[benek00]

Hi guys, I'm researching several different condo developments in the downtown area and have boiled it down to 2 different condos.... the Vero and Artisan on Second. Has anyone else looked into these sites? What are your thoughts/opinions? Or any recommendations on other good places to look at would be appreciated. Thanks.

[RAlossi]

Artisan is close to Little Tokyo, a big selling point which provides some really good restaurants and basic grocery shopping, and Little Tokyo is also on the upswing when it comes to retail and business activity. Artisan is a block away from the future Gold Line, and that could positively affect property values in the long run.

Vero has some access to the Red Line with just a short walk a couple blocks to 7th/Metro (and it's almost at the midpoint between 7th/Metro and MacArthur Park). That small portion of the City-West/Wilshire area will be a cool little district once some of the under-construction projects are completed and people start moving in. This location has closer access to LA Live, but it's still far enough away from it that I wouldn't use that as a tie-breaker between Artisan and Vero. The area just west of Vero doesn't have much planned for it re: new projects, so keep that in mind.

Personally, I'd go with Artisan if you've already narrowed it down to only those two projects. The future Gold Line access, proximity to the cool Arts District, Little Tokyo, El Pueblo/Union Station, the Civic Center and the Historic Core/Broadway are all in its favor.

Are you sure you've checked out all the other projects available in the Downtown area though? If you don't like loft-style condos, there are several projects in the pipeline that are either under construction or recently completed. Mura (across the street from Artisan), Market Lofts, the various Palmer projects (I don't like those, myself), and Hikari in Little Tokyo come to mind, but there are others.

[benek00]

Thanks. I also had the same thoughts regarding the specific area need vero. It just seems much more underdeveloped than the little tokyo area. Anyhow, I've also looked at Mura and seem like I'm getting much more bang for my buck, in regards to sq ft compared to Artisan, but it just seems liked Artisan might be a little more refined. Any opinions out there on Mura?

[danparker276]

I have a few pictures of vero on my site.
http://loftla.com/loftla/Photos.aspx?AlbumID=19

RAlossi sums it up pretty well. I'm not sure about the pricing at Artisan, but Vero's prices for a 2bed 2 bath is pretty good 475-535. You get 2 parking sports, at storage area, and a good pool/hot tub. Homeowners is only 350. I'd probably get something there if I wasn't buying at 1100 wilshire. Do you know how many units are left?

That area is changing quickly though. There are 7 retail sports under vero, coffee bean will be one. 1100 wilshire will have 3 retail spots, glo and 1010 wilshire probably will have some too.


http://loftla.com/loftla/Handler.ashx?PhotoID=532

[citywatch]

I know the devlpr of the Mura was quoted in an article several wks ago as taking a jab at his competitor across the street when he said that unlike his condo proj, the Artisan wasn't doing as much pre selling. Of course, construction on the Mura began several months before the Artisan.

I like the Vero's sliding doors, used not just for the balcony but for the bedrms too, & higher than average ceilings.

I ran into a former coworker at the store a few days ago & the conversation got around to her saying she had taken a tour of that bldg within the past few wks. She said more units had already been sold than she expected would be the case in a cooling mkt. I wanted to get some specific details, but we got interrupted by her cell phone & everyone's rushed schedule.

BTW, the Vero is being devlped by the same person who's building the Concerto tower.

I think the Artisan has the advantage of being more accessible to ped friendly areas in DT----primarily Little Tokyo----whereas the Vero is several blocks west of the fwy, & is on a part of Wilshire that still needs a lot of infill. However, I think either proj is a part of a hood that is & will be a lot more interesting in upcoming yrs, esp compared with a typical burb setting, as everything starts to come together.

[benek00]

Thanks for all your great input. Recently I made my second trip to Mura and I think I really like what I see compared to Artisan. They seem to give much more for your dollar on sq ft. Mura is really on the top of my list right now. The Vero just seems a bit to isolated... not too much going on around that part of Wilshire. Anyhow, if anyone else has some input on "Mura" or "Vero" or any other developments... feel free to add your opinions/experiences.

[fridayinla]

I purchased a 1-br unit at Vero during the pre-sales event. I didnt' do any research on Mura or Artisan, but I can tell you why I chose to move to Vero. I think it's a trendy development where you get a lot for your money. I'm not just saying a cheap $ / sf, but every unit comes with stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, 9.5'+ ceilings, contemporary fixtures/cabinetry and 2 parking spots. Not to mention the building amenties - pool, dry sauna, hot tub, community room. Don't forget the ground-level retail - a Coffee Bean, Subway, Jamba Juice (or Juice It Up!), a postal service store, dry-cleaners and more. City West may still be a "transitional" neighborhood, but there are several projects in the works to make it the next "big neighborhood" of downtown...additional condo developments, both new construction and conversions on surrounding blocks. Also, there's a Starbucks, Home Depot and Food 4 Less (not a Ralphs or Whole Foods, but at least it's convenient) just a block west. I've timed the walk to 7+Fig at 7-8 minutes, and LA Live will eventually be just an additional 10-12 minute walk. Plus a short walk to the metro red line.

It was good enough for me, but also, my office is at 8th & Fig! :) Good luck... and let me know if you decide to go with Vero!

[danparker276]

Is subway, jamba juice, postal store and dry cleaners confirmed?

[fridayinla]

The only tenant they're advertising as confirmed is Coffee Bean, which has a banner on the corner unit at Wilshire/Whitmer. However, the sales office has told me on several occassions that all of those tenants will be a part of Vero.

[citywatch]

If money were no object, I think it would be interesting having a place in a variety of bldgs in DT, because each setting & each location has certain advantages and different characteristics. So on Monday I'd live at the Elleven in South Pk, on Tuesday I'd stay at the Roosevelt or Brockman on 7th, on Wed I'd stay at the 1100 Wilshire or Vero, on Thursday I'd live at the metro417, Friday at Artisan or Mura, Sat at the Douglas bldg or Pan Pacific/Irvine Bryner, Sun at the Eastern Columbia bldg, etc.

[fridayinla]

Is subway, jamba juice, postal store and dry cleaners confirmed?

Dan, Subway was just confirmed also.

[danparker276]

That's great, is the retail going to open at the same time as move in?

[fridayinla]

That's great, is the retail going to open at the same time as move in?

No, they're saying early February for all retail. Residents will be moving in around the first week of January.

I went by the building a couple nights ago to check on the construction progress. They're making strides on the upper-level facade from when I last saw it about 2 weeks ago, but the retail spaces are still weeks behind. Seems like their focusing more on getting the building finished for residents to move in on time.

[benek00]

Congrats on your purchase for your unit in Vero fridayinla. I definitely agree that that part of downtown will be fully developed in the next few years. I'm still debating between Mura and Vero and have decided to wait after the new year before making a commitment on either property. Vero's overall interior fixtures seems much more appealing to me, however Mura's location is what I really love... hope I can come to a decision after the new year. Anyway, thanks for the great input everyone has put in. Happy holidays!!!

[danparker276]

Do you know if they're planning to do anything with the hospital parking lot across the street from Vero. It would seem like a great place to put a multi-story/underground parking lot with retail/supermarket/trader joes...

[fridayinla]

Yeah, that would be incredible! A Trader Joe's or Whole Foods would be nice. I haven't heard of any plans for that site. Out of curiosity I checked the county tax assessor records to see if there was an activity there recently... nothing. It's still a part of the larger parcel that has that glass mid-rise on it. If something is in the works, it would be a couple years down the road at least.

[danparker276]

They took the fence away from Vero, so you can see the retail with black tinted glass. It's starting to look really nice right now.

[lucillep]

Do you have kids? We've been warned when kids go screaming at bbq area.
We live in Artisan. Have a 4 yr and 2 yr. old boys. I got off from the Grazide Elementary School in Hacienda Heights Promethean (www.prometheanworld.com) installation at 10:30 PM and spouse and kids joined me for late dinner in China Town last night.

When we got home, I was in the middle of changing to my pjs. The kids though were brought to bed got out. I thought I heard in the other room their father steaming clothes so I asked him to go after them while I looked for my sweat pants.

The door bell rang, it was the manager who introduced herself and gave warning the next time it happens, she will call the cops. To show some respect to neighbors who want to go to bed as the kids knocked on her door.

Which could be worse, going out in the hallway indecent? No pants on?

[JDRCRASH]

Yeah, that would be incredible! A Trader Joe's or Whole Foods would be nice. I haven't heard of any plans for that site. Out of curiosity I checked the county tax assessor records to see if there was an activity there recently... nothing. It's still a part of the larger parcel that has that glass mid-rise on it. If something is in the works, it would be a couple years down the road at least.

Hey Stephen! I haven't seen you in a while. I love Trader Joe's. Somehow, I thought I remember hearing about one going up on that site. Could be wrong, though. Oh well, we will just have to wait and see, which is something that I hate doing! :banana:

BTW, keep it up with the fantastic photos you generously take!:tup: