LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 6.0

[WestCoastSupertall]

Originally Posted by CaliNative

Has the project been approved & financed, or is it still just a proposal? Also the 64 story condo tower next to Pelli 777 S. Fig. Read somewhere that they have started to prep the site for construction. Is this true?

I don't see any permits issued for Fig Centre so I'm assuming proposed status only ATM. The 64 story condo has begun site prep. A bunch of photos have been posted here and in the DTLA Facebook group, but I'll try to get some more in the next few days

[Just-In-Cali]

Originally Posted by bhunsberger

The design is extremely underwhelming though. I wish they would creat something like the spire which was planned in Chicago.

I totally disagree. I find it very classical, sleek, and well designed. The top isn't just a flat roof, it will take on a very interesting look from all angles. It probably my favorite proposal on the table.


https://planning.lacity.org/eir/nops/FigueroaCentre/ArchitecturalPlans.pdf

UrbanizeLA indicates a 2020 groundbreaking. We'll see

https://la.curbed.com/2019/2/19/18231737/downtown-la-figueroa-centre-south-park

[Niftybox]

Yeah that gap needs two either mid-size or tall buildings, not one and the other.

[Niftybox]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

I totally disagree. I find it very classical, sleek, and well designed. The top isn't just a flat roof, it will take on a very interesting look from all angles. It probably my favorite proposal on the table.


https://planning.lacity.org/eir/nops/FigueroaCentre/ArchitecturalPlans.pdf

UrbanizeLA indicates a 2020 groundbreaking. We'll see

https://la.curbed.com/2019/2/19/18231737/downtown-la-figueroa-centre-south-park

The facade of this building kind of reminds me of WTC Twin Towers. Btw I loved the simple elegant architecture of those buildings sorely missed.

[kolchak]

Interesting crown. It certainly makes the building much taller than the highest floor without having the usual setbacks.

[citywatch]

Downtown Los Angeles Is Having a Moment — Here’s What to Experience in the Booming Neighborhood

By Katie Chang December 28, 2019

Dubbed DTLA, downtown Los Angeles has established itself as not just one of the most talked-about neighborhoods in the City of Angels, but the entire country.

The transformation kicked off in 1999, when a city-approved adaptive reuse ordinance was passed — permitting the neighborhood’s abandoned, but historic Art Deco and Beaux-Arts structures to be revitalized into stylish residences and commercial spaces. (Coincidentally, the STAPLES Center was also unveiled in October of that year.) In following years, additional splashy openings (including L.A. Live in 2008, Ace Hotel in 2014, and The Broad in 2015) continued to build momentum and interest in the area.

While many bemoan the need to drive to navigate much of Los Angeles, that’s not the case with DTLA. “You can walk everywhere,” explains Stephane Lacroix, General Manager of the Downtown LA Proper Hotel, which is set to open next spring. “You can’t do that anywhere else in LA.”

Womenswear designer Heidi Merrick — she’s been headquartered in DTLA in for 12 years — says the neighborhood’s ability to support businesses both small and large also solidifies its appeal: “It’s exciting, because it really represents the most unique and best of the city.”

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[CaliNative]

Originally Posted by kolchak

Interesting crown. It certainly makes the building much taller than the highest floor without having the usual setbacks.

Would rather see a pointy crown/spire, since L.A. has so few. Enough flattops. Let's get an Empire State-like top on something really tall. And sure hope that one with the infinity pools gets built. Anything but boring.

[Just-In-Cali]

Originally Posted by CaliNative

Would rather see a pointy crown/spire, since L.A. has so few. Enough flattops. Let's get an Empire State-like top on something really tall. And sure hope that one with the infinity pools gets built. Anything but boring.

Unfortunately, that style isn't being used much in this era. You saw it in the 1910s-1940s, then the international style became all the rage...so glass boxes. Then the postmodern designs brought it back to an extent. (see Atlanta/Charlotte/Philadelphia for examples)
Then the modernist designs again abandoned tapered central points on crowns, reverting to flat tops again...or more recently, asymmetrical or curvy upshoots.
This tower is more in line with what you see happening in NY and Europe and Asia...an open frame crown that extends the façade beyond the roofline to create a crown of sorts (think NY Times tower in Manhattan, or International Commerce Center in Hong Kong.
When the styles cycle back, or if some architect has a real love for central spires, we may see one.

[Blesha13]

Originally Posted by CaliNative

Would rather see a pointy crown/spire, since L.A. has so few. Enough flattops. Let's get an Empire State-like top on something really tall. And sure hope that one with the infinity pools gets built. Anything but boring.

And with the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics coming, LA will need another skyscraper to complement US Bank Tower and Wilshire Grand when media outlets pan the camera over to the skyline. LA needs a 1300 footer at least (spire not included). The spire can be anything to about 200ft.

[CaliNative]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

Unfortunately, that style isn't being used much in this era. You saw it in the 1910s-1940s, then the international style became all the rage...so glass boxes. Then the postmodern designs brought it back to an extent. (see Atlanta/Charlotte/Philadelphia for examples)
Then the modernist designs again abandoned tapered central points on crowns, reverting to flat tops again...or more recently, asymmetrical or curvy upshoots.
This tower is more in line with what you see happening in NY and Europe and Asia...an open frame crown that extends the façade beyond the roofline to create a crown of sorts (think NY Times tower in Manhattan, or International Commerce Center in Hong Kong.
When the styles cycle back, or if some architect has a real love for central spires, we may see one.

Always loved the '20s. Now, how about a nice big tall art deco revival tower in DTLA? One that we probably would have had 90 years ago except for that silly 150' height limit. The public would love to see it, and people would love to live/work in it (and pay a bit more to do so). Maybe a developer will take a chance and spend a bit more. Great styles like art deco deserve to be revived and honored. I like the modern (like the infinity pool tower proposed north of Pershing Sq.), but I also like the classics, which I consider timeless.

[Haitian]

Originally Posted by Niftybox

The problem with LA's skyline, well more-so the area it sits is the size of it's surroundings. LA has some of the most sprawl of any major city so the skyline is dwarfed by the immense basin. However, LA has the potential in the distant future to have one of the biggest skylines on Earth. As displayed in many sci-fi futuristic films (Blade Runner, Her etc).

However to more directly address your concerns, somebody on Skyscrapercity posted a rendering of what LA's skyline might look like if all of the proposed projects are completed on-time. Albeit it's quite optimistic to assume every project goes through let alone finishes on-time, but awesome to see.

2015

2025


Some of the buildings like the Wilshire are smaller than they should be in the rendering, it's obviously a very simple interpretation.

That second pic gave me the goosebumps. One can only dream.

[Niftybox]

Originally Posted by Haitian

That second pic gave me the goosebumps. One can only dream.

Well your dreams will likely become reality, I expect at least 70% of what you see in that picture to be there by 2025. In fact the skyline has changed noticeably since 2015, we are well on our way.

[Prahaboheme]

Regarding iconic designs for towers, I’ve thought that Torre Reforma tower in CDMX would be a great look for DTLA.

[liat91]

Originally Posted by Niftybox

Well your dreams will likely become reality, I expect at least 70% of what you see in that picture to be there by 2025. In fact the skyline has changed noticeably since 2015, we are well on our way.

Along with a beefier and taller Hollywood.

[cesar90]

• Video Link

[CastleScott]

That second pic gave me the goosebumps. One can only dream.

Man that would be an awesome dream come true for me too! I'm also a big fan of Fig Center as well-please Lord lets get it built.

[liat91]

I’ll be happy if these can happen;

https://la.curbed.com/platform/amp/maps/tower-high-rise-construction-map-los-angeles

Doesn’t look good for the Reef development unfortunately.

33 S Figueroa
1045 S Olive
6AM
Gateway
Lake on Wilshire
520 Mateo
3545 Wilshire
2902 Wilshire

These 8 look pivotal as far as “transforming the skyline”, goes.

[hughfb3]

Originally Posted by liat91

I’ll be happy if these can happen;

https://la.curbed.com/platform/amp/maps/tower-high-rise-construction-map-los-angeles

Doesn’t look good for the Reef development unfortunately.

The existing reef buildings are adding GIGANTIC LED screens on their crowns that will be visible from miles around. I am not a fan as these are older buildings and the way they’ve applied the screens is ugly and will contribute undue Light_Pollution without the benefit of being beautifully integrated. They remind me of the Samsung logo that has been hiding the crown of the Wilshire La Brea building for almost 2 decades now.

[Steve8263]

https://twitter.com/WebcorBuilders/status/1210637979833655296

Excavation and trestle installation at the 960 W 7th street project site

Aka- the Brookfield tower.
They have a website- https://www.960w7thstreet.com/

[WestCoastSupertall]

^^ two more from above