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SD_Phil
Oct 16, 2014, 5:50 PM
Personally, SSP hasn't been fun for me for a while. Who wants to be in a constantly negative environment? While I agreed with a lot of what he said about LA, generalizing *ALL* Angelinos as people who don't know anything about anything got old 5 years ago. I respect his opinions about the city but not his constant negative attitude. You can have a harsh opinion about something but you don't have to be an ass to get your point across.

My .2¢.

Also: sans pink benches, I quite like Grand Park. Does that make me crazy?

I've come to think the opposite. I don't see this thread as especially negative and, aside from the implicit racism and bias of some posts, nothing in here is particularly objectionable or ban-worthy. But these forums are voluntary so if it really isn't fun for anyone to be here...why stay?

Flavius Josephus
Oct 16, 2014, 6:21 PM
So, here's some actual development news, courtesy of LADCP's latest round of CEQA notices and the State Clearinghouse.

- 3419 W 6th, K-town: proposal to build a 53 unit apt building on top of an existing mixed-use parking structure. The project proposes more than the required number of parking spaces, but I think that's because they're already there. http://cityplanning.lacity.org/staffrpt/mnd/ENV-2014-1618.pdf
- 805 S Catalina, K-town: I think this is the Initial Study for the crazy plan to build a 27-story, 300ft apt building with zero affordable units on land that isn't even close to being zoned for that and keeps delaying its PLUM committee hearing. I'm no expert on CEQA, but I think the claim that something that would require several general plan amendments doesn't have a significant impact on land use also seems dubious. http://cityplanning.lacity.org/staffrpt/mnd/ENV-2006-7211.pdf
- Park improvements in unincorporated Willowbrook http://www.ceqanet.ca.gov/DocDescription.asp?DocPK=685581

And a bit of a way away, but LAT has this on the revival of downtown Anaheim. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-property-report-anaheim-20141016-story.html

kelbeen
Oct 17, 2014, 3:08 AM
Oct 15
10000 SaMo Blvd

By Eesomest on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15358516207_d6d201a4ef_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ppbpMz)Upwards! (https://flic.kr/p/ppbpMz) by Eesomest (https://www.flickr.com/people/36838463@N03/), on Flickr

fflint
Oct 17, 2014, 4:44 AM
Sorry, I'm in Edluva's camp. His critisism was never unfounded and no worse then the vapid "rah-rah" posts. Mods, set some groundrules and let him come back after things cool off. And guys, don't take it so personal; if you live in LA, you have to learn to take it on the chin.
Agreed on all points.

blackcat23
Oct 17, 2014, 1:45 PM
Good to see 10000 SaMo Blvd starting to inch above ground level.

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/proposed-k-town-high-rise-still.html

This is the proposed tower that Flavius mentioned yesterday: 27 stories/300' tall, 269 units, 7,500 sq. ft. retail, 562 parking spaces in a seven-floor garage (two underground, five podium). Designed by Oakes Architects, developed by Colony Holdings, LLC.

For reasons already stated, it looks to be a very long shot. The developer has been punting on their date with the City Council PLUM committee for several years, and they require multiple discretionary actions to build the project. One of their requests is a general plan amendment, which are granted very infrequently. The last one that I'm aware of was the big Casden project at the Expo/Sepulveda station.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oJKsO6rM_c/VEBjIWosJ4I/AAAAAAAAEYY/BafN0la1_Rk/s900/catalina1.PNG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t4sj1g3v30k/VEBnuB8T-JI/AAAAAAAAEY0/HepRfpimtHs/s900/Capture.PNG

BrandonJXN
Oct 17, 2014, 1:48 PM
Hmm..looks like something out of San Diego circa 1996.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 17, 2014, 7:46 PM
Bloomberg Businessweek has this about mansion mania out in Arcadia: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-15/chinese-home-buying-binge-transforms-california-suburb-arcadia

Flavius Josephus
Oct 18, 2014, 3:01 AM
Oh FFS. Everyone's favorite NIMBY lawyer has found a judge willing to enjoin Sunset Gordon and revoke its certificate of occupancy--after tenants had started moving in. http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-hollywood-development-20141018-story.html#page=1

(By the way, does anyone know what the status is on the other Silversteined projects? It looks from the docket pages like Hollywood Target is waiting for a hearing in the Court of Appeal and waiting for the California Supreme Court to consider whether to review its petition for stay pending appeal. Doesn't seem to be any action yet from the City on fixing the insanely low height district in the area that caused the problem in the first place as far as I can tell. Don't seem to be any filings on Hollywood/Gower anywhere - is it dead, or are they just holding off on redoing the EIR until the City gets its act together and fixes the HCPU EIR?)

In better news, the 13-story office building at 5757 Wilshire is set for approval at the next CPC meeting. http://cityplanning.lacity.org/MeetingsNHearings/dsp_viewFileDetail.cfm?filename=47779

brudy
Oct 18, 2014, 5:41 AM
Oh FFS. Everyone's favorite NIMBY lawyer has found a judge willing to enjoin Sunset Gordon and revoke its certificate of occupancy--after tenants had started moving in. http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-hollywood-development-20141018-story.html#page=1

(By the way, does anyone know what the status is on the other Silversteined projects? It looks from the docket pages like Hollywood Target is waiting for a hearing in the Court of Appeal and waiting for the California Supreme Court to consider whether to review its petition for stay pending appeal. Doesn't seem to be any action yet from the City on fixing the insanely low height district in the area that caused the problem in the first place as far as I can tell. Don't seem to be any filings on Hollywood/Gower anywhere - is it dead, or are they just holding off on redoing the EIR until the City gets its act together and fixes the HCPU EIR?)

In better news, the 13-story office building at 5757 Wilshire is set for approval at the next CPC meeting. http://cityplanning.lacity.org/MeetingsNHearings/dsp_viewFileDetail.cfm?filename=47779


What I really want to write about that turd would get me banned. What's the point to halting leasing after people have moved in? Are they really going to force people out because they *may* have improperly demoed the old factory? This guy and his nimby cohorts make me sick. This is all about raking in money for the Silverstein and and a lame colloquial misguided Nimby attack on improving the area.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 18, 2014, 6:12 AM
What I really want to write about that turd would get me banned. What's the point to halting leasing after people have moved in? Are they really going to force people out because they *may* have improperly demoed the old factory? This guy and his nimby cohorts make me sick. This is all about raking in money for the Silverstein and and a lame colloquial misguided Nimby attack on improving the area.

Yup. Totally agree. If the demo was improper, courts should make the developer pay some money toward preserving historic buildings, not block nearly-complete construction.

And to be fair, I think LADCP was a mess circa 2008-10 when most of the Silversteined projects were going through the environmental stage. The City was too broke to have enough scrutiny to catch these issues early on in the process, so rather than being fixed before the approvals were finalized, you end up with "do the EIR again" when something that slipped through the cracks gets spotted by an opponent. DTLA would still be a bunch of parking lots were it not for the fact that almost none of the projects face CEQA challenges because the neighbors actually want more development.

Anyway, I hope LADCP is now working hard (1) to get the HCPU back on track and (2) to help retroactively fix the mess that all these projects are in. The under construction ones will almost certainly get finished eventually - but the city's got to reassure developers and their investors that they can beat the NIMBYs, else all that development money's going to stay in New York. If I were Mitch O'Farrell, I'd be calling for a commission or retaining consultants to report on how to fix the mess that is Hollywood development.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 18, 2014, 6:09 PM
Out of Long Beach, plans for some shiny new government buildings. I'm not sure a new city hall has ever really revived a downtown, but at least there's plans to help finance it by developing some hotel and residential units next door. http://www.presstelegram.com/government-and-politics/20141014/long-beach-reveals-civic-center-plans-with-hotel-residential-space-and-shops?source=topstoriesrot and renderings at http://longbeach.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=3289588&GUID=1711ECAA-138D-42F9-B7D0-6D43E5C2E2BE

caligrad
Oct 18, 2014, 7:18 PM
What I really want to write about that turd would get me banned. What's the point to halting leasing after people have moved in? Are they really going to force people out because they *may* have improperly demoed the old factory? This guy and his nimby cohorts make me sick. This is all about raking in money for the Silverstein and and a lame colloquial misguided Nimby attack on improving the area.

I drove by the Hollywood Target the other day. Almost completed but halted as we all know. I cried a little. IF they win the case and halt the completion of Target well than what? we look at a half completed building for years and watch it weather until somebody else comes along to put something else? I understand some nimby concerns with other projects but this one is the most ridiculous one yet.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Oct 18, 2014, 7:53 PM
Agreed. It's not even out of scale for the area. Fuck that scum lawyer and the "la Mirada hoa"... All nonsense and shakedown. I wish someone would expose this scam and throw these guys in jail

Flavius Josephus
Oct 18, 2014, 8:19 PM
Agreed. It's not even out of scale for the area. Fuck that scum lawyer and the "la Mirada hoa"... All nonsense and shakedown. I wish someone would expose this scam and throw these guys in jail

The problem is it's a completely legal scam. The way CEQA's designed, NIMBYs get to extort developers. If they sue and win, the developer has to pay their legal fees. They don't even need to make sure any settlement is used for community purposes. That's why the unions could block the rail manufacturing plant in Palmdale to try to get card check (although to be fair, the environmental documents there were patently insufficient).

Quixote
Oct 18, 2014, 8:23 PM
Who cares about that project? It's ugly.

LA21st
Oct 18, 2014, 8:48 PM
I was in dt LB a few weeks ago. The western side seemed like it could use more highrises there. Like SouthPark, there's too many large 4-6 story complexes taking up alot of real estate down there.

Valyrian Steel
Oct 18, 2014, 9:07 PM
Who cares about that project? It's ugly.

It's even uglier uncompleted.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 18, 2014, 10:29 PM
I was in dt LB a few weeks ago. The western side seemed like it could use more highrises there. Like SouthPark, there's too many large 4-6 story complexes taking up alot of real estate down there.

4-6 story stucco boxes are a good start. They fill in holes in the urban fabric left by parking lots and revive neighborhoods to a point where high rises can pencil out financially. LA actually needs more of them outside the cores - hasn't been building enough housing for decades, hence the growth of the IE.

caligrad
Oct 19, 2014, 3:54 PM
I was in dt LB a few weeks ago. The western side seemed like it could use more highrises there. Like SouthPark, there's too many large 4-6 story complexes taking up alot of real estate down there.

The crazy thing is Long Beach is probably the only city in LA county where its residents honest don't mind the construction of high rises. the eastern end has one of Long Beach tallest standing right in the middle of single family homes on ocean blvd. There were a couple of high rises proposed for downtown, especially the west and central downtown areas but way in 2006-2007 before the recession really hit us hard. I wish some of those plans would follow through. If I remember correctly Long Beach had 8-10 proposals in the 15-30 floors range, so far we got 2 back and currently under construction but the others are still M.I.A.

Yeah LB got slapped with 3 sets of 4-6 story stucco boxes in the past 2-3 years but I think these type of developments work for downtown Long Beach more than they do for downtown LA, LBs current skyline, how its laid out, does well hiding them and blending them into the urban setting.

Wilcal
Oct 19, 2014, 6:14 PM
I hardly ever comment, but can some of you please get off Ed's ballsack already and can we focus on LA metro development?
One last note on Ed's ballsack (ugh, even the thought is revolting). What most in this forum did not comment on was despite his oftentimes insightful comments (from an urban context), the man basically did not like people very much, including himself. Under those sad circumstances, no one, no matter how intelligent, could or should be taken seriously. Enough said.

Wilcal
Oct 19, 2014, 6:25 PM
The problem is it's a completely legal scam. The way CEQA's designed, NIMBYs get to extort developers. If they sue and win, the developer has to pay their legal fees. They don't even need to make sure any settlement is used for community purposes. That's why the unions could block the rail manufacturing plant in Palmdale to try to get card check (although to be fair, the environmental documents there were patently insufficient).

I'm curious, what rail manufacturing plant?

Wilcal
Oct 19, 2014, 6:36 PM
Oh FFS. Everyone's favorite NIMBY lawyer has found a judge willing to enjoin Sunset Gordon and revoke its certificate of occupancy--after tenants had started moving in. http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-hollywood-development-20141018-story.html#page=1

(By the way, does anyone know what the status is on the other Silversteined projects? It looks from the docket pages like Hollywood Target is waiting for a hearing in the Court of Appeal and waiting for the California Supreme Court to consider whether to review its petition for stay pending appeal. Doesn't seem to be any action yet from the City on fixing the insanely low height district in the area that caused the problem in the first place as far as I can tell. Don't seem to be any filings on Hollywood/Gower anywhere - is it dead, or are they just holding off on redoing the EIR until the City gets its act together and fixes the HCPU EIR?)

In better news, the 13-story office building at 5757 Wilshire is set for approval at the next CPC meeting. http://cityplanning.lacity.org/MeetingsNHearings/dsp_viewFileDetail.cfm?filename=47779

Yup. Totally agree. If the demo was improper, courts should make the developer pay some money toward preserving historic buildings, not block nearly-complete construction.

And to be fair, I think LADCP was a mess circa 2008-10 when most of the Silversteined projects were going through the environmental stage. The City was too broke to have enough scrutiny to catch these issues early on in the process, so rather than being fixed before the approvals were finalized, you end up with "do the EIR again" when something that slipped through the cracks gets spotted by an opponent. DTLA would still be a bunch of parking lots were it not for the fact that almost none of the projects face CEQA challenges because the neighbors actually want more development.

Anyway, I hope LADCP is now working hard (1) to get the HCPU back on track and (2) to help retroactively fix the mess that all these projects are in. The under construction ones will almost certainly get finished eventually - but the city's got to reassure developers and their investors that they can beat the NIMBYs, else all that development money's going to stay in New York. If I were Mitch O'Farrell, I'd be calling for a commission or retaining consultants to report on how to fix the mess that is Hollywood development.

I drove by the Hollywood Target the other day. Almost completed but halted as we all know. I cried a little. IF they win the case and halt the completion of Target well than what? we look at a half completed building for years and watch it weather until somebody else comes along to put something else? I understand some nimby concerns with other projects but this one is the most ridiculous one yet.

Agreed. It's not even out of scale for the area. Fuck that scum lawyer and the "la Mirada hoa"... All nonsense and shakedown. I wish someone would expose this scam and throw these guys in jail

The problem is it's a completely legal scam. The way CEQA's designed, NIMBYs get to extort developers. If they sue and win, the developer has to pay their legal fees. They don't even need to make sure any settlement is used for community purposes. That's why the unions could block the rail manufacturing plant in Palmdale to try to get card check (although to be fair, the environmental documents there were patently insufficient).
I read this yesterday morning, and I must say I was quite upset. I thought,
if this were New York, Boston, Chicago, or even Kansas City, and this bastard clown cut into the profits of even a reputable developer, he would mysteriously "disappear" tomorrow. Half a century from now they may find his bones in a old abandoned mine shaft near Barstow. Hey, don't blame me, that's how the game is played in those cities. The sad part is, he would probably be replaced just another of his kind.

Eightball
Oct 19, 2014, 7:10 PM
I'm curious, what rail manufacturing plant?

I posted the articles in the LA transportation thread. Shit is infuriating

kelbeen
Oct 19, 2014, 8:58 PM
The Petersen Automotive Museum closes today but they have already started renovating the building. I'll post a photo later. I'm excited AF for the new PA museum. Broad, Academy museum, and LACMA all disappointed me so I hope this one goes well.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 19, 2014, 10:49 PM
I'm curious, what rail manufacturing plant?

Metro's contractor had a train manufacturing plant slated for Palmdale. In order to get it fast enough for Metro's tight deadline (with Expo 2 and Gold Foothills opening soon), Palmdale tried to argue that the environmental documents from an old, unrelated proposal were good enough. But IBEW, the union, got a law firm to challenge it, offering to withdraw the challenge if Kinshinyaro agreed to use card check rather than a secret ballot on unions. Kinshinyaro, with tight margins on the project, wasn't willing to give in, so the trains will be built somewhere else - probably Nevada or Arizona - instead.

The environmental docs were probably not CEQA compliant, but the challengers were in it for their own reasons rather than caring about the environmental consequences. Because there's no requirement CEQA settlements benefit the whole community, they were allowed to do that.

kelbeen
Oct 20, 2014, 5:30 AM
Work has already started on the Petersen Automotive reno.
Photo taken by me.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15393824549_186b52781d_b.jpg

blackcat23
Oct 20, 2014, 1:10 PM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/miracle-mile-office-project-gets-haircut.html

The 250,000 sq. ft. office tower planned by the J.H. Snyder Co. at 5757 Wilshire Boulevard is taking a bit off the top. Still 13-stories tall, but down to 173' from the original 207' figure.

Supposedly Snyder was in negotiations with two tenants who wanted the entire building, and would probably hire its own architect to redesign the project. This is a little bit of speculation, but the change suggests that he might have signed a tenant.

The old design:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkfB-4uuQTU/VENGGBlK7mI/AAAAAAAAEbk/cMsJrDZNkwM/s1600/museum.jpg

Flavius Josephus
Oct 20, 2014, 1:27 PM
In real estate news, 6100 Wilshire just sold for $76m. http://commercialobserver.com/2014/10/hakim-seals-the-deal-sans-mezz-at-6100-wilshire/. Other big deals at http://www.cpexecutive.com/cities/los-angeles/office-properties-throughout-the-los-angeles-market-trade-hands/1004105480.html. An office park in Culver just got sold too. http://www.globest.com/news/12_969/losangeles/acquisitions_dispositions/JV-Nabs-Westside-Office-Park-351562.html. And there's an industrial park on the way in Azusa. http://www.globest.com/news/12_968/losangeles/development/Industrial-Park-Build-Lands-28M-351500.html.

More concerningly, this piece in the WSJ about big real estate investors pivoting toward increased development doesn't talk about any LA projects, suggesting the city's still struggling to get big investors' attention. http://online.wsj.com/articles/real-estate-investors-shift-focus-to-new-developments-1413311706. And Tokyo just retook third place from LA in the commercial real estate investment rankings; NY and London are top. http://www.rew-online.com/2014/10/15/report-new-york-remains-magnet-for-worlds-money/. The underlying Cushman & Wakefield report indicates LA had anemic 6.9% investment growth, compared to 7.8% for SF, 10.9% for NY, and crazy 30%+ for London, Tokyo, Paris, Chicago, and Dallas; DC is plummeting like a stone. http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/~/media/global-reports/Winning%20in%20Growth%20Cities%202014-2105%20Executive%20Summary.pdf.

Apparently there were also some new C&W LA market reports out on Friday, but they're paywalled.

Wilcal
Oct 20, 2014, 4:52 PM
Metro's contractor had a train manufacturing plant slated for Palmdale. In order to get it fast enough for Metro's tight deadline (with Expo 2 and Gold Foothills opening soon), Palmdale tried to argue that the environmental documents from an old, unrelated proposal were good enough. But IBEW, the union, got a law firm to challenge it, offering to withdraw the challenge if Kinshinyaro agreed to use card check rather than a secret ballot on unions. Kinshinyaro, with tight margins on the project, wasn't willing to give in, so the trains will be built somewhere else - probably Nevada or Arizona - instead.

The environmental docs were probably not CEQA compliant, but the challengers were in it for their own reasons rather than caring about the environmental consequences. Because there's no requirement CEQA settlements benefit the whole community, they were allowed to do that.

I posted the articles in the LA transportation thread. Shit is infuriating

There was a timely write up in this morning's Times. Ironically, despite the fact that no one will get the jobs (either unionized or not), at least not here in California, the IBEW (aren't they involved with DWP?) would consider this a victory. And just consider the thousands of jobs this action may have chased away from (and repelled from coming into) the state. This was not even a Pyrrhic victory it was a "moronic victory." Oh well, in Sacramento the lunatics are running the assylum.

Wilcal
Oct 20, 2014, 4:55 PM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/miracle-mile-office-project-gets-haircut.html

The 250,000 sq. ft. office tower planned by the J.H. Snyder Co. at 5757 Wilshire Boulevard is taking a bit off the top. Still 13-stories tall, but down to 173' from the original 207' figure.

Supposedly Snyder was in negotiations with two tenants who wanted the entire building, and would probably hire its own architect to redesign the project. This is a little bit of speculation, but the change suggests that he might have signed a tenant.

The old design:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkfB-4uuQTU/VENGGBlK7mI/AAAAAAAAEbk/cMsJrDZNkwM/s1600/museum.jpg
I'm wondering what offended the NIMBY's in this neighborhood to bring down the size and height of this project. This area is pretty densely populated and will be near a future Metro station.

brudy
Oct 20, 2014, 5:04 PM
I heard through the rumor mill that the lot on Sunset where there's currently a Jack in Box (google maps says 6409 Sunset Blvd) has sold and will become a hotel.

RST500
Oct 20, 2014, 5:07 PM
I'm wondering what offended the NIMBY's in this neighborhood to bring down the size and height of this project. This area is pretty densely populated and will be near a future Metro station.

Does someone have an estimate what tbe new height will look like?

blackcat23
Oct 20, 2014, 6:08 PM
I'm wondering what offended the NIMBY's in this neighborhood to bring down the size and height of this project. This area is pretty densely populated and will be near a future Metro station.

There weren't a lot of comments on the FEIR, but the few who did write in are opposed to development in any way shape or form.

I heard through the rumor mill that the lot on Sunset where there's currently a Jack in Box (google maps says 6409 Sunset Blvd) has sold and will become a hotel.

LA Business Journal is reporting that it sold for $13.8 million. Maybe a Marriott.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Oct 20, 2014, 6:11 PM
I heard through the rumor mill that the lot on Sunset where there's currently a Jack in Box (google maps says 6409 Sunset Blvd) has sold and will become a hotel.

Yup, it was in this weeks LA Business Journal. I believe Marriott bought the lot (and at a premium price)

brudy
Oct 20, 2014, 6:45 PM
Yup, it was in this weeks LA Business Journal. I believe Marriott bought the lot (and at a premium price)

I think a hotel will be great there, that area is one of my favorite parts of Hollywood (sunset to hollywood blvd along vine and a few blocks west).

Illithid Dude
Oct 20, 2014, 7:20 PM
I'm wondering what offended the NIMBY's in this neighborhood to bring down the size and height of this project. This area is pretty densely populated and will be near a future Metro station.

Honestly, a loss of only 30 feet probably is due to a design change rather than NIMBY involvement.

RaymondChandlerLives
Oct 20, 2014, 8:37 PM
It's a miracle developers haven't abandoned Hollywood completely :

http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-hollywood-development-20141018-story.html#page=1

caligrad
Oct 20, 2014, 9:18 PM
Ugh. Some judges need to be stripped of their titles. If something is already completed or near completion. What's the point of intervening now ??? whats the point ?? will they actually make the developers tear down every project that is completed if some nimbys jump up after the fact crying about preserving their neighborhood ?Hollywood was a crap fest back in the 90's, it was even made fun of on some TV shows and Cartoons, now its a happening spot, its like the nimbys wish Hollywood remained a cesspool.

Why are so many people in the city of LA so hell bent on saving every inch of old architecture ? there could be no significant source of historical value to the building whatsoever other than it being "old" which to some people is over 50 years and people will go crying about preserving it for whatever reason, same goes for a lot of the buildings on Broadway, I see it on here all the time, Some of the buildings on broadway have been butchered beyond recognition from their original facades and interiors and people still want to save them ? why? for what ? we are the only city focused on preserving everything we feel needs to be saved because "its old in LA standards"...... Shoot me.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 20, 2014, 10:31 PM
Honestly, a loss of only 30 feet probably is due to a design change rather than NIMBY involvement.

Yeah - the links on BLA indicated that the tenant wanted their own architect to redesign. Hopefully nothing that will cause CEQA problems, since it is the Miracle Mile and some enterprising attorney will be able to find a plaintiff if they really want to. Interested in who the tenant will be - must be pretty big-time if they're leasing the whole building and retaining their own design team.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 20, 2014, 10:36 PM
Ugh. Some judges need to be stripped of their titles. If something is already completed or near completion. What's the point of intervening now ??? whats the point ?? will they actually make the developers tear down every project that is completed if some nimbys jump up after the fact crying about preserving their neighborhood ?Hollywood was a crap fest back in the 90's, it was even made fun of on some TV shows and Cartoons, now its a happening spot, its like the nimbys wish Hollywood remained a cesspool.

Why are so many people in the city of LA so hell bent on saving every inch of old architecture ? there could be no significant source of historical value to the building whatsoever other than it being "old" which to some people is over 50 years and people will go crying about preserving it for whatever reason, same goes for a lot of the buildings on Broadway, I see it on here all the time, Some of the buildings on broadway have been butchered beyond recognition from their original facades and interiors and people still want to save them ? why? for what ? we are the only city focused on preserving everything we feel needs to be saved because "its old in LA standards"...... Shoot me.

I'm not sure you can blame the judge. Blame the legislators who seem incapable of fixing this law to avoid these abuses. The judges mostly just apply it, and don't always have much leeway.

(That said, I think the planning commission had already found the demo permits were improperly granted based on inaccurate filings but had said it was too late to do anything about it. Since they could probably have redesigned to incorporate, that's a needless destruction of a historic resource. But the penalty should be having to give a few million to the LA Conservancy or something, not having your permits retroactively invalidated. Again, problem with state law, not the judge.)

Flavius Josephus
Oct 20, 2014, 11:21 PM
I'm wondering what offended the NIMBY's in this neighborhood to bring down the size and height of this project. This area is pretty densely populated and will be near a future Metro station.

The Miracle Mile has residential areas very close to Wilshire, and the CPC report indicates that a statement of overriding consideration is necessary because the building would shade residential areas. The redesign seems to have been part community input, part changes the tenant wanted.

blackcat23
Oct 21, 2014, 4:35 PM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/mixed-use-upgrade-for-venice-boulevard.html

Four-to-five story mixed-use development in Palms. 10300 Venice Blvd, 34 units, 2,000 sq. ft. retail.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mpSTuubY90/VEZfZPCio-I/AAAAAAAAEcU/cVsvPATX9xo/s900/10300venice.PNG

BrandonJXN
Oct 21, 2014, 4:42 PM
There's a long string of plazas on Venice Blvd in Palms that I can see developers wanting to put some nice infill projects. I'm thinking the Expo Line will help.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 21, 2014, 5:10 PM
LADCP case filing report is out. Among the more interesting:

- 6201 W Sunset (Hollywood) - Mixed use residential project of unknown height, apparently above the Hollywood Palladium (and incorporating the Palladium into the design). Applicant contact is a lawyer at big law firm Latham & Watkins, so probably something major. Requires a General Plan Amendment, suggesting that the design was done under the HCPU and doesn't fit the old zoning that's back in effect for now. Looks like some more business for everyone's favorite NIMBY lawyer.
- Various small residential and retail developments near Echo Park
- Arts District zone changes
- Venice mixed user already mentioned by Blackcat
- 18529 W Calvert (Reseda) - 24 unit apt bldg
- 307 N Wilmington (Wilmington) - 176 residential unit, 2 phase development
- Megaproject at The Reef/SoLA village (1933 S Broadway - Historic South Central) - 1444 residential condos, 950 commercial condo conversions, 208 key hotel. This is probably just a revised filing of this - http://planning.lacity.org/cts_internet/index.cfm?urlCaseId=196946&caseNumber=CPC-2014-1771-GPA-VZC-SN-VCU-MCUP-CUX-ZV-SPR&fuseaction=case.summary.

http://cityplanning.lacity.org/CNCRpts/dsp_viewFileDetail.cfm?filename=300

By the way, while we're talking about projects in Historic South Central, anyone know what's going on with 233 W Washington? Last I heard, they had some public hearings in August. Any progress since?

blackcat23
Oct 21, 2014, 5:27 PM
LADCP case filing report is out. Among the more interesting:

- 6201 W Sunset (Hollywood) - Mixed use residential project of unknown height, apparently above the Hollywood Palladium (and incorporating the Palladium into the design). Applicant contact is a lawyer at big law firm Latham & Watkins, so probably something major. Requires a General Plan Amendment, suggesting that the design was done under the HCPU and doesn't fit the old zoning that's back in effect for now. Looks like some more business for everyone's favorite NIMBY lawyer.

That would be the Palladium Residences

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdyF1BJE7UE/VCnHMYPCeUI/AAAAAAAAELI/Vh002wagtLU/s900/palladium4.jpg
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/09/another-glimpse-of-future-palladium.html

BrandonJXN
Oct 21, 2014, 5:32 PM
Build them NOW.

The Illusive Man
Oct 21, 2014, 5:36 PM
Damn those are nice. How long until that scumbag lawyer destroys these? Anyone want to make a bet?

Flavius Josephus
Oct 21, 2014, 5:37 PM
That would be the Palladium Residences

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdyF1BJE7UE/VCnHMYPCeUI/AAAAAAAAELI/Vh002wagtLU/s900/palladium4.jpg
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/09/another-glimpse-of-future-palladium.html

I always struggle to remember everything that's going on. Thank you for your encyclopedic knowledge of all things developmenty.

Anyway, presumably it's good news that they're actually filing for approvals. And presumably similarly good news that SoLA village is doing more filings.

Eightball
Oct 21, 2014, 5:39 PM
There was a timely write up in this morning's Times. Ironically, despite the fact that no one will get the jobs (either unionized or not), at least not here in California, the IBEW (aren't they involved with DWP?) would consider this a victory. And just consider the thousands of jobs this action may have chased away from (and repelled from coming into) the state. This was not even a Pyrrhic victory it was a "moronic victory." Oh well, in Sacramento the lunatics are running the assylum.
Here's the article for others: http://www.latimes.com/local/countygovernment/la-me-rail-car-factory-20141021-story.html

Governor needs to step in, mediate this and get the work to stay in CA. I'm going to email his office, though I have no pull of course.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 21, 2014, 6:00 PM
In some possibly more positive news, the Court of Appeal has place the HCPU litigation appeal on an expedited schedule, and should be fully briefed by the end of November. http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=2&doc_id=2083034&doc_no=B257712.

(By the way, it strikes me as interesting that the City has never tried arguing that the census got things wrong. This is a city where, thanks to the failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform, a significant proportion of the population would not exactly be keen to send an official document to the federal government with their address and the names of their entire family. Similarly, the census is notorious for undercounting homeless people. That doesn't mean that they don't need to be taken account of for planning purposes--indeed, if the census undercounts the homeless population, requiring planners to use census figures would actually exacerbate the problem.)

Flavius Josephus
Oct 21, 2014, 6:02 PM
Here's the article for others: http://www.latimes.com/local/countygovernment/la-me-rail-car-factory-20141021-story.html

Governor needs to step in, mediate this and get the work to stay in CA. I'm going to email his office, though I have no pull of course.

Agreed, and CEQA needs reform. That said, I think the environmental documents Palmdale tried to use were nowhere near what even a properly reformed environmental law would require--although the reason they used them was in part because they needed to move faster than CEQA's cumbersome schedule of filings would allow.

blackcat23
Oct 22, 2014, 1:18 PM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/affordable-housing-headed-to-wilmington.html

176 units of affordable housing in Wilmington. Eight properties, adding onto 300+ units in the existing Dana Strand Village.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWybOx6oQmY/VEa7eYENdwI/AAAAAAAAEc0/eXlXlWX9Evg/s1600/danastrand.PNG

caligrad
Oct 22, 2014, 5:55 PM
^^^ Ive always felt that affordable housing should be spread out through out the city instead of being concentrated in one area....You would think city governments would learn their lessons from the past. Driving west on the 105 you see the affordable housing disaster in plain view. Concentrating low income people in one area is a disaster. Wilmington is already a questionable area already. its about to get worse.

kelbeen
Oct 23, 2014, 8:21 AM
Forgot the name. Located on the intersection of Los Feliz, Central, and San Fernando
Taken by me yesterday

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15579281636_cd918e78a0_c.jpg

blackcat23
Oct 23, 2014, 3:21 PM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/small-lot-subdivision-proposed-in.html

Small lot houses on Gordon Street in Hollywood, just a few blocks south of Sunset Boulevard.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJnKhy-2_4E/VEhPk2nI5WI/AAAAAAAAEdk/aL0Zgz71YUI/s900/sdh.PNG

Flavius Josephus
Oct 23, 2014, 5:04 PM
^^^ Ive always felt that affordable housing should be spread out through out the city instead of being concentrated in one area....You would think city governments would learn their lessons from the past. Driving west on the 105 you see the affordable housing disaster in plain view. Concentrating low income people in one area is a disaster. Wilmington is already a questionable area already. its about to get worse.

That's the city's general policy, and with the density bonus ordinance, most multifamily developments include an affordable component in order to get increased height/FAR or reduced parking incentives. LA hasn't gone as far as some cities in the region that mandate a certain percentage affordable in any multifamily development. But with the housing shortage getting as bad as it is, they'll take any affordable housing they can get these days.

And most of the housing you see along the 105 isn't strictly affordable housing, in the sense of being designated for people of below a certain percentage of area median income - it's either market-rate housing in areas where the market rate is relatively low because the neighborhood sucks or RSO housing where rent increases are controlled but upon vacancy the rent can be raised to the market rate.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 23, 2014, 5:20 PM
Some updates on the office market from C&W: http://www.globest.com/news/12_971/losangeles/office/Employment-Gets-Nearly-2-Bump-351635.html. Good employment growth and 1.1Msqft Q3 net absorption (2.3Msqft year on year). Still some nasty high vacancy rates across the region and negative net absorption downtown, but at least we're moving in the right direction - although we can probably expect demand for new office tower construction to remain weak unless those vacancy numbers start improving.

Meanwhile, here's another boosterish piece on Silicon Beach. http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2014/Web-surfing-meets-wave-surfing-in-Southern-California's-'Silicon-Beach'-tech-scene/id-d979d0c6afb94f1eaa593e19efd7fddb. It'll be interesting to see if anything there grows big enough to justify a high-rise HQ.

blackcat23
Oct 23, 2014, 5:37 PM
Meanwhile, here's another boosterish piece on Silicon Beach. http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2014/Web-surfing-meets-wave-surfing-in-Southern-California's-'Silicon-Beach'-tech-scene/id-d979d0c6afb94f1eaa593e19efd7fddb. It'll be interesting to see if anything there grows big enough to justify a high-rise HQ.

Do high-rises really appeal to these kinds of tech companies? Even in the Bay Area, most of heavyweights are opting for big low-rise campuses. The only exception I can think of is Salesforce.

Downtown LA has plenty of empty space in its landmark towers, but most of the leasing activity seems to be concentrated in restored low-rise buildings.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 23, 2014, 5:52 PM
Do high-rises really appeal to these kinds of tech companies? Even in the Bay Area, most of heavyweights are opting for big low-rise campuses. The only exception I can think of is Salesforce.

Downtown LA has plenty of empty space in its landmark towers, but most of the leasing activity seems to be concentrated in restored low-rise buildings.

The piece notes that LA-based tech companies haven't gone for the out-of-town campuses common in Silicon Valley. I don't think we can predict what will happen if they grow.

Amazon's new HQ in Seattle is a new-build high rise. And Twitter and the SoMa tech hub are mid-to-high rise in SF, although that was mostly adaptive reuse rather than new build. And both in Seattle and SoMa, the heavy tech presence has led to residential high rise development.

brudy
Oct 23, 2014, 6:05 PM
Do high-rises really appeal to these kinds of tech companies? Even in the Bay Area, most of heavyweights are opting for big low-rise campuses. The only exception I can think of is Salesforce.

Downtown LA has plenty of empty space in its landmark towers, but most of the leasing activity seems to be concentrated in restored low-rise buildings.

That may have more to do with the 'cool vibe' factor of a rehabbed building versus the stale feel of something like the US Bank tower.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 23, 2014, 7:20 PM
Some good CEQA litigation news, for a change, out of Westwood: http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-ln-ucla-hotel-20141022-story.html

Munchitup
Oct 23, 2014, 9:45 PM
Here is an update from the Playhouse District in Pasadena, taken today by me on my phone (so please excuse the picture quality). The two projects seen in the photos are the Playhouse Plaza (http://www.pasadenaplayhouseplaza.com/) and Union Village (http://www.mackurban.com/properties/union-village/).

At the intersection of Green and El Molino looking north:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p720x720/1796726_781198350633_6754489528943586934_o.jpg

Looking east at the corner of Colorado and El Molino:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/p180x540/10362817_781197192953_2908421913945112941_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/q83/p843x403/1978575_781197158023_5447006230723732813_o.jpg

Looking south across Colorado Blvd:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/p843x403/1891308_781197093153_1777924085489292499_o.jpg

Looking south from the Target parking structure:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/p843x403/10631251_781197257823_4489460009294526286_o.jpg

Union Village is mostly a hole in the ground at this point (Playhouse Plaza seen in the background):
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/q83/p843x403/10556876_781197277783_6985822193864694063_o.jpg

Lots of parking lots along Union north of Colorado Blvd.
https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/p843x403/10683406_781197237863_1567996894612917375_o.jpg

As a bonus, here is another poor-quality picture from Arroyo Parkway, no idea what they are building here but it is across the street from the Whole Foods. Here is the street view. (https://www.google.com/maps/@34.1373388,-118.1472968,3a,75y,107.97h,82.64t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s8U4byGQzizjvWRhj4hpZRQ!2e0)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/p480x480/10680058_781197133073_9114985091940348342_o.jpg

caligrad
Oct 24, 2014, 4:45 AM
That's the city's general policy, and with the density bonus ordinance, most multifamily developments include an affordable component in order to get increased height/FAR or reduced parking incentives. LA hasn't gone as far as some cities in the region that mandate a certain percentage affordable in any multifamily development. But with the housing shortage getting as bad as it is, they'll take any affordable housing they can get these days.

And most of the housing you see along the 105 isn't strictly affordable housing, in the sense of being designated for people of below a certain percentage of area median income - it's either market-rate housing in areas where the market rate is relatively low because the neighborhood sucks or RSO housing where rent increases are controlled but upon vacancy the rent can be raised to the market rate.

I was specifically talking about the 2 sets of affordable housing projects along the 105. The first covers about a mile long and a mile wide of housing blocks on imperial and sits between central and Compton ave and the other sits on imperial and Mona blvd. examples of affordable housing at its worse.

Before the 105 was there, before It was a bad area, or not nearly as bad as it is now, ive seen pictures of the area and its barely recognizable. a really good part of the city back in the day.

the city allowed for the construction of them and now the drag the entire neighborhoods around them down. I promise you if both sets of projects were torn down and everybody dispersed across the city, those areas would change drastically and quickly. Both projects are literally in the center of the roughest areas of LA.

The projects in Wilmington are strictly affordable housing/low income housing, no matter how its worded its still low income housing. Wilmington has always been a city that had its good years and bad years but now I have a feeling its going to see a lot more bad years.

Public housing/affordable housing/low income housing = always a bad situation in the long run and the city knows this. The reason why other cities stopped building them.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 24, 2014, 12:43 PM
I was specifically talking about the 2 sets of affordable housing projects along the 105. The first covers about a mile long and a mile wide of housing blocks on imperial and sits between central and Compton ave and the other sits on imperial and Mona blvd. examples of affordable housing at its worse.

Before the 105 was there, before It was a bad area, or not nearly as bad as it is now, ive seen pictures of the area and its barely recognizable. a really good part of the city back in the day.

the city allowed for the construction of them and now the drag the entire neighborhoods around them down. I promise you if both sets of projects were torn down and everybody dispersed across the city, those areas would change drastically and quickly. Both projects are literally in the center of the roughest areas of LA.

The projects in Wilmington are strictly affordable housing/low income housing, no matter how its worded its still low income housing. Wilmington has always been a city that had its good years and bad years but now I have a feeling its going to see a lot more bad years.

Public housing/affordable housing/low income housing = always a bad situation in the long run and the city knows this. The reason why other cities stopped building them.

I think the 105 corridor going downhill was more related to the decline of the aerospace industry (and industry in general), but yeah, it's well-recognized that concentrating poverty as they did in 1940s housing projects along the City of LA portion of the 105 is a bad idea. In many cities, they're knocking down the projects and starting again. In LA, I think they'd often like to do that, but the housing crisis means that there isn't a way to provide enough affordable housing any other way. HACLA haven't built a true new public housing project in a long time.

And yeah, Imperial Courts and Nickerson Gardens are notoriously terrible public housing projects. But if you're looking along the full length of the 105--admittedly, often not part of the City of LA--most of the housing (and most of the affordable housing) you'll see won't be Housing Authority projects. The only construction HACLA's doing now is--like here--rebuilding a few old properties it owns like Dana Strand and Jordan Downs. But the vast majority of affordable housing development today is non-profit housing, not true public housing. HACLA owns a total of 9300 units, a tiny fraction of the City's housing.

LAsam
Oct 24, 2014, 4:11 PM
In Century City news, the Westfield tower has green fencing going up around it and appears to be mostly, if not completely vacated. I think they may be getting ready for demolition and will keep everyone posted. Also, the big dirt lot in the middle of Century City, which I believe is 1950 Ave of the Stars, has had some construction equipment on site performing demo work on the at-grade portion of the site along Ave of the Stars. They also removed the public notice sign from the green fencing that has been up for forever so maybe they are in the preliminary stages of site work?

10000 Santa Monica appears to be moving along nicely... any new photos? :)

circuitfiend
Oct 24, 2014, 6:04 PM
^^^

Re 10000 SaMo: They're pouring walls today. Additional excavation yesterday.

I'll take a snap or two and post later this weekend. I also have additional progress pics from the last several weeks that haven't been posted.

Wally West
Oct 24, 2014, 7:36 PM
Thanks for the Pasadena update, Munchitup! I've been really curious on the progress of those projects.

LAsam
Oct 24, 2014, 8:47 PM
Confirmed at lunch today that the green fencing around the Westfield tower is indeed in preparation for demolition.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 25, 2014, 12:54 AM
In Century City news, the Westfield tower has green fencing going up around it and appears to be mostly, if not completely vacated. I think they may be getting ready for demolition and will keep everyone posted. Also, the big dirt lot in the middle of Century City, which I believe is 1950 Ave of the Stars, has had some construction equipment on site performing demo work on the at-grade portion of the site along Ave of the Stars. They also removed the public notice sign from the green fencing that has been up for forever so maybe they are in the preliminary stages of site work?

10000 Santa Monica appears to be moving along nicely... any new photos? :)

Is the Westfield project this downsized tower idea? http://www.westfield.com/centurycity/center-info/development/faq/

ChelseaFC
Oct 25, 2014, 2:21 AM
Thanks for the Pasadena update, Munchitup! I've been really curious on the progress of those projects.

There are also quite a few hotel projects in Pasadena in progress or coming in the near future.

Residence Inn on Walnut
Constance Hotel near Lake
YWCA Building Kimpton Boutique
Hyatt Place at Paseo
Colorado and Hill
Colorado and Holliston

caligrad
Oct 25, 2014, 6:25 AM
I think the 105 corridor going downhill was more related to the decline of the aerospace industry (and industry in general), but yeah, it's well-recognized that concentrating poverty as they did in 1940s housing projects along the City of LA portion of the 105 is a bad idea. In many cities, they're knocking down the projects and starting again. In LA, I think they'd often like to do that, but the housing crisis means that there isn't a way to provide enough affordable housing any other way. HACLA haven't built a true new public housing project in a long time.

And yeah, Imperial Courts and Nickerson Gardens are notoriously terrible public housing projects. But if you're looking along the full length of the 105--admittedly, often not part of the City of LA--most of the housing (and most of the affordable housing) you'll see won't be Housing Authority projects. The only construction HACLA's doing now is--like here--rebuilding a few old properties it owns like Dana Strand and Jordan Downs. But the vast majority of affordable housing development today is non-profit housing, not true public housing. HACLA owns a total of 9300 units, a tiny fraction of the City's housing.

:tup: Ah I see what you were saying now. But yeah. Concentrating these in a single area is never bueno. ugh. Horrible.

blackcat23
Oct 26, 2014, 4:22 PM
Dream Hotel update:

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/steel-sprouts-for-hollywoods-dream-hotel.html

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1O6LrMvH7U/VEwqpYLhLNI/AAAAAAAAEeg/2b1vLvzmqOA/s900/DSC03458.JPG

blackcat23
Oct 27, 2014, 1:21 PM
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0b-irn21W2E/VE03Le2A1_I/AAAAAAAAEfg/w00VrbzGJyE/s1600/DSC03509.JPG

Construction crane up at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0b-irn21W2E/VE03Le2A1_I/AAAAAAAAEfg/w00VrbzGJyE/s900/DSC03509.JPG

As LAsam mentioned last week, protective barriers are going up around Gateway West/1801 Avenue of the Stars. Looks like demolition will start soon.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YGHehmm4t4/VEwtG897I3I/AAAAAAAAEes/UX_uR-e6GkE/s900/DSC03480.JPG

Illithid Dude
Oct 27, 2014, 3:13 PM
Rip a great building from a great architect. I'm not happy to see this one go down.

POLA
Oct 27, 2014, 5:11 PM
Man, LA must have some extremely restrictive zoning because this constantly happens; tearing down multistory buildings only to replace them with multistory buildings. :koko:

Wally West
Oct 27, 2014, 5:17 PM
Man, LA must have some extremely restrictive zoning because this constantly happens; tearing down multistory buildings only to replace them with multistory buildings. :koko:

Yeah, it seems like an incredible waste of a nice building. Especially since LA is full of strip malls.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 27, 2014, 5:58 PM
Yeah, it seems like an incredible waste of a nice building. Especially since LA is full of strip malls.

Strip malls in low-value locations. Zoning/neighborhood opposition is part of it; another part is that clustering makes land in hubs like DTLA, Century City, and Santa Monica far, far more valuable than the land those strip malls sit on. And with the office market still struggling, office buildings that can't be adapted into other uses will often be more valuable as development sites because of the meager rents they bring in in their current form.

Steve2726
Oct 27, 2014, 6:36 PM
Rip a great building from a great architect. I'm not happy to see this one go down.

Small consolation but it's twin remains just across the street.

caligrad
Oct 27, 2014, 7:05 PM
Small consolation but it's twin remains just across the street.

Yup. Its literal twin is across the street. its complete identical twin. The only reason why I don't mind seeing this one go. LA needs more diversity, especially in century city where most of the high-rises are twins. so to sacrifice one to get something totally different I will accept. We are starting to become the city of twins and its getting annoying.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 28, 2014, 12:54 PM
From GlobeSt, signs that San Pedro may be hotting up a bit: http://www.globest.com/news/12_975/losangeles/acquisitions_dispositions/San-Pedro-Bank-Lofts-Trade-for-24M-351874.html

blackcat23
Oct 28, 2014, 1:09 PM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/low-rise-residential-pops-up-on-santa.html

This is a new apartment complex on Santa Monica Boulevard, a few blocks west of Century City. Five stories, 24 units, designed by Plus Architects.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Np6tu8J5hRk/VEw4OyYULzI/AAAAAAAAEe4/qheFBZX1mdE/s900/photo%2B2.JPG

_____________________________________________________________________

In other news, The Stinking Rose restaurant on La Cienega sold for $17 million, likely to be developed due to its proximity to the future Purple Line station a half-block south.

http://www.labusinessjournal.com/news/2014/oct/27/stinking-rose-site-sold-may-bloom-anew/

Eightball
Oct 28, 2014, 4:25 PM
Snapped a few pics yesterday of several of the buildings going up next to the Culver City Expo Line Station. First one is at Washington and National:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15647292725_746a95d676_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pQGsZ4)New Construction Adjacent to the Culver City Expo Line Station (https://flic.kr/p/pQGsZ4) by thaeisahtbizall (https://www.flickr.com/people/73028294@N00/), on Flickr

When finished it will look this I believe: http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/06/expoadjacent_the_platform_mall_rising_quick_signing_leases.php
http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/5390f134f92ea133a400e7b2/Screen%20shot%202013-01-22%20at%201.32.14%20PM.jpg

The next two buildings are next to the first on Washington: (I think the first building below can be seen in the rendering above, and the second building below is in the distance in the render)
Edit: see below for better pictures

bzcat
Oct 28, 2014, 5:45 PM
In other news, The former Stinking Rose restaurant on La Cienega sold for $17 million, likely to be developed due to its proximity to the future Purple Line station a half-block south.

http://www.labusinessjournal.com/news/2014/oct/27/stinking-rose-site-sold-may-bloom-anew/

Former? The restaurant is still open... I was just there a few days ago. And it will continue to operate per the article you linked. ;)

blackcat23
Oct 28, 2014, 6:07 PM
Sigh...as I said on SSC, this is what happens when you post things at 6:00 am. I'll edit it.

blackcat23
Oct 29, 2014, 1:16 PM
http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/ucla-medical-school-expansion-takes-form.html

UCLA Teaching and Learning Center for Health Sciences, as of this weekend.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwv9VryMVDk/VE8W_C9l9JI/AAAAAAAAEgg/KepzchDEkEA/s900/photo%2B1.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMYhT1mAeZ0/UkyNqKN-s_I/AAAAAAAADNs/1RyVBPHPtNw/s900/TLC1.jpg

202_Cyclist
Oct 29, 2014, 1:52 PM
This isn't strictly development-related but it is an interesting article.

The Noise Near This Airport’s Runway Is Getting Louder

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/10/29/business/29airport-pic4/29airport-pic4-master675.jpg
A jet landing at Santa Monica Airport in California. Credit Emily Berl for The New York Times

By Christine Negroni
NY Times
Oct. 28, 2014

"SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Residential neighborhoods encircle the municipal airport here on three sides. And while it has no airline service, about 260 aircraft operate every day from Santa Monica Municipal Airport’s 5,000-foot runway on a plateau above the surrounding terrain.

From above, the airfield looks “like an aircraft carrier in a sea of homes,” says Alan Levenson, who lives near the airport and sometimes watches the activity from the roof of his garage.

Aircraft as small as single-engine planes and helicopters and as large as twin-engine business jets fly in and out of the 227-acre airport. As its traffic has increased, it has brought to a boil a simmering battle over whether the airport has outgrown its surroundings..."

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/realestate/at-santa-monica-airport-the-noise-off-the-runway-is-getting-louder.html

Eightball
Oct 29, 2014, 10:34 PM
Better pics of the latter two buildings I posted yesterday

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/15638468016_bc81f426fb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pPVeGU)Culver City expo line stop construction (https://flic.kr/p/pPVeGU) by thaeisahtbizall (https://www.flickr.com/people/73028294@N00/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15475560379_95d7fdc9c1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pzwhWx)Culver City expo line stop construction (https://flic.kr/p/pzwhWx) by thaeisahtbizall (https://www.flickr.com/people/73028294@N00/), on Flickr

Muji
Oct 29, 2014, 10:54 PM
Nice update on the Platform, Eightball. I'm glad to see any progress towards livening up the area around Culver City Station. I hope it won't be too long before we see some redevelopment proposals for nearby blocks of Venice Blvd too.

caligrad
Oct 29, 2014, 11:11 PM
This isn't strictly development-related but it is an interesting article.

The Noise Near This Airport’s Runway Is Getting Louder

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/10/29/business/29airport-pic4/29airport-pic4-master675.jpg
A jet landing at Santa Monica Airport in California. Credit Emily Berl for The New York Times

By Christine Negroni
NY Times
Oct. 28, 2014

"SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Residential neighborhoods encircle the municipal airport here on three sides. And while it has no airline service, about 260 aircraft operate every day from Santa Monica Municipal Airport’s 5,000-foot runway on a plateau above the surrounding terrain.

From above, the airfield looks “like an aircraft carrier in a sea of homes,” says Alan Levenson, who lives near the airport and sometimes watches the activity from the roof of his garage.

Aircraft as small as single-engine planes and helicopters and as large as twin-engine business jets fly in and out of the 227-acre airport. As its traffic has increased, it has brought to a boil a simmering battle over whether the airport has outgrown its surroundings..."

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/29/realestate/at-santa-monica-airport-the-noise-off-the-runway-is-getting-louder.html

I'm on the fence about this situation..... The airport has been there forever it feels. All the residents knew what they were getting themselves into. If you don't want the noise and traffic coming from the airport than why in the H*** would you move right next to one?????? makes no sense :koko:. I almost bought a house next to the long beach airport. a great deal at $200k for a 3 bedroom house, not bad. BUT I used common sense. why put myself in a situation knowing of the consequences ahead of time. BUT on the other hand. Is the Santa Monica really needed? its only used for private planes and it really is in a bad City with a plateaued skyline.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 30, 2014, 11:14 AM
I'm on the fence about this situation..... The airport has been there forever it feels. All the residents knew what they were getting themselves into. If you don't want the noise and traffic coming from the airport than why in the H*** would you move right next to one?????? makes no sense :koko:. I almost bought a house next to the long beach airport. a great deal at $200k for a 3 bedroom house, not bad. BUT I used common sense. why put myself in a situation knowing of the consequences ahead of time. BUT on the other hand. Is the Santa Monica really needed? its only used for private planes and it really is in a bad City with a plateaued skyline.

I'm not a fan of general aviation airports - they cause a lot more suffering in the form of noise and pollution than any good they do, and exist mostly because they were created in WWII and the FAA has been hostile to closures. Wealthy private plane owners should not be a high priority. That said, if we're talking about closing general aviation airports, we should be closing the ones in disadvantaged neighborhoods first, not putting more of a burden on them by closing airports near wealthy areas.

In the meantime, I'm all for taxing general aviation fuel to the hilt and spending it on mitigating (1) noise pollution (e.g., noiseproofing) and (2) GHG emissions (e.g., transit/HSR investments).

Steve2726
Oct 30, 2014, 1:46 PM
If you don't want the noise and traffic coming from the airport than why in the H*** would you move right next to one??????

I think it's safe to say they bought next to the airport because it gave them an opportunity to live close to the ocean at a significant discount to all other beach communities.

All your points are completely valid tho. That airport dates back to WW2 right?

Flavius Josephus
Oct 30, 2014, 6:50 PM
I think it's safe to say they bought next to the airport because it gave them an opportunity to live close to the ocean at a significant discount to all other beach communities.

All your points are completely valid tho. That airport dates back to WW2 right?

Older, I think. But the legal issue the City's facing involves a condition attached to the feds' return of the airstrip after WWII. Part of the neighborhood used to be industrial (Douglas, I think) until the aircraft industry left town.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 30, 2014, 7:16 PM
On a different note, this blog post from Metro indicates that the long-overdue development of the massive (15.6 acres! - or, in the words, of Roger Moliere of Metro, "very, very large" [http://www.planningreport.com/2011/07/31/roger-moliere-leads-metros-5-billion-joint-development-program]) sea of asphalt around NoHo station is on the cards. The formal RFI/RFQs will be issued in the next few months. No details beyond that the plan is mixed use (duh). http://thesource.metro.net/2014/10/30/historic-lankershim-depot-gets-extreme-makeover/

According to this somewhat dated presentation, Metro plans a "Landmark, high-density,
creative arts-oriented, 'town center'," with renderings showing possible high rises (although planned as office, which sounds optimistic in this market). http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/articlefiles/Metro_TOD_presentation.pdf.

Some students from Harvard had a go at their own proposals for the area more recently, and unsurprisingly there's a very strong emphasis on residential (with some retail) in almost all proposals and very little office space. http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic1316035.files/NOHO_FIELD%20STUDY%20DOSSIER_FINAL_130916_FL_small%20vector.pdf

Eightball
Oct 30, 2014, 7:21 PM
Nice update on the Platform, Eightball. I'm glad to see any progress towards livening up the area around Culver City Station. I hope it won't be too long before we see some redevelopment proposals for nearby blocks of Venice Blvd too.
Agreed, it seems like high quality development. Would also love to see Venice Blvd pick up... though they need a road diet or bus only lanes on Venice to make it more hospitable. Pedestrian walking amenities could be improved throughout that area, though, in my opinion. Get rid of the beg buttons (everywhere!) widen sidewalks in parts, put a crosswalk right at the metro stop (wash/ntnl is one of the worst intersections) etc. The walk/bike paths are cool, however.

Flavius Josephus
Oct 30, 2014, 7:36 PM
Agreed, it seems like high quality development. Would also love to see Venice Blvd pick up... though they need a road diet or bus only lanes on Venice to make it more hospitable. Pedestrian walking amenities could be improved throughout that area, though, in my opinion.

Streetsblog had some coverage on this today. http://la.streetsblog.org/2014/10/30/new-chamber-of-commerce-excited-about-great-streets-on-venice-blvd. And per the Westside Mobility Plan, there's definitely been thoughts about Venice BRT (or even a streetcar, which imho would provide fewer transit benefits at much higher cost, especially along a busy corridor). I think the City is taking control over Venice Blvd from Caltrans imminently (it's currently officially State Route 187, which was probably a bad number to pick considering that it's well-known as the Penal Code section on murder), so some changes may be coming.

Meanwhile, a bunch of environmental documents from LADCP today: 160 unit affordable housing development at 536 W 127th (http://cityplanning.lacity.org/staffrpt/mnd/ENV-2014-2372.pdf), and 46 unit apartment building at 729 N Hudson in Hollywood (http://cityplanning.lacity.org/staffrpt/mnd/ENV-2014-2153.pdf).

Mayor Garcetti announced plans for 100k new housing units by 2021 - much needed, but let's hope he follows through by adequately staffing LADCP and updating community plans so land use regulations allow more housing development. http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-garcetti-housing-minimum-wage-20141029-story.html http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/at-labc-summit-mayor-garcetti-announces-new-policies-to-address-affordable-housing-shortage-in-los-angeles-280849612.html

And good news on the Millenium Hollywood - LADBS agreed with the developers that the site is safe and no further studies are needed. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-city-agrees-with-hollywood-developer-no-active-fault-under-proposed-project-20141030-story.html. Inevitable lawsuit in 5, 4, 3...

BrianMojo
Oct 30, 2014, 11:51 PM
According to this somewhat dated presentation, Metro plans a "Landmark, high-density,
creative arts-oriented, 'town center'," with renderings showing possible high rises (although planned as office, which sounds optimistic in this market). http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/articlefiles/Metro_TOD_presentation.pdf.


I found the Mariachi Plaza rendering in that PDF particularly interesting. I had no idea there was such a plan even suggested!

blackcat23
Oct 31, 2014, 1:56 PM
Minor office project in Culver City, on the Sony Picture Studios lot. Four stories, 23,000 square feet.

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.com/2014/10/new-sony-studios-office-building-gets.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKQBj_8Fyjw/VFLYd-IJ-TI/AAAAAAAAEiI/ySDZCLbZZK4/s900/DSC03537.JPG

Should be followed sometime in the near future by a larger eight-story, 218,000 square foot building.

colemonkee
Oct 31, 2014, 2:42 PM
^ Must be primarily for post production. Those windows are punishingly small for a modern office building.

LAsam
Oct 31, 2014, 3:37 PM
As if Century City were not on a roll already with 10000 Santa Monica Blvd and the Westfield tower, I've been seeing workers and equipment at the following site for the last couple of weeks... Looks like they've updated their website as well... anyone have some insider info on this?

http://www.centurycitycenter.com/project

http://www.centurycitycenter.com/images/project_slider_1.png

http://www.centurycitycenter.com/images/project_slider_2.png

edluva
Oct 31, 2014, 5:27 PM
slightly off topic, but for those of you able to vote santa monica, please vote pam oconnor, frank gruber, and mike feinstein for the 3 council seats being contested. they are much better informed and less anti-development than the rest of the candidates (with added caveat to feinstein but there is probably no better third candidate). oconnor and gruber have been staunch bike and transit advocates, not only for santa monica but for the region as a whole, with oconnor heavily involved in regional transit planning, and gruber being as close to a SSP councilmember as you can find. he's written extensively on urbanism and demonstrates the ability to distinguish between good (ped/bike/transit) and bad (auto-oriented) density. something even most "progressive" angelenos fail to appreciate.

feinstein wants to pass height-restriction ordinances and he's still the most moderate of the remainders (that's how backwards we are in samo)