LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[bmfarley]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Guggenheim, the new Dodgers ownership group, has made it clear to their fans that they have no intention of moving to a new ballpark. Thank goodness is all I have to say. Baseball may be an urban sport, but Dodger Stadium has a unique 1950's/1960's retro character that is emblematic of the franchise's golden age. No it's not Fenway or Wrigley, but it has history and nostalgia in its own right. Every other stadium being built these days is more or less the same sterile theme park. I don't want that for my team.

PS, the Angels aren't moving to DT or anywhere in LA County. Since their WS win in 2002, they've carved up their own niche fanbase down in OC. Moving to LA would never fly with the fans.

Next.

I'd become an Angel fan if they moved to Los Angeles. National League baseball stinks.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

got a little hint from a well placed source that the broadway trade center may be headed for an upgrade... Stay tuned.

speaking of which....& it's the bldg shown to the right in the pic below....this old movie theater is across the street....

Before historic L.A. movie house is remade, it offers a last peek

The Tower theater in downtown L.A., long a filming location, will be transformed into a concert venue. Final behind-the-scenes tours of the building are scheduled for Saturday.



Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Bob Pool, Los Angeles Times
October 26, 2012

It's time for a retake after 100 years in downtown Los Angeles. The historic Tower movie theater at the corner of South Broadway and 8th Street is poised to get a dramatic new lease on life — this time as a concert venue with an indoor-outdoor bar and coffee house along 8th Street and a plush basement nightclub-style bar on the Broadway side.

The renovation will cost several million dollars and will take about a year and half, said Shahram Delijani, whose family owns the Tower and three other South Broadway theaters.

Before workers begin the makeover, however, the French Renaissance-style movie house will be open to the public one more time Saturday for a behind-the-scenes tour. On display will be its small but opulent lobby, said to resemble a Paris opera house with its giant crystal chandelier, marble columns and a huge stained-glass window. Also on view will be the auditorium's sprawling balcony, with circa-1927 seats still equipped with wire racks on the bottom for moviegoers to stash their hats.

The theater auditorium's main floor was stripped of its 600 or so seats in 1988 after film screenings were halted and plans were made to turn the Tower into an indoor swap meet. That fell through, however, and three years later the sloping floor was evened out with plywood terraces to create a set with a ballroom dance floor for the 1992 Warner Bros. movie "The Mambo Kings." Since then the theater has been used to film movies and commercials for products such as Nikon cameras and Dr Pepper.

[Los Angeles Historic Theatre] Foundation president Bill Givens said the Tower and 10 others remain intact because they have been used for film shoots, religious services and occasional screenings and live events during the last several decades. The 12th, the nearby Rialto theater, has been gutted and is slated to become a clothing store, but Givens considers it a victory that its marquee has been saved.



Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

[citywatch]

this is another reason I regret that the park fifth condo proj never got off the ground....

Pershing Square vision? Not so good

Pershing Square occupies a square block of prime downtown land. It was L.A.'s first park, once a grassy playground for fashionable couples. Now it's a concrete playpen for the homeless.


Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times

By Gale Holland, Los Angeles Times
October 25, 2012

The security guard and the Occupier were deep in philosophical discussion. Someone had posted a video of police at Pershing Square throwing a violent mentally ill woman to the ground. "Everybody has a job to do," said the guard, heavy-set, hospital-blue shirt pinned with a metal badge.

The sky smelled like rain. On the concrete plaza, men slumped, one to a table, beneath forest-green cafe umbrellas. Duffel and sleeping bags lay at their feet.

Pershing Square occupies a square block of prime downtown land surrounded by the city's most exquisite architecture, including the Biltmore Hotel. It was L.A.'s first park, once a playground for fashionable couples promenading after the theater. Now it's a concrete playpen for the homeless.

We're so used to ceding public space to human misery, few people even know Pershing Square exists anymore. It's all about Grand Park, downtown's shiny new toy. Neither the people who run the park, nor the homeless, are to blame for Pershing Square's squalor. The scrambled landscape is a massive failure of civic vision. The park was redesigned in the 1950s, the 1980s and the 1990s. With each makeover, it became less appealing, more confused and finally, just weird.

I was visiting on a weekday morning. Shadowy figures — some with blankets pulled over their faces — were the only ones lingering under those cafe umbrellas.

"It's pretty lonely here," said Brian Lopez, 17, of Anaheim, whose family stopped on their way to traffic court to organize their papers.

The original sin in Pershing Square's decline was raising it above street level and walling it off from the rest of the city. It floats in another dimension; enter it and you feel marooned. The modernist tower and other concrete structures of the 1990s were instant white elephants.

When were strip-club purple and canary yellow a good combination? And what are those giant burnt-orange balls, one atop the clock tower, the rest scattered across the concrete? A park gardener shrugged off my questions. "I didn't design it," he said. "About 30 years ago it was all grass."

Now it's a lot of concrete. Beethoven, a doughboy and a cannon from the ship "Old Ironsides" jumble a sculpture garden that crowds up against the pet area — a dirt patch split by a line of palms.

The dogs walked up and down, marking each tree until they were ready to do their business. It looked as if their owners had been cleaning up, and recreation director Louise Capone assured me that people were no longer using it as a human toilet. The gardener was raking some new pellets into the dirt. "We finally found a good deodorizer," said Capone, who interrupted her work to give me a brief tour. Well, I guess you can get used to anything. Because I found the urine stench overpowering.

Pershing Square's remaining grass patches were chained off; one downtown resident said it had been that way all summer. The barricade theme continued with a staircase leading underground. It was caged in fencing, partly camouflaged by vines. The yellow refreshment stand was bolted shut. Three metal telescopes pointed at it. The viewfinders were blank. But even if they worked, what were you supposed to look at? "They're decorative," Capone said.

Two Los Angeles police patrol cars had driven right into the park. They circled the fountain, but the officers remained in their seats. Capone said police made her feel safe, but I wondered what could be so bad that even the cops don't get out of the car?

When the sun broke free at lunchtime, Ernestine Ramos and a friend brought their sandwiches to the square. They wanted to sit by the fountain, but it was too dirty. "With so many homeless people lying around, we usually just go somewhere else," the law firm receptionist said.

The city has been wooing people back to Pershing with cultural events, including a farmers market, summer concerts, an outdoor art show and film series (this month it's horror flicks). The winter skating rink, lit up with Christmas lights, is charming, looking down from the rooftop terrace at the Hill Street bistro called Perch. City Councilman Jose Huizar has formed a task force to attack park problems — discarded needles, rats, etc. — and work toward a redesign.

Loft dweller Casey Mark said the movies were "kind of cool." But aside from the pet care area, he avoids the square. "The fountain was turned off for six months. If there is a design concept, I never would've known it," said Mark, a supply chain consultant. "I don't want to spend time in a park people are using as a bathroom."

[Mojeda101]

Unfortunately, I won't be making a visit to downtown this weekend to update you guys with the wall of pictures. The people at the Verizon store apparently lied to me and apparently the Phone isn't arriving tomorrow as planned and as I was told by the man behind the counter a few weeks ago, it turns out, they've been delayed a bit and it in fact ships out tomorrow. Well, fuck. They assured me I will receive it Tuesday. Ruined my downtown plans Although this did raise a bit of a question in regards to Downtown Los Angeles. Does it have an Apple store? I believe this would be fantastic! That's one of the elements it's missing! Think of all the gatherings and lines for the new lines of products for release. I always see that in New York, and San Francisco, why not Los Angeles?

Blackcat, I love you, but don't take any shots of 8th and Grand, or Courtyard Marriott next week. I want to have the pleasure next Saturday with the 8MP Camera on the 5 I'll have by then =P There will be more progress on the sites. By all means tell us any changes, but no pictures!

[Kingofthehill]

No, DTLA does not have an Apple store.

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

No, DTLA does not have an Apple store.

Any talk of one being put there soon? It needs one.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Any talk of one being put there soon? It needs one.

I believe there was a point that an Apple Store was supposed to go in The Grand, but alas, no Grand, no Apple Store.

[JDRCRASH]

Well, The Grand might still happen, but we need a lot more time and momentum to finally convince Related Co. to get off their butts and build the damn project already.

Off Topic: So Mojeda, looks like your getting the iPhone 5. I have it too. But just a warning: i dont think Apple ever upgraded the battery, so don't stay on LTE for too long!

[BrandonJXN]

I think The Grand should be totally redesigned from top to bottom. I would go far as to say that it needs a new architect. I'm a Frank Gehry fan but to be honest, I'd much rather see someone like Zaha Hadid design The Grand. I'm a huge sucker for modern, forward thinking architecture and a Hadid project in DTLA just makes sense.

[LA/OCman]

Tower Theater restoration and nightclub, Singer Building being converted to huge loft apartments, Rialto (possibly becoming Urban Outfitters), Indie Desk, Broadway Bar, Two Bits Pizza, Orpheum Theater and Lofts, Umamicatessen, Gary Leonard Photography Gallery, Eastern Columbia Lofts, Pilates Plus, Angeleo Home at the Eastern, Om Nom organic food store at the Eastern, Blackstone Lofts, Ace Hotel with renovated UA Theater, Liquor/Deli at the old Payless store on 9th and Broadway, Alma Restaurant..and of course Taco Mexico. It is really quite a change from 5 years ago. Now, if the May Company building upgrades we have an amazing block and a half...and I am not counting the Chapman Lofts across 8th.

[RuFFy]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I think The Grand should be totally redesigned from top to bottom. I would go far as to say that it needs a new architect. I'm a Frank Gehry fan but to be honest, I'd much rather see someone like Zaha Hadid design The Grand. I'm a huge sucker for modern, forward thinking architecture and a Hadid project in DTLA just makes sense.

I'd die. Just fall over dead if that ever happened cuz I too am a giant Zaha Hadid fan.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

Tower Theater restoration and nightclub, Singer Building being converted to huge loft apartments, Rialto (possibly becoming Urban Outfitters), Indie Desk, Broadway Bar, Two Bits Pizza, Orpheum Theater and Lofts, Umamicatessen, Gary Leonard Photography Gallery, Eastern Columbia Lofts, Pilates Plus, Angeleo Home at the Eastern, Om Nom organic food store at the Eastern, Blackstone Lofts, Ace Hotel with renovated UA Theater, Liquor/Deli at the old Payless store on 9th and Broadway, Alma Restaurant..and of course Taco Mexico. It is really quite a change from 5 years ago. Now, if the May Company building upgrades we have an amazing block and a half...and I am not counting the Chapman Lofts across 8th.

Don't forget Parker & Barrow:

http://brighamyen.com/2012/07/17/parker-...retail-on-broadway-downtown-los-angeles/

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I think The Grand should be totally redesigned from top to bottom. I would go far as to say that it needs a new architect. I'm a Frank Gehry fan but to be honest, I'd much rather see someone like Zaha Hadid design The Grand. I'm a huge sucker for modern, forward thinking architecture and a Hadid project in DTLA just makes sense.

[StethJeff]

from Downtown Los Angeles News:

L.A. Hotel to Become a Hyatt
The L.A. Downtown Hotel, formerly the Los Angeles Downtown Marriott to become a Hyatt.

Gary Leonard
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012 5:01 pm

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —The former Los Angeles Downtown Marriott, currently known as the L.A. Downtown Hotel, will become part of the Hyatt Regency chain on Thursday, Nov. 1, said Libby Zarrahy, director of sales and marketing for the hotel.

The new name of the 469-room establishment at 333 S. Figueroa St. won’t be official until the first quarter of 2013, when it will become The Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Downtown. Zarrahy said the hotel’s 290 employees will remain on staff once the property becomes a Hyatt.

Over the summer the building’s owners launched a $20 million renovation of the property and wrapped the old signage in coverings with the hotel’s temporary name.

The renovation includes upgrades to all guest rooms, along with the improvements to the lobby, the meeting and ballroom areas and the restaurants. Completion is expected by early next year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank god. "The LA Hotel Downtown" (http://thelahotel.com/) has to be one of the dumbest names for a hotel, whether it was temporary or not.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I think The Grand should be totally redesigned from top to bottom. I would go far as to say that it needs a new architect. I'm a Frank Gehry fan but to be honest, I'd much rather see someone like Zaha Hadid design The Grand. I'm a huge sucker for modern, forward thinking architecture and a Hadid project in DTLA just makes sense.

Beggers can't be choosers. I'll just be happy to see it get built. With that said, the original Gehry design looked good.

[LA/OCman]

Originally Posted by BrighamYen

Don't forget Parker & Barrow:

http://brighamyen.com/2012/07/17/parker-...retail-on-broadway-downtown-los-angeles/

Ah yes...and the Sparkle Factory HQ for the Tarino Tarantino jewelry company in cool building south of 9th. I can't keep up with it all!

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

from Downtown Los Angeles News:

L.A. Hotel to Become a Hyatt
The L.A. Downtown Hotel, formerly the Los Angeles Downtown Marriott to become a Hyatt.

Gary Leonard
Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2012 5:01 pm

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —The former Los Angeles Downtown Marriott, currently known as the L.A. Downtown Hotel, will become part of the Hyatt Regency chain on Thursday, Nov. 1, said Libby Zarrahy, director of sales and marketing for the hotel.

The new name of the 469-room establishment at 333 S. Figueroa St. won’t be official until the first quarter of 2013, when it will become The Hyatt Regency Los Angeles Downtown. Zarrahy said the hotel’s 290 employees will remain on staff once the property becomes a Hyatt.

Over the summer the building’s owners launched a $20 million renovation of the property and wrapped the old signage in coverings with the hotel’s temporary name.

The renovation includes upgrades to all guest rooms, along with the improvements to the lobby, the meeting and ballroom areas and the restaurants. Completion is expected by early next year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank god. "The LA Hotel Downtown" (http://thelahotel.com/) has to be one of the dumbest names for a hotel, whether it was temporary or not.

Just have to say we reported that back 2 months ago in August 2012:

Downtown LA Marriott Hotel Says Goodbye: Conversion to Hyatt Regency Next

http://brighamyen.com/2012/08/15/downtown-la-marriott-conversion-to-hyatt-regency/

[ConstructDTLA]

Mojeda you want pictures of 8th & Grand? Of what exactly?

There is absolutely no Apple store in downtown (this would be bigger than big news), nor are there any plans for one. They, like many (In N Out, Etc), are completely blind to the potential DTLA holds. Tragic. I assume that by the time Apple DOES come to downtown, they will no longer be on top of the world.

The LA Hotel > Hyatt is super old news. Brigham was on top of that a while back as he is on most things.


Streetcar vote is coming up. Lots of people are completely ignorant to it. I hope if any of you are Downtown residents you are registered there & ready to vote it through.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Mojeda you want pictures of 8th & Grand? Of what exactly?

I think Mojeda is referring to 8th and Hope, which would make a lot more sense.

And Mojeda, I will oblige you by not taking any pictures of 8th/Hope or the double Marriott. Looking forward to your photo update next weekend!

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by HunterK

There is absolutely no Apple store in downtown (this would be bigger than big news), nor are there any plans for one. They, like many (In N Out, Etc), are completely blind to the potential DTLA holds. Tragic. I assume that by the time Apple DOES come to downtown, they will no longer be on top of the world.

I don't think they are blind to DTs potential. After all, once upon a time, they did have a store planned there. It's just a matter of waiting for the right time. Apple is, after all, fairly high end. I'm willing to bet that, by the end of the decade, we will have an Apple store downtown.