LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[Wilcal]

Blackcat,
I think that did the trick. Again, I'm sorry for the fuck-up. Btw, I now think that it was the developer of Onyx whose nose got bent out of shape, not necessarily TCA. Ironically, many months ago, from CurbedLa I managed to get extensive renderings, design layouts, etc., of the project and for the most part, I liked the designs. They were an improvement over their usual product (see I'm being nice and not calling it "crap"). It was just the orange and mauve (or purple--whatever color) that looked too weird (and carnival-like) for my taste. Ehh, it seems someone is not only "thickheaded" but also "thinskined."

[Kingofthehill]

Originally Posted by brudy

At the risk of turning this into another forum war, it's just that it feels like all destination - all nightlife and high end restaurants, not a lot for just a quick bite, or a cool, low key place to grab dinner or a drink. Everything is trying so hard from a design perspective. Where are the quick eats dinner places that don't cost $40 for two people but isn't take out? There are a few places (like Maccheroni Republic), but not many. Where's the equivalent of the 101 Diner? Or the sandwhichy cafes that fill Santa Monica and Weho? We just don't have 'em yet and it's a little frustrating to see two more bars set to open on the same block. Add in the potential for all the theater clubs and the new bar in Spring Arcade and it's starting to feel like only a nightlife neighborhood. Like many other aspects of downtown, there isn't a lot of balance yet.

I fully agree with this. Downtown is rather short on affordable sandwich/pita/taco/burger/mid-level ethnic places/fast-casual concepts, something Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago, Portland, and Philadelphia all do well. It pretty much goes from Detroit to Lower East Side or Tribeca in the manner of one or two blocks. Accordingly, the restaurants can go from fast food joints to haute cuisine places with linen tablecloths and mood lighting. Just last week, I went to Terroni. Amazing space, excellent dinner and wine program, great service, etc. A real gem.

However, one can't help but think that, with its location on a still nascent 8th/Spring, it (along with Bestia, Church & State, Umamicatessen, Baco/Bar Ama, etc.) is a destination restaurant, and not one that firstly prioritizes neighborhood patrons. Part of the problem with spots blowing up is social media and the food blogger types; hype brings in people from all corners of town, regardless of a restaurant's size or actual food quality.

[Muji]

I do agree that downtown has a lack of mid-range, casual dining options, but it strikes me more as a problem that LA has in general, and isn't unique to downtown.

Although while we're on the topic, the omakase sushi restaurant in the Medallion, Zo, is now open. It is omakase only (chef's choice, no printed menu), and here's a preview of the sticker shock for dinner service: around $150 per person without alcohol.

Photo credit: Elizabeth Daniels for Eater LA

[Munchitup]

Originally Posted by Muji

I do agree that downtown has a lack of mid-range, casual dining options, but it strikes me more as a problem that LA has in general, and isn't unique to downtown.

Although while we're on the topic, the omakase sushi restaurant in the Medallion, Zo, is now open. It is omakase only (chef's choice, no printed menu), and here's a preview of the sticker shock for dinner service: around $150 per person without alcohol.

One of the things Los Angeles is most well known for is its mid-to-low priced eats. I'm not sure what price range you are looking for but there is a bevy of mid-ranged restaurants all over the Hollywood area alone. I do agree that downtown is lacking in mid-ranged restaurants - it seems to be lacking in mid-ranged everything (retail, dining, housing).

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by WonderlandPark

Should be 2 dtla threads

1 discussions of restaurants, parking lots, wood frame bldgs, expensive jeans shops, dining options...

1 discussions and photos of actual progress

I agree with this though I'm not sure the mods would want three LA threads. Perhaps this could work:

1. Current construction and renovation projects covering all of LA

2. News regarding retail and dining options, discussions about the homeless and why parking lots make you feel

[inSaeculaSaeculorum]

L.A. used to have it's own active subforum here many moons ago which for some reason gradually decreased in activity until it was merged into a California forum and then later a westcoast forum in the U.S. Forum section that hardly sees visitors. Maybe it's time to bring it back? I've noticed a lot more people posting here since the recession stopped and activity started to resume again. Sacramento has it's own, I think there's enough LA forumers to sustain one and separate all these issues into different threads. You could even move the very successful noirish Los Angeles thread there.

[The Illusive Man]

I would like to post here more, but this site is pretty depressing. Nothing is good enough it seems. I mean, criticism is good, but damn. Negativity isn't really the way to go is it? I don't know. At least this is better than curbed LA though. The negativity on there is off the charts.

[inSaeculaSaeculorum]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

I would like to post here more, but this site is pretty depressing. Nothing is good enough it seems. I mean, criticism is good, but damn. Negativity isn't really the way to go is it? I don't know. At least this is better than curbed LA though. The negativity on there is off the charts.

That's why I think a subforum is good so we separate threads and just have one thread that is strictly construction&development. I'm sure you're not the only one turned away by the tone here.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Muji

I do agree that downtown has a lack of mid-range, casual dining options, but it strikes me more as a problem that LA has in general, and isn't unique to downtown.

Although while we're on the topic, the omakase sushi restaurant in the Medallion, Zo, is now open. It is omakase only (chef's choice, no printed menu), and here's a preview of the sticker shock for dinner service: around $150 per person without alcohol.

Photo credit: Elizabeth Daniels for Eater LA

Sushi Zoe is amazing though. Completely worth the money. I'm also really excited for the sushi place to open up on 7th. Apparently it's super traditional, which is what I look for in a sushi bar.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

L.A. used to have it's own active subforum here many moons ago which for some reason gradually decreased in activity until it was merged into a California forum and then later a westcoast forum in the U.S. Forum section that hardly sees visitors. Maybe it's time to bring it back? I've noticed a lot more people posting here since the recession stopped and activity started to resume again. Sacramento has it's own, I think there's enough LA forumers to sustain one and separate all these issues into different threads. You could even move the very successful noirish Los Angeles thread there.

I agree to this. Especially with how this thread tends to talk about parking lots and stucco quite often.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

That's why I think a subforum is good so we separate threads and just have one thread that is strictly construction&development. I'm sure you're not the only one turned away by the tone here.

I get turned off by the negativity as well. And no, its not that I'm sticking my head in the sand and ignoring DTLA's problems. I'm about to close escrow on a condo on Los Angeles St, 2 blocks from Skid Row. I can see the homeless, the still numerous parking lots, and the new lowrise wood frame construction in person and don't need to be told about it over and over.

I come to this forum and read blogs like Brigham's and Blackcat's because I want to know the things that I can't see with my own two eyes- namely what the hood's going to be like 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years out. Its fun to imagine.

In this vein, I going to put my money where my mouth is and try to make some positive contributions to the forum. A commenter recently asked if anyone could put together some mockups of what the skyline will look like when the projects currently in the pipeline are complete. I did a lot of 3D modeling and rendering when I was studying urban planning and design, so I can help here. Going to put together something this weekend.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

I get turned off by the negativity as well. And no, its not that I'm sticking my head in the sand and ignoring DTLA's problems. I'm about to close escrow on a condo on Los Angeles St, 2 blocks from Skid Row. I can see the homeless, the still numerous parking lots, and the new lowrise wood frame construction in person and don't need to be told about it over and over.

I come to this forum and read blogs like Brigham's and Blackcat's because I want to know the things that I can't see with my own two eyes- namely what the hood's going to be like 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years out. Its fun to imagine.

In this vein, I going to put my money where my mouth is and try to make some positive contributions to the forum. A commenter recently asked if anyone could put together some mockups of what the skyline will look like when the projects currently in the pipeline are complete. I did a lot of 3D modeling and rendering when I was studying urban planning and design, so I can help here. Going to put together something this weekend.

Congrats on the condo! I recall you mentioning that you and your wife were looking for a place Downtown a while back.

Looking forward to that skyline mock up.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Congrats on the condo! I recall you mentioning that you and your wife were looking for a place Downtown a while back.

Looking forward to that skyline mock up.

Thanks! We're looking forward to closing and getting down there. It'll be fun to live downtown again.

[blackcat23]

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/robert-am-stern-to-design-phase-1a-of.html

Robert A.M. Stern will design Phase 1A of the Grand Avenue project.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

I get turned off by the negativity as well. And no, its not that I'm sticking my head in the sand and ignoring DTLA's problems. I'm about to close escrow on a condo on Los Angeles St, 2 blocks from Skid Row. I can see the homeless, the still numerous parking lots, and the new lowrise wood frame construction in person and don't need to be told about it over and over.

I come to this forum and read blogs like Brigham's and Blackcat's because I want to know the things that I can't see with my own two eyes- namely what the hood's going to be like 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years out. Its fun to imagine.

In this vein, I going to put my money where my mouth is and try to make some positive contributions to the forum. A commenter recently asked if anyone could put together some mockups of what the skyline will look like when the projects currently in the pipeline are complete. I did a lot of 3D modeling and rendering when I was studying urban planning and design, so I can help here. Going to put together something this weekend.

That was me who requested your artistic skills. I'm certain that most in this forum would love to see the end result. I think that it would give an interesting perspective to the projects that are in the pipeline as well as those that are planned. I know that for me it would give me a sense of optimism and hope to "see" downtown as it will be in the not too distant future. Thank you!

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/robert-am-stern-to-design-phase-1a-of.html

Robert A.M. Stern will design Phase 1A of the Grand Avenue project.

Excellent commission. I'm a fan of RAMSA's work, even though many here probably think it's boring and unimaginative. In the case of Grand Avenue, there's already WDCH and the Broad. How about something more elegant and traditional?

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/robert-am-stern-to-design-phase-1a-of.html

Robert A.M. Stern will design Phase 1A of the Grand Avenue project.

I just saw that on your blog Balckcat. I must say from what I have seen of his very little work in Los Angeles, I'm not so happy about the choice. I question why Related does not stay with Gehry, but I think the answer lies with his temperament. I had read that he and Broad fought like "cat and dog," which may be understandable considering two great men having two great egos. Gehry may have had the same problems with Related, but time will tell about Stern's future work downtown. I think that the most important concern for now is the continued revitalization that is taking place downtown and the improvement of its economy and appeal. Without those, there would be no construction no matter who designed it.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

That was me who requested your artistic skills. I'm certain that most in this forum would love to see the end result. I think that it would give an interesting perspective to the projects that are in the pipeline as well as those that are planned. I know that for me it would give me a sense of optimism and hope to "see" downtown as it will be in the not too distant future. Thank you!

I've been wanting to do it for awhile for all the same reasons, but just hadn't gotten around to it yet...but now I'm motivated

There's a way to export the existing buildings from Google Earth in a given area into Google Sketchup, which is probably the route I'll go. Then I can build rough models of the new buildings, and then use a plugin like SUPodium to get a photorealistic ray traced render. Once I have a model of DTLA, I should be able to keep reusing it to create new renders when new projects are announce, new angles are requested, etc. Should be fun.

Any buildigns

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/robert-am-stern-to-design-phase-1a-of.html

Robert A.M. Stern will design Phase 1A of the Grand Avenue project.

ugh. mcmansion on steroids.

[Muji]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

ugh. mcmansion on steroids.

Well, let's not be so hasty. Stern's buildings typically take good cues from their surrounding contexts, and while many of their residential towers have leaned to Classical Revival, they have also typically been in older East Coast neighborhoods. Recently, they've done decent job with more contemporary-looking towers, especially the Comcast Center and some recent work for Drexel. I highly doubt that they would propose anything out of place for Bunker Hill. I wouldn't mind at all if we ended up with something like the Clarendon in Boston, which was also developed by Related.