View Full Version : LOS ANGELES | METRO Project Rundown 2.0 (non-downtown)
patriotizzy
Feb 17, 2011, 1:02 AM
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2010.12.cropcut.jpg
Holy cow tongue! That looks bloody awesome! Keep posting updates on this, and if you can, take pictures closer :D
LosAngelesBeauty
Feb 17, 2011, 1:08 AM
9 out of 10 people in LA probably don't know that LAX is being expanded/remodeled RIGHT NOW! Boy, what a surprise they'll get when the brand new terminal opens in 2013!
LAsam
Feb 17, 2011, 1:16 AM
9 out of 10 people in LA probably don't know that LAX is being expanded/remodeled RIGHT NOW! Boy, what a surprise they'll get when the brand new terminal opens in 2013!
I know, right? This city does a very poor job of selling itself to the locals. There's a ton of investment going on at the Natural History Museum as well... but very little fanfare.
Illithid Dude
Feb 17, 2011, 1:43 AM
I know, right? This city does a very poor job of selling itself to the locals. There's a ton of investment going on at the Natural History Museum as well... but very little fanfare.
Not to mention the LA Zoo, which is going through, or just finished going through, some serious renovations.
LosAngelesBeauty
Feb 17, 2011, 2:44 AM
A symptom of fragmentation caused by a lack of urban cohesion.
LA is not a city, it's a small country.
bmfarley
Feb 17, 2011, 5:38 AM
Twenty, thirty? What is shown in that picture is a fifth or less of what the whole construction is.
http://www.earthcam.com/clients/lax/?project=cam1&page=pano
The link is a panoramic construction camera of the whole project. As you can see, it's huge.
Fun Fact: At 1.4 billion dollars, the new terminal is the largest public works projects in Los Angeles EVER. Maybe California, too, but I am not sure.
No, not by far. California High Speed Rail is the largest, ever. Over 40 billion dollars.
And, right now there is Exposition LRT that is about 1.7 billion dollars. More rail projects to come.
LosAngelesBeauty
Feb 17, 2011, 5:52 AM
No, not by far. California High Speed Rail is the largest, ever. Over 40 billion dollars.
And, right now there is Exposition LRT that is about 1.7 billion dollars. More rail projects to come.
Perhaps he was thinking of a different "public works project."
Illithid Dude
Feb 17, 2011, 6:00 AM
No, not by far. California High Speed Rail is the largest, ever. Over 40 billion dollars.
And, right now there is Exposition LRT that is about 1.7 billion dollars. More rail projects to come.
California High Speed Rail is A) still a proposal and B) mostly being funded w/ private money. Exposition is split into phases. If you want to talk phases, the LAX renovation probably hits about 3 billion.
Sodha
Feb 17, 2011, 5:22 PM
No, not by far. California High Speed Rail is the largest, ever. Over 40 billion dollars.
And, right now there is Exposition LRT that is about 1.7 billion dollars. More rail projects to come.
Expo Phase II has a price tag of $1.7 billion (that's not including Phase I). http://zev.lacounty.gov/blog/all-aboard-expo-to-the-westside
Note: $1.5 billion was in 2008 dollars...expect that number to increase to $1.7 billion (i.e. like how Phase I shot up from $640 million to $808 million overnight because they had to re-align for current year dollars..same thing is expected for Phase II Expo).
202_Cyclist
Feb 17, 2011, 6:07 PM
Fun Fact: At 1.4 billion dollars, the new terminal is the largest public works projects in Los Angeles EVER. Maybe California, too, but I am not sure.
Not at all. In real dollars, the California Aqueduct is probably several times as much. Currently, rebuilding the Bay Bridge costs $5.5B, maybe more. In real dollars, building I-5 is also far more than $1.4B-- widening I-5 in San Diego County is expected to cost $3B - $4B alone:
http://www.cahsrblog.com/2010/06/now-thats-a-boondoggle/
Quixote
Feb 18, 2011, 5:41 AM
Southwest corner of Lexington/La Brea...
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2011.whatisthis.jpg
West Hollywood's Latest Project for La Brea Avenue
By Dakota Smith
February 17, 2011
WEST HOLLYWOOD: A tipster who attended a recent community meeting in West Hollywood for a new low income housing project, passes on this photo taken during the meeting. And some more information on this planned development: "It's on La Brea between the McDonalds and Lexington Ave. I think the address is 1150 N. La brea. Design is pretty cool. It's 37 units with 1,200 feet of retail on bottom floor....This is a West Hollywood Housing Corporation project...The white "ribbons" are some sort of Plastic composite material that is stain resistant and the front La Brea facing part is actually articulated in and out with a very faint color graduated from greens to blues. And every unit has a balcony." Looking forward to hearing more. [Curbed InBox]
...
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/02/west_hollywoods_latest_project_for_la_brea.php
LosAngelesBeauty
Feb 18, 2011, 7:17 AM
More details about the Koreatown Wilshire/Vermont twin towers:
"The project team plans to begin construction on the already-entitled property as soon as the summer of 2011, with an estimated completion date in 2013. When developed, the property will feature two residential towers with ground-floor retail surrounding a quarter-acre central courtyard. The north and south towers will be 25 and 30 stories tall, respectively, and include a total of 464 one and two-bedroom apartments. The street level will have approximately 41,000 square feet for neighborhood-serving retail uses, including restaurants, a grocer, bank, dry cleaner and coffee house."
Source (http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110128005179/en/J.H.-Snyder-Company-Partners-Washington-Capital-Management)
So it looks like we may not be seeing exactly what kind of interaction the ground level will be like. We initially thought that there would just be a driveway, and I thought that there would be no retail fronting Vermont, BUT with 41,000 square feet of retail (that's A LOT), I have to assume that there will be retail space fronting both Wilshire AND along Vermont. :tup:
pesto
Feb 18, 2011, 7:02 PM
La Brea: I like stuff that's off-beat. LA has too much blah. I think this will be good for La Brea although I might expect more on Wilshire, Sunset, etc.
Both this and Wilshire/Vermont promise retail. Is there that much demand for retail? I admit that those areas are appropriate for it but wonder if the demand is there. Hopefully increased density will help.
LosAngelesBeauty
Feb 18, 2011, 7:12 PM
La Brea: I like stuff that's off-beat. LA has too much blah. I think this will be good for La Brea although I might expect more on Wilshire, Sunset, etc.
Both this and Wilshire/Vermont promise retail. Is there that much demand for retail? I admit that those areas are appropriate for it but wonder if the demand is there. Hopefully increased density will help.
We all wonder if any of this "urban stuff" is going to work. But I guess we won't know until it's built right! That's what many people said 10 years ago "I wonder if Downtown LA is a place anyone would really want to live in?" Well, a walk down Spring St at NIGHT, with residents everywhere (walking and in their homes high above) answered that 10-year old question.
Actually, there is no need to "wonder" since we all know that LA's potential is still completely untapped. It's large population is still under served by ENOUGH urban retail options outside of malls. Once you build a walkable environment, people will start walking (it's as natural as putting fish back into water). Walking next to retail, restaurants, museums, etc. is A LOT more interesting than blank walls.
pesto
Feb 18, 2011, 7:44 PM
LAB: good response. I'm cheered up already. How about your thoughts on the DT to Fairfax street scape in 20 years:
In some areas the retail is actually quite dense, but disguised by being in a multi-story strip mall with parking in front. However, these are rarely traditional middle-market retail (clothing and other "mall" stores) but focus on food and services.
Can Vermont, Wilshire, etc. become clothing, gift, stationary, small furnishings stores again or are the economics of malls too strong? Will there ever be 10 Ann Taylor's and Restoration Hardwares on LA streets? Or are vertical malls the future?
Specialty clothing (Melrose) and upscale (Melrose, BH, WeHo) are there. But can multiple LA streets look like, say, Colorado Blvd. or SM 3rd St. or Brand in Glendale?
Sodha
Feb 18, 2011, 8:19 PM
La Brea: I like stuff that's off-beat. LA has too much blah. I think this will be good for La Brea although I might expect more on Wilshire, Sunset, etc.
Both this and Wilshire/Vermont promise retail. Is there that much demand for retail? I admit that those areas are appropriate for it but wonder if the demand is there. Hopefully increased density will help.
Didn't Wilshire/Vermont station apartments retail fill up pretty fast? Also, Solair was doing well until the fire dept emergency problem.
If you build it, people come...unless if you are Medici where you put in buildings and nobody wants to lease your gawd awful faux-Italian retail units. 41,000 sq ft of retail will do fine. This area is a bustling spot of devoid retail. With 2 subway lines, it would be better to have more shopping here than in other areas.
LosAngelesBeauty
Feb 18, 2011, 9:59 PM
LAB: good response. I'm cheered up already. How about your thoughts on the DT to Fairfax street scape in 20 years:
In some areas the retail is actually quite dense, but disguised by being in a multi-story strip mall with parking in front. However, these are rarely traditional middle-market retail (clothing and other "mall" stores) but focus on food and services.
Can Vermont, Wilshire, etc. become clothing, gift, stationary, small furnishings stores again or are the economics of malls too strong? Will there ever be 10 Ann Taylor's and Restoration Hardwares on LA streets? Or are vertical malls the future?
Specialty clothing (Melrose) and upscale (Melrose, BH, WeHo) are there. But can multiple LA streets look like, say, Colorado Blvd. or SM 3rd St. or Brand in Glendale?
Strip malls are anti-pedestrian so I don't see how that plays into your skepticism. Obviously, the project we are discussing is a high-density mixed-use development with street front retail, which is VERY counter strip mall.
And Sodha is exactly correct in that the Wilshire/Vermont TOD does contain multiple retail spaces and they are mostly filled up now with Nine West shoe store (a name brand), accessories, mini-mart, sushi restaurant, two other fast casual restaurants, Chase bank, nail salon, Coffee Bean, and I think an optometrist. That is exactly the kind of mix I like to see and believe will happen across the street from this VERY busy intersection serviced by the Purple Line, that will be extended possibly to Santa Monica in the next 20 years (the time frame your asking). Will it get even busier with foot traffic if you build more mixed-use projects, further densifying this area and expanding the sphere of walkability? Hell fucking yes.
tommaso
Feb 19, 2011, 8:50 AM
Southwest corner of Lexington/La Brea...
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2011.whatisthis.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/02/west_hollywoods_latest_project_for_la_brea.php
Looks like a prison. Unfortunately visually unsuitable even for those seeking low income housing. Well, I didn't pick the architect. This is what happens when...
tommaso
Feb 19, 2011, 9:03 AM
Strip malls are anti-pedestrian so I don't see how that plays into your skepticism. Obviously, the project we are discussing is a high-density mixed-use development with street front retail, which is VERY counter strip mall.
And Sodha is exactly correct in that the Wilshire/Vermont TOD does contain multiple retail spaces and they are mostly filled up now with Nine West shoe store (a name brand), accessories, mini-mart, sushi restaurant, two other fast casual restaurants, Chase bank, nail salon, Coffee Bean, and I think an optometrist. That is exactly the kind of mix I like to see and believe will happen across the street from this VERY busy intersection serviced by the Purple Line, that will be extended possibly to Santa Monica in the next 20 years (the time frame your asking). Will it get even busier with foot traffic if you build more mixed-use projects, further densifying this area and expanding the sphere of walkability? Hell fucking yes.
Speaking of mixed use. What's the deal with that new development just off Wilshire on Bixel in City West? Is there any retail planned for the Bixel side? I could see right through the arches and based on my assessment, it looks like there can't be any retail at the bottom. I ask one of you to look closely where I looked and I can't figure out where that retail would be, particularly on the Bixel side of the construction site. Well, that's what you guys are here for. Us city architecture buffs, we've got to back each other up when we can :)
Good night to you guys and lets get ready for the All Star Game!!! Go D. Rose and Amare!!! He's on ads on our city buses wearing his Knicks jersey! It's great to host important sporting events here in downtown L.A.! That's the way it should be, exciting all the time! It makes you love L.A. and be proud that you're here! You know what I mean. This kind of excitement is contagious, we've got to have it! No way I'm supporting any NIMBY's ever! It can't be done. Are you kidding me!
Oh and if you're watching the news, Farmer's Field is getting bigger and bigger, the media attention is ridiculous! That's it, once this thing gets built, there's no reason to live anywhere but downtown! There's too much going on here, too much activity to miss out on. You don't want to be out on the Westside or someplace else. It's not worth it. Get in gear and let's all get with the downtown program! :) It's fun, it's active, it's exciting, it's rich, it's cool, it's stylish, it's fabulous, it's the city for God sakes and it's got everything you need! :)
pesto
Feb 19, 2011, 6:38 PM
LAB: Nine West is a very good sign. A coffee, fast food or nail place, etc., doesn't mean as much since these are already common in the area; not necessarily a sign of new business.
The strip malls are relevant because they provide and control parking and because they are there, attracting people. This hurts foot traffic, which is the life blood of retail, and which malls provide to retail stores in spades. That's why I wonder if "mall style" retail, as opposed to coffee and fast-food, can get a foothold outside of "vertical malls" which try to concentrate foot traffic.
A large factor is density and another is spendable income. Hopefully, both will increase. I suspect it is too late to limit strip malls, since they are already the norm in many areas. New ones, of course, should be banned.
sopas ej
Feb 19, 2011, 6:59 PM
I suspect it is too late to limit strip malls, since they are already the norm in many areas. New ones, of course, should be banned.
I don't know if it's true, but I already feel like there are no new strip malls being built within the City of Los Angeles; hehe maybe it's because I'm always going to the same parts of LA and strip malls aren't being built in those parts?
It's definitely not like back in the 1980s when it seemed that strip malls were being built EVERYWHERE in LA, many being built where gas stations used to be, but others being built on the sites of smaller commercial buildings that were demolished. I remember lamenting the demise of the original Brown Derby for a strip mall, and then the dome of the derby was put on top.
pesto
Feb 20, 2011, 5:33 PM
That seems right, but my concern is the existing ones and the effect on the possibility of there being sufficient foot traffic at the sidewalk to justify clothing, accessories, jewelry, knick-knack, small furnishings, etc., stores.
I have some hope that they are over-built and that eventually some will be torn down for housing above retail. Another possibility is to force conversion by banning surface parking lots visible from streets or within some distance of transit). But these will require some fighting.
colemonkee
Feb 20, 2011, 6:28 PM
I don't know if it's true, but I already feel like there are no new strip malls being built within the City of Los Angeles; hehe maybe it's because I'm always going to the same parts of LA and strip malls aren't being built in those parts?
I've seen a few being built recently, though they are more the exception than the rule these days, which is good. There's a 3-story one that was built on La Cienega between Pico and Olympic, and it's not the best looking building ever built.
Illithid Dude
Feb 20, 2011, 7:52 PM
I don't know if it's true, but I already feel like there are no new strip malls being built within the City of Los Angeles; hehe maybe it's because I'm always going to the same parts of LA and strip malls aren't being built in those parts?
It's definitely not like back in the 1980s when it seemed that strip malls were being built EVERYWHERE in LA, many being built where gas stations used to be, but others being built on the sites of smaller commercial buildings that were demolished. I remember lamenting the demise of the original Brown Derby for a strip mall, and then the dome of the derby was put on top.
There's one that was built sort of near Korea town. It is actually pretty nice though, with lots of brick and high-quality materials.
sopas ej
Feb 20, 2011, 9:57 PM
I've seen a few being built recently, though they are more the exception than the rule these days, which is good. There's a 3-story one that was built on La Cienega between Pico and Olympic, and it's not the best looking building ever built.
There's one that was built sort of near Korea town. It is actually pretty nice though, with lots of brick and high-quality materials.
OK. Yeah, these are in areas of LA I don't really go to. I go through Koreatown, but it's very rarely ever a destination point for me; almost never, actually. I'm regularly in downtown, Hollywood and the Fairfax District, and make the occasional jaunt to the Westwood area-- I love the Persian restaurants there and that French Canadian restaurant, Soleil... oh and that good Indonesian restaurant, Ramayani. Oh man now I'm hungry.
tommaso
Feb 21, 2011, 10:51 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Dedicated-Kings-fans-attempt-to-block-team-s-pos;_ylt=AsizG72qlpV69oA.iMjzn928vLYF?urn=nba-324316
There's a very good chance the Sacramento Kings are moving to Anaheim to become the Los Angeles Kings NBA team. Look out for news on this! :) Of course Staples Center, the Lakers and Clippers and sweating this.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/allstar2011/news/story?id=6140807
The Sacramento Kings are seriously considering the possibility of applying to the NBA by the league's March 1 deadline for relocation to Anaheim for next season, according to sources with knowledge of the team's thinking.
The Kings haven't made a final decision, but sources said team officials have been in Orange County, Calif., this month to gather more first-hand data on the feasibility and potential obstacles involved in trying to move to Anaheim's Honda Center at season's end after a 26-season run in Sacramento and numerous failed attempts to secure the financing needed for the construction of a new modern arena.
NBA commissioner David Stern publicly confirmed for the first time Saturday night at his annual All-Star Weekend news conference that the Kings have had discussions with Anaheim officials about a possible move.
“
We have to look at all of our options at this point. But we also want to concentrate on our team right now. Any of the arena stuff, we'll talk about that later.
”
-- Joe Maloof
In a subsequent phone interview with ESPN.com, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof declined to discuss specifics but said: "We have to look at all of our options at this point. But we also want to concentrate on our team right now. Any of the arena stuff, we'll talk about that later."
Maloof also reiterated comments he's made to the Sacramento Bee newspaper about the Kings being approached by "many cities" besides Anaheim.
But sources close to the situation say, with no NBA-ready arena for the Kings to move into in the Maloofs' home base of Las Vegas, that Anaheim holds the greatest appeal to the Kings.
The Kings have been trying for nearly a decade to replace outdated Arco Arena (soon to be renamed Power Balance Pavilion) with a new revenue-generating building that would ensure they stay in a market that was once known as the home of one of the NBA's most fervent fan bases. That was before Sacramento's slide down the Western Conference standings.
The Kings are 13-40 this season and it will be their fifth straight season out of the playoffs after a run that took them to the brink of the NBA Finals in an unforgettable seven-game series with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002.
But Stern, at his news conference, confirmed the league no longer has an active role in trying to keep the team in Sacramento after originally backing the efforts of Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson -- the former star guard with the Phoenix Suns -- to find a solution to the arena issue.
"All I'll say is that we and they have tried very hard over the years to see whether a new building could be built, and with the collapse of the last attempt -- which took a few years, and several million dollars, on behalf of the league -- I said we are not going to spend any more time on that," Stern said. "That is for the Maloofs and the people of Sacramento.
"I don't know where that is right now. I mean, I do know -- I talk to Mayor Johnson from time to time in relation to the various projects he's engaged. But I'm not driving it and we'll see how it goes."
Among the issues that could dissuade the Kings from making the relocation request before next season's deadline in 10 days are the millions still owed by the Maloofs to the city of Sacramento in loans and the behind-the-scenes resistance they could potentially receive from the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Kings would likely need favorable loan and lease terms in Anaheim to mitigate those financial obligations and the franchise might still face opposition from the Lakers and Clippers. Although those teams would only have one vote each -- and despite the fact franchise relocations in the NBA only require a 15-14 majority vote for approval from the league's other 29 teams -- it's certainly conceivable the Staples Center co-tenants would band together to try to rally support from other teams to oppose to a third NBA franchise moving into a building that sits roughly 30 miles away.
Officials at the Honda Center, according to the Bee, declined comment Friday when asked if they are in negotiations with the Kings.
The NBA's Board of Governors has the right to attach a relocation fee to any franchise move it approves, but such fees are distributed evenly among the league's other teams and wouldn't be paid directly to the Lakers and Clippers in the event of the Kings moving to Anaheim.
One league source, furthermore, reiterated that such relocation fees are "discretionary."
March 1, meanwhile, is not only the NBA's deadline for relocation applications for the 2011-12 season but also the day that Arco Arena's name officially changes to Power Balance Pavilion.
Yet it's believed that the naming-rights deal with Anaheim-based Power Balance is one of the least lucrative in league history because of the age of the building -- which opened in 1988 -- and the franchise's uncertain status in town.
The Kings and the Atlanta Hawks have each moved three times, more than any other NBA franchise. After originating as the Rochester Royals and moving to Cincinnati, the franchise became the Kansas City-Omaha Kings and then the Kansas City Kings before relocating to Sacramento.
Sacramento radio station KFBK (1530 AM) reported in January that Henry Samueli, owner of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, has offered to loan $100 million to Joe and Gavin Maloof to pay off the requisite debts and fees to move the Kings into the Samueli-owned Honda Center.
Senior writer Marc Stein covers the NBA for ESPN.com.
pesto
Feb 21, 2011, 11:34 PM
The big winner looks like the Warriors who get the 10M SJ-SF-Sacto. region all to themselves, without even major college programs in the way. May make SJ a tempting location (share with the Sharks).
Anaheim, the Ducks and the Kings themselves should also do well. I would guess they're looking at the well-to-do 6.5M OC and SD demographic and figuring they have it to themselves for 5 months every year (assuming SDS doesn't become a perennial hoops power). I wonder if some games will be played in SD? Nice marketing strategy to play some exhibitions there.
Of course, the Lakers and Clips have a foothold on the OC part so there will be a fight over that. Parts of the IE may be up for grabs as well.
LAofAnaheim
Feb 22, 2011, 12:50 AM
Maybe until a new arena is built in Anaheim, perhaps in Las Vegas, the Maloofs will use the Honda Center.
But I find it hard to see another NBA team in the LA area long-term.
Who said the Kings were eventually moving to LA? Pesto is referencing a joke about the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" with the Kings. I joke I used earlier on Twitter as well. Anaheim will get the Kings. They will never come to the "real" Los Angeles.
The Honda Center is one of the best unused NBA stadiums available today. The Clippers use to play 10 regular season games and nearly all their pre-season when the Honda Center first opened and their attendance was much higher than the Sports Arena. The Kings will do well at the Honda Center.
Muji
Feb 27, 2011, 2:29 AM
Passed by the site of the Macarthur Park Metro Apartments project for the first time this afternoon. Obviously I don't know what the construction timeline is, but given that the official groundbreaking was last April, it seems to be going up really slowly.
http://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/dsc_0399-e1298772839548.jpg
http://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/dsc_0402-e1298772919391.jpg
http://urbandiachrony.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/dsc_0408-e1298772950376.jpg
JDRCRASH
Feb 27, 2011, 2:33 AM
Who said the Kings were eventually moving to LA? Pesto is referencing a joke about the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" with the Kings. I joke I used earlier on Twitter as well. Anaheim will get the Kings. They will never come to the "real" Los Angeles.
I didn't say they were. Anaheim is part of the Los Angeles AREA and TV market.
Illithid Dude
Mar 1, 2011, 3:46 PM
Mods... It's your time to shine.
DistrictDirt
Mar 1, 2011, 8:57 PM
Passed by the site of the Macarthur Park Metro Apartments project for the first time this afternoon. Obviously I don't know what the construction timeline is, but given that the official groundbreaking was last April, it seems to be going up really slowly.
I had no idea they were that far along. I always enter/exit the station from the Alvarado side, so this development snuck up on me. I really thought it was just still a plan on paper.
RST500
Mar 3, 2011, 1:27 AM
New Tower in Century City
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/postnouvel_new_plans_for_1000_wilshire_unveiled.php
There is also another vacant lot in Century City as well where there use to be a low rise resteraunt but no idea if anything is planned there.
JDRCRASH
Mar 3, 2011, 1:34 AM
^ It's where the "Grass Blade" Tower by Nouvel was planned.
Illithid Dude
Mar 3, 2011, 1:43 AM
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2011.notnouvel.jpg
New building. Not final render at all. Expect it to change drastically.
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2008.02.big%20nov.jpg
Old building. Would have been designed by Jean Nouvelle. Big loss, if you ask me.
RST500
Mar 3, 2011, 1:45 AM
^ It's where the "Grass Blade" Tower by Nouvel was planned.
No, I was referring to a large submerged vacant lot about two blocks South West of the Nouvel site.
JDRCRASH
Mar 3, 2011, 1:52 AM
No, I was referring to a large submerged vacant lot about two blocks South West of the Nouvel site.
I know. I was referring to the first part of your post.
DJM19
Mar 3, 2011, 3:28 AM
Apparently this development does not include retail, and the homeowners think this is great because to them it means no traffic coming in. But of course what it really means is MORE traffic going out. The last thing Century City needs is another tower that doesnt activate the sidewalk. It should be mandatory that these buildings create activities for humans along the sidewalk.
Illithid Dude
Mar 3, 2011, 3:55 AM
Apparently this development does not include retail, and the homeowners think this is great because to them it means no traffic coming in. But of course what it really means is MORE traffic going out. The last thing Century City needs is another tower that doesnt activate the sidewalk. It should be mandatory that these buildings create activities for humans along the sidewalk.
Yeah, my one problem with the project. However, other cities don't have retail in their towers and are thriving pedestrian areas. The whole walking thing can't be forced by ground floor retail, it can only be a mindset. And, the people in the tower can just walk to the mall to get anything they need. As much as I like ground floor retail, it isn't that terrible that this building doesn't have it.
edluva
Mar 3, 2011, 8:16 AM
century city is a lost cause as far as sidewalk-activating is concerned
pesto
Mar 4, 2011, 7:08 PM
CC is a hard case for sure. But this particular development is actually right on the edge of CC where Little SM Blvd. is already retail. Between this and the approved Waldorf and condos two blocks down, there could develop some decent pedestrian activity. Local services seems more likely than retail, which is dominated by downtown BH and Westfield, which are in easy walking distance.
Maybe the old Friar's Club could become a Trader Joe's and nail salon.
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 4, 2011, 9:12 PM
century city is a lost cause as far as sidewalk-activating is concerned
Not necessarily.
Those large plazas in Century City could easily be retrofitted to include new retail spaces that could help activate sidewalks at least during the day.
Brookfield had a similiar goal for their Sanwa Bank/Fig at Wilshire high-rise a few years ago. And they STILL have plans to do the same thing for their Bank of America tower on Bunker Hill by adding retail spaces to the plazas.
Illithid Dude
Mar 5, 2011, 2:15 AM
Not necessarily.
Those large plazas in Century City could easily be retrofitted to include new retail spaces that could help activate sidewalks at least during the day.
Brookfield had a similiar goal for their Sanwa Bank/Fig at Wilshire high-rise a few years ago. And they STILL have plans to do the same thing for their Bank of America tower on Bunker Hill by adding retail spaces to the plazas.
Wait whoa whoa whoa what? What is happening with those two towers? Link? Source? Renders? I want to see more about this, it is incredibly exciting.
dktshb
Mar 5, 2011, 2:41 AM
Well not much of an update but here is a picture of The Avenue formally known as the Madrone. I took the picture looking west on Hawthorne towards La Brea. Considering the lots that were used for the project used to be a used car lot and parking lot, this is an improvement:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/016a.jpg
JDRCRASH
Mar 5, 2011, 4:01 AM
Wait whoa whoa whoa what? What is happening with those two towers? Link? Source? Renders? I want to see more about this, it is incredibly exciting.
Are you talking about the twin towers proposed behind the Century Plaza Hotel? As far as I know, it's looking for financing.
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 5, 2011, 5:08 PM
Are you talking about the twin towers proposed behind the Century Plaza Hotel? As far as I know, it's looking for financing.
No he's talking about the Sanwa Bank tower and the Bank of America tower that Brookfield owns in DTLA. They have plans to enhance their plazas in the future. Probably AFTER 7+FIG is completed in 2012.
pesto
Mar 5, 2011, 7:33 PM
The Sanwa and B of A towers plaza development plans are news to me as well and very welcome. I won't be optimistic about them until I see the whole plan, since I am not sure who is going to be on Bunker Hill unless they are at work. It's not exactly touristy and not residential at all.
The Century Plaza Hotel project had some significant additions in the form of walkways and landscaping toward Westfield and the subway, but how much of it survives is hard to say since the old hotel needs to stay where it is and his makes the space very awkward to develop.
Westfield had planned street-front retail on Ave. of the Stars and SM Blvd., but that will presumably be scrapped if the Purple Line stop is built south of there on Constellation.
RAlossi
Mar 5, 2011, 8:37 PM
^ Bunker Hill actually has a lot of residential (BH Towers, Promenade/Promenade West/Promenade Tower, Museum Tower, Grand Tower, with nearby Palmer developments and Canvas LA). Whether those residents actually explore the neighborhood is another story.
There's also a good number of hotel rooms nearby.
But yeah, even with all that, I'm not sure how retail would work at BofA Plaza. Their Friday farmers' market does really well though.
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 8, 2011, 7:22 AM
^ Bunker Hill actually has a lot of residential (BH Towers, Promenade/Promenade West/Promenade Tower, Museum Tower, Grand Tower, with nearby Palmer developments and Canvas LA). Whether those residents actually explore the neighborhood is another story.
There's also a good number of hotel rooms nearby.
But yeah, even with all that, I'm not sure how retail would work at BofA Plaza. Their Friday farmers' market does really well though.
I think everything adds up, but it would obviously help if the Grand Avenue project was built. I see it like this. Without the Grand Avenue project, forget about activating Bunker Hill. But with the Grand Avenue project, all of a sudden, the existing and future retail spaces added (such as B of A plaza) will add energy to the Grand Ave Project to make Bunker Hill more active.
It's pretty obvious that Bunker Hill not only has tons of empty plazas, but also tons of empty lots. That can't help!
edluva
Mar 8, 2011, 8:08 AM
Not necessarily.
Those large plazas in Century City could easily be retrofitted to include new retail spaces that could help activate sidewalks at least during the day.
Brookfield had a similiar goal for their Sanwa Bank/Fig at Wilshire high-rise a few years ago. And they STILL have plans to do the same thing for their Bank of America tower on Bunker Hill by adding retail spaces to the plazas.
pipe dream. modernist highrise districts just aren't built for that kind of activity. especially horribly executed ones like cc. even in great skyscraper cities like nyc, the greatest neighborhoods are brick and mortar neighborhoods that resemble our broadway. i don't get the fascination with forcing sterilized skyscraper districts to become what they're not. juvenile misconceptions of urbanism if you ask me
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 8, 2011, 8:12 AM
pipe dream
Building a few thousand square feet of new retail space on underutilized plazas isn't a pipe dream, it's really not that hard. And expecting people to patronize businesses in these new retail spaces, which will help activate the streets during the day isn't outlandish either.
edluva
Mar 8, 2011, 8:17 AM
a few thousand sf of retail? what kind of worthwhile mom and pop's are going to pay the exhorbitant rent? and how many will you get such that a worthwhile grouping of them coalesce into cohesive pedestrian experience? pipe dream.
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 8, 2011, 8:33 AM
a few thousand sf of retail? what kind of worthwhile mom and pop's are going to pay the exhorbitant rent? and how many will you get such that a worthwhile grouping of them coalesce into cohesive pedestrian experience? pipe dream.
A few thousand square feet of retail on each plaza, combined over a wider area creates more spaces for future tenants. Retail spaces are nothing new or that hard to create once the demand is there. Not a pipe dream at all.
202_Cyclist
Mar 8, 2011, 2:48 PM
Luxury condo tower is planned on Santa Monica Boulevard
A Miami developer proposes a building of up to 39 stories with 283 units, which would be priced at an average $1.5 million. The $184-million project is at the site of a similar proposal that was aborted by the SunCal Cos.
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2011-03/59839913.jpg
An artist's rendering of Miami developer Crescent Heights' proposed condominium tower at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd. It would have 283 units priced at an average of $1.5 million. (Los Angeles Times)
By Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
March 4, 2011
"Plans have been unveiled for a $184-million luxury condominium tower on a highly sought-after site on Santa Monica Boulevard between Beverly Hills and Century City.
Miami developer Crescent Heights said it is seeking approval from Los Angeles officials to build a 283-unit tower at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd. The condos would range from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet, which is on the small side for the local luxury market, and are priced at an average of $1.5 million.
The project "is styled to be modern, elegant, chic and environmentally friendly," spokesman Steven Afriat said. It would look like "a totally modern aesthetic in glass," he added, with few of the glass pieces being the same size.
The previous owner, Irvine builder SunCal Cos., had planned to build a 45-story luxury condominium tower designed by prominent French architect Jean Nouvel. SunCal had paid $110.2 million for the property in 2006 after winning a bidding war with New York real estate mogul Donald Trump. The housing market cooled in the recession, however, and SunCal filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on the property in late 2008..."
http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-condo-development-20110304,0,754386.story
202_Cyclist
Mar 8, 2011, 3:03 PM
Luxury apartment, retail development to get underway in L.A.
Mall magnate Rick Caruso is set to break ground on a $60-million development near his Grove shopping center.
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2011-03/59935234.jpg
The apartment and retail complex backed by mall magnate Rick Caruso is shown in an artist's rendering. The $60-million development will have 88 units. (Los Angeles Times)
By Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
March 8, 2011
"Few major commercial real estate projects have launched in Southern California since 2008, when the economic downturn crashed the party.
That may be about to change.
Mall magnate Rick Caruso is set to break ground Tuesday on a $60-million luxury apartment and retail development near his Grove shopping center in Los Angeles.
The eight-story complex will house 88 apartments over a Trader Joe's grocery store on a site on Burton Way at La Cienega Boulevard that was once home to a popular seafood restaurant known for its entrance in the shape of a whale's mouth.
The project will be smaller than the Grove or Caruso's vast Americana at Brand shopping and residential development in downtown Glendale, but it is one of a handful of substantial developments that have gotten underway since the downturn brought most building to a halt..."
http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-caruso-development-20110308,0,7462076.story
Jonovision
Mar 8, 2011, 4:10 PM
That's a really cool little infill. I especially love that big piece of green right in the middle. Looks great!
Illithid Dude
Mar 8, 2011, 4:19 PM
Westfield had planned street-front retail on Ave. of the Stars and SM Blvd., but that will presumably be scrapped if the Purple Line stop is built south of there on Constellation.
No, not at all. The stop will be integrated, and the new retail will be TOD.
LAsam
Mar 8, 2011, 5:00 PM
That's a really cool little infill. I especially love that big piece of green right in the middle. Looks great!
The building looks nice, but that parking lot around it is absurd. Shouldn't luxury apartments have below ground parking?
pesto
Mar 8, 2011, 5:52 PM
As usual, I'm confused.
illithid: I don't understand your post. Westfield was planning a high-rise at SM and A of the Stars, with Bloomingdales moving to it, a subway station in it and retail of some sort along SM and A of the Stars. Is this still happening even if the station moves to Constellation and CP West (or near there)? Good news if it's true.
Caruso: is that a road (Burton or La Cienega) or a parking lot or both? I would guess that this sort of mid-rise development is going to proliferate on the west-side but not with surface parking lots. That's got to be banned.
Quixote
Mar 8, 2011, 5:59 PM
Nice looking infill.
Illithid Dude
Mar 8, 2011, 6:26 PM
As usual, I'm confused.
illithid: I don't understand your post. Westfield was planning a high-rise at SM and A of the Stars, with Bloomingdales moving to it, a subway station in it and retail of some sort along SM and A of the Stars. Is this still happening even if the station moves to Constellation and CP West (or near there)? Good news if it's true.
Caruso: is that a road (Burton or La Cienega) or a parking lot or both? I would guess that this sort of mid-rise development is going to proliferate on the west-side but not with surface parking lots. That's got to be banned.
I'm just saying that the retail won't be cancelled out if the subway stop moved in. It would be intagrated.
RST500
Mar 8, 2011, 8:11 PM
I am dissapointed with the Caruso project. I always envisioned a highrise for that spot. Maybe I am confusing it with another location but ins't it a parking structure. I always wanted to see several highrises around the Beverly Center.
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 9, 2011, 10:09 PM
I am dissapointed with the Caruso project. I always envisioned a highrise for that spot. Maybe I am confusing it with another location but ins't it a parking structure. I always wanted to see several highrises around the Beverly Center.
An 8-story mixed use development at that busy intersection is perfect. The fact that it'll also have a Trader Joes means that it'll be busy as well with many pedestrians from the neighboring areas that will be walking there.
Haven't you ever heard of the TJPP effect? Trader Joes Pedestrian Phenomenon :)
I wrote about it here:
http://brighamyen.com/2010/10/25/the-trader-joes-pedestrian-phenomenon/
colemonkee
Mar 9, 2011, 11:31 PM
I am dissapointed with the Caruso project. I always envisioned a highrise for that spot. Maybe I am confusing it with another location but ins't it a parking structure. I always wanted to see several highrises around the Beverly Center.
It's at 8500 Burton Way, which was the former home of Beverly Hills Mercedes Used Car lot, then briefly as an overflow lot for Beverly Hills BMW. It's a triangular lot that's mostly surface parking at the moment, and immediately adjacent to and north of the SLS Hotel. The side you're looking at in the render is the Burton/San Vicente street-frontage, with the thin corner of the building facing La Cienega. The render doesn't accurately represent the area. In this view, Morton's Steakhouse (which is attached to the SLS Hotel) would be right behind the building, and visible on the left side of the rendering.
colemonkee
Mar 10, 2011, 12:27 AM
And in other news, the densification of Hollywood gets one small step closer. From Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/no_on_hollywood_suburbia_1601_north_vine_deal_approved.php).
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2011.vineapproved.jpg
Image Source: Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/no_on_hollywood_suburbia_1601_north_vine_deal_approved.php)
No on Hollywood Surburbia? 1601 North Vine Deal Approved
The saga of the 1601 North Vine project, which involved a $1 million payout to Molly's Burger (her burger shack sits on the land), and questionable actions by the Community Redevelopment Agency (moves which gave ammunition to the CRA-bashers), appears to be over following the City Council's approval of the sale of the CRA-owned property in Hollywood. In anticipation of today's vote, the Wall Street Journal rehashes some of the drama surrounding the deal. And more about what's planned via the Wall Street Journal:
"Under the terms of the transaction, a majority of the space would be reserved for businesses tied to the entertainment industry, something that is needed, given the new housing in the area, according to the developer.
Read the rest of the article here (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/no_on_hollywood_suburbia_1601_north_vine_deal_approved.php).
Illithid Dude
Mar 10, 2011, 12:38 AM
Ever since I saw that render, I liked that building. There is something nice about having a good, clean stucco-less infill project. Also, I happen to like buildings that are glass with very little extraneous design, like this building. So, I suppose that makes it a win-win.
LAsam
Mar 10, 2011, 12:55 AM
Good stuff. Hopefully we can get some shovels in the ground before too long!
colemonkee
Mar 10, 2011, 1:28 AM
The project still needs entitlements and financing, so it's a long way off from shovels in the dirt. But the approval of the sale is a good first step.
Quixote
Mar 10, 2011, 1:41 AM
I've always liked the design of 1601 North Vine. It's very DC-ish.
DistrictDirt
Mar 10, 2011, 5:42 AM
I've always liked the design of 1601 North Vine. It's very DC-ish.
You beat me to it. :) It seriously would fit right in on K Street.
LosAngelesSportsFan
Mar 10, 2011, 7:31 AM
The project still needs entitlements and financing, so it's a long way off from shovels in the dirt. But the approval of the sale is a good first step.
they are hoping to break ground in the fall, which seems optimistic to me.
Any news on BLVD 6200? is it still awaiting a decision on that neighbor that wants to sue?
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 10, 2011, 8:28 AM
I love 1601 N Vine! I know it'll add TREMENDOUS value to the neighborhood in Hollywood as Vine has surprisingly become one of the most active north-south pedestrian corridors in LA! I remember before the W Hotel was built, and the Sunset+Vine mixed use building was just finished around early 2000, hardly anyone walked up and down Vine. It was pretty sad. Now, I was just there last week, during the day, and it was THRIVING. There were as many people walking up and down Vine as there were people on Hollywood Blvd itself. Having 1601 N Vine completed will only add MORE energy to Vine as it continues to densify.
If we can make Sunset Blvd into a more pedestrian-oriented street (more like Hollywood Blvd with contiguous retail and dining), Hollywood would be one of the most 3-dimensional/pedestrian grid districts in LA.
Of course we would also need Highland Ave to fill in between Hollywood Blvd and Sunset to make that vision happen...
Illithid Dude
Mar 10, 2011, 4:06 PM
they are hoping to break ground in the fall, which seems optimistic to me.
Any news on BLVD 6200? is it still awaiting a decision on that neighbor that wants to sue?
They are? Really? That's great. Do you have a source?
Steve2726
Mar 10, 2011, 6:14 PM
:previous:
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2010/11/hollywoods_6200_boulevard_project_may_be_breaking_ground_soon.php
pesto
Mar 12, 2011, 6:04 PM
Every property has a story:
BLVD 6200: Mrs. Allen
W: burger stand
Americana: Patel
1601 Vine: burger stand
Emerson: recording studio
The W and Americana paid their "ransom" and I guess the others will have to also.
jamesinclair
Mar 14, 2011, 5:48 AM
An 8-story mixed use development at that busy intersection is perfect. The fact that it'll also have a Trader Joes means that it'll be busy as well with many pedestrians from the neighboring areas that will be walking there.
Haven't you ever heard of the TJPP effect? Trader Joes Pedestrian Phenomenon :)
]
Um, no way any effect will happen, have you seen the "intersection".
The city needs to reorganize that fail NOW. It looks like a bad joke. When people say LA is obsessed with cars, it's because there are more lanes in this one intersection that entire highways in some countries.
It becomes much harder to realign streets when buildings come in with garage entrances and such.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/latraders.jpg
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=8500+Burton+Way,+Los+Angeles,+California+90048&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.214763,69.873047&ie=UTF8&geocode=FZ3iBwIderXx-A&split=0&hq=&hnear=8500+Burton+Way,+Los+Angeles,+California+90048&ll=34.071378,-118.37724&spn=0.00212,0.006309&t=k&z=18
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 14, 2011, 6:49 AM
It seems fine coming from the back side of 8500 Burton Way. It may be harder to cross La Cienega, but there are thousands of residents that live just west of 8500 Burton Way as you can see from even the Google Image you have there. Those are exactly the residents that would likely walk to Trader Joes.
colemonkee
Mar 15, 2011, 2:04 AM
More recent news on Blvd. 6200, from Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/whats_going_on_with_clarett_group.php). Not the best news, but it doesn't necessarily spell the end for this project.
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2010.11.clarettquestion.jpg
Image source: Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/whats_going_on_with_clarett_group.php)
Clarett Group Shutters NYC Headquarters, What's Happening in LA?
Raising questions about the future of Clarett Group's Blvd 6200 project, a fully entitled apartment development in Hollywood, last week the developer shut down its New York headquarters, according to the Real Deal. The closure follows the departure of its founder, staff layoffs, and an “inability to line up financing for new projects," according to the publication.
But details are vague on the company's West Coast plans: “Clarett's other two offices, in Washington and Los Angeles, where the company has projects in the works, will stay open but rename themselves, according to sources, though calls for comments to both of them were unsuccessful," reports the Real Deal.
Read the rest of the article - and the ubiquitous snarky comments - here (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/whats_going_on_with_clarett_group.php).
pesto
Mar 15, 2011, 4:57 PM
This whole area is "midtown" in the sense of density, commercial activity and no freeways. One of the few areas outside DT where there is a real grid of medium-rise buildings and destinations (Farmer's Mkt/the Grove, Melrose, Beverly Center, Cedars, LACMA, Park La Brea, La Cienega, the whole design district). The opening of the Red Building will not help.
San Vicente is the main issue, since it is a bit of an expressway slanting from Pico in mid-town to Santa Monica in WeHo. That particular intersection really cries out for work. I don't know if there is a short-term solution.
The longer term solution is to take at least San Vicente (preferably the whole intersection) underground and to build the Pink Line (Hollywood to BH). Like I said, long-term.
colemonkee
Mar 15, 2011, 10:47 PM
While the intersection of La Cienega, Burton, and San Vicente certainly has its challenges, it's not uncommon to see pedestrians use it, though fairly precariously at the moment. If a Trader Joe's opens up right there, I would expect that pedestrian traffic to increase, which might force changes in the signal timing that would benefit or at the very least protect pedestrians a bit more. While the sheer geography of the intersection probably won't change, it could be made more amenable to pedestrians without completely re-imagining it. Which could further increase pedestrian activity in that area, and hopefully spill south into Restaurant Row.
Illithid Dude
Mar 15, 2011, 11:21 PM
This whole area is "midtown" in the sense of density, commercial activity and no freeways. One of the few areas outside DT where there is a real grid of medium-rise buildings and destinations (Farmer's Mkt/the Grove, Melrose, Beverly Center, Cedars, LACMA, Park La Brea, La Cienega, the whole design district). The opening of the Red Building will not help.
San Vicente is the main issue, since it is a bit of an expressway slanting from Pico in mid-town to Santa Monica in WeHo. That particular intersection really cries out for work. I don't know if there is a short-term solution.
The longer term solution is to take at least San Vicente (preferably the whole intersection) underground and to build the Pink Line (Hollywood to BH). Like I said, long-term.
Do you mean that the Red Building WILL help? I don't see how it is a detriment.
Allnatural85
Mar 16, 2011, 6:24 AM
I was driving home yesterday ... Loving the etra daylight now... and I saw they are starting to put up the red clad on the new PDC building... someone shot take some shots =)
202_Cyclist
Mar 16, 2011, 10:51 AM
The Wall Street Journal has an article and slideshow today about the high office occupancy rates in Santa Monica.
Sand and Surf Help Spur Real-Estate Revival
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703566504576202653863244690.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsFifth
pesto
Mar 16, 2011, 4:37 PM
Do you mean that the Red Building WILL help? I don't see how it is a detriment.
No, I meant that Red will just attract more traffic through that intersection (it is on San Vicente, a few blocks up). Cedars also has new buildings on the way.
cole: I agree that "protecting" pedestrians is closer than "facilitating" them in this area. Significant numbers of TJ's shoppers will slow traffic even more and create more temptation to speed, jump lights or make unsafe turns.
LAofAnaheim
Mar 16, 2011, 6:32 PM
All the greatest cities in the world have high traffic. Why would you want less? I'd rather be like London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, etc.. all high traffic areas. Not Dallas, St. Louis, Indianapolis, etc.. that have low traffic. We are Los Angeles, the 2nd largest city in the United States.
Muji
Mar 17, 2011, 2:29 AM
I passed by 5th and Western today for the first time in a couple of weeks, and noticed that California Market has closed, leaving behind a nasty bombed out shell reminiscent of the LA riots aftermath. But on the bright side, signs posted around the lot indicate that construction is to begin on a new store called "The G" Gaju Marketplace, scheduled for a late 2012 opening.
http://visitkoreatown.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/california-market-new-building-the-g-gaju-marketplace.jpg
Source: Visit Koreatown (http://visitkoreatown.org/california-market-on-5th-street-western-avenue/)
While it's no enormous news, I'm very happy to see from the rendering that the new building will be built out to the sidewalk like it should be. This part of Western Avenue could really use many more developments like this.
Quixote
Mar 17, 2011, 2:47 AM
Wonderful.
Illithid Dude
Mar 17, 2011, 4:00 AM
I passed by 5th and Western today for the first time in a couple of weeks, and noticed that California Market has closed, leaving behind a nasty bombed out shell reminiscent of the LA riots aftermath. But on the bright side, signs posted around the lot indicate that construction is to begin on a new store called "The G" Gaju Marketplace, scheduled for a late 2012 opening.
http://visitkoreatown.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/california-market-new-building-the-g-gaju-marketplace.jpg
Source: Visit Koreatown (http://visitkoreatown.org/california-market-on-5th-street-western-avenue/)
While it's no enormous news, I'm very happy to see from the rendering that the new building will be built out to the sidewalk like it should be. This part of Western Avenue could really use many more developments like this.
Much better then an abandoned strip mall. Still, though, I have a feeling it will turn out to be a stucco mess.
JDRCRASH
Mar 17, 2011, 6:01 AM
Still, though, I have a feeling it will turn out to be a stucco mess.
I hope not. We have too much of that already. And that's only in the city of LA. Out here in the SGV, i'm starting to notice more and more projects are being stucco-fied, whether it's new buddhist temples, condos, or fast food restaurants. It really is out of control.
Chef Boyardee
Mar 23, 2011, 1:26 PM
An update on that planned Emerson College building in Hollywood. Doesn't sound like it's gonna happen any time soon.
http://www.berkeleybeacon.com/?p=467
colemonkee
Mar 23, 2011, 2:35 PM
So according to East West Studios, no one can build anything on that lot - ever - because it would disrupt their work. So the owner of that land has no right to construct anything there. Yeah, that'll stand up in court. Long enough for the suit to be thrown out.
pesto
Mar 23, 2011, 6:29 PM
Hopefully. This is obviously just theft as there is minimal usage of the studio and there has been recent construction of apartment buildings and office buildings in the neighborhood. And this is Sunset Blvd. between 101 and Vine, not exactly Shady Lane in Sleepytown so its hard to claim you are in a previously quiet area.
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 23, 2011, 7:22 PM
What a bunch of fucking bull shit. I am so sick and tired of "neighbors" blocking development like this. I can't wait until this college breaks ground.
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 23, 2011, 7:23 PM
8500 Burton Way broke ground!
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4264/img1900i.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/img1900i.jpg/)
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/2109/img1899p.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/i/img1899p.jpg/)
LosAngelesBeauty
Mar 23, 2011, 7:49 PM
Stopped by the newly remodeled Westfield Culver City and thought it looked really nice! I took some pics because I think that for what used to be a tired and dilapidated "Fox Hills Mall," Westfield was able to turn it around completely into one of the nicer looking malls in the region.
I wish Taubman, who owns Beverly Center, would take some cues from Westfield. Beverly Center is one of the better malls in the region with a really strong mix of stores (Prada, Super Dry, flagship H&M, Bloomingdales, Henri Bendel, etc.), but the mall itself looks like shit. Such a waste of potential!!!
Here are some pics of the Westfield Culver City:
Expansive! Reminds me of an airport terminal!
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2944/img1907oi.jpg (http://img192.imageshack.us/i/img1907oi.jpg/)
The Dining Terrace has really good food for a mall, like Kyochon, Viet Noodle Bar, etc.
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/4881/img1910b.jpg (http://img822.imageshack.us/i/img1910b.jpg/)
I read the Target/Best Buy do better than the department stores in the mall, we should have a Best Buy for DTLA's new 7+FIG
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5525/img1913s.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/img1913s.jpg/)
Seating area
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8606/img1916zi.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/img1916zi.jpg/)
Cool art piece with images of Culver City
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/4049/img1921e.jpg (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/img1921e.jpg/)
patriotizzy
Mar 24, 2011, 1:08 AM
Wow, that mall looks slick. Any pics of how it looked like before the renovation? Thanks :D
Easy
Mar 24, 2011, 1:11 AM
Fox Hills Mall needed the upgrade, but I don't recall it ever being "dilapidated".
colemonkee
Mar 24, 2011, 1:30 AM
Beverly Center just went through an exterior upgrade of the escalators (which look very much improved over the dated 80's design), just completely revamped the bar at the center level to the new Mozzarella bar concept (can't remember the name) and upgraded the space at the corner of Beverly and San Vicente to Capital Grille, a high-end steakhouse. I wouldn't expect a serious upgrade anytime in the near future.
sopas ej
Mar 24, 2011, 1:59 AM
Beverly Center just went through an exterior upgrade of the escalators (which look very much improved over the dated 80's design), just completely revamped the bar at the center level to the new Mozzarella bar concept (can't remember the name) and upgraded the space at the corner of Beverly and San Vicente to Capital Grille, a high-end steakhouse. I wouldn't expect a serious upgrade anytime in the near future.
I kinda miss the Pompidou Center-wannabe escalators. The way they zig-zagged and were lit in neon at night, they were the only visually interesting thing about the Beverly Center's exterior.
colemonkee
Mar 24, 2011, 6:15 AM
^ Yeah, they did have a certain kitsch value to them, but I quite like the new treatment. Though I'm sure what they have now will feel dated in 20 years. Such is the cycle of life. And mall architecture.
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