LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[ThomJames]

From what I've read, I'll try to find the exact source, the activity on Hill street behind the Onni tower will be a parking structure. I believe the purchase of land included the Pacific Bank Building (Chase), which currently has no parking now that they are building the new high rise.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by HunterK

It's odd to me because its a bunch of upscale buildings, with nothing in sight as far as shopping or eating. (Minus a FEW businesses, yes I've been to Wurstkuche). I feel if one is going to put up with the crime & smog of living in downtown why not be in a walkable area?

For the exact same reason why people choose to live in places like the Meat Packing District in NYC. Plus it's only a short walk away from Little Tokyo which in itself will only improve once projects like Ava come to fruition.

Downtown should have something for everyone. It shouldn't just be a place for the uber rich.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by Crackertastik

Thats definitely the reason. Also, because the # of interested parties has been very limited. VERY. So, to give time, the deadline was moved to Feb 15.

And, it shall be tall, iconic.

Are you speaking from knowledge or is this speculation?

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

For the exact same reason why people choose to live in places like the Meat Packing District in NYC. Plus it's only a short walk away from Little Tokyo which in itself will only improve once projects like Ava come to fruition.

Downtown should have something for everyone. It shouldn't just be a place for the uber rich.

I don't want to turn this into an arts district debate. I would love to see the area developed more with a grocery store and other things that would give people reason to want to live there.

Arts district is more expensive than core downtown for the most part so it has nothing to with with wealth.

[Crackertastik]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Are you speaking from knowledge or is this speculation?

The first statement, rumors in the hospitality world, but the rumors lend to the theory that there is a lack of significant interest. The second, is knowledge, although iconic is a matter of opinion obviously.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by Crackertastik

The first statement, rumors in the hospitality world, but the rumors lend to the theory that there is a lack of significant interest. The second, is knowledge, although iconic is a matter of opinion obviously.

Very interesting. Thanks for the info.

Any word on how tall/how many hotel rooms?

[brudy]

Originally Posted by HunterK

I don't want to turn this into an arts district debate. I would love to see the area developed more with a grocery store and other things that would give people reason to want to live there.

Arts district is more expensive than core downtown for the most part so it has nothing to with with wealth.

Arts District is getting something of a grocery store in the next few months (more like an organic market) over by Handsome Coffee. Residents are also very close to Woori market at 3rd in Little Tokyo, which is a huge full-service grocery store (with an asian bent). If you're in the northern part of the AD, you are very close to Little Tokyo. One of the big benefits of living there, IMO. LT is a well-developed active neighborhood.

[brudy]

LA Downtown news has an article on Evoc (nee Meruelo Maddux) selling a bunch of their downtown properties. Interestingly:

It recently sold three sites, including a parcel at Olympic Boulevard and Hill Street being developed by the Hanover Company, for a combined $19.5 million.

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/evoq-...dbe3464-708b-11e2-b72f-0019bb2963f4.html

[BrandonJXN]

From the Wilshire Grand Facebook page:

Wilshire Grand will be holding a press conference unveiling the design of the new luxury flagship hotel on Thursday, 2:30pm at the JW Marriott!!!!

[Valyrian Steel]

^ Great news. Let's hope they also finally reveal the height of this building.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

well since its being held at the Marriot, im assuming it will be a higher end version of a Marriot? whats left other than the Ritz?

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

well since its being held at the Marriot, im assuming it will be a higher end version of a Marriot? whats left other than the Ritz?

Rumors say it's going to be a Le Meridian.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Dale

Damn! Almost sorry you chimed in. Your assessment's worse than HunterK's.

The funny thing is that it was DTLA that convinced me to move to LA. My wife and I love cities and the fact that we could structure our lives around not necessarily needing to drive everyday is awesome. Don't get me wrong, there are great things about downtown - it's the cultural heart of LA with tons of museums and performing arts venues. It has pockets of awesomeness and it will be even better in say five years (and getting better all the time). But there are aspects of daily life that can just get to you over time. I've known a lot of people who've left downtown after a few years. They just can't take it anymore. Other people have been here for many years and will never live anywhere else. It's all individual, ya know?

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

I think you and Hunter are either very new here or don't understand what most of us have been through in Downtown Los Angeles. Perhaps most of us are so appreciative of the positive changes we have seen since 1999 that we have a very different perspective on things. Sure we get frustrated that the changes take a long time, but we also know that in a new city like Los Angeles, we have seen a lot of changes in 14 years.

For the most part, we Skyscraper folks look at the glass as half full. You and Hunter really bring more negative comments which frustrates many of us. I have said Downtown is 20 to 30 years away from urban bliss. That said, being a part of the changes is not only exciting but fulfilling. I say both of you are here for a short time and then you will move on. Many of us are natives and are here for the long term and perhaps have more patience than you do. We will be part of the solution...you are here for one reason or another but will end up moving. That is just the way that I see it. For me, my Grandmother worked Downtown in 1920. My Great Grandmother died in 1906 in Dowtnown and had her funeral Mass at St. Vibiana's Cathedral.

Downtown is in my blood and I love it...warts and all. I am very optimistic and most of my friends that visit are quite impressed with all the positive changes over the past decade...And, I don't see it as a smoggy, crime-ridden place.

I'm not looking for an argument. I haven't been here all that long, you're right. That doesn't mean I'm not entitled to my opinion and to relay my experiences. I'm optimistic about the long term prospects as well and I love the changes that are happening here. I really like LA and I'm mostly happy to be here. But that doesn't mean I need to be a cheerleader or a booster. I don't see it as smoggy or crime ridden either, but there are some quality of life issues. But just the other day I posted on what an awesome day I had downtown. I'm not saying it's all bad, just that it isn't all awesome either.

[brudy]

Just to smooth over anything I said earlier that may have offended people, here are two shots of the Spring St park in progress. It's really coming along.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by brudy

I'm not looking for an argument. I haven't been here all that long, you're right. That doesn't mean I'm not entitled to my opinion and to relay my experiences. I'm optimistic about the long term prospects as well and I love the changes that are happening here. I really like LA and I'm mostly happy to be here. But that doesn't mean I need to be a cheerleader or a booster. I don't see it as smoggy or crime ridden either, but there are some quality of life issues. But just the other day I posted on what an awesome day I had downtown. I'm not saying it's all bad, just that it isn't all awesome either.

I think what a lot of us are trying to say is that while downtown still has a very long way to go in terms of becoming a strong urban core (which should tell you something when you see the state of downtown today), it gets frustrating to read comments from other forumers (not saying you) saying really off the wall things about downtown.

Like I said before that the same group of forumers that you see consistently post on a regular basis have seen when downtown was truly at it's worst. What's happening right now in downtown is much more significant than the last boom of the mid aughts. Downtown will feel like a entire new world come 2017. And 4 years is not a long time. Trust me.

Regarding the Spring Street Park: I really hope they go all out with the plant life. Downtown needs a lush, green park.

Also: I asked the Wilshire Grand people about the height of the building and I was given this response:

All renderings will be available following the press conference on the website at www.wilshiregrandcenter.com

So I'm guessing tomorrow will be the 'big reveal' of the Wilshire Grand. Getting pretty excited.

[SoCalKid]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

What's happening right now in downtown is much more significant than the last boom of the mid aughts. Downtown will feel like a entire new world come 2017. And 4 years is not a long time. Trust me.

I've only been around this forum (for a while as a sleeper) for a couple of years, so I didn't get to witness the last boom. Out of curiosity, what makes you say this one is more significant? That's very heartening to hear.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by SoCalKid

I've only been around this forum (for a while as a sleeper) for a couple of years, so I didn't get to witness the last boom. Out of curiosity, what makes you say this one is more significant? That's very heartening to hear.

The construction boom we saw during 2004-2008 was mostly in South Park (LA Live, Apex, Market Lofts, Watermarke, the South Group, etc). This boom we are seeing construction all over downtown from South Park to City West to Little Tokyo to Bunker Hill to right in the middle of the City Center. Added to the transportation improvements that we are seeing (opening of the Expo Line, initial work on the Regional Connector) not to mention the impact that Farmers Field will generate if and when that gets built.

The last boom was nothing compared to this one.

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

The construction boom we saw during 2004-2008 was mostly in South Park (LA Live, Apex, Market Lofts, Watermarke, the South Group, etc). This boom we are seeing construction all over downtown from South Park to City West to Little Tokyo to Bunker Hill to right in the middle of the City Center. Added to the transportation improvements that we are seeing (opening of the Expo Line, initial work on the Regional Connector) not to mention the impact that Farmers Field will generate if and when that gets built.

The last boom was nothing compared to this one.

The last boom was much taller if you ask me. Apex, Watermarke, LA Live, and 717 Olympic were all situated in a relatively close area. They were all within a block of each other and they all left their mark on Olympic due to their height and distance to eachother. They virtually changed that intersection altogether.

Although, 8th and Hope, 8th and Grand, and 9th and Olive are all nearby as well, and if Onni builds another tower right next to the current site of 9th and Olive, well, it'll be comparable. But I do get what you are saying. Now, there are much more projects that are spread out. South Park was the main target in the last boom. Let's just hope it gets even better with Wilshire Grand coming along, and possible the Grand beginning to start it's phases.

[Muji]

Two small notes from a quick stop downtown this afternoon. The Wetzels Pretzels at the Hope St. entrance to 7th/Metro Center is open, and chalk lines have been drawn for new continental crosswalks at 6th and Hill.