LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 6.0

[kaneui]

Since we're done with the rooftop helipad requirement, why not add a few spire-like structures to top off these Grand Avenue towers? I think it would finish off the tiered design rather nicely.

On another note, the online reservation pages for the following hotels are indicating their opening dates: Indigo (March 2), Freehand (April 1) and InterContinental (May 5). That's another 1,450 rooms added to DTLA's inventory.

[NSMP]

Originally Posted by kaneui

Since we're done with the rooftop helipad requirement, why not add a few spire-like structures to top off these Grand Avenue towers? I think it would finish off the tiered design rather nicely.

On another note, the online reservation pages for the following hotels are indicating their opening dates: Indigo (March 2), Freehand (April 1) and InterContinental (May 5). That's another 1,450 rooms added to DTLA's inventory.

Great post!

[NSMP]

And of course the trinity and the hotel Clark will be opening within the next two months.*


*No, not really

[blackcat23]

Apartments + retail at 6th/Central

[NativeOrange]

I wish that government owned lot to the east of this became a park. It would be the centerpiece of some huge developments right there. ROW, 6AM, the LOHA one just to the south of that and that big cold storage facility just to the south of that.

[NSMP]

My GF used to work at 7th/Kohler. 6th and Kohler is real-deal Skid Row. There's also a damn good Mexican restaurant there currently, as an aside. Interested to see what becomes of this project and the few others like it as they are in uncharted territory.

[King Kill 'em]

Originally Posted by NativeOrange

I wish that government owned lot to the east of this became a park. It would be the centerpiece of some huge developments right there. ROW, 6AM, the LOHA one just to the south of that and that big cold storage facility just to the south of that.

The city is going to need to do something to address the park situation in the whole downtown loop since it will eventually all be inhabitated.

[cesar90]

• Video Link

[CastleScott]

Just seeing more stuff on here that's-well hugely phenomenal!!

If most of this is built we could have L.A. be a SoCal version of Toronto in many respects..

[ChelseaFC]

Originally Posted by CastleScott

If most of this is built we could have L.A. be a SoCal version of Toronto in many respects..

...Hooray?

[Jun]

Originally Posted by NSMP

My GF used to work at 7th/Kohler. 6th and Kohler is real-deal Skid Row. There's also a damn good Mexican restaurant there currently, as an aside. Interested to see what becomes of this project and the few others like it as they are in uncharted territory.

Yeah, Yxta is really good. Hope they move somewhere else downtown

[SoCalKid]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

...Hooray?

I think you mean HURRAY!!!! Toronto is one of the most urban cities in North America, second probably only to NYC (and maybe Vancouver, although it's on a much smaller scale).

[a very long weekend]

LA achieving toronto-level development will take decades, but if there's any city in america that can do it (and isn't already there like chicago and new york) then it's for sure LA.

that said, toronto grew up so quickly that it's depressingly monotonous and ugly. plus, they do a terrible job of mitigating the harmful effects of their curb cuts and street level mechanical features, so their streets have few trees and walking them isn't all that pleasant. again, depressingly ugly. LA can do a lot better, with smaller curb cuts (or none!) and less dead street space generally, for more attractive and architecturally diverse buildings.

[ChargerCarl]

Originally Posted by a very long weekend

LA achieving toronto-level development will take decades, but if there's any city in america that can do it (and isn't already there like chicago and new york) then it's for sure LA.

that said, toronto grew up so quickly that it's depressingly monotonous and ugly. plus, they do a terrible job of mitigating the harmful effects of their curb cuts and street level mechanical features, so their streets have few trees and walking them isn't all that pleasant. again, depressingly ugly. LA can do a lot better, with smaller curb cuts (or none!) and less dead street space generally, for more attractive and architecturally diverse buildings.

If we want to get rid of curb cuts we should just rid of curbs all together. They don't do anything to improve pedestrian safety anyways.

(This is a pipe dream but I can dream right?)

[King Kill 'em]

Toronto is the most YIMBY city in North America. They have policies that allow them to build so much housing it makes it's super affordable. New downtown condos are sold at prices the middle class can afford. All this and more is why Toronto has become my 2nd favorite large city (though I've never been) and I really want to get a planning internship there either this summer or the next. There's no city LA can learn more from than Toronto.

[LDVArch]

There is in article in ArchDaily about the BIG Project (Arts District). It has more renderings and even pictures of the model.

The article also presents Ingel's thinking behind the design. In short, he combined or stacked two local building types, the warehouse and the case-study house. That seems to be his solution to everything. See his WTC tower and his rationale for that.

(Mind you, I am not being critical. I actually like the more horizontal version of the WTC tower that he's designed for the Art District.)

Here is the link: http://www.archdaily.com/801339/big-unve...rstructure-for-los-angeles-arts-district

[NativeOrange]

Originally Posted by LDVArch

There is in article in ArchDaily about the BIG Project (Arts District). It has more renderings and even pictures of the model.

The article also presents Ingel's thinking behind the design. In short, he combined or stacked two local building types, the warehouse and the case-study house. That seems to be his solution to everything. See his WTC tower and his rationale for that.

(Mind you, I am not being critical. I actually like the more horizontal version of the WTC tower that he's designed for the Art District.)

Here is the link: http://www.archdaily.com/801339/big-unve...rstructure-for-los-angeles-arts-district

Love this one.

http://www.archdaily.com/801339/big-unve...ture-for-los-angeles-arts-district-image

[citywatch]

The nation’s largest military monument of its kind sits high on a hill in downtown Los Angeles, its fountain long gone dry, its historical significance faded over time. But by this time next year, the Fort Moore Pioneer Monument, which depicts Los Angeles’ first Independence Day flag-raising ceremony, is set to be restored to its original glory.

The LA County Board of Supervisors is expected Tuesday to approve plans and nearly $6 million in funding to repair and reconstruct the large-scale bas-relief to historical preservation standards. Work is set to begin next month.

The monument, at 501 North Hill Street, was commissioned by the city and county of Los Angeles as well as the Los Angeles Board of Education, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and dedicated in 1957. It represents a piece of California’s legacy during the Mexican-American War, Mills and others say. The original fort was built after several skirmishes occurred between U.S. forces and the Californios. It sat on a hill overlooking what was then El Pueblo de Los Angeles and was named after Captain Benjamin Moore, the highest-ranking officer of the First Dragoons killed at the Battle of San Pasqual, Mills said.

The monument itself includes a large-scale bas-relief, a 237-foot-long brick facade wall, a 68-foot-high-free standing pylon with an American eagle relief and an 80-foot-long waterfall fountain that was decommission in 1978 as a water conservation measure during the drought.

But “damage due to time, the elements, seismic activity and human interaction,” have all taken its toll on the monument, according to the county’s Department of Public Works, which has completed plans for the restoration. At least $500,000 in the total funding also comes from the city of Los Angeles. Restoration and repairs will include electrical work, plumbing, upgrading the security and decorative lighting and providing Americans with Disabilities Act access.

latimes.com

City National Bank, America’s Premier Private and Business Bank®, announced today that as part of its growth and commitment to Los Angeles, it has leased nearly 300,000 square feet at the 52-story 2 California Plaza. The site will be renamed CityNational@2Cal.

This significant move will expand City National’s already strong presence in downtown Los Angeles. The company will remain headquartered at 555 South Flower Street, called City National Plaza, where it has been based since 2003. Today, the bank also announced it has renewed its lease there through 2031. City National will occupy 11 floors at City National Plaza and plans to upgrade and modernize its offices there beginning in early 2018. In addition, City National has another banking office located across the street from 2 California Plaza.

[CaliNative]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Grand Avenue Project

I like the general design, but one of the towers should add some floors. This should be the crown jewel of Bunker Hill. Is 60 or 70 stories too much to ask? In fact, why not go for it--a 100 story tower? L.A.'s own Empire State Building.

[hughfb3]

Originally Posted by CaliNative

I like the general design, but one of the towers should add some floors. This should be the crown jewel of Bunker Hill. Is 60 or 70 stories too much to ask? In fact, why not go for it--a 100 story tower? L.A.'s own Empire State Building.

What would be awesome would be if the Chinese investors in grand avenue made a stipulation that if they were going to invest in it, it should be a much bigger, grander project and force them to go taller... At least Ritz tall. It's really a shame that so many projects have passed this one and even scaled themselves bigger while this crown jewel of the north is watering down and pushing back. I have no Intel on this but I'm willing to guess that related is being timid on this project because

A. They dont own the land its on... it's a 99 year lease with the county
B. The stipulations/requirements the county puts on this project; like affordable housing, makes the project less viable in Related's eyes