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blackcat23
Aug 23, 2013, 4:28 PM
Speaking of Century City, some pretty good news:

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/08/westfield-century-city-expansion.html

The Westfield Group, scourge of California taxpayer advocates, continues to make slow but steady progress on enhancements for it's flagship Century City location. When we checked on Century City back in July, they were hard at work on the mall's new parking structure. Now Westfield is moving on to the more exciting phase of the project. Earlier this month, they applied for a permit to demolish 1801 Avenue of the Stars.

1801 S AVENUE OF THE STARS 90067
APPLICATION / PERMIT NUMBER: 13019-10000-02077
PLAN CHECK / JOB NUMBER: B13LA09712

DEMOLITION OF BUILDING AND BELOW GRADE PARKING (298718S.F) FOR A NEW BUILDING


1801 S AVENUE OF THE STARS 90067
APPLICATION / PERMIT NUMBER: 13010-10000-02346
PLAN CHECK / JOB NUMBER: B13LA09711

NEW 3-STORY RETAIL + 2 LEVLES(sic) OF PARKING ABOVE AND NEW BELOW GRADE PARKING

Bloomingdales is supposed to move into the retail space.

No mention of the 39 story tower that's supposed to go above, but that probably requires it's own (separate) set of permits. I presume they'll apply for those later.

Chef Boyardee
Aug 23, 2013, 4:41 PM
1000 Santa Monica Blvd is under construction, as is the mix use in Hollywood where the old CBS building is, and Burton Way is complete.

Thanks. Is the first page not updated anymore?

WonderlandPark
Aug 27, 2013, 5:12 AM
10000 Santa Monica is NOT u/c yet. No activity today, just some dirt and a single dozer sitting there. No sign of life....yet. no digging, piling, no workers that I could see.

NYC2ATX
Aug 27, 2013, 9:33 AM
Bloomingdales is supposed to move into the retail space.


I've been trying to answer this myself, but Google is being surprisingly useless tonight. I must know, what will move into the former Bloomingdale's space?

Illithid Dude
Aug 27, 2013, 9:36 AM
I've been trying to answer this myself, but Google is being surprisingly useless tonight. I must know, what will move into the former Bloomingdale's space?

I believe they said more stores and possibly offices.

circuitfiend
Aug 27, 2013, 7:58 PM
10000 Santa Monica is NOT u/c yet. No activity today, just some dirt and a single dozer sitting there. No sign of life....yet. no digging, piling, no workers that I could see.

There has been activity EVERY SINGLE DAY on 10000 Sta Mon. It all appears to be preliminary work for the main event. Several rebar posts have been sunk at various points on the property, in anticipation of cranes (we presume, that's what an architect friend surmised). That's taken several weeks, I'm assuming we're waiting for the concrete to cure. Then there are the electrical boxes that have been installed in and above ground in one corner. That's taken since mid July and they're still working on those every day.

In fact, there is a guy working on the recently installed electrical transformer boxes at the corner of Moreno and Little Sta Mon even I as type this.

I haven't posted pics since these are not exciting developments. As soon as the serious excavation begins, I'll post. It should be very soon, within weeks, I'd venture.

WonderlandPark
Aug 28, 2013, 4:17 AM
I was there at 3pm ish, there were not workers present, maybe they work early constrution hours? Grass was growing on the dirt pile, a sign of no activity for a good while. No digging down like prepping for foundation work. Not that I doubt at least some work is going on, just seems kinda minimal if this tower is imminent.

blackcat23
Aug 28, 2013, 4:55 AM
There is definitely work being done at 10000 Samo Blvd, albeit not very much at this point. DBS still hasn't given Crescent Heights the final go-ahead to start construction, so we're not going to see much dirt move until that happens.

However, they did receive permits to install the power system for the construction cranes back in June. Based on Circuitfiend's observations, it sounds like they're still working on that.

circuitfiend
Aug 28, 2013, 11:43 PM
Since I work in the building next to 10000 Sta Mon, I sometimes get inside information on what's going on with the Crescent Heights development.

Apparently, the last of the soil tests have come back and foundation excavation should begin within weeks. They are hoping to complete the project in 18 months.

And the electricians were there again all day today, doing their thing. It is after 4:00 p.m. and they have left for the day.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Aug 29, 2013, 2:13 AM
thank you for the update. exciting times

WonderlandPark
Aug 29, 2013, 5:27 AM
Cool. Hope to see real work on this begin soon. Now if only we could get the esrby Robinsons det store ptoject by Richard Meier jump started.

JDRCRASH
Aug 29, 2013, 1:19 PM
Thnx so much for the update Circuit! Isn't there a fault running under Santa Monica Blvd? Perhaps that's why they've done so much soil testing?

On a separate note, we're about 6 months away from the Century Plaza Twin Towers breaking ground. :D

LAofAnaheim
Aug 29, 2013, 3:08 PM
Thnx so much for the update Circuit! Isn't there a fault running under Santa Monica Blvd? Perhaps that's why they've done so much soil testing?

On a separate note, we're about 6 months away from the Century Plaza Twin Towers breaking ground. :D

There's faults everywhere in LA, why are we suddenly concerned about this in 2013? These issues have been addressed for decades and construction in LA has to adhere to strict standards. If people are scared if faults, why love or construct in LA? Tokyo, SF, Mexico City are actually moreso directed on top of large faults, not LA. So all development should he halted in those cities as well, if LA gets screwed over by homeowner associations.

blackcat23
Aug 29, 2013, 3:47 PM
There's faults everywhere in LA, why are we suddenly concerned about this in 2013? These issues have been addressed for decades and construction in LA has to adhere to strict standards. If people are scared if faults, why love or construct in LA? Tokyo, SF, Mexico City are actually moreso directed on top of large faults, not LA. So all development should he halted in those cities as well, if LA gets screwed over by homeowner associations.

The LA Times has made a big deal over the fault line study in Hollywood. I'm sure that's put the subject on everyone's mind.

JDRCRASH
Aug 29, 2013, 4:09 PM
There's faults everywhere in LA, why are we suddenly concerned about this in 2013? These issues have been addressed for decades and construction in LA has to adhere to strict standards. If people are scared if faults, why love or construct in LA? Tokyo, SF, Mexico City are actually moreso directed on top of large faults, not LA. So all development should he halted in those cities as well, if LA gets screwed over by homeowner associations.

I'm not saying i agree with it.

Wilcal
Aug 31, 2013, 6:56 PM
The LA Times has made a big deal over the fault line study in Hollywood. I'm sure that's put the subject on everyone's mind.
I don't think that the Hollywood Hills home owner gives a damn about the towers collapsing during an earthquake, I think they are more concerned about their precious view while their home slides down the hillside.

112597jorge
Aug 31, 2013, 8:57 PM
I don't think that the Hollywood Hills home owner gives a damn about the towers collapsing during an earthquake, I think they are more concerned about their precious view while their home slides down the hillside.

these towers make their views better, I cant believe these kinds of people, damn. :koko:

LAofAnaheim
Aug 31, 2013, 10:13 PM
I don't think that the Hollywood Hills home owner gives a damn about the towers collapsing during an earthquake, I think they are more concerned about their precious view while their home slides down the hillside.

They will not collapse during an earthquake, that's fear mongering at its worst.

If people are suddenly scared of LA development, they should really consider demolishing the entire city. Mexico City, Tokyo and SF were built ON faults compared to LA, which has traces of smaller faults, but nothing as substantial as those cities. Halting all progress for faults is going to kill the economy of Los Angeles.

Homeowner associations........grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

pwright1
Aug 31, 2013, 11:42 PM
I've been trying to answer this myself, but Google is being surprisingly useless tonight. I must know, what will move into the former Bloomingdale's space?

Bloomingdale's is not going anywhere. They have decided to stay put and will start a $37 million makeover of its current store in early 2014. I believe Macy's will move into the Ave Of The Stars location and believe it or not, Nordstrom will move into the old Macy's spot. I think Nordstrom should move into the AOTS spot and build a flagship Nordstrom store since most in LA County are quite small besides Topanga. But this is what is happening.

blackcat23
Sep 1, 2013, 2:51 AM
The parking lot destined for the Columbia Square development is being torn out.

http://i.imgur.com/kWwlxaS.jpg

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/08/columbia-square-getting-ready-for.html

Also, some new renderings of the project:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAqgOHkRyuE/UiKD85faFOI/AAAAAAAAAdU/BpGi25T1cjc/s640/1.PNG

http://i.imgur.com/Y222Tl0.png

http://i.imgur.com/Y9Ht4h9.png

Muji
Sep 1, 2013, 4:10 AM
Things are looking good at Columbia Square. The design looks solid, and I'm glad that they're going with a clean Modernist look befitting the original Lescaze building.

Quixote
Sep 1, 2013, 4:29 AM
Every major new development in LA is a "center."

I guess it can produce more interesting and dynamic pedestrian circulation patterns, but the downside is that it sucks all the foot traffic away from the sidewalk.

Looks good though. Simple, clean, and modern.

Illithid Dude
Sep 1, 2013, 7:45 AM
Every major new development in LA is a "center."

I guess it can produce more interesting and dynamic pedestrian circulation patterns, but the downside is that it sucks all the foot traffic away from the sidewalk.

Looks good though. Simple, clean, and modern.

Since so much of Columbia Square is offices though, I can see it as being 'center' working. Offices workers don't like walking far, so I could see restaurants opening up in the project that cater to the office workers.

Illithid Dude
Sep 4, 2013, 3:57 AM
Surprised no one posted this.

http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/52265c2cf92ea1761601dfcf/09.13sunsetrendering1.jpg

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/09/huge_mixeduser_planned_for_joni_mitchell_paved_paradise_site.php

Mixed use project proposed for the corner of Sunset and and Crescent. 249 units in 16 stories. Not bad!

In other news, the Santa Monica City Council has rejected the OMA proposal in its current incarnation, saying that there isn't enough housing. They asked the developer to resubmit their proposal with more housing.

colemonkee
Sep 4, 2013, 4:39 AM
^ I did see that one. Pretty ambitious for that corner, which is not the most pedestrian friendly corner, or served by mass transit all too well (except via bus). That being said, it's much better than what's there. Design-wise it's actually not bad, minus the hat in the center of the taller tower. If they just flattened that bad boy out, it would look much cleaner. But I like the materials they're planning on using.

It'll be interesting to see what the neighborhood NIMBY's do to this one.

StethJeff
Sep 4, 2013, 5:57 AM
That actually fits the hood well and provides a good amount of density. I like it.

case_architect
Sep 4, 2013, 8:53 AM
Surprised no one posted this.

http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/52265c2cf92ea1761601dfcf/09.13sunsetrendering1.jpg

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/09/huge_mixeduser_planned_for_joni_mitchell_paved_paradise_site.php

Mixed use project proposed for the corner of Sunset and and Crescent. 249 units in 16 stories. Not bad!

In other news, the Santa Monica City Council has rejected the OMA proposal in its current incarnation, saying that there isn't enough housing. They asked the developer to resubmit their proposal with more housing.

http://www.hhwnc.org/node/3008
thought maybe i had missed this one posted last week so didn't share the link. i think this one will be a great addition to 8000 sunset. love that they took the turn lane and island away turning south onto crescent. the current plaza is completely underutilized.

Illithid Dude
Sep 4, 2013, 9:12 AM
The only real bummer is that they are going to have to demolish an awesome mid century Chase Bank, which looks like it could have been one of the Home Saving and Loans banks designed by Millard Sheets. Also, I'm worried that with so many high rise projects going up or about to go up in Los Angeles, there is going to start to be backlash on a larger scale. By the time this new project breaks ground, there will be seven or more other projects on Sunset in varying states of construction.

EDIT AGAIN:

I'm loving this blog that case_architect linked. Apparently, construction fencing is up for 3rd and Weverly, which is slated to become a 16 story building housing 55 high end apartments.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lXhlnuPyeA/UiOqwI_CKUI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Ax9xqzP0WMs/s1600/exterior-1.jpg

blackcat23
Sep 4, 2013, 12:55 PM
The only real bummer is that they are going to have to demolish an awesome mid century Chase Bank, which looks like it could have been one of the Home Saving and Loans banks designed by Millard Sheets. Also, I'm worried that with so many high rise projects going up or about to go up in Los Angeles, there is going to start to be backlash on a larger scale. By the time this new project breaks ground, there will be seven or more other projects on Sunset in varying states of construction.

EDIT AGAIN:

I'm loving this blog that case_architect linked. Apparently, construction fencing is up for 3rd and Weverly, which is slated to become a 16 story building housing 55 high end apartments.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lXhlnuPyeA/UiOqwI_CKUI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Ax9xqzP0WMs/s1600/exterior-1.jpg

Indeed.

http://i.imgur.com/PF5Y6rE.jpg
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/construction-fencing-up-at-3rd-and.html (Source)

Steve2726
Sep 4, 2013, 2:07 PM
Lots more info on Sunset and Crescent Heights here-

www.8150sunset.com

Pretty darn nice design overall, will be interesting to see if the neighbors (myself recently arrived among them) get out the pitchforks and demand this be downsized.


http://www.8150sunset.com/assets/G201-Aerial-02ba0063cc8de25d83bd98eb00dcbf36.jpg

http://www.8150sunset.com/assets/G202-Sunset-and-Crescent.jpg

colemonkee
Sep 4, 2013, 2:07 PM
I'm counting 12 stories on 3rd and Wetherly, but still very nice. More of this, please!

brudy
Sep 4, 2013, 3:04 PM
The only real bummer is that they are going to have to demolish an awesome mid century Chase Bank, which looks like it could have been one of the Home Saving and Loans banks designed by Millard Sheets.

I'm with you on saving the bank, particularly if it was designed by Sheets. Midcentury is a huge part of LA's architectural heritage and we shouldn't be tearing this one down. It's very cool. They could have incorporated parts of it somehow.

blackcat23
Sep 4, 2013, 3:24 PM
3rd and Wetherly will be 12 stories, after a series of NIMBY haircuts.

8150 Sunset is a lot larger than I expected it to be when I first read about the plans. I think Steve2726's neighbords will be pissed. I wonder if this is a harbinger of things to come with the Sunset Strip.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Sep 4, 2013, 8:42 PM
The only real bummer is that they are going to have to demolish an awesome mid century Chase Bank, which looks like it could have been one of the Home Saving and Loans banks designed by Millard Sheets. Also, I'm worried that with so many high rise projects going up or about to go up in Los Angeles, there is going to start to be backlash on a larger scale. By the time this new project breaks ground, there will be seven or more other projects on Sunset in varying states of construction.

EDIT AGAIN:

I'm loving this blog that case_architect linked. Apparently, construction fencing is up for 3rd and Weverly, which is slated to become a 16 story building housing 55 high end apartments.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lXhlnuPyeA/UiOqwI_CKUI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Ax9xqzP0WMs/s1600/exterior-1.jpg

Agreed. great blog. is it someone from this site?

blackcat23
Sep 4, 2013, 11:56 PM
I'm confused. What blog? The link case_architect posted goes to the Hollywood Hills Neighborhood Council website.

Kingofthehill
Sep 5, 2013, 1:46 AM
The only real bummer is that they are going to have to demolish an awesome mid century Chase Bank, which looks like it could have been one of the Home Saving and Loans banks designed by Millard Sheets.

Yeah. I hope that bank gets to stick around somehow. The MCM banks, IMO, really embody the sometimes over-the-top nature of LA's modern aspirations.

Illithid Dude
Sep 5, 2013, 2:05 AM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com

Quixote
Sep 5, 2013, 2:12 AM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com

That website looks great, way better than Curbed if you're strictly interested in development. Bookmarked.

blackcat23
Sep 5, 2013, 4:50 AM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com

Awesome! That's my blog. I've linked to it a few times, so I thought people might have already assumed. Guess not.

LA21st
Sep 5, 2013, 4:55 AM
Yea, it's a great blog. Keep up the good work.

IMBY
Sep 5, 2013, 6:03 AM
Surprised no one posted this.

http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/52265c2cf92ea1761601dfcf/09.13sunsetrendering1.jpg

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/09/huge_mixeduser_planned_for_joni_mitchell_paved_paradise_site.php

Mixed use project proposed for the corner of Sunset and and Crescent. 249 units in 16 stories. Not bad!

In other news, the Santa Monica City Council has rejected the OMA proposal in its current incarnation, saying that there isn't enough housing. They asked the developer to resubmit their proposal with more housing.

Oh, how I hate to see a nice proposal like this, and then read the accompanying posts: What will the Nimby's do with this one? Will it get a Nimby hair-cut?

I have to laugh everytime someone in Las Vegas, in response to our running out of water here, quite simply, not knowing anything about the Nimby scene in Southern CA, suggests putting desalination plants along the southern CA coastline, lessening their need for CO river water.

I can see that happening, just as clearly as seeing a 50 story high rise being built along the Orange county coastline!

Wally West
Sep 5, 2013, 7:10 AM
Awesome! That's my blog. I've linked to it a few times, so I thought people might have already assumed. Guess not.

Never seen it before.

Kickass work. I love that you're covering the small projects as well. Keep up the fantastic work!

The Illusive Man
Sep 5, 2013, 5:30 PM
Does anyone that lives in the Culver City area know if there are any plans for two empty lots on the corner of Centinela and Washington Blvd? They have fencing now, but have been like that for a while. The locations are typically used for the sales of christmas trees and such.

Munchitup
Sep 5, 2013, 6:10 PM
Awesome! That's my blog. I've linked to it a few times, so I thought people might have already assumed. Guess not.

I bookmarked it weeks ago, had no idea! Great work, I like it more than Curbed as well, prefer the strictly development news.

blackcat23
Sep 5, 2013, 7:41 PM
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkLSSwQoZJw/UijZ4bpnCLI/AAAAAAAAAgU/zM-LgeXZH7s/s640/1.jpg
Image source (http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-desmond-on-wilshire-has-shovels-in.html)

The Park La Brea news says this has broken ground behind the old Desmonds Department store.

BrandonJXN
Sep 5, 2013, 7:45 PM
Columbia Square's website is up. Complete with an amazing fly through video.

http://www.columbiasquare.com/

Really excited for Hollywood.

Quixote
Sep 5, 2013, 7:46 PM
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkLSSwQoZJw/UijZ4bpnCLI/AAAAAAAAAgU/zM-LgeXZH7s/s640/1.jpg
Image source (http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-desmond-on-wilshire-has-shovels-in.html)

The Park La Brea news says this has broke ground behind the old Desmonds Department store.

Bleh.

At least it ain't TCA, right?

Illithid Dude
Sep 5, 2013, 8:49 PM
Beige stucco. Awesome.

brudy
Sep 5, 2013, 8:51 PM
Beige stucco and two levels of above grade parking! :fireworks:

Steve2726
Sep 5, 2013, 8:58 PM
Brutal. :hell:

On a better note, Columbia Square looks great.

There's so much going on, first page desperately needs an update to show all the new projects.

Wilcal
Sep 6, 2013, 4:55 PM
Beige stucco. Awesome.

Look at the bright side, at least it doesn't upstage its "classic" partner which has the "limelight." No one will see the "piece of crap." Thank God!

a9l8e7n
Sep 9, 2013, 2:19 AM
Wilshire and La Brea
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/9703987459_3e3c076a98_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/9703986433_a1abed364d_b.jpg

On La Brea right across the street from Target Center (Forgot the name)
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9707222252_15dbf7bf9c_b.jpg

La Brea and Santa Monica
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/9703984777_447007fb1b_b.jpg

blackcat23
Sep 9, 2013, 4:58 AM
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/9703986433_a1abed364d_b.jpg

http://www.trbimg.com/img-501f48ea/turbine/fi.wilshire.labrea.jpg-20120805/600

colemonkee
Sep 9, 2013, 2:21 PM
If anything, TCA can say they achieved the impossible: making the finished product look worse than the rendering.

BrandonJXN
Sep 9, 2013, 2:30 PM
That's almost vulgar. I was thinking that the brownish corner was going to be finished in some sort of reflective material. That's deplorable.

colemonkee
Sep 9, 2013, 2:46 PM
I think this building takes the Ugliest Building Prize away from the funky, black-and-white striped building with magenta windows at the corner of La Cienega and Melrose. The difference between that building and Wilshire and La Brea is that at one point, the La Cienega and Melrose style was a design aesthetic of the day (however flawed it was). No one with a working synapses between their eyes and brain, and an IQ over 40 would recognize Wilshire and La Brea of even closely resembling a design aesthetic. TCA should be penalized 15 yards, and a loss of down.

bmfarley
Sep 9, 2013, 4:09 PM
I think this building takes the Ugliest Building Prize away from the funky, black-and-white striped building with magenta windows at the corner of La Cienega and Melrose. The difference between that building and Wilshire and La Brea is that at one point, the La Cienega and Melrose style was a design aesthetic of the day (however flawed it was). No one with a working synapses between their eyes and brain, and an IQ over 40 would recognize Wilshire and La Brea of even closely resembling a design aesthetic. TCA should be penalized 15 yards, and a loss of down.
By itself, Wilshire/La Brea doesn't seem bad to me. Actually, it looks pleasing.

Though, does not seem appropriate for Wilshire. Standards should be higher there.

Wilshire/La Brea would be more appropriate elsewhere.

The Illusive Man
Sep 9, 2013, 4:35 PM
That's not even that bad, you guys overreact. You guys are like those goofy food people that go ape shit when the dish doesn't look perfect. Come on now.

Illithid Dude
Sep 9, 2013, 4:43 PM
I think this building takes the Ugliest Building Prize away from the funky, black-and-white striped building with magenta windows at the corner of La Cienega and Melrose. The difference between that building and Wilshire and La Brea is that at one point, the La Cienega and Melrose style was a design aesthetic of the day (however flawed it was). No one with a working synapses between their eyes and brain, and an IQ over 40 would recognize Wilshire and La Brea of even closely resembling a design aesthetic. TCA should be penalized 15 yards, and a loss of down.

A) The building on the corner of Melrose and La Cienega is awesome.

B) For everyone that says this building isn't ugly- it is. It really, really is.

brudy
Sep 9, 2013, 6:37 PM
That's not even that bad, you guys overreact. You guys are like those goofy food people that go ape shit when the dish doesn't look perfect. Come on now.

Sadly these pictures are doing that design a favor. You need to see it in person to appreciate its ugliosity. The Wilshire side is particularly abhorrent. It features several of those curved structures that can only be described as a post-industrial prison with a huge helping clumsily designed whimsy, like a 5th grade school project of a real building. The other day it struck me that it kind of reminded me of the design elements of Pershing Sq - the color blocking, the use of basic bland shapes, the 80's-early 90'sness of it all. It's truly awful. Imagine if the set designer of Pee Wee's Playhouse did a background of a city for that show. This building is that. The La Brea side isn't quite as terrible, except for the epic scale of this monstrosity. Let's put it this way - Captain Ahab would have sunk his own ship instead of trying to deal with this thing.

Munchitup
Sep 9, 2013, 7:09 PM
A) The building on the corner of Melrose and La Cienega is awesome.

B) For everyone that says this building isn't ugly- it is. It really, really is.

I am with you on Point A - one of the things I love about Los Angeles is gaudy buildings such as that one.

DistrictDirt
Sep 9, 2013, 7:56 PM
That's not even that bad, you guys overreact. You guys are like those goofy food people that go ape shit when the dish doesn't look perfect. Come on now.

Personally I think that while TCA has done some shitty buildings, this group does overreact a bit with each and every one of their projects out of habit. That streamline apartment building on Miracle Mile is decent and 1111 Wilshire in City West is the best looking thing at that intersection.

But have to side this with the group on this one. Wilshire/La Brea is a heaping pile of dung. I had no idea it was possible for the project to come out this bad, and the fact that its its terrible design is so visible at that building's large scale and highly trafficked intersection is disheartening. Maybe they can at least remodel it in 20 or 30 years.

blackcat23
Sep 9, 2013, 8:22 PM
Personally I think that while TCA has done some shitty buildings, this group does overreact a bit with each and every one of their projects out of habit. That streamline apartment building on Miracle Mile is decent and 1111 Wilshire in City West is the best looking thing at that intersection.

Was 1111 Wilshire done by TCA? I thought it was Nadel.

DistrictDirt
Sep 9, 2013, 8:39 PM
Was 1111 Wilshire done by TCA? I thought it was Nadel.

My mistake, you're correct (http://www.nadelarc.com/?p=2910). I will remove that checkmark from my "TCA is not that bad" column. :)

colemonkee
Sep 10, 2013, 1:11 PM
Programatically I think TCA's buildings, for the most part, are just fine. Massings are generally fine and they are designed well from an urban standpoint. It's their design architecture that's just cheap, unimaginative, and just plain "hack." That being said, they have a handful of buildings that aren't too bad, and border on decent. But the lion's share of their work generally looks dated the day it opens.

Illithid Dude
Sep 10, 2013, 4:23 PM
I think TCA is slowly getting better. The new building they are doing with Sony Astani doesn't look half bad.

The Illusive Man
Sep 10, 2013, 4:31 PM
I agree to an extent. I mean, it's certainly not the greatest thing I've ever seen, but at the end of the day, I don't think it really matters much. The typical person will not even think it looks that bad or won't even notice it at all and go on about their business.

blackcat23
Sep 11, 2013, 3:13 AM
Not a while lot of large office developments going up in LA right now, but this is one of the few. 245,000 sq feet from J.H. Snyder in Hollywood.

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/hollywood-office-campus-finally-on-its.html

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9DmH08KNJqo/Ui0gLU0zLMI/AAAAAAAAAkc/sEZbHPVUtDY/s640/959seward1.jpg

It looks like a long stalled office development in Hollywood may get shovels in the ground soon. Back in 2012, a representative from the J.H. Snyder Company told Businessweek that their project at 959 Seward Street was coming back to life. Applications for construction permits have since been submitted to the Department of Building and Safety. Here is what Snyder has in the works, according to the project's environmental impact report:

...construction of a 241,568 square foot entertainment campus including 237,568 square feet of office space and up to 4,000 square feet of employee commissary space. The Proposed Project would provide valet surface parking and 735 parking spaces in an eight-level above ground parking structure. The Proposed Project is designed to be an entertainment campus to cater primarily to entertainment-type users for offices, editing and post-production. The project would be developed with three structures: "West Wing", "East Wing", and the parking structure.

The "West Wing," tops out at five floors and 76 feet above grade. The "East Wing," would stand four floors and roughly 64 feet tall. 959 Seward's total area has been upped to 245,000 square feet according to the project's official website.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--4Pc0EPZ2Q0/Ui0lFZrslEI/AAAAAAAAAks/40jxjr6DAOI/s640/959seward2.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lq--XixL3i8/Ui0l9GKEIhI/AAAAAAAAAk4/fPD91R17M_A/s640/959seward3.jpg

http://vimeo.com/68401397

WonderlandPark
Sep 11, 2013, 3:29 AM
Melrose and La Cienega? Looove that thing. Always, even as a kid loved it. Its so 80s, but in a good way. Quality materials, too, unlike the stucco junk going up today.

Muji
Sep 12, 2013, 2:59 AM
Curbed LA has posted a few tidbits on the mixed-use building planned for Larchmont and Melrose. The building itself is fairly plain, and looks like a homage to the city's vernacular Modernist apartment buildings. The very good news is that the developers seem to actually understand how good urban design works. It's also ridiculous that the city requires some new developments to allow for road widening. As summed up by Curbed:

Source: Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/09/larchmont_mixeduser_bringing_84_apartments_trees_possible_urban_plaza_to_area.php)
Landmark is also proving themselves mensches, putting $100,000 toward beautification efforts around the project including new trees on Camerford, El Centro, and Melrose. They're also considering asking the city not to widen the street in front of the LC--apparently something typically required by the city--and instead create a 25-foot wide area between the project and Melrose that would constitute an "urban plaza" for hanging out.

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2013_09_Larchmont-Rendering.jpg

bobbyv
Sep 12, 2013, 4:01 AM
Pretty good article by the LA times about the ongoing development of Playa Vista
http:// http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-property-report-20130912,0,1735153.story

WonderlandPark
Sep 12, 2013, 5:33 AM
Took pics of the big project at La Cienega and Sunset but on a talet tonight. Will post tomorow, but demos is well under way except for the office bldg east of La Cienega which looks to be posdibly prepping for demo.

WonderlandPark
Sep 12, 2013, 5:36 PM
Sunset & La Cienega

http://i43.tinypic.com/kbc605.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2rgjdsn.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/339rk91.jpg

Quixote
Sep 13, 2013, 3:19 AM
Here's a very comprehensive photo tour of Santa Monica's newest destination -- Tongva Park.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyseven/sets/72157635494568536/

202_Cyclist
Sep 13, 2013, 3:25 AM
Here's a very comprehensive photo tour of Santa Monica's newest destination -- Tongva Park.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyseven/sets/72157635494568536/

Santa Monica is an amazing city. If I ever move back to Southern California, Santa Monica is going to be near the top of the list of places to live.

I like the rain garden at this park. With Southern California being an arid climate, not every park needs lush green grass. This looks nice and saves water.

inSaeculaSaeculorum
Sep 13, 2013, 4:35 AM
^i agree. Santa Monica has really turned a corner from being a sleepy seaside village to a city that has embraced a sense of public space with tasteful architecture and a booming retail/dining district. It has really touted its coastal geographic location. Developments along ocean ave are becoming less insular and more street engaged (I love the shore hotel especially at night). It's strange when satellite cities like Santa Monica, Pasadena, west Hollywood and long beach are doing the new urbanism thing at a better pace than LA.

Munchitup
Sep 13, 2013, 7:19 PM
^i agree. Santa Monica has really turned a corner from being a sleepy seaside village to a city that has embraced a sense of public space with tasteful architecture and a booming retail/dining district. It has really touted its coastal geographic location. Developments along ocean ave are becoming less insular and more street engaged (I love the shore hotel especially at night). It's strange when satellite cities like Santa Monica, Pasadena, west Hollywood and long beach are doing the new urbanism thing at a better pace than LA.

Is it really that strange? They are smaller cities so they can focus all of these new projects into 10-20 square miles instead of hundreds of square miles like Los Angeles. Therefore, the results seem much more impressive.

WonderlandPark
Sep 13, 2013, 9:30 PM
Just went to Tongva Park, real nice job, the project is quality through and through. People were smiling and two total strangers came up and engaged me about how nice this turned out and such. Its pretty much all open, I don't see much in the way of finishing touches that it need before it officially opens in Mid October.

Illithid Dude
Sep 13, 2013, 11:18 PM
Just went to Tongva Park, real nice job, the project is quality through and through. People were smiling and two total strangers came up and engaged me about how nice this turned out and such. Its pretty much all open, I don't see much in the way of finishing touches that it need before it officially opens in Mid October.

Just went to the park as well. Amazing job. Already there were people playing racquetball on the lawn, children playing everywhere, people strolling about just generally having a good time. I was most worried about the parks connectivity to the adjacent Related projects, but that worry has been ameliorated. There are multiple entrances to the Related projects, which will be a huge boon to the park with both the nearby residents they will bring and the adjacent ground floor commercial spaces. Overall, I'd say this huge project has been pulled of incredibly, and in a unified way that is rare to see in Los Angeles.

WonderlandPark
Sep 14, 2013, 4:54 AM
Yes, I can't wait to see the Related begin to open, they are advertising 20K in retail for lease. Hope they get great retail in there.

They are doing something that looks like a renovation of one of the 3rd street parking garages, looks kinda funky and architectural, and has a crane up, anyone know what that is?

Illithid Dude
Sep 14, 2013, 7:48 AM
Yes, I can't wait to see the Related begin to open, they are advertising 20K in retail for lease. Hope they get great retail in there.

They are doing something that looks like a renovation of one of the 3rd street parking garages, looks kinda funky and architectural, and has a crane up, anyone know what that is?

Yeah, Brooks + Scarpa is building a bigger parking garage so that SM can knock down an old one and build a movie theater.

blackcat23
Sep 14, 2013, 8:27 PM
I'm surprised no one has been talking about the new from Curbed yesterday about the LA River Restoration (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/09/huge_la_river_restoration_report_recommends_453mm_plan.php).

Anyway, here are some before/after photos of the plans from the recommended alternative:

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2013/09/an-in-depth-look-at-453-million-la.html

Pollywog Park

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDg0I8TkFkk/UjPpslATBvI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Ji6M2J9WDKM/s1600/POLLYWOGPARK.png

North of Riverside Drive

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gPl2iqSKW4/UjP_MIaumnI/AAAAAAAAAqA/SkDI9CdDIYY/s1600/RIVERSIDE.png

Ferraro Fields

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDphpO7I6EA/UjPxHYV45II/AAAAAAAAApY/_BiZwIn6rpQ/s1600/FERRAROFIELD.png

The Los Feliz Golf Course

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOoAW2OSq40/UjP36xIeC2I/AAAAAAAAApw/hk1tyJu6QFk/s1600/LOSFELIZGOLFCOURSE.png

Two pictures of Taylor yard

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unUoyjPDX9o/UjQE3VcHpEI/AAAAAAAAAqc/qcFZ1aI43pE/s1600/TAYLORYARD.png

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hoIKCA8scTc/UjQJIWL_rGI/AAAAAAAAAqk/NpNtF3RlTjk/s1600/REACH6.png

The Arroyo Seco

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oo9pQtnaVGs/UjQLDmZfI6I/AAAAAAAAAqw/jSrOHcc6NlA/s1600/ARROYOSECO.png

LA State Historic Park

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-XWxR0_r0U/UjQNhccRNTI/AAAAAAAAAq8/BXJy_7WcLVw/s1600/LASTATE.png

Piggyback Yard

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jl8CuhYcB4/UjQRd5vO3HI/AAAAAAAAArI/6dm2JLzBJFY/s1600/PIGGYBACK.png

I was very surprised to see Piggyback Yard included in the recommended alternative.

Quixote
Sep 14, 2013, 8:33 PM
It's no surprise that the least ambitious revitalization plan was chosen; LA always underachieves. The only saving grace is the inclusion of the Piggyback Yard, although I'm not sure if I prefer the "marsh" look over a more developed "city park" look. I don't see much in the way of expansive grass lawns.

I hope the alternatives that were too expensive to consider didn't go overboard with the stretch running through the SFV. Just make it simple and "natural" looking like this:

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p637/calroyla/lariver_zps77198114.jpg
http://www.paddlethelariver.org/

Returning to the L.A. River; and going with the flow
Local officials and river aficionados celebrate the opening of a 21/2-mile stretch of the waterway — the first time it had been open to public navigation in decades.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-la-river-20130528,0,6449947.story

27662703

LosAngelesSportsFan
Sep 14, 2013, 8:39 PM
It's no surprise that the least ambitious revitalization plan was chosen; LA always underachieves.



Did you even bother to read the freaking report? im tired of this constant bashing. The city pushed for the best alternative but the final decision was up to the Army corp, nothing to do with LA. Also, this was not the final decision. There is still hope that they can persuade the corp to go with the preferred alternative.

Significant improvements even with this choice. I really hope that at the end, Alternative 10 is selected. This is a massive project for generations to come and the Army Corp should realize this

blackcat23
Sep 14, 2013, 8:40 PM
It's not Los Angeles cheaping out here: it's the Federal Government.

The city will have to pay $300 million+ for this project under every alternative. They're responsible for acquiring the real estate/easements, as well as taking care of brownfield remediation for Piggyback Yard and Taylor Yard.

The big variable here is how much money the Feds are willing to put in. In this case, they've recommended the the 2nd least expensive option for them ($139 million).

Illithid Dude
Sep 14, 2013, 9:28 PM
I agree, the plan doesn't go far enough in some cases. Also, am I missing something, or is there no change to the part of the L.A. River that is immediately adjacent to the Arts District?

blackcat23
Sep 14, 2013, 10:30 PM
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=9248154

Columbia Square complex in Hollywood damaged in fire

A greater alarm fire broke out on Sunset Boulevard Friday night, damaging a historic Hollywood Landmark.

At first glance, it looks like a relatively small fire but in an instant, flames erupted the famous Columbia Square complex, which was under construction.

The fire broke out around 7:30 p.m. Flames were shooting from the construction trash chute at the complex as people walked by unaware of the danger.

"There were two explosions and people were just standing there looking. I was like, 'Move! Run! Get out of the way!' They wouldn't move," said witness Juan Padilla.

Pictures posted on Twitter captured the scene as fire lit up the night sky. It was a far different scene from the bright lights of opening night of the CBS West Coast Headquarters in 1938. Columbia Square went from radio to television. The pilot episode of "I Love Lucy" was shot there.

It also had a recording studio where stars like JanisJoplin, Barbra Streisand and Bing Crosby laid down their tracks.

The complex is now undergoing a nearly $1 billion renovation. Thanks to the quick work of firefighters, it didn't all go up in flames.

The damage doesn't look too bad on the outside, but I'm basing that off of pictures.

Quixote
Sep 14, 2013, 10:31 PM
I agree, the plan doesn't go far enough in some cases. Also, am I missing something, or is there no change to the part of the L.A. River that is immediately adjacent to the Arts District?

I had that same exact thought. This plan (Alternative 13) wouldn't even complement the new 6th Street Bridge, which looks to bring its own improvements to the riverbank.

---

LASF: I maintain my opinion that LA's a city with so much untapped potential. Whether or not the city itself was responsible for selecting the lesser alternative is sort of irrelevant. You just knew that we'd end up with it in some way. Other examples of LA underachievement:

1) The Pink Line HRT being downgraded to cheaper LRT.
2) LAX's Bradley West not being as grand as it should be for a global gateway.

The next screw-up will probably be the Union Station Master Plan resulting in something that's nice, but lacking the "wow" factor.

Not to say that other cities don't have their share of disappointments, but we seem to have a disproportionate amount. Personally, I attribute it to a mixture of subdued civic pride and just a lack of understanding of the concept of urbanism.

Okay, rant over.

Illithid Dude
Sep 14, 2013, 11:02 PM
I had that same exact thought. This plan (Alternative 13) wouldn't even complement the new 6th Street Bridge, which looks to bring its own improvements to the riverbank.

---

LASF: I maintain my opinion that LA's a city with so much untapped potential. Whether or not the city itself was responsible for selecting the lesser alternative is sort of irrelevant. You just knew that we'd end up with it in some way. Other examples of LA underachievement:

1) The Pink Line HRT being downgraded to cheaper LRT.
2) LAX's Bradley West not being as grand as it should be for a global gateway.

The next screw-up will probably be the Union Station Master Plan resulting in something that's nice, but lacking the "wow" factor.

Not to say that other cities don't have their share of disappointments, but we seem to have a disproportionate amount. Personally, I attribute it to a mixture of subdued civic pride and just a lack of understanding of the concept of urbanism.

Okay, rant over.

It's not L.A.s fault, it's the federal governments fault.

And eeesh on the Columbia Square fire. Luckily the buildings would probably be gutted for the adaptive reuse anyways. Looks like we dodged a bullet.

Wilcal
Sep 15, 2013, 4:07 PM
It's not L.A.s fault, it's the federal governments fault.

And eeesh on the Columbia Square fire. Luckily the buildings would probably be gutted for the adaptive reuse anyways. Looks like we dodged a bullet.

When I read this my gut had the same feeling as when the central library in the mid-1980's, and when the Pan Pacific auditorium burned to the ground.

StethJeff
Sep 15, 2013, 5:20 PM
I had that same exact thought. This plan (Alternative 13) wouldn't even complement the new 6th Street Bridge, which looks to bring its own improvements to the riverbank.

---

LASF: I maintain my opinion that LA's a city with so much untapped potential. Whether or not the city itself was responsible for selecting the lesser alternative is sort of irrelevant. You just knew that we'd end up with it in some way. Other examples of LA underachievement:

1) The Pink Line HRT being downgraded to cheaper LRT.
2) LAX's Bradley West not being as grand as it should be for a global gateway.

The next screw-up will probably be the Union Station Master Plan resulting in something that's nice, but lacking the "wow" factor.

Not to say that other cities don't have their share of disappointments, but we seem to have a disproportionate amount. Personally, I attribute it to a mixture of subdued civic pride and just a lack of understanding of the concept of urbanism.

Okay, rant over.

Quixote makes a point that a lot of us make on these boards. Regardless whether its a developer or the Feds or the city itself, there's this perception a lot of us have at LA somehow manages to fuck things up. Whereas others are able to pull off awesome projects that are just amazing (NYC, SF, Santa Monica), that isn't exactly the case here. The last wow was WDCH (which looks terrible from above btw) and the next one will hopefully be Wilshire Grand. Everything else though, meh. Although I'm glad Grand Park was built, the river will be restored, etc I'm too used to being underwhelmed by what ultimately gets done here.

LAofAnaheim
Sep 15, 2013, 5:27 PM
Quixote makes a point that a lot of us make on these boards. Regardless whether its a developer or the Feds or the city itself, there's this perception a lot of us have at LA somehow manages to fuck things up. Whereas others are able to pull off awesome projects that are just amazing (NYC, SF, Santa Monica), that isn't exactly the case here. The last wow was WDCH (which looks terrible from above btw) and the next one will hopefully be Wilshire Grand. Everything else though, meh. Although I'm glad Grand Park was built, the river will be restored, etc I'm too used to being underwhelmed by what ultimately gets done here.

Cathedral of our Lady of Angels
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Bradbury Building
Eastern Columbia
LA Live!
Hollywood Blvd with the Walk of Fame
Secret Stairs throughout the neighborhoods (go pick up the book by Charles Fleming)
Sunset Strip
cicLAvia (probably the best city-wide open space event in the United States, definitely the largest attended)

If you're gonna bash the city, at least respect some of it's achievements. We have a lot more "wow" factors here than y'all dismiss.

StethJeff
Sep 15, 2013, 6:10 PM
Cathedral of our Lady of Angels
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Bradbury Building
Eastern Columbia
LA Live!
Hollywood Blvd with the Walk of Fame
Secret Stairs throughout the neighborhoods (go pick up the book by Charles Fleming)
Sunset Strip
cicLAvia (probably the best city-wide open space event in the United States, definitely the largest attended)

If you're gonna bash the city, at least respect some of it's achievements. We have a lot more "wow" factors here than y'all dismiss.

Cathedral is awful. The only two worse cathedrals Ive seen are Rio and maybe St. Mary's in SF. I don't know a single Catholic who likes it. I can see why some people might think its neat, but is definitely not Wow. It's more head scratch.

Eastern Columbia and Bradbury are historic buildings like Pico House or Avila Adobe and have nothing to do with the current conversation.

LA Live gets just as much criticism as it gets praise.

Sunset Strip is cool but no one getting a half chub over it.

CicLAvia isn't our idea, has already been copied around the world, and still has its shortcomings.

London, Beijing, Paris, Istanbul, Bangkok, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mexico City are all wow cities. LA is the furthest thing from a wow city. But that isn't really LAs forte anyway. LAs strengths are its eclectic population, terrific weather, excitement, restaurants/bars/clubs, # and variety of activities (still unmatched in my opinion), proximity to great beaches/mountains/deserts. Believe me, I've tried, no one visits LA and goes "Holy shit, Capitol Records/Library Tower/SaMo Pier/Queen Mary/La Brea/Griffith Obs/Hollywood/Rodeo!" It's more of a passive, "that looks nice."

I know I don't sound like it, but I'm a huge LA booster and I'll never leave my favorite city on Earth. I can be honest about it however.

StethJeff
Sep 15, 2013, 6:12 PM
Just to add one last thing, I usually tell people this: "LA is a terrible place to visit but its the best place to live."

inSaeculaSaeculorum
Sep 15, 2013, 6:19 PM
Totally agree with StethJeff. LA is the sum of its parts, as it's individual attractions do not warrant a 'wow' reaction.

The only thing I can think of that elicits a 'wow' reaction is the view from the griffith park observatory. Kinda says a lot about the city when it impresses only from a distance.

LAofAnaheim
Sep 15, 2013, 6:24 PM
Cathedral is awful. The only two worse cathedrals Ive seen are Rio and maybe St. Mary's in SF. I don't know a single Catholic who likes it. I can see why some people might think its neat, but is definitely not Wow. It's more head scratch.

Eastern Columbia and Bradbury are historic buildings like Pico House or Avila Adobe and have nothing to do with the current conversation.

LA Live gets just as much criticism as it gets praise.

Sunset Strip is cool but no one getting a half chub over it.

CicLAvia isn't our idea, has already been copied around the world, and still has its shortcomings.

London, Beijing, Paris, Istanbul, Bangkok, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mexico City are all wow cities. LA is the furthest thing from a wow city. But that isn't really LAs forte anyway. LAs strengths are its eclectic population, terrific weather, excitement, restaurants/bars/clubs, # and variety of activities (still unmatched in my opinion), proximity to great beaches/mountains/deserts. Believe me, I've tried, no one visits LA and goes "Holy shit, Capitol Records/Library Tower/SaMo Pier/Queen Mary/La Brea/Griffith Obs/Hollywood/Rodeo!" It's more of a passive, "that looks nice."

I know I don't sound like it, but I'm a huge LA booster and I'll never leave my favorite city on Earth. I can be honest about it however.

Sounds very negative for a LA booster....

The Cathedral is great because it's very unique and modern, it doesn't follow the same mold as others in Chicago and New York, otherwise, it would have been unoriginal.

Bradbury does get the "WOW" factor. Since we're talking that "LA doesn't do anything nice", this falls in that entrapment.

People all over the world clamor about Times Square, but the NY locals hate it. Kind of similar to our LA Live!, people all over the world thinks its cool (heck, most of your award shows are filmed there) and but we hate it. But it's an attraction of LA.

No other city in American gets a public space bike event attendance like cicLAvia. We know it's a Bogota idea, but we took it and made it huge. I've been to other city's with it, and nothing is as grand as ours. That includes the Summer Streets in NYC and SF. But I'm just saying...give LA credit where due, it could have never happened :)

Forgot a couple other "Wow" places in my mind when people come to LA:

Angels Flight (world's shortest railway, everybody enjoys that ride)
Venice Beach - truly nowhere else in the world do you have something as unique as this area.

LAofAnaheim
Sep 15, 2013, 6:32 PM
Anyways..this can continue going back-and-forth. To each city's opinion, is their own.

All cities around the world are amazing and unique. Continuing to compare LA to other city's is a losing arguement, as some will feel your just doing the "grass is always greener on the other side". As another forumer mentioned, you think Chicago is really that great, look at these problems! Yeah we can take an outside view of NYC and think it's heaven, but others look to LA and say "wow, the beach, the weather, Hollywood...awesome!".

It's a neverending debate. I will always have a place in my heart for this city, as I think we all do.

StethJeff
Sep 15, 2013, 7:03 PM
Sounds very negative for a LA booster....

The Cathedral is great because it's very unique and modern, it doesn't follow the same mold as others in Chicago and New York, otherwise, it would have been unoriginal.

Bradbury does get the "WOW" factor. Since we're talking that "LA doesn't do anything nice", this falls in that entrapment.

People all over the world clamor about Times Square, but the NY locals hate it. Kind of similar to our LA Live!, people all over the world thinks its cool (heck, most of your award shows are filmed there) and but we hate it. But it's an attraction of LA.

No other city in American gets a public space bike event attendance like cicLAvia. We know it's a Bogota idea, but we took it and made it huge. I've been to other city's with it, and nothing is as grand as ours. That includes the Summer Streets in NYC and SF. But I'm just saying...give LA credit where due, it could have never happened :)

Forgot a couple other "Wow" places in my mind when people come to LA:

Angels Flight (world's shortest railway, everybody enjoys that ride)
Venice Beach - truly nowhere else in the world do you have something as unique as this area.

You sound exactly like . . . an LA booster. Maybe we have different ideas of what the words "wow," "unique, and apparently even "all over the world" mean.

The Cathedral is regularly panned. I can't believe you aren't aware of this. Bradbury, is again, nice, but no one travels here to see the Bradbury. And when I have taken people to see the Bradbury, they similarly think that it is, well, nice. Have you seen Sacre Couer, Hagia Sofia, SWFC, Bank of China, Cristo Redentor, El Zocalo? Do you have any idea what the basis for comparison is against other world cities? LA Live is nothing on any sort of world scale that impresses. I'm sorry to sound this harsh or blunt but its he truth. Angel's Flight isn't actually the shortest rail on Earth, that's simply a folksy nickname given to it decades ago.

There are some things here that I believe are worthy of significant praise but for one reason or another do not compare to anything in any of the cities I mentioned before, for example. The things that are truly wow IMO are Joshua Tree (unique but too far to be considered LAs own), Disneyland (original but now been cheapened by its imitators), Universal Studios (original but also been cheapened by its imitators), La Brea Tar Pits (I seem to be the only one), a collection of awesome beach towns.

blackcat23
Sep 15, 2013, 8:17 PM
I've had people come in from out of town who wanted to see Staples Center because its where the Lakers/Clippers/Kobe/Blake Griffin/etc. play, but I've never met anyone who thought LA Live was a "must see," attraction. Maybe years down the line when they neighborhood has filled in a bit more.

To me, LA's real tourist magnets/traps are Disneyland, Venice Beach, the Sunset Strip, and the Walk of Fame. I might throw Santa Monica in there as well.

202_Cyclist
Sep 15, 2013, 8:36 PM
Sounds very negative for a LA booster....

The Cathedral is great because it's very unique and modern, it doesn't follow the same mold as others in Chicago and New York, otherwise, it would have been unoriginal.

Bradbury does get the "WOW" factor. Since we're talking that "LA doesn't do anything nice", this falls in that entrapment.

People all over the world clamor about Times Square, but the NY locals hate it. Kind of similar to our LA Live!, people all over the world thinks its cool (heck, most of your award shows are filmed there) and but we hate it. But it's an attraction of LA.

No other city in American gets a public space bike event attendance like cicLAvia. We know it's a Bogota idea, but we took it and made it huge. I've been to other city's with it, and nothing is as grand as ours. That includes the Summer Streets in NYC and SF. But I'm just saying...give LA credit where due, it could have never happened :)

Forgot a couple other "Wow" places in my mind when people come to LA:

Angels Flight (world's shortest railway, everybody enjoys that ride)
Venice Beach - truly nowhere else in the world do you have something as unique as this area.

The Long Beach aquarium is great as well. Perhaps not "Wow" but I have been impressed both times I've visited it.