zero parking in most cases, involving thousands of units, usually on smaller lots in secondary urban districts.

Ironically, the page you linked to shows one rental apt bldg proposed for DT. Its parking parking/unit ratio will be .84 per unit.......not quite the .9 I cited but considerably higher than the .5/.6 you cited.

But that's not what's at issue here. You seem incapable of understanding that we don't agree on most issues. Therefore, in the future, I will no longer respond to any of your posts. If you continue to follow me to other forums like you have today, I will PM SSP administration to see if there is anything they can do.

[alki]

Originally Posted by brudy

But man, how I wish that Laemmle was still here. There's nowhere that focuses on independent movies close to downtown.

Its too bad they're gone but I never understood how Laemmle was able to stay open. The most people I ever saw in the theater at any one time was maybe 15-20 people.......and that would be on a Sat nite. Their rent had to have been subsidized. Wasn't a new theater complex supposed to open in the AD?