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Illithid Dude
Aug 27, 2012, 2:47 AM
nice update Illithid Dude! Ive been meaning to get to Hollywood these last few days to check these projects out.

Any news on the office building on Vine across from the Trader Joes?

Didn't notice anything, but then again, I wasn't really looking. So, perhaps something could have started. I wouldn't know.

blackcat23
Sep 2, 2012, 10:26 PM
More Expo adjacent development

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-apartments-sony-20120831,0,5714396.story

http://www.trbimg.com/img-50414412/turbine/la-fi-mo-apartments-sony-20120831-001/600

Mixed-use complex being built near Culver City light-rail station

by Roger Vincent

Construction has kicked off on a $63-million apartment and shopping complex near a light-rail station on the edge of downtown Culver City as developers move to capitalize on the new Expo Line.

The six-story project is being built by Santa Monica-based apartment landlord NMS Properties. The development at 9901 Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles, across the street from Culver City, will be known as NMS@Culver City. It will house 131 units over restaurants and shops.

The complex is across from the Kirk Douglas Theatre and Sony Pictures Plaza office building.

“We find the redevelopment program and streetscape emerging along Washington Boulevard in Culver City extremely attractive and believe our project will further enhance the streetscape renaissance occurring there,” said Jim Andersen, president of NMS Properties.

The apartments are scheduled to open in spring 2014. The site was formerly occupied by Culver Plaza, a movie theater and retail center with three levels of below-grade parking. The underground garage will be seismically upgraded and reused with the new complex, architect Wade Killefer said.

BrandonJXN
Sep 3, 2012, 6:06 PM
^ I used to live a block from downtown Culver City. This will make an already thriving downtown even moreso.

colemonkee
Sep 3, 2012, 10:24 PM
So this is replacing the movie theater complex that already has ground floor retail on two sides of the street? I like density here, but I wish it could have gone across Hughes in the surface parking lot. Design leaves a lot to be desired, though.

And the article is a bit misleading. This isn't that close to the Expo Line stop. It's a good half mile, if not more. That being said, I still think we should build density within 15-20 minute walks of all the transit stops. So I agree with this density where it is, but the developers really seem to be touting the proximity to the rail line when it's going to be a lot further away than many people expect.

blackcat23
Sep 3, 2012, 11:09 PM
It's about 3/4 of a mile from the Culver City Station, and about the same distance from the under construction National/Palms station.

Quixote
Sep 3, 2012, 11:50 PM
It's 0.7 miles from the Culver City Station and 0.6 miles from the National/Palms Station, to be exact.

Walking those distances in other cities is nothing. The only reason why it seems like such a chore here is because the urban design isn't conducive for walking. We need road diets, wider sidewalks, marked crosswalks (zebra-style), and contiguous density.

Easy
Sep 4, 2012, 1:19 AM
It's 0.7 miles from the Culver City Station and 0.6 miles from the National/Palms Station, to be exact.

Walking those distances in other cities is nothing. The only reason why it seems like such a chore here is because the urban design isn't conducive for walking. We need road diets, wider sidewalks, marked crosswalks (zebra-style), and contiguous density.

That's a pretty far walk in any city to do every day unless you're looking for exercise. I doubt that many people that commute in or to Manhattan walk 12-14 blocks each day on just one end of their commute.

Quixote
Sep 4, 2012, 1:50 AM
^ A 13-minute commute to your location rail station sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Easy
Sep 4, 2012, 2:05 AM
^ A 13-minute commute to your location rail station sounds pretty reasonable to me.

I'd walk it as well. Most people wouldn't. Especially if they have a walk at each end of their commute.

LAofAnaheim
Sep 4, 2012, 4:53 AM
People won't walk it because of the convenience of underground parking at the Culver City development and most likely free/cheap/convenient parking at their destination.

Illithid Dude
Sep 4, 2012, 5:08 AM
http://www.centurycitycenter.com

http://www.newcenturyplaza.com

I just found two websites for two extremely important projects- the new Century City office building and the two Century Plaza towers. Both of these websites are filled with new details and renderings, and are very much worth checking out. Also, according to the official website, the two Century Plaza towers would each be 548 feet tall.

BrandonJXN
Sep 4, 2012, 5:14 AM
http://www.centurycitycenter.com

http://www.newcenturyplaza.com

I just found two websites for two extremely important projects- the new Century City office building and the two Century Plaza towers. Both of these websites are filled with new details and renderings, and are very much worth checking out.

Really awesome finds.

Mojeda101
Sep 4, 2012, 5:29 AM
http://www.centurycitycenter.com

http://www.newcenturyplaza.com

I just found two websites for two extremely important projects- the new Century City office building and the two Century Plaza towers. Both of these websites are filled with new details and renderings, and are very much worth checking out. Also, according to the official website, the two Century Plaza towers would each be 548 feet tall.

Nice set of sites but as I was looking through the first I stumbled upon this.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mojeda101/eh-1.png

Ehh. I really like what they are doing to keep us green and healthy, but I'd take the two 47 floor towers with a 12 story loft building over a single 40 floor tower any day.

blackcat23
Sep 4, 2012, 5:58 AM
The Westfield Project is all residential. The two proposed Century Plaza towers and 10000 Santa Monica are also supposed to be mostly residential. Plenty of residential high rises in the pipeline; not sure if two more substantial projects are necessary. Is the residential market that strong in Century City?

I do think the huge plaza they're planning is a big waste of space, though. Even for an area which encourages a lot of open space. On the bright side, there's definitely enough room to add another building, should the demand ever arise,

Kingofthehill
Sep 4, 2012, 6:57 AM
^ A 13-minute commute to your location rail station sounds pretty reasonable to me.

It does to me, too. Unfortunately, though, in a city where automobile ownership and free on-site job parking is widespread as it is in LA, a 13min walk to the train won't be nearly the same amenity it is in other, more mature cities.

Btw, that office infill project looks fantastic! It looks like the stuff here in Europe, which, IMO, is a model we should be emulating.

colemonkee
Sep 4, 2012, 4:55 PM
I too think there are more residential proposals than demand at the moment, but if we get even one of those, I'll be happy. And with the extension of the Purple Line into CC, the office project makes a lot of sense.

On another note, I drove down Sunset yesterday and the Emerson College building is now all above ground. No pictures as I was driving (safety first, kids!!), but this one should be getting interesting very, very soon.

Valyrian Steel
Sep 4, 2012, 5:58 PM
Nice set of sites but as I was looking through the first I stumbled upon this.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mojeda101/eh-1.png

Ehh. I really like what they are doing to keep us green and healthy, but I'd take the two 47 floor towers with a 12 story loft building over a single 40 floor tower any day.

Did this remind anyone else of the Cal Plaza towers?

Illithid Dude
Sep 4, 2012, 7:58 PM
According to the representative of the new Century City office tower project, the tower is 570 feet tall and will break ground in 2014, with completion in 2017.

blackcat23
Sep 4, 2012, 11:54 PM
http://www.centurycitycenter.com

http://www.newcenturyplaza.com

I just found two websites for two extremely important projects- the new Century City office building and the two Century Plaza towers. Both of these websites are filled with new details and renderings, and are very much worth checking out. Also, according to the official website, the two Century Plaza towers would each be 548 feet tall.

As if on cue, Curbed posts this today:

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/09/century_plaza_double_towers_project_begins_fresh_approvals.php

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012.09_centuryplaza.jpg

Century Plaza Double Towers Project Begins Fresh Approvals

by Adrian Glick Kudler

The formerly-controversial redevelopment of the Century Plaza Hotel site is another one making a reappearance in the late summer rush--the City Planning commission has just approved plans for the overhaul, reports the LA Business Journal (sub. req.). Developer Next Century originally intended to demolish the 1966 Century Plaza, which was designed by World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki, and put up two condo/office towers. But preservationists rallied and Next Cen eventually settled on what seemed like a no-brainer: a reno of the hotel and the addition of two condo towers behind it (they ditched the office plans). The towers will each be 46 stories designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners; the top five floors of the hotel (a Hyatt) will be converted into 63 condos for a total of 353 units at the site. Next Century will also add "nearly 105,000 square feet of shops and restaurants," mostly in separate structures at the back of the site, as well as about two acres of green space. The hotel's back pool will be moved onto the roof (another pool is also planned for one of the towers)....

The Century Plaza is expected to get City Council approval this fall, but probably won't break ground until 2014. Work will take "at least five to six years."

202_Cyclist
Sep 5, 2012, 3:01 AM
My apologies if someone already posted this but when we were visiting Santa Monica this past Friday, I saw that construction for the Village at Santa Monica development is well under way.

http://www.relatedcalifornia.com/santamonicavillage/

BrandonJXN
Sep 5, 2012, 3:40 AM
There is a whole lot of lots that could see these type of developments. Nonetheless, this will be great for Santa Monica especially when Expo Phase 2 opens.

Illithid Dude
Sep 5, 2012, 4:05 AM
Looking at these renders, The Village is actually a huge project. Don't forget, it also includes a new $100 Million park by the guys who did the High Line. Render time!

http://www.relatedcalifornia.com/santamonicavillage/images/Image1.jpg

http://www.relatedcalifornia.com/santamonicavillage/images/Image3.jpg

http://www.relatedcalifornia.com/santamonicavillage/images/Image2.jpg

http://www.relatedcalifornia.com/santamonicavillage/images/Image4.jpg

http://www.smciviccenterparks.com/picture/site%20plan.jpg?pictureId=12034362&asGalleryImage=true

http://www.smciviccenterparks.com/picture/gathering%20hill.jpg?pictureId=12023774&asGalleryImage=true

http://www.smciviccenterparks.com/picture/discovery%20hill.jpg?pictureId=12034195&asGalleryImage=true

http://www.smciviccenterparks.com/picture/ocean%20avenue%20gateway%20%20grand%20hill.jpg?pictureId=12034413&asGalleryImage=true

And just to cap it all off, this project is within five minutes walking distance of the Expo Line terminus. It's things like this that make me think Santa Monica is the best run municipality in L.A. county.

Mojeda101
Sep 5, 2012, 4:24 AM
Last 4 images won't work for me.

Illithid Dude
Sep 5, 2012, 4:26 AM
Last 4 images won't work for me.

http://www.smciviccenterparks.com/design/palisades-garden-walk/

blackcat23
Sep 6, 2012, 1:11 AM
Some interior shots of the re designed Tom Bradley Terminal.

http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/LAXDev/Photos/ADG%20Update%209-5-12.pdf

Illithid Dude
Sep 6, 2012, 2:10 AM
Some interior shots of the re designed Tom Bradley Terminal.

http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/LAXDev/Photos/ADG%20Update%209-5-12.pdf

Eh. A little disappointing. While it is leaps and bounds better then what was there before, the architecture feels bland and uninspired. Whatever. Like I said, still better then the last terminal.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Sep 6, 2012, 2:49 AM
looks good, but definitely not great, at least on the interior. i really like the exterior though

DJM19
Sep 6, 2012, 8:29 PM
Interior is still not totally done.

LosAngelesDreamin
Sep 7, 2012, 5:51 AM
Some interior shots of the re designed Tom Bradley Terminal.

http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/LAXDev/Photos/ADG%20Update%209-5-12.pdf

i thought the whole ceiling was gonna be glass =/... its just concrete tho

edluva
Sep 7, 2012, 7:58 PM
Eh. A little disappointing. While it is leaps and bounds better then what was there before, the architecture feels bland and uninspired. Whatever. Like I said, still better then the last terminal.

I'm always right. I'd love to see LVDarch come and defend this bland eyesore with his bullsh1t sophistic architalk. Will you la forumers ever grow a critical eye for aesthetics?

It actually turned out more outdated than I expected. A huge waste of potential. LA is never going to be great. Just large.

DJM19
Sep 7, 2012, 11:50 PM
i thought the whole ceiling was gonna be glass =/... its just concrete tho


No, only the walls are glass.
LINK (http://youtu.be/Dm501SNsxss) < You can see what it will look like when completely decorated.

Illithid Dude
Sep 7, 2012, 11:58 PM
I'm always right. I'd love to see LVDarch come and defend this bland eyesore with his bullsh1t sophistic architalk. Will you la forumers ever grow a critical eye for aesthetics?

It actually turned out more outdated than I expected. A huge waste of potential. LA is never going to be great. Just large.

I do wonder how much impact FAA regulations had on the design of the new terminal. I feel like I read somewhere that the original design was more open, but the FAA came in and said the building had to be blast proof, or something. The downfall of being one of the most used airports in the world...

edluva
Sep 8, 2012, 8:23 AM
^you don't need to pull an excuse out of your arse to justify a shtty design (just because it's in your beloved city). However strict a particular set of regulations doesn't matter when you have good design. In other words I highly doubt FAA guidelines are so different for la that they would restrict imagination.

I called crap on this design before they even broke ground. Many of us here are aesthetically retarded, claiming we were "witholding judgement until completion" lol. Others here (LVDArch) went even further, drinking the Fentress kool-aid by offering up shallow-minded pontifications, claiminig that the roof design adopts Spanish roof tiling vernacular ubiquitous to Los Angeles cookie cutter houses (why of course, silly me!). And i bet some of us are still witholding judgement now. That's the best part.

No wonder Los Angeles keeps churning out trash for architecture. Angelenos are idiots when it comes to design (among other things).They just don't get it.

Illithid Dude
Sep 8, 2012, 8:49 AM
^you don't need to pull an excuse out of your arse to justify a shtty design (just because it's in your beloved city). However strict a particular set of regulations doesn't matter when you have good design. In other words I highly doubt FAA guidelines are so different for la that they would restrict imagination.

I called crap on this design before they even broke ground. Many of us here are aesthetically retarded, claiming we were "witholding judgement until completion" lol. Others here (LVDArch) went even further, drinking the Fentress kool-aid by offering up shallow-minded pontifications, claiminig that the roof design adopts Spanish roof tiling vernacular ubiquitous to Los Angeles cookie cutter houses (why of course, silly me!). And i bet some of us are still witholding judgement now. That's the best part.

No wonder Los Angeles keeps churning out trash for architecture. Angelenos are idiots when it comes to design (among other things).They just don't get it.

I'm not justifying the design, just wondering how various post 9/11 regulations played into it. Believe me, I'm not the biggest fan of it either.

Just curious, though, name one building built in the past ten years in Los Angeles that you like. I'm legitimately interested to see what you say.

edluva
Sep 8, 2012, 9:42 AM
It's a testament to the poor state of architecture in this city that I cannot name a single major project that I am impressed with. I don't find wdch to be provocative nor good design, nor the better of Gehry's works . Bcam was a failure. The cathedral was a disappointment, and Mayne's death star a gimmick. All of the above are monolithic urban design failures (but what would you expect?) Pei Cobb and freed's Ronald Reagan I'd consider decent. And I do like some of the more inventive yet conscientious work by Pugh-scarpa/brooks-scarpa, as well as ray kappe (who is old enough to have actually practiced modernism) but those tend to be smaller residential projects that fly under the radar.

If you want to get into rehabs then Getty villa is gorgeous (thanks to a Boston firm) but not sure that counts. it's not really a new building is it?

For me architecture can achieve a lot more than cheap thrills and consumerist disposabiliity. LA residential architecture was on the right track in the mid century; elegant, proportionate, rational, hopeful, contemplative, conscientious, honest, and it all somehow took a wrong turn with the rest of the city (esp Hollywood) for the crude and shallow kitsch which predominates today, and apparently Angelenos got stupider too, since they can't tell the difference. There is a stereotype for a reason.

LosAngelesDreamin
Sep 8, 2012, 2:52 PM
no, only the walls are glass.
link (http://youtu.be/dm501snsxss) < you can see what it will look like when completely decorated.

beautiful!!! :d

LAofAnaheim
Sep 8, 2012, 3:34 PM
It's a testament to the poor state of architecture in this city that I cannot name a single major project that I am impressed with. I don't find wdch to be provocative nor good design, nor the better of Gehry's works . Bcam was a failure. The cathedral was a disappointment, and Mayne's death star a gimmick. All of the above are monolithic urban design failures (but what would you expect?) Pei Cobb and freed's Ronald Reagan I'd consider decent. And I do like some of the more inventive yet conscientious work by Pugh-scarpa/brooks-scarpa, as well as ray kappe (who is old enough to have actually practiced modernism) but those tend to be smaller residential projects that fly under the radar.

If you want to get into rehabs then Getty villa is gorgeous (thanks to a Boston firm) but not sure that counts. it's not really a new building is it?

For me architecture can achieve a lot more than cheap thrills and consumerist disposabiliity. LA residential architecture was on the right track in the mid century; elegant, proportionate, rational, hopeful, contemplative, conscientious, honest, and it all somehow took a wrong turn with the rest of the city (esp Hollywood) for the crude and shallow kitsch which predominates today, and apparently Angelenos got stupider too, since they can't tell the difference. There is a stereotype for a reason.

Walt Disney Concert Hall?
Grand Park with that magnificent fountain?
Union Station?
Office building which houses Dublins on 7th between Fig and Flower?
Millenium Biltmore?

blackcat23
Sep 8, 2012, 4:03 PM
Walt Disney Concert Hall?
Grand Park with that magnificent fountain?
Union Station?
Office building which houses Dublins on 7th between Fig and Flower?
Millenium Biltmore?

Why bait the troll?

I can tell you what the response will be. A long winded rant which with no actual substance beyond saying that "Los Angeles is ugly and the people on this forum are stupid for liking it."

Back to the topic at hand, here is a picture i took of progress on the Vermont/Wilshire towers yesterday:

http://i.imgur.com/qEEHJ.jpg?1

202_Cyclist
Sep 8, 2012, 4:23 PM
It's a testament to the poor state of architecture in this city that I cannot name a single major project that I am impressed with. I don't find wdch to be provocative nor good design, nor the better of Gehry's works . Bcam was a failure. The cathedral was a disappointment, and Mayne's death star a gimmick. All of the above are monolithic urban design failures (but what would you expect?) Pei Cobb and freed's Ronald Reagan I'd consider decent. And I do like some of the more inventive yet conscientious work by Pugh-scarpa/brooks-scarpa, as well as ray kappe (who is old enough to have actually practiced modernism) but those tend to be smaller residential projects that fly under the radar.

If you want to get into rehabs then Getty villa is gorgeous (thanks to a Boston firm) but not sure that counts. it's not really a new building is it?

For me architecture can achieve a lot more than cheap thrills and consumerist disposabiliity. LA residential architecture was on the right track in the mid century; elegant, proportionate, rational, hopeful, contemplative, conscientious, honest, and it all somehow took a wrong turn with the rest of the city (esp Hollywood) for the crude and shallow kitsch which predominates today, and apparently Angelenos got stupider too, since they can't tell the difference. There is a stereotype for a reason.

I was impressed with the Santa Monica library when we visited last week. That is a great public building and some beautiful architecture. I will post a photo when I get some time.

pesto
Sep 8, 2012, 4:26 PM
No, only the walls are glass.
LINK (http://youtu.be/Dm501SNsxss) < You can see what it will look like when completely decorated.

Very impressive! Kind of amazing to have eyecatching architecture and decor (inside and out) extended over such a massive size and distance.

pesto
Sep 8, 2012, 4:40 PM
Why bait the troll?

I can tell you what the response will be. A long winded rant which with no actual substance beyond saying that "Los Angeles is ugly and the people on this forum are stupid for liking it."

Back to the topic at hand, here is a picture i took of progress on the Vermont/Wilshire towers yesterday:

http://i.imgur.com/qEEHJ.jpg?1

Thanks for the pictures; hopefully a lot more of this in Ktown and adjacent. As Koreans with money move in, I would hope to get some pressure for better schools, supplemental education, small tech businesses, safe streets, road repair, etc. The same pressures that hit much of the Bay Area the last 20 years.

Also, thanks for the comments re trolls. From seeing their posts for several years, they are not even competent to judge, just pulling a variety of references (often self-contradictory) out of a hat, and adding imagined facts that are usually just wrong. This is common on the sports thread, but you hope for better on threads with an informative and educational purpose.

edluva
Sep 8, 2012, 7:05 PM
I was impressed with the Santa Monica library when we visited last week. That is a great public building and some beautiful architecture. I will post a photo when I get some time.

Sm public library is decent too. Unfortunately for every decent building that goes up five stucco asshats go along with it. And we have promising stuff like west Hollywood public library turn to shite because of parking ratios. Im not lamenting our inventory of great architecture, but rather the fact that we continue polluting our landscape with expensive crap (and yes, to blackcat's point, crap which couldn't see light of day anywhere else but here)

Blackcat, pesto - i didnt mean to insult you with my rant. I don't recall your offering up any opinions specifically to architecture here and I'd love to know how you feel about the major projects to have gone up over the last decade then. How do you feel about lax, the park, or wdch? I'm genuinely curious how either of you would summarize architecture in Los Angeles and how it's compares on quality relative to other cities of la's stature?

Laofanaheim- I've already commented on civic enter park in the downtown thread. Biltmore and US were rehabs with US being finished decades ago.

BrandonJXN
Sep 9, 2012, 2:45 AM
^ I think that question could be answered by anyone but before I do let me just say this: I agree with a lot of what you say but the way you say it sort of negates your initial point. You don't speak for me at all when you say that Angelinos are stupid and don't know anything about architecture (or some such). Los Angeles is many different things to many different people. I happen to like some of the shitty buildings (re: strip malls) around this city because I know that they are so interwoven into the urban fabric of LA that if you were to knock them all down, there would be a huge outcry.

LA's architecture, for better or for worse, could only work in Los Angeles. If you were to put a building such as the US Bank Tower in NYC, it would be an abomination. LA isn't trying to be Paris or Berlin. It's just trying to be Los Angeles. LA is still a very young city but over the past few years, you can feel it maturing a bit. Things are starting to come together all over the city so instead of shitting on the people in this city for not knowing what good architecture is, why not relax and take in the fact that LA is undergoing a pretty widespread maturation process that will only make this city better in the long run?

blackcat23
Sep 9, 2012, 4:14 AM
^This pretty much sums it up for me.

I've only been posting here for a few months, but have been lurking the LA forum for a lot longer. Edluva, I also agree with a lot of what you have to say. But your valid points aren't as well received when you spend so much time being extremely critical, sometimes to the point of hyperbole.

For example:

For me architecture can achieve a lot more than cheap thrills and consumerist disposabiliity. LA residential architecture was on the right track in the mid century; elegant, proportionate, rational, hopeful, contemplative, conscientious, honest, and it all somehow took a wrong turn with the rest of the city (esp Hollywood) for the crude and shallow kitsch which predominates today

Good point, but you weaken it by tacking this on at the end:

and apparently Angelenos got stupider too, since they can't tell the difference. There is a stereotype for a reason.

The disparaging comment adds nothing of substance to the discussion and it distracts from everything else you're saying.

Illithid Dude
Sep 9, 2012, 6:28 AM
For some odd reason, I've always found all the ugly architecture in L.A. extremely endearing. In a way, it's the McMansions and the dingbats and the eccentricity that gives L.A. it's flavor. And I do love that, for better or for worse, L.A. does architecture its own way. Even modern architecture in L.A. is different then the rest of the world. What would be brick and wood and grey and austere in New York is a vibrant orange here, or a lime green, or a shock yellow. Sure, some might think such playfulness in architecture is gaudy, but so is L.A. And anyways, all the ugly buildings in L.A. make the beautiful ones that much more beautiful.

And Edluva, once again, just curious, what would your favorite non-major building be of the past decade? Personally, I feel that, inherently, all major, 'iconic' projects are a bit soulless and overwrought (with some exceptions, of course). For me, the best architecture in L.A. is not the museum, or the library, but instead the apartment building tucked away on a side street, or the angular, hyper-modern creative office building in a gritty industrial area. What about you?

Kingofthehill
Sep 9, 2012, 8:14 AM
I love our Dingbats! And others will, too, en-mass, in about 10-15 years. The historic preservation cycle seems to have went: Victorian - Beaux Arts/Art-Déco - Mid-Century Modern. Dingbats (and then Brutalism) would appear to be next in line. I think Spanish and Craftsman homes never really fell out of favor, at least not for the city's elite in places like the Hollywood Hills, Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, Hancock Park, the hils above Los Feliz, etc.

As a native Angeleno living in Berlin (and having lived in Buenos Aires, and Washington, DC). there is something to be said about the quirky, eccentric nature of LA's architecture. LA is much more haphazard and unpredictable, architecture and layout-wise, versus traditional, mature cities, such as Paris, or Prague. This often results in experimentation and a much greater acceptance of things seen as offbeat or otherwise alternative. All things considered, alot of the "traditional" cities can be quite conservative and austere when it comes to imagination or the embracing progressive thinking and trends. Paris' endless monotony of white and tan Haussmannian buildings with juliet balconies and mansard roofs bored the hell out of me. When the hood in Ménilmontant looks the same as the shit around the Louvre/etc, or the ultra-glam 16th and 17th , something isn't right.

I think that is the very thing that makes LA unique and one-of-a-kind. While people in Boston, NYC, SF, Montréal, etc., romanticize and pretend they live in a European city, LA, for better or worse, does its own thing, marching to its own beat, with really no peer cities or envy anywhere to be found. And I respect it for that.

pesto
Sep 9, 2012, 3:45 PM
I love our Dingbats! And others will, too, en-mass, in about 10-15 years. The historic preservation cycle seems to have went: Victorian - Beaux Arts/Art-Déco - Mid-Century Modern. Dingbats (and then Brutalism) would appear to be next in line. I think Spanish and Craftsman homes never really fell out of favor, at least not for the city's elite in places like the Hollywood Hills, Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, Hancock Park, the hils above Los Feliz, etc.

As a native Angeleno living in Berlin (and having lived in Buenos Aires, and Washington, DC). there is something to be said about the quirky, eccentric nature of LA's architecture. LA is much more haphazard and unpredictable, architecture and layout-wise, versus traditional, mature cities, such as Paris, or Prague. This often results in experimentation and a much greater acceptance of things seen as offbeat or otherwise alternative. All things considered, alot of the "traditional" cities can be quite conservative and austere when it comes to imagination or the embracing progressive thinking and trends. Paris' endless monotony of white and tan Haussmannian buildings with juliet balconies and mansard roofs bored the hell out of me. When the hood in Ménilmontant looks the same as the shit around the Louvre/etc, or the ultra-glam 16th and 17th , something isn't right.

I think that is the very thing that makes LA unique and one-of-a-kind. While people in Boston, NYC, SF, Montréal, etc., romanticize and pretend they live in a European city, LA, for better or worse, does its own thing, marching to its own beat, with really no peer cities or envy anywhere to be found. And I respect it for that.

Exactly. It managed to separate itself from the single-faced European tradition of intellectual-dictated taste, proper rules handed down by a trained elite. Instead, it said, let's create a space for people to work out new ideas. That's what makes LA the envy, wonder and model for the new world. If you don't like it, chances are you're just stuck in the past; maybe you'll get it in 20 years, but probably not. And if you don't, who cares? Just stay out of the way.

You use asshats, dingbats, etc. as insults. That's pretty much the way the repressed elites in the academies and the stodgy middle class have always greeted the challenging and innovative. They don't have a terminology or theory to categorize them, so find them troubilng.

blackcat23
Sep 9, 2012, 7:51 PM
Skybridge on the Cedars Sinai expansion almost done; almost all of the exterior work on the building looks done.

http://i.imgur.com/RVe2x.jpg?1

colemonkee
Sep 11, 2012, 3:27 PM
Drove by the 7 story project at Wilshire and Barrington (no pictures as I was driving) and it's more or less framed out, maybe one more story to go. Despite being much shorter than it's next door neighbor, and significantly shorter than what was originally proposed, it makes quite the impact when driving north on Barrington.

RST500
Sep 12, 2012, 11:51 PM
So its looks like there are major plans to expand Westwood Village westwards toward Vetran along Kinross where the nig parking lots are. Isn't that where the subway stop in planed?

LAofAnaheim
Sep 13, 2012, 1:30 AM
So its looks like there are major plans to expand Westwood Village westwards toward Vetran along Kinross where the nig parking lots are. Isn't that where the subway stop in planed?

The Purple Line will have a stop at Wilshire/Westwood with 2 station entrances on the north and south side of Wilshire.

Kingofthehill
Sep 17, 2012, 7:51 AM
Drove by the 7 story project at Wilshire and Barrington (no pictures as I was driving) and it's more or less framed out, maybe one more story to go. Despite being much shorter than it's next door neighbor, and significantly shorter than what was originally proposed, it makes quite the impact when driving north on Barrington.
I saw that building not long before I left. Truly an underwhelming building. Wood-frame specials (even if they have a steel base) have no business being on our flagship boulevard of sorts.

Actually, the neighborhoods to the north and south of that site are getting pretty dense. In the area bounded by Sawtelle, Olympic, Wilshire, and Bundy, there must have easily been x25-30 4-6 story apartment buildings built during the boom.

202_Cyclist
Sep 17, 2012, 6:14 PM
The LA Times has an extensive article with several good photos about Crenshaw Boulevard, including a discussion of the light rail line under construction and the debate about a station for Leimert Park.

Crenshaw Boulevard comes to a crossroads
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/boulevards/la-ca-crenshaw-boulevard-los-angeles-index,0,5415187.htmlstory

colemonkee
Sep 17, 2012, 7:59 PM
Last Thursday I made the painful drive during rush hour from El Segundo to the Magic Castle for a night out with the special lady friend, taking La Brea from Stocker all the way up. There is a shit-ton of construction at various stages of completion. No pictures as I was behind the wheel, but here's what I recall (and this is by no means a complete list):

Wilshire & La Brea - most of the site is above ground now with many first floor rebar columns well above grade.

La Brea and 4th - Both the northwest and southwest corners are fenced off and have rather deep pits being dug. Not sure what these are. Also, the former Chrysler dealership storage lot on the southeast corner of the same intersection is undergoing demolition, supposedly for some sort of construction.

La Brea and Fountain - The apartment complex going up on the former Jon's lot is above grade.

La Brea just south of Sunset (can't remember the street) - another fenced off lot with a large pit being dug. Looks to be another residential project, possibly mixed use with retail on the ground floor?

I'm sure I'm missing more, but there was a lot more construction going on than I expected to see.

Steve2726
Sep 17, 2012, 11:17 PM
^^^
http://la.streetsblog.org/2012/06/19/five-mega-projects-that-will-transform-la-brea/

WonderlandPark
Sep 18, 2012, 9:02 PM
Wishire Barrington

7 stories of stick construction, never seen that before (on top of concrete podium) LA builders is sure adverse to building in concrete, man that is just an absurd amount of wood.

http://i47.tinypic.com/24nn05l.jpg

Illithid Dude
Sep 18, 2012, 11:19 PM
Wishire Barrington

7 stories of stick construction, never seen that before (on top of concrete podium) LA builders is sure adverse to building in concrete, man that is just an absurd amount of wood.

http://i47.tinypic.com/24nn05l.jpg

And in person, it's enormous. I pass by it a lot, and can't help but to be awed by its sheer mass. I rather like it, against my better judgement.

blackcat23
Sep 20, 2012, 12:34 AM
Wilshire/Vermont progress

http://i.imgur.com/xVfIl.jpg?1

Mojeda101
Sep 20, 2012, 2:36 AM
Wow!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Wonder if Vermont or Courtyard Marriott will top out first =O

BrandonJXN
Sep 20, 2012, 4:24 AM
Does it really matter?

pesto
Sep 20, 2012, 4:09 PM
Wow!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Wonder if Vermont or Courtyard Marriott will top out first =O

Doesn't matter, but I'll go with Vermont.

mdiederi
Sep 21, 2012, 7:32 PM
Space shuttle Endeavour is passing over town right now on it's way to LAX.

Muji
Sep 21, 2012, 9:57 PM
This one took me completely by surprise...Curbed reports that a 7-story luxury apartment building called K2LA has broken ground this week at 688 S. Berendo St. This makes for 3 new residential developments under construction within 2 blocks of Wilshire/Vermont (K2LA, The Vermont, Southwestern dorms).

Rendering from Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/09/meet_k2_la_300_luxury_apartments_break_ground_in_ktown.php)
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012.09_k2la.jpg

Illithid Dude
Sep 21, 2012, 11:42 PM
I like it. 300 units at seven stories is a good density, plus, if the orange is vibrant enough, the building might look really nice. Pleasant surprise.

BrandonJXN
Sep 22, 2012, 1:16 AM
Surely I'm not alone when I say that there is a lot of construction going on and more to come in Los Angeles. We saw the first wave from 2002-2008. But I think this wave of projects planned will have a much more important effect in this city. It's a really exciting time to be living in Los Angeles.

:tup:

JDRCRASH
Sep 22, 2012, 4:48 AM
Next year is gonna be INSANE.

pesto
Sep 22, 2012, 4:38 PM
Super news. In Ktown the demand is there, the existing housing is often dated, the surface parking lots are largely unnecessary. This should be happening more and more, even off into Westlake. Moderate density, with retail on the main streets, near a subway.

a9l8e7n
Sep 24, 2012, 8:31 PM
The Sunset Bridge opened today! Hopefully it will relieve traffic right away..http://thesource.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Sunset-Bridge.jpg

LAsam
Sep 24, 2012, 9:14 PM
Probably more pertinent to the Transportation thread for LA... though it definitely is "non-downtown". It's good to see the 405 project reaching completion milestones... hopefully once the project is complete traffic will flow better on the 405 through the Westside.

colemonkee
Sep 26, 2012, 9:23 PM
Per the bi-weekly Case Information report filed 9/25/12 at the City Planning Department's web site (Source: http://cityplanning.lacity.org/):

There's a Zone Variance and Environmental Assessment request for a development with 280 apartment units and 82 condo units in Westchester/Playa Del Rey. No address is listed, but that's a decent sized development. Contact is listed as Tom Stemnock Planning Associates.

In the Wilshire District, there's another Zone Variance and Environmental request for a development of 177 residential units totaling approximately 119,665 sq ft. at 608 New Hampshire Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005. This would be 6th and New Hampshire in Koreatown, a block away from the Wilshire/Vermont Metro stop. Contact is listed as Armbruster, Goldsmith & Delvac, LLC.

Anyone have any inside knowledge on these projects?

BrandonJXN
Sep 26, 2012, 9:33 PM
^ Could that be this?

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/04/work_on_playa_vistas_fakeold_downtown_starts_in_june.php#more

LosAngelesSportsFan
Sep 28, 2012, 12:09 AM
heres a great roundup regarding development in Hollywood. its a nice recap of 65 projects that are either U/C or proposed....

http://whollywoodresidence.com/Mailers/2012/09_26_econ_update/Hollywood_Economic_Development_Update_2012.pdf

Illithid Dude
Sep 28, 2012, 12:36 AM
heres a great roundup regarding development in Hollywood. its a nice recap of 65 projects that are either U/C or proposed....

http://whollywoodresidence.com/Mailers/2012/09_26_econ_update/Hollywood_Economic_Development_Update_2012.pdf

Incredibly expansive. Hollywood is astounding.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Sep 28, 2012, 1:04 AM
Incredibly expansive. Hollywood is astounding.

Hollywood, Downtown and Koreatown are gonna be on fire in 2013. i cant wait to see the dozens of cranes transforming our city for the better.

im always a very optimistic guy, but with these changes and the transit changes (bike and rail) i cant help but be very bullish

blackcat23
Sep 30, 2012, 1:37 AM
Vermont/Wilshire progress

http://i.imgur.com/HwMwd.jpg?1

a9l8e7n
Oct 1, 2012, 12:47 AM
Awesome post blackcat23. Is that backside on the right corner of the photo more of the construction site....or is that just an area they are using for equipement?

colemonkee
Oct 1, 2012, 5:31 PM
I drove by 8500 Burton this weekend, and it is coming along very nicely; loking more and more like a completed building. The materials are all very top-notch, with white travertine or marble or granite at the base, which looks amazing. It's really refreshing to have a building go up without the use of stucco. As it finishes up, I'll make a trip out there and try to grab some photos with my camera.

LosAngelesBeauty
Oct 1, 2012, 9:14 PM
I drove by 8500 Burton this weekend, and it is coming along very nicely; loking more and more like a completed building. The materials are all very top-notch, with white travertine or marble or granite at the base, which looks amazing. It's really refreshing to have a building go up without the use of stucco. As it finishes up, I'll make a trip out there and try to grab some photos with my camera.

I wish Rick Caruso would build an 8500 Burton somewhere downtown. In fact, I wish he would purchase the land from Geoff Palmer across from the Ace Hotel and build something as high quality as 8500 Burton.

Kingofthehill
Oct 2, 2012, 10:46 AM
The Wilshire-Vermont is rising quick. Nice!

112597jorge
Oct 4, 2012, 1:59 AM
one broadway plaza, a 37 story tower planned for Santa Ana will be breaking groung on March 13 according to Mike Harrah, developer of this tower, when he responded to my email.

blackcat23
Oct 4, 2012, 7:07 PM
Huge Columbia Square Mixed-Use Plans Return a Little Smaller

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012.10_columbiasquare-thumb.jpg

by Adrian Glick Kudler

Throw another one on that big pile of good news for Hollywood development--the front's been quiet for a while on the huge Columbia Square mixed-use development, but now it's sold and the new owners say they're going ahead with a slightly smaller version of the plans. The project approved in 2010 included a (very controversial) 28-story condo tower, a seven-story hotel, and a 17-story office tower on the site of the old CBS Studios complex at Sunset and Gower. Kilroy Realty Corp. has now picked up the campus and those approvals for $65 million, according to a press release, and intends to build: "At full build-out, the 4.7 acre Columbia Square site in Hollywood will include a mixed-use development of up to 650,000 square feet, reduced from a recently entitled 875,000 square-foot project." According to The Hollywood Reporter, that'll include "three office buildings and a residential tower."

blackcat23
Oct 5, 2012, 11:42 PM
Vermont/Wilshire progress as of today. Up to the third floor, now.

http://i.imgur.com/WP11p.jpg?1

Also took a picture of work on the Southwestern Law School student housing down the block.

http://i.imgur.com/TsOM9.jpg?1

LosAngelesSportsFan
Oct 6, 2012, 1:39 AM
if anyone has a chance to get pics of the progress at Blvd 6200, that would be great. Also, did the office project on Vine across from Trader joes start construction yet?

BrandonJXN
Oct 6, 2012, 7:03 PM
if anyone has a chance to get pics of the progress at Blvd 6200, that would be great. Also, did the office project on Vine across from Trader joes start construction yet?

Ask and you shall receive.

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012-10-construct-blvd6200.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012-10-construct-blvd6200.jpg

LosAngelesSportsFan
Oct 6, 2012, 11:45 PM
thanks!

bobbyv
Oct 7, 2012, 4:05 AM
Hey guys can anyone update me on the Culver City "stairs" project?

a9l8e7n
Oct 10, 2012, 7:32 PM
Also any news on the Old Spaghetti factory building?

blackcat23
Oct 12, 2012, 10:34 PM
More Vermont/Wilshire progress, as of two hours ago.

http://i.imgur.com/ponNa.jpg?1

The 28 story tower is going up faster than it's 22 story brother.

JDRCRASH
Oct 13, 2012, 2:21 AM
Dang, that thing is flying. :stunned:

BrandonJXN
Oct 13, 2012, 2:39 AM
BLVD6200
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012.10_blvd6200.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012.10_blvd6200.jpg

mdiederi
Oct 13, 2012, 4:34 AM
http://o4.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/600x450/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/77959ccb642d40ae24f367468437ae08
John Schreiber

http://o2.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/600x450/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/ab9bf07fbce7e28b265671a42890cc8f
John Schreiber

http://culvercity.patch.com/articles/live-follow-shuttle-endeavour-s-journey-through-los-angeles#photo-11703977

Illithid Dude
Oct 14, 2012, 10:28 PM
SSP favorite Daly Genik just finished up a project in Santa Monica, on Broadway and 26th, just a few minutes drive from where I live. I think it's a fantastic project, and went over there to take some pictures. Here are said pictures. This building, by the way, literally finished a week ago. This is hot off the press.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8088031073_d34c8e2980_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8088030606_11fd94664f_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8088029764_fc0fda8ac5_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8088029660_2192f1489f_b.jpg

LosAngelesSportsFan
Oct 15, 2012, 3:06 AM
love it! thats great infill for santa monica

Kingofthehill
Oct 15, 2012, 8:45 AM
Yeah, that kind of infill is sweet. I would want it to have a few more stories if it were in LA proper, though.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Oct 16, 2012, 12:02 AM
Agreed. 7 stories of that would be awesome

Illithid Dude
Oct 16, 2012, 1:12 AM
I do agree that it would be great if the building was taller, but this is, don't forget, Santa Monica, a notoriously height-wary city (though that is changing). Also, this isn't downtown Santa Monica, where every new building is five+ stories, but more fringe Santa Monica, only a few blocks from Los Angeles proper. So yes, while I would want something taller, I am happy with what we got, and besides, as a piece of architecture, the building is great.

blackcat23
Oct 16, 2012, 3:07 AM
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/10/west_la_car_dealership_plans_transitoriented_mixeduser.php#more

West LA Car Dealership Plans Transit-Oriented Mixed-User

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2012_10_martinexpo.jpg

by Neal Broverman

The Martin family has operated a GM dealership at Olympic and Bundy for the past 40 years and now they want to build a "new community gathering spot" for the Expo Line light rail, which will open a station across the street from them in a few years. Called Martin Expo Town Center, the mixed-use development--residential, retail, and office--would still include the car dealership, serving as the Westside sales center for GM's CODA electric cars.

202_Cyclist
Oct 16, 2012, 3:23 AM
Makes sense. The redevelopment of auto dealerships is exactly what you're seeing in Tysons Corner here in the DC suburbs with the construction of the Silver line to Dulles airport. Car dealerships have a large amount of land and a lot of them located next to the stations are cashing in to build mixed-use developments.


Tysons auto dealers prepare to cash in, relocate
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/16/AR2010071605537.html

Illithid Dude
Oct 16, 2012, 3:45 AM
Nice! That's almost directly across the street from my school, and actually exists on the fringes of a semi-walkable to very walkable area. Nice to see it being built out to its full potential. Here's hoping for some high-quality architecture.

LosAngelesDreamin
Oct 16, 2012, 5:30 AM
SSP favorite Daly Genik just finished up a project in Santa Monica, on Broadway and 26th, just a few minutes drive from where I live. I think it's a fantastic project, and went over there to take some pictures. Here are said pictures. This building, by the way, literally finished a week ago. This is hot off the press.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8088031073_d34c8e2980_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8088030606_11fd94664f_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8088029764_fc0fda8ac5_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8088029660_2192f1489f_b.jpg

It looks so uninviting from the streets tho... they should open it up