LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[pdxstreetcar]

Originally Posted by ThomJames

The Ace hotel is scheduled to open in the first half of 2014. As far as Clifton's goes, who know. Major restaurant construction takes 3-4 years in DTLA, and the whole building is going through a major transformation.

Thanks so much. Amazed how long the renovation is taking for Cliftons. Nothing on their website, so I figured I go straight to the downtown LA experts. Last time I was in Downtown LA was 10 years ago, so I understand a lot has changed for the better.

8 or so years ago the Ace Hotel in Portland went into a cool historic building in a rundown off the beaten path part of Portland yet in a neighborhood with great potential. Now its one of the most awesome parts of Portland with the coolest shops and restaurants. I get the sense that will be the case with the Ace in Downtown LA (largely because of the Ace itself) just looking at the great building and location from online.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by LA/OCman

Speaking of South Broadway, another LA designer is opening a space near the Ace Hotel. Daniel Patrick is taking over a 2,000 square foot space. It is starting to get interesting seeing independent retail locations along with chains like Ross and Urban Outfitters....

http://la.racked.com/archives/2013/09/05..._leathers_drapey_duds_coming_to_dtla.php

Daniel Patrick is also very expensive (2k leather jackets) which will further subdue the complaints that downtown can't support expensive retail.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by WonderlandPark

Aerial shot of Downtown L.A., cropped large size

Just flew in from SEA to LAX. Nice clear day for a good downtown pic. Hope to see the skyline change in the next few years and some more empty lots go bye bye.

Seattle is really kickin' it right now, one question, why are their 5-8 story buildings done mostly in concrete? Seattle is like wood central. The quality of the work up there is just so much better than here in stucco land, metal paneling, nice trim pieces, color, fit and finish is just such a step up. (not talking our highrises, but our stucco blight and Orsini junk)

The planning department could require better building materials and standards, but they don't. My sense is that they don't care, although based on this forum, many in the community do.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Daniel Patrick is also very expensive (2k leather jackets) which will further subdue the complaints that downtown can't support expensive retail.

There is a growing handful of high end designer stuff downtown. Most are storefronts for the designers themselves (like Daniel Patrick, Nicholas Bowles, Beautiful Ful). Those places make Apolis seem cheap. It is starting to get interesting, especially with ACNE coming. I do wish the Nudie showroom was open to the public. That would also be relatively huge.

My only issue with Daniel Patrick is that they offer way too many drop crotch pants. Perhaps we will see Bieber speeding down Broadway...

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by brudy

There is a growing handful of high end designer stuff downtown. Most are storefronts for the designers themselves (like Daniel Patrick, Nicholas Bowles, Beautiful Ful). Those places make Apolis seem cheap. It is starting to get interesting, especially with ACNE coming. I do wish the Nudie showroom was open to the public. That would also be relatively huge.

My only issue with Daniel Patrick is that they offer way too many drop crotch pants. Perhaps we will see Bieber speeding down Broadway...

Nudie has a presence downtown? I had no idea.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Nudie has a presence downtown? I had no idea.

Yeah, it's on 8th around Main I think. Every time I walk by I want to go in. It looks like a storefront and consumer friendly. But there's a little sign that says by appt only, no public admittance or something like that. Perhaps that will change once their scandinavian rival (ACNE) opens up.

[ConstructDTLA]

A harsh reminder that LA can't have anything nice:

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-streetcar-money-20130910,0,2159180.story

Broadway streetcar faces $200-million funding gap

The original estimate to build the Broadway streetcar line, about $125 million, did not include the cost of utility work, such as moving power lines. That could add up to $166 million, according to a recent city report, and other costs could rise by $28 million to $37 million.

The applications and the debut of the Broadway streetcar, scheduled for late 2015, will probably both be delayed.

"We're not losing any sleep over these numbers," Jessica Wethington McLean, the executive director for Bringing Back Broadway, told officials. "They represent a 100% perfect solution, which is very unlikely."

She referred to the expectation that engineers will modify the plans to make them more efficient. That could involve reducing the number of streetcar stops or slightly shifting the tracks to dodge utility lines.

So looks like in the small chance we do get one, it'll be handicapped, and years late.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by HunterK

A harsh reminder that LA can't have anything nice:

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-streetcar-money-20130910,0,2159180.story


So looks like in the small chance we do get one, it'll be handicapped, and years late.

You should calm down about this. It is Sept. 2013. Building and completing the entire streetcar route in two years wasn't realistic. In DC, our H Street streetcar is about 3-4 years late but it will open later this year. Delays happen all of the time with large infrastructure investments.

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by HunterK

A harsh reminder that LA can't have anything nice:

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-streetcar-money-20130910,0,2159180.story


So looks like in the small chance we do get one, it'll be handicapped, and years late.

HunterK - you have to be reasonable. Your quotes come off as general assumptions with absolutely no consideration the good that has come through this city. There are some bad things LA has been witness of, but there are plenty of amazing things that have happened. The list of good will actually outweigh the bad, if you put those lists together. But your demeaning generalization undermines the quality of your statements.


Yes, we're all upset about the streetcar, but the $125M and 2015 opening was completely unrealistic. I wish LA Inc. put out a better projection. It's better to understate than overstate.......and overdeliver than underdeliver.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

HunterK - you have to be reasonable. Your quotes come off as general assumptions with absolutely no consideration the good that has come through this city. There are some bad things LA has been witness of, but there are plenty of amazing things that have happened. The list of good will actually outweigh the bad, if you put those lists together. But your demeaning generalization undermines the quality of your statements.


Yes, we're all upset about the streetcar, but the $125M and 2015 opening was completely unrealistic. I wish LA Inc. put out a better projection. It's better to understate than overstate.......and overdeliver than underdeliver.

Ummm, lets just call it a push. Farmers Field, convention center upgrades, butchered courthouse, streetcar delays, ParkFifth, Palmerblocks, Grand Park design, Pershing Square, Angels Knoll, Cole's serving Old-Fashioneds on tap, . . . let's not forget just how colossal the eff-ups have been.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

HunterK - you have to be reasonable. Your quotes come off as general assumptions with absolutely no consideration the good that has come through this city. There are some bad things LA has been witness of, but there are plenty of amazing things that have happened. The list of good will actually outweigh the bad, if you put those lists together. But your demeaning generalization undermines the quality of your statements.


Yes, we're all upset about the streetcar, but the $125M and 2015 opening was completely unrealistic. I wish LA Inc. put out a better projection. It's better to understate than overstate.......and overdeliver than underdeliver.

I guess that's Metro's strategy with their train timelines?

[brudy]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Ummm, lets just call it a push. Farmers Field, convention center upgrades, butchered courthouse, streetcar delays, ParkFifth, Palmerblocks, Grand Park design, Pershing Square, Angels Knoll, Cole's serving Old-Fashioneds on tap, . . . let's not forget just how colossal the eff-ups have been.

Agreed. It's hard to not think of the failures, missed opportunities and screw ups sometimes and to shake the occasional feeling that downtown's rejuvenation is not a fait accompli.

Sing the old refrain "Just because it's better now, doesn't mean it's as good as it can or should be."

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by HunterK

A harsh reminder that LA can't have anything nice:

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-streetcar-money-20130910,0,2159180.story


So looks like in the small chance we do get one, it'll be handicapped, and years late.

You are the kind of person that if Christina Hendricks walked into your bedroom totally naked, willing, and horny, you would harp on the fact that she's 10 minutes late. We've all grown to be cautiously optimistic about any project in LA regardless of what it is but all you seem to do is moan and groan and belittle every single thing that DTLA does. No matter if it's positive or negative. It's silly. And very annoying.

(Btw, I'd totally revoke my homosexuality card for Christina Hendricks).

In other news...from Curbed:

As rumored, Shahram and Shahriar Afshani, owners of the early twentieth century-era Broadway Trade Center, are putting it on the market with hopes for a major renovation. The brothers' real estate agent put out a call for offers, hoping someone will be interested in converting the huge commercial property--1,080,000 square feet--into a mixed-use property. Originated by Hamburgers Department Store, currently occupied by sewing factories on the upper floors and discount stores on the ground floor, the BTC could become home to condos, offices, or hotel rooms (and hopefully a scrub-down as it's covered in a layer of filth). The owners hopes the new owner "cut[s] a hole in the middle so there's a courtyard, and add a few floors up top with all the floor area they'd lose to said courtyard." Marketing materials emphasize BTC's proximity to the coming ACE Hotel, Urban Outfitters, and the streetcar route, which will open God-knows-when.

[202_Cyclist]

Yikes! Why would they want to take a beautiful older building like that and make it into an anonymous glass box?

[Illithid Dude]

I think the facade is still there, just everything else is changed.

[blackcat23]

Yeah, that's a cross section of the building to show what the interior courtyard would look like. Pretty sure they would leave the existing facade alone.

Not sure how financially viable this is, though. Tearing out the center of the building is probably very expensive.

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Ummm, lets just call it a push. Farmers Field, convention center upgrades, butchered courthouse, streetcar delays, ParkFifth, Palmerblocks, Grand Park design, Pershing Square, Angels Knoll, Cole's serving Old-Fashioneds on tap, . . . let's not forget just how colossal the eff-ups have been.

Sure, lets blame the city for every blunder. Farmers Field was actually moved through city approvals really fast due to political support. But so is really the cause of delay now? Hint: AEG and the NFL. Nice try to pawn this to the city.

Convention Center upgrades is tied in to the above. City wants this done, but was contingent on the above.

Park Fifth is an LA problem? How about the developer not lining up financing and a world wide recession?

Grand Park is a bad design? It was paid 100% with private money, how is this tied to the city?

I would agree on Pershing Square and Angels Knoll.

It's easy to pawn things of without looking at the facts. Here is the good of the City: Walt Disney Concert Hall, Staples Center, Adaptive Reuse ordinance to bring back the Historic Core, Cathedral of our Lady of Angels, Angels Flight (until the non-profit took over in 2001), Olvera Street, Hollywood, cicLAvia, etc...these were all city planning objectives and completed. No 3rd party held up the process.

There's a lot that can be done, but you can't blindly blame LA for everything.

[LA/OCman]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Sure, lets blame the city for every blunder. Farmers Field was actually moved through city approvals really fast due to political support. But so is really the cause of delay now? Hint: AEG and the NFL. Nice try to pawn this to the city.

Convention Center upgrades is tied in to the above. City wants this done, but was contingent on the above.

Park Fifth is an LA problem? How about the developer not lining up financing and a world wide recession?

Grand Park is a bad design? It was paid 100% with private money, how is this tied to the city?

I would agree on Pershing Square and Angels Knoll.

It's easy to pawn things of without looking at the facts. Here is the good of the City: Walt Disney Concert Hall, Staples Center, Adaptive Reuse ordinance to bring back the Historic Core, Cathedral of our Lady of Angels, Angels Flight (until the non-profit took over in 2001), Olvera Street, Hollywood, cicLAvia, etc...these were all city planning objectives and completed. No 3rd party held up the process.

There's a lot that can be done, but you can't blindly blame LA for everything.

I have been to more events at Grand Park than any other park in the country. I would be hard pressed to say it is an F-up. I rather enjoy it there. And Cole's? Hmmm, the Varnish in the back of Cole's was named amongst the best bars in America...and it is one of my favorites. And the Federal Courthouse? That has to do with the cut backs in DC, not here. And yes, I agree in the 80's that Pershing Square was a mistake. I have no problem with criticizing our city. I do it all the time. But not to the point of disgust like some here. I want it to be better, and it is getting better. But I also find it to be the most interesting city in the world, which is why I moved back here and invested in Downtown and Hollywood.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

You are the kind of person that if Christina Hendricks walked into your bedroom totally naked, willing, and horny, you would harp on the fact that she's 10 minutes late. We've all grown to be cautiously optimistic about any project in LA regardless of what it is but all you seem to do is moan and groan and belittle every single thing that DTLA does. No matter if it's positive or negative. It's silly. And very annoying.

(Btw, I'd totally revoke my homosexuality card for Christina Hendricks).

In other news...from Curbed:

I most definitely wouldn't. I get upset about LA things because we're the 2nd biggest city in the US yet we act like a bunch of dipshits with no regard for the future (collectively - developers, city planners, etc).

Thats a really interesting concept. While I hope so badly it could happen theres just no way they could make it sensible economically. In developers eyes, why do this over a few 7-storys? Less headache, quicker returns.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by HunterK

I most definitely wouldn't. I get upset about LA things because we're the 2nd biggest city in the US yet we act like a bunch of dipshits with no regard for the future (collectively - developers, city planners, etc).

You should come to Chicago. The problems this city is facing puts LA inability to build a park to shame. Problems such as a very high murder rate (50 percent higher than Los Angeles), closing schools (50 schools were closed in May), rabid gang infestation, 100+ year old infrastructure (let me just say that Chicago's traffic is much worse than LA's), and a mayor that nobody likes (Chicago wises it had Eric Garcetti). I've been here since March which is long enough to say that Chicago's problems far outweigh those of LA. Not turning this into a city vs city debate but when you look at the overall scheme of things, LA's future is a much brighter one than a lot of cities. You yourself asked me despite LA's problems would I live here or Chicago and I said that I'd live in Los Angeles in a heartbeat.

LA is at a tipping point. It can go one way or it can go the other. Unlike a lot of major cities with over a million + people, LA has a lot of growing left to do. Sure we are frustrated with the wave of 7 story TCA wonderboxes popping up downtown. But I see LA as a ball of clay waiting to be molded. This city can go so many different directions. It's that that makes me excited for better or for worse about the future of LA.

(It should also be said that Chicagoans view those from Indiana the same way Angelinos view those from The OC. But change rich to hicks. Just sayin).