LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[LA/OCman]

It looks like the Sonny Astani development is on the agenda at the DLANC meeting tonight. Two large parking lots would be developed in South Park. Check out the details:

http://www.dlanc.org/sites/dlancd7.localhost/files/1211%20S%20Olive%20Mixed%20Use_0.pdf

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

thanks for posting that.

quick thoughts... its interesting looking based on the crude renderings in the attached link. At least parking is below ground and he is providing 700+ bike parking spaces. 40,000 sq ft of retail and 700 units is a good sized project. Obviously if this was 10 - 15 stories, it would be much better...

[BrandonJXN]

That's not bad actually. Better than a lot of the other stucco madness popping up all over LA.

[Illithid Dude]

Far better then the normal stuff we've been seeing recently. And I don't even mind the height, as the building is in a relatively out of the way area.

[Steve2726]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

It looks like the Sonny Astani development is on the agenda at the DLANC meeting tonight. Two large parking lots would be developed in South Park. Check out the details:

http://www.dlanc.org/sites/dlancd7.localhost/files/1211%20S%20Olive%20Mixed%20Use_0.pdf

Unfortunately TCA is the architect.

[SD_Phil]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Far better then the normal stuff we've been seeing recently. And I don't even mind the height, as the building is in a relatively out of the way area.

Agreed. And the 700 (or more) people who will live here will probably prefer to have nearby access to things like groceries, cafes, etc.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

It looks like the Sonny Astani development is on the agenda at the DLANC meeting tonight. Two large parking lots would be developed in South Park.

very worthwhile, informative link! I'm glad you found it & posted it here.

I only guessed what the outline of the property was like when I did my small aerial maps a few months ago, but it seems my assumption was fairly accurate....



dlanc.org


dlanc.org


dlanc.org


dlanc.org


^ the details suggest to me the proj is further along in planning than I guessed was the case when I first heard about it earlier this yr. It will be a nice change of pace if a new proj publicized rather recently breaks ground sooner rather than later.

It will make a nice backdrop to the eleven, luma, evo condo bldgs & finally.....finally!.....make the area around the original transamerica bldg seem much less lonely & desolate.

I still recall taking some guests from OC to staples ctr a bit after it first opened & driving around that part of dt. This was well before new devlpt like the eleven or evo towers, & I felt quite embarrassed for dt. As the transformation continues, the bad old days recede more and more into the past.

[colemonkee]

"Welcome to TCA, where we strive toward mediocrity."

Kind of a stupid question, but are there any other architecture firms left in LA besides TCA? Or do they have some sort of monopoly on 5, 6 and 7 story shitboxes?

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Far better then the normal stuff we've been seeing recently. And I don't even mind the height, as the building is in a relatively out of the way area.

It's only out of the way for the next few years I think. Long term we're stuck with another short, but large mass building. While I'm glad it's not stucco, it's not spectacular either. I like the street level retail, but there's something about the design of this one (and many others recently) that doesn't imply urbanity or downtown. It's too monolithic, a horizontal skyscraper as it were. All these large block projects have this air of separateness and lack architectural differentiation. It doesn't feel like a city with these single block-sized buildings, at least as these have been designed. One of the great things about cities is the variety you get, and this one just brings homogenization.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by brudy

It's only out of the way for the next few years I think. Long term we're stuck with another short, but large mass building. While I'm glad it's not stucco, it's not spectacular either. I like the street level retail, but there's something about the design of this one (and many others recently) that doesn't imply urbanity or downtown. It's too monolithic, a horizontal skyscraper as it were. All these large block projects have this air of separateness and lack architectural differentiation. It doesn't feel like a city with these single block-sized buildings, at least as these have been designed. One of the great things about cities is the variety you get, and this one just brings homogenization.

Agreed. i wish they would chop these up into 5 or 6 buildings with different styles. i dont mind the height, its the monolithic mass that bothers me

[blackcat23]

I have some good news about the old Park Tower site (9th and Hope aka 888 Hope).

https://www.permitla.org/ipars/list_appl...D3=01727&ADDRESS=850-888 S HOPE ST 90017

850-888 S HOPE ST 90017
APPLICATION / PERMIT NUMBER: 13010-10000-01727
PLAN CHECK / JOB NUMBER: B13LA07252

GROUP: Building
TYPE: Bldg-New
SUB-TYPE: Commercial
PRIMARY USE: (5) Apartment
WORK DESCRIPTION: 30% PDPP : 30% Preliminary zoning plan chcek only (No fire life safety, No Accessibility, No Green, and No Structural plan check) CORE & SHELL ONLY OF NEW 33 STORY APARTMENT TOWER WITH RETAIL 1 OF___
PERMIT ISSUED: No PERMIT ISSUE DATE: N/A ISSUING OFFICE: N/A
CURRENT STATUS: Application Submittal CURRENT STATUS DATE: 06/14/2013

So the bad news is that it's been downsized from the original 490 foot/42 story proposal, which means we won't be getting this:



The good news is that it won't just be a 6 story parking structure going on that lot. Should be very similar in scale to the Watermarke and 9th/Olive.

[202_Cyclist]

With this one included, how many units now are either planned or under construction?

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

I have some good news about the old Park Tower site (9th and Hope aka 888 Hope).

https://www.permitla.org/ipars/list_appl...D3=01727&ADDRESS=850-888 S HOPE ST 90017



So the bad news is that it's been downsized from the original 490 foot/42 story proposal, which means we won't be getting this:



The good news is that it won't just be a 6 story parking structure going on that lot. Should be very similar in scale to the Watermarke and 9th/Olive.

Yay! Wait, is the project 33 stories and then a six story parking garage, making it 39 stories, or is it just 33 stories? And hopefully we still get that design, but shorter. But either way, yay!

[Muji]

Nice news about 888 Hope St. Fun fact: that corner has been used as surface parking since the Great Depression. Either way, in a couple of years Hope Street will probably be the best pedestrian connection between South Park and the Financial District.

[Valyrian Steel]

I knew it wouldn't just be a parking garage!

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Yay! Wait, is the project 33 stories and then a six story parking garage, making it 39 stories, or is it just 33 stories? And hopefully we still get that design, but shorter. But either way, yay!

I assume the parking structure and the tower will be two separate buildings since the permits were filed independently.

I would love to keep the same design minus 9 floors.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

I assume the parking structure and the tower will be two separate buildings since the permits were filed independently.

I would love to keep the same design minus 9 floors.

Definitely. I really like the design although we'll have to see if it holds up shorter.

[RuFFy]

I'm really starting to like the 20-33 story buildings. I've always felt that adding mid rise buildings to downtown would bridge the height difference of the taller buildings of the financial district with shorter buildings around it. Previously, visually downtown looked like nothing more than the buildings in the financial district. As more of these mid rises are added Downtown is starting to draw more attention down, and over a wider area, redefining for many what includes downtown. Not to mention the increased activity on the street level.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by RuFFy

I'm really starting to like the 20-33 story buildings. I've always felt that adding mid rise buildings to downtown would bridge the height difference of the taller buildings of the financial district with shorter buildings around it. Previously, visually downtown looked like nothing more than the buildings in the financial district. As more of these mid rises are added Downtown is starting to draw more attention down, and over a wider area, redefining for many what includes downtown. Not to mention the increased activity on the street level.

The borders are definitely expanding, and it makes sense that it will be mostly south with all the vacant land. To the east of the historic core is Skid Row and north and east are the 101 and 110. There seems to be a lot of activity all along 8th, 9th, Olympic.

[a9l8e7n]

Is the Double Marriott topping off?