LOS ANGELES | METRO Project Rundown 2.0 (non-downtown)

[JDRCRASH]

Thanks for the update. That angle makes it seem more large-scale.

[Quixote]

Construction Watch: Hollywood Tower Terrace

By jwilliams
September 9, 2008

The welders, workers and heavy machinery have finally descended upon the Hollywood Tower Terrace site, just west of the corner of Gower and Franklin. During an early morning drive-by we spotted some fiery welding of steel beams. Ooh, progress. After months of delay, where the site was used as a parking lot, Christmas tree lot and mini-dust bowl, permits for excavation and construction have been pulled and work on the 146-unit apartment building is underway. Per city documents, the four-story building will have 138 market rate units and 8 affordable units for very-low income people. During the long wait, the project apparently lost 10-feet (75 feet to 65 feet) of height and lost two levels of subterranean parking. Also, per the plans available online we see that the project has been redubbed as the La Belle at Hollywood Tower.

• Rumblings & Bumblings Responses: Hollywood Tower... [Curbed LA]

• Hollywood Tower Terrace in Christmas Tree Limbo [Curbed LA]

[circuitfiend]

Workers have appeared on the property yesterday and today, the address having sat there doing nothing for the past six months, marking sites and drilling for what appear to be soil samples.

So perhaps, even in this slowing economy, the market for high-end condo's in CC appears to be strong. I shall keep an eye on this particular development, since I'm right next door, and report any other earth-shattering movement on the 45 story Nouvel tower.

[JDRCRASH]

Don't get your hopes up; that is exactly what happened to 1027 Wilshire.

[Steve2726]

Originally Posted by circuitfiend

I shall keep an eye on this particular development, since I'm right next door, and report any other earth-shattering movement on the 45 story Nouvel tower.

The owner of this property, SunCal Cos, was recently profiled in the Wall Street Journal. The article stated Lehman Bros is the main investor in their projects. Lehman might not be around much longer. I have no idea how this might affect the 10000 Wilshire project, but it can't be helping any.

Article here (subscription required):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122040407442693439.html

Excerpt-
In late 2005, Lehman syndicated $320 million in loans on several SunCal projects.

The properties include the 2,000-acre McAllister Ranch in Bakersfield, Calif., which was supposed to give rise to 6,000 homes and a professional golf course. Today it is a shimmering expanse of construction debris and dirt, and is in default on some of its debt. By contrast, some of the Lehman-SunCal better-situated properties include 248 acres on the Orange County waterfront and a parcel overlooking a country club adjacent to Beverly Hills

Overall, Lehman says its SunCal exposure is almost entirely in the form of first mortgages, which means the firm would have priority over other creditors in the event of a default.


EDIT-
It was just announced that LEH is going to spin off its investment in SunCal Cos into a new company called "REI Global."

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...7_FORTUNE5.htm

[circuitfiend]

I'm just reporting what I'm seeing. I personally don't think 10000 Sta Mon Blvd will ever happen.

Assume whatever you wish.

[JDRCRASH]

From the looks of it financially, it doesn't look good.

[dktshb]

The Madrone:


Madame Tussauds:


The W Hotel:












I guess this might be the beginnings of a huge billboard :



Must take picture


1600 North Vine:



Sunset and Vine:



New Pinkberry on Hollywood and Vine in the Broadway Lofts:

[colemonkee]

Nice update, dktshb.

[friedpez]

The Century as seen from Avenue of the Stars, Sept 13. Also posted in the building's own thread.

[Quixote]

^ That's a great shot of The Century. It is turning out to be a very classy looking building.

[friedpez]

Thanks. It seems like they've slowed construction considerably, judging by a comparison between this photo and the ones I posted on 8/13. Are they pausing to re-engineer the building for the penthouse modifications proposed by Candy Spelling?

[dktshb]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Nice update, dktshb.

Thanks, I must say so far I am not too impressed with the way The W is looking at this point.

[Echo Park]

Same here. I loved the renderings but seeing some of the cladding it's looking a bit cheap for what is supposed to be a prime hotel

[LosAngelesBeauty]

The W Hotel in San Diego is completely covered in STUCCO.


From Sharperyenterprises.com

[Quixote]

^ Good thing this one isn't stucco-clad -- or is it? I don't think it is.

[Quixote]

20-Story Hollywood/Gower Tower Proposed

By jwilliams
September 17, 2008

The busy bees at Hanover Co. have yet another project in the works in the LA area. A 20-story mixed-use project is proposed for the corner of Hollywood & Gower, on top of the parking lot next to the Henry Fonda Theater. Via the Hollywood Chamber:

"Hanover Co. is proposing a 20-story, mixed-use building at the southwest corner of Hollywood and Gower, which will feature 176 market-rate apartments and 7,200-sq.ft. of ground floor retail space. The project is currently in the entitlement process and developers are preparing a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)."

Over the past month, Curbed has reached out to the Planning Dept, Eric Garcetti's office and the developer for a rendering, landscape plan or an elevation - anything to satiate our render porn addiction. Sadly, nothing was provided so we can't make fun of something we haven't seen yet.

• Chamber Reviews Hanover and Clarett Projects, Recognizes Dankberg [Hollywood Chamber]

[Quixote]

^ I hope they can give us a QUALITY building this time (no stucco).

I'm loving all this infill.

[Kingofthehill]

[LosAngelesBeauty]

^ Wish that was in DTLA! Right by the Disney Hall in Phase 3 of the Grand Ave. Project.