LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0 - Page 12

colemonkee · #**221** Posted **May 30, 2007, 5:54 AM**

Interesting movement on the Herald Examiner site. I added the project to the front page, with the only (small) rendering I have. If anyone has a better one, post it and I'll replace. If we start to see excavation there, I'll move this to under construction and commence the posting of dancing bananas. And peppers. Don't want to leave the peppers out.

funhaus · #**222** Posted **May 30, 2007, 6:23 AM**

Nice sleuthing, fridayinla. I'm very happy to see this property developed (or at least taking active steps towards development), as it will create an important link between the current Broadway development and the current Staples/South Park development.

Colemonkee, I'm keeping my peppers on standby!

ladowntowner · #**223** Posted **May 30, 2007, 6:28 AM**

The work going on at the Herald Examiner site is encouraging.

In all honesty, however, I'm not a big fan in general of the type of design proposed for the towers. Especially considering their proximity to the Herald Examiner building. I would've hoped for something more "classic". But then that's just me.

I think The Olympic and City House (if built) will be refreshing additions to the DT and SP skyline, architecturally. Don't get me wrong.. I like sleek (but not plain boxes, please!) and curving glass structures too and variety is always nice.

LongBeachUrbanist · #**224** Posted **May 30, 2007, 1:49 PM**

^ If I recall correctly the discussions on this forum, there weren't a lot of forumers enthusiastic about the design. DTLA already has it's share of harsh landscape. The last thing it needs is to add brutalist architecture.

That said, the old industrial "press building" was no eye-candy either. I'm glad to see it go.

Hopefully the new towers will be redesigned to reflect the classic architecture of the main Herald Examiner building.

fridayinla · #**225** Posted **May 30, 2007, 4:42 PM**

That rendering of the Herald Examiner project towers is as old as the original proposal back in 2005 (only one I've ever seen though). We've all seen how often towers in downtown are reimagined and redesigned. With that said, I'd be surprised if it the rendering we have is final. If this project is truly moving forward, I bet we can expect to see something updated soon. Don't look for it on the Morphosis website though.

JDRCRASH · #**226** Posted **May 30, 2007, 5:34 PM**

If only we were able to connect the development from Bunker Hill to South Park

funhaus · #**227** Posted **May 30, 2007, 7:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDRCRASH

If only we were able to connect the development from Bunker Hill to South Park

Red car trolleys. Done.

ladowntowner · #**228** Posted **May 30, 2007, 9:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by funhaus

Red car trolleys. Done.

Now you're talkin'! I second the motion.

fridayinla · #**229** Posted **May 30, 2007, 10:05 PM**

Just getting around to posting this stuff I found last night. It's all from the EIR in 2005, but I assume it's the most current available. I would post them as images, but you wouldn't be able to read the text:

Hill Street Building Elevation

12th Street Building Elevation

Courtyard Between Broadway and Hill Street Buildings

Broadway and Hill Street Proposed Site Plan

12th Street Proposed Site Plan

Broadway and Hill Street Sites Proposed Site Section

12th Street Site Proposed Site Section

Building Height Comparisons

hughfb3 · #**230** Posted **May 31, 2007, 5:14 AM**

Speaking of red car trolley, did anyone read this article about MTA proposing to close broadway to traffic with the exception of transit related buses and streetcars to make way for a large shopping and entertainment transit mall

Edit, deleted article since it was already posted.

ladowntowner · #**231** Posted **May 31, 2007, 4:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladowntowner

In other news (from the L.A. Times): MTA sets sights on Broadway

The MTA wants to close Broadway to cars, only allowing buses and delivery trucks between 2nd and 9th. I'm undecided on this. What I really would like to see return to the historic core's main drags (Main, Spring, Broadway, Hill, Olive, Grand, 7th, 1st, Olympic, etc.) is an electric trolley system replete with rails (none of that gas powered, rubber tire crap!) and overhead power lines. Now that would be practical for shoppers, residents, workers and tourists, good for business and super CLASSY!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hughfb3

Speaking of red car trolley, did anyone read this article about MTA proposing to close broadway to traffic with the exception of transit related buses and streetcars to make way for a large shopping and entertainment transit mall

As noted above I had posted a link to it earlier. From the story, It doesn't really sound as though the MTA itself is much interested in the trolley idea, it having been mentioned only by a spokeswoman for the office of Councilman Jose Huizar. Personally I think I'd like to see Broadway remain open to cars with the addition of trolleys. Ever see the bustle depicted in old pictures and videos from the 20's-40's of Broadway? It would be great to recapture the energy, vibrancy, urbanity and human scale of those times, while slowing the flow of traffic without limiting access as it appears the MTA wants to do. It once worked nicely, it can again.

JDRCRASH · #**232** Posted **May 31, 2007, 5:32 PM**

When I meant connecting the development from Bunker Hill to South Park, I meant proposing a few projects that would literally join the construction booms in both districts

RAlossi · #**233** Posted **May 31, 2007, 6:13 PM**

^ Unfortunately, since this is the main financial core of Downtown (and it's already built up on almost every available parcel in the area you're referring to), it's going to be difficult to unite them via new projects. Grand Avenue Project is the very north portion of what you're referring to, so that won't be "uniting" anything as much as it will be drawing people from south to north and from east to west (and vice versa).

That being said, there are a couple adaptive reuse buildings in the area (Delano Lofts, Library Court, 611 West Sixth) that can bring more residents in. A couple surface lots can probably be developed, and then there's Metropolis, CIM Group's projects, and the 7th Street projects. As far as the Financial District/Bunker Hill South goes, we are pretty much stuck with what we've got for a while unless some of those plazas are developed (probably won't happen anytime soon)

LAMetroGuy · #**234** Posted **May 31, 2007, 6:26 PM**

Cole, great photo update! Its like all of a sudden, so much progress!

fridayinla · #**235** Posted **May 31, 2007, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAlossi

^ Unfortunately, since this is the main financial core of Downtown (and it's already built up on almost every available parcel in the area you're referring to), it's going to be difficult to unite them via new projects. Grand Avenue Project is the very north portion of what you're referring to, so that won't be "uniting" anything as much as it will be drawing people from south to north and from east to west (and vice versa).

That being said, there are a couple adaptive reuse buildings in the area (Delano Lofts, Library Court, 611 West Sixth) that can bring more residents in. A couple surface lots can probably be developed, and then there's Metropolis, CIM Group's projects, and the 7th Street projects. As far as the Financial District/Bunker Hill South goes, we are pretty much stuck with what we've got for a while unless some of those plazas are developed (probably won't happen anytime soon)

Agreed, there aren't many more parcels to develop. However, another "connector" between the north and south areas of downtown could be improved street-level retail. We have many empty spaces along 6th & 7th Streets to fill, particularly 7th Street which I realize is all in the works. Also, the city could improve the walk-ability of some streets in the financial district with new sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping, benches... anything! For example, Flower St between 7th & 8th Streets is like walking through Baghdad. I always avoid it. On one side of the street is the block-long bland brown brick (how's that for alliteration) wall of the Macy's Plaza, the other side you have ugly parking structures with bums sleeping, and even a vacant lot filled with concrete rubble. It's embarrassing.

colemonkee · #**236** Posted **May 31, 2007, 8:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAMetroGuy

Cole, great photo update! Its like all of a sudden, so much progress!

Thanks! I find that there's significant visible progress every three weeks or so, which makes the updates more interesting. We should start seeing a lot of visible progress on the Nokia Theater and ESPN buildings soon, as well as the Club Nokia building. After a month or so, 717 should be out of the ground and sprouting like a weed. So we definitely have some exciting times ahead of us this summer. Let's hope for at least one more ground breaking.

fridayinla · #**237** Posted **May 31, 2007, 9:12 PM**

^Also, the huge surface lot at 8th & Figueroa (across from 7th+Fig) could be a connector project from South Park to north downtown. I walk by there everyday wondering why there's no mega proposal for it. It is arguably the best undeveloped location in downtown.

LosAngelesSportsFan · #**238** Posted **May 31, 2007, 10:10 PM**

i completely agree^ i just dont get it, how could there be no proposal for that site? i can picture at least 3 60 story towers on that site.

edluva · #**239** Posted **May 31, 2007, 10:19 PM**

yeah i'm not sure i like the idea of closing broadway to traffic. the last thing our metro needs is another faux-urban 3rd street, especially given the number of historic buildings there. it just sounds tacky

colemonkee · #**240** Posted **Jun 1, 2007, 5:43 AM**

^ I agree. I'd be okay with running a street car down Broadway, but still keeping it open to vehicular traffic (think Market Street in SF).