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LosAngelesSportsFan
May 4, 2009, 4:32 AM
its madaam tusauds.

LACienega
May 4, 2009, 5:09 PM
Thanks ThreeHundred! :cheers:

I was driving through Hollywood and Highland and I saw it under construction. It's really starting to take shape and a great add to H&H. Two years ago pedestrian activity would not cross after The Chinese theatre but I've been recently noticing pedestrian traffic reach from La Brea to the 101 freeway.

Hollywood and Higlhand has to be L.A. own version of Times Square although at a much smaller scale. Makes you think what Hollywood and Highland will be like in 2020. ???

:shrug: :banana:

JDRCRASH
May 5, 2009, 7:53 PM
^ Yeah, I was there this weekend when I went with people in my religious congregation to go see the movie, "Earth" at the El Capitan. Its really coming along. Should've brought my camera.:(

BrandonJXN
May 6, 2009, 6:37 PM
its madaam tusauds.

The lady who makes wax people.

:frog:

JDRCRASH
May 7, 2009, 7:18 PM
I wonder which wax figures they're gonna include first? Obama, maybe? Antonio?

StethJeff
May 11, 2009, 3:55 PM
Oh god please stop with the Times Square comparisons people. I don't care if it's LA Live, H&H, H&V, or Glendora. This isn't New York.

LosAngelesSportsFan
May 11, 2009, 6:09 PM
thank you Stethjeff. its so fucking tiring already. who gives a fuck about times square.

edluva
May 11, 2009, 11:47 PM
^apparently a lot of angelenos. it's good that you two don't care, but it's too bad that won't change the fact that if LA were a person, it wouldn't have a mind of its own. It will always be an LA thing to care about NY. the rebellious attitude of a couple of people won't do much to change that

StethJeff
May 12, 2009, 2:10 AM
^apparently a lot of angelenos. it's good that you two don't care, but it's too bad that won't change the fact that if LA were a person, it wouldn't have a mind of its own. It will always be an LA thing to care about NY. the rebellious attitude of a couple of people won't do much to change that

It goes both ways.

LACienega
May 12, 2009, 5:08 AM
Damn, I guess you guys have heard that comparison millions of times.

anyways, Im not trying to compare L.A. to N.Y. nor do I think of Hollywood and Highland as our version of Times Square but the two can be compared somewhat. It just really amuses me of what H&H will become in the next ten years.

Been to New York and I love it but I love L.A. even more for some reason.

I also hate when people talk about New York and try to compare it to L.A. somehow...seriously!! it trully does annoy me, but in my earlier post that wasnt my true question. I just wonder what you forumers believe H&H will be like in ten years...or Hollywood in its entierty. ??

edluva
May 12, 2009, 8:17 AM
It goes both ways.

yeah, that's exacly why developers and politicans in NY are constantly alluding to LA. as are forumers alike i'm sure. right.

JDRCRASH
May 12, 2009, 3:44 PM
I will say that the "Coalition to BBB", has a point. You can't have billboards EVERYWHERE in Los Angeles. But can't you have it in places like South Park and Hollywood?

dktshb
May 12, 2009, 11:58 PM
Damn, I guess you guys have heard that comparison millions of times.

anyways, Im not trying to compare L.A. to N.Y. nor do I think of Hollywood and Highland as our version of Times Square but the two can be compared somewhat. It just really amuses me of what H&H will become in the next ten years.

Been to New York and I love it but I love L.A. even more for some reason.

I also hate when people talk about New York and try to compare it to L.A. somehow...seriously!! it trully does annoy me, but in my earlier post that wasnt my true question. I just wonder what you forumers believe H&H will be like in ten years...or Hollywood in its entierty. ??
In 10 years H&H will look like an older version of the piece of crap bland mall that it is today and will still have the same disturbing quality of having a soulless empty feeling that sucks away any energy that exists in the surrounding area like a big bohemoth parasite. Fortunately everything that surrounds H&H will only continue to get better... the area is already an interesting lively 24/7 town with a bad mall in the middle of it.

LAsam
May 13, 2009, 4:15 PM
In 10 years H&H will look like an older version of the piece of crap bland mall that it is today and will still have the same disturbing quality of having a soulless empty feeling that sucks away any energy that exists in the surrounding area like a big bohemoth parasite. Fortunately everything that surrounds H&H will only continue to get better... the area is already an interesting lively 24/7 town with a bad mall in the middle of it.

I haven't lived here long enough to say for sure, but didn't H&H kind of act like a catalyst for development along Hollywood Blvd? If so, it's ironic that you would regard it with such disdain when it is responsible in large part for the success of an area you are praising.

colemonkee
May 14, 2009, 4:10 AM
^ In a way it did act as a catalyst for development, yes, but the subway stop at H&H is a very large part of that. Prior to the opening of H&H, that area was already fairly busy as a tourist attraction (Mann's Chinese, Hollywood Walk of Fame, etc), but far more dumpy. I think the general consensus with H&H is that something better could have been developed on that parcel, with a better design and street presence, and something that doesn't draw foot traffic in to what is essentially a multi-story retail courtyard. On the other hand, we could have gotten much worse.

dktshb
May 15, 2009, 2:04 AM
I haven't lived here long enough to say for sure, but didn't H&H kind of act like a catalyst for development along Hollywood Blvd? If so, it's ironic that you would regard it with such disdain when it is responsible in large part for the success of an area you are praising.

The Subway, Disney's investment with the El Capitan and CIM group (who actually revamped the mall) deserve credit for bringing iterest and development back to Hollywood Blvd. H&H may have helped but not as much as it could have if it was more thoughtfully built.

LAmetroman
May 16, 2009, 11:19 PM
I think many of us on these forums are too young to really know what Hollywood Boulevard used to be like before the Hollywood and Highland complex.

H & H gets a lot of grief, but I think it has done well in terms of propogating a continual renaissance in the area for commerical, hospitality, and residential uses. It is funny, the same people who criticize H&H for "only" being a shopping complex hail the surrounding development. We need to realize H&H also brought us the Kodak Theater and returned to Academy Awards to Hollywood Boulevard. It also included the thorough renovation of the Renaissance Hotel and the expansion of the movie theaters.

If H&H was more self-contained, you would not see the people and thus development spilling onto the streets. I think H&H was smart in stopping short to only create a gathering place rather than trying to establish itself as a destination.

dktshb
May 17, 2009, 4:32 AM
Looking mighty fine:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/069-6.jpg

LACienega
May 17, 2009, 7:37 AM
^^ yes it is.
no shots of the Wax museum?

you know, for all the grief H&H gets...I really like the area
theres always people around...something happening...lights..action!

might not be the greatest tourist attraction but it trully sparked what Hollywood is transforming into

citywatch
May 17, 2009, 8:28 PM
Looking mighty fine:Finally!

That's the first pic I've ever seen of that formerly rat trap bldg renovated & unveiled. Previously, it had sat for yrs in the following condition:

http://i3.tinypic.com/vq0j6d.jpg
Boom

An obviously mostly abandoned bldg, with plywood covering all its upper windows, left in disrepair for yrs & yrs. And directly across the street from the rooftop terrace where, for example, ppl socialize right after the academy awards, no less.

Took forever to fill in that big gap. But better late than never.

Next up will be the replacement & formal unveiling of what was once the parking lot west of Grauman's. Another former deadzone (but now soon to be Tusand's) that took forever to be fixed up. But, again, better late than never.

LosAngelesSportsFan
May 17, 2009, 8:48 PM
I think many of us on these forums are too young to really know what Hollywood Boulevard used to be like before the Hollywood and Highland complex.

H & H gets a lot of grief, but I think it has done well in terms of propogating a continual renaissance in the area for commerical, hospitality, and residential uses. It is funny, the same people who criticize H&H for "only" being a shopping complex hail the surrounding development. We need to realize H&H also brought us the Kodak Theater and returned to Academy Awards to Hollywood Boulevard. It also included the thorough renovation of the Renaissance Hotel and the expansion of the movie theaters.

If H&H was more self-contained, you would not see the people and thus development spilling onto the streets. I think H&H was smart in stopping short to only create a gathering place rather than trying to establish itself as a destination.

very well said. i think the complex does a good job with interacting with Hollywood blvd. the issue is on the Highland side. With the Jefferson and the other new complexes on that side, its a shame. Also, one of the most important pieces is the vacant retail in the historic building on the corner across from H and H. why has that never been leased? it would be a great restaurant space.

JDRCRASH
May 19, 2009, 7:07 PM
A Lot for (Not Any) Less (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/05/a_lot_for_less.php)

Monday, May 18, 2009, by Neal Broverman

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2009_05_3670wilshire.jpg

It was announced last year that the Korean investors behind the shelved 3670 Wilshire project—a super condo tower near Wilshire/Western in Koreatown—had put the land up for sale. But now it looks like they may be finally stepping up their game in an effort to unload—a squeaky-clean sign from commercial real estate agent CB Richard Ellis is up, and the dusty lot is a less strewn with urban debris. The asking price hasn't moved in months though: $40 million. The area is close to subway stops, office buildings, and across the street from the new mixed-use Gardens at Wilshire development.

JDRCRASH
May 19, 2009, 7:14 PM
The Century


http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3309/3545638429_de1b92f237_o.jpg
From Curbed by Neal Broverman


http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3551/3545635595_c25b8b3787_o.jpg
From Curbed by Neal Broverman


http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3578/3546453660_f29b3af11d_o.jpg
From Curbed by Neal Broverman


http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3661/3546461462_6320049ce5_o.jpg
From Curbed by Neal Broverman


http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2101/3545632447_49d2bf0f31_o.jpg
From Curbed by Neal Broverman


http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3608/3546472132_c9ea911517_o.jpg
From Curbed by Neal Broverman

already710
May 22, 2009, 1:56 AM
Thank you so much for your informative posts!!:notacrook:
simulation credit (http://simulationcredit1.com)

Kingofthehill
May 23, 2009, 3:00 AM
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3555041081_9696816191_b.jpg

colemonkee
May 23, 2009, 3:16 AM
Something tells me that penthouse would be pretty damn sweet.

Quixote
May 23, 2009, 3:16 AM
I like the use of materials there. I hope we see some of that Downtown.

Dice
May 23, 2009, 4:50 AM
That 10,000 Santa Monica bldg. is ugly but I wonder how it'll look in actuality.

sopas ej
May 24, 2009, 2:42 AM
thank you Stethjeff. its so fucking tiring already. who gives a fuck about times square.

I agree. It's not even the same Times Square anymore, not like the days of "Midnight Cowboy."

JDRCRASH
May 24, 2009, 2:51 AM
Something tells me that penthouse would be pretty damn sweet.

something tells me it will be pretty damn expensive, too.

sopas ej
May 24, 2009, 3:25 AM
:previous:

Isn't that the one Candy Spelling purchased?

Quixote
May 27, 2009, 8:37 PM
1600 North Vine

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3565101201_cb86dc7d5d_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

metafizarc
May 27, 2009, 10:16 PM
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/tommycchristi/IMG_0498.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/tommycchristi/IMG_0506.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/tommycchristi/IMG_0508.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/tommycchristi/IMG_0517.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/tommycchristi/IMG_0518.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/tommycchristi/IMG_0511.jpg

:)

LosAngelesSportsFan
May 28, 2009, 7:40 AM
Nice, thanks guys. looking great.

JDRCRASH
May 28, 2009, 4:10 PM
:previous:

Isn't that the one Candy Spelling purchased?

Yes, if I remember correctly.

meow44
Jun 2, 2009, 3:21 PM
looks great! :cheers:


simulation rachat de credit (http://simulationrachatdecredit.org)

plinko
Jun 3, 2009, 1:22 AM
Anybody know anything about this project? (I don't really follow this particular thread)...which office buildings are they talking about razing?

City Council approves Century City high-rise without debate
3:11 PM | June 2, 2009

The Los Angeles City Council gave the go-ahead today to a 39-story retail and residential complex in Century City planned by the shopping mall company Westfield U.S. Holdings.

Under the proposal, Westfield plans to reconfigure its shopping and dining areas while adding a high-rise that would house 262 condominiums and up to four stories of shopping – primarily Bloomingdale’s, which will be relocated from another part of the mall.

Westfield also plans to raze two existing office buildings.

Environmental documents prepared by the city’s planning department estimated that the $800 million project, when completed, will generate up to 5,922 additional car trips per day on weekdays and up to 7,466 extra car trips per day on weekends.

To address some of the project’s impacts, Westfield agreed to an array of concessions – upgrading intersections, encouraging greater use of public transit and creating a “parking ombudsman” to regulate parking by mall employees.

The council approved the project without discussion.

source (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/la-council-okays-century-city-highrise-without-debate.html)

sopas ej
Jun 3, 2009, 3:17 AM
"Anybody know anything about this project? (I don't really follow this particular thread)...which office buildings are they talking about razing?"

I believe they're the original Century City gateway buildings that they're going to demolish, at least the one closest to the shopping mall. Here's a photo, circa 1981, from the LAPL website; they're the two matching buildings across the street from each other on the left and right in the photo:

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics49/00074288.jpg

My sister used to work in the one nearest the mall. I remember back in the 80s and 90s thinking these buildings were ugly, but I appreciate the 1960s look of the lobby now, with the terrazzo floors and all.

kaneui
Jun 3, 2009, 3:44 AM
Anybody know anything about this project? (I don't really follow this particular thread)...which office buildings are they talking about razing?

City Council approves Century City high-rise without debate
3:11 PM | June 2, 2009

The Los Angeles City Council gave the go-ahead today to a 39-story retail and residential complex in Century City planned by the shopping mall company Westfield U.S. Holdings.

Under the proposal, Westfield plans to reconfigure its shopping and dining areas while adding a high-rise that would house 262 condominiums and up to four stories of shopping – primarily Bloomingdale’s, which will be relocated from another part of the mall.

Westfield also plans to raze two existing office buildings.



The new retail/condo tower will be built where the 12-story 1801 Ave. of the Stars building is now. From Westfield's renders and photos, it looks like the other building to be demolished is the shorter office building at the corner of Century Park West and Constellation.


http://www.westfield.com/newcenturycity/vision/plan/index.html

plinko
Jun 3, 2009, 4:32 AM
^Got it. Those two twin towers were designed by I.M. Pei IIRC. They aren't bad buildings in terms of facades, just planning. Still, no great loss.

AndrewK
Jun 3, 2009, 5:32 AM
from curbed:

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3367/3589765785_1d634f2e62_o.jpg

City News Service is reporting that the Westfield shopping center in Century City was approved today by the Los Angeles City Council, a move that will bring a 39-story tower with 262 apartments/condos. According to the news wire, "the $800 million project "was given the OK without discussion between council members." Maybe they all went out for dinner last night at the nearby Pink Taco and talked about it? Either way, this is another step in the transformation of Century City (there's also the proposed Century Plaza). And with the project's go ahead, this means 1801 Avenue of the Stars aka Welton Becket's building, will come down. Photos here. RIP, 1801.

kaneui
Jun 3, 2009, 6:57 AM
^Got it. Those two twin towers were designed by I.M. Pei IIRC. They aren't bad buildings in terms of facades, just planning. Still, no great loss.


^If you're referring to the Gateway East and West buildings (1800 and 1801 Ave. of the Stars), Emporis says they were designed by the ubiquitous Welton Becket. As I worked in the Gateway East building for a few years in the 80's, I remember hearing that they were some of the first high-rises in L.A. built with rollers/pads over the foundation to better withstand earthquakes.

plinko
Jun 4, 2009, 5:14 AM
Ahh, that's right, Welton Beckett. Pei designed the next building up Santa Monica Blvd (though I don't recall the address). It's like 26 stories.

Quixote
Jun 10, 2009, 10:02 PM
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2009.06.westwoodtower.jpg

Robert AM Stern Tower Proposed for Wilshire Corridor (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/06/robert_am_stern_tower_proposed_for_wilshire_corridor.php#more)

By Dakota
June 10, 2009

Meet the Wilshire Gayley, that long planned tower set to rise on the site of the old Hollywood Video building at Wilshire Blvd and Gayley Avenue. You may recognize the slim tower as the work of New York-based architect Robert AM Stern (also behind Related Co's Century project), while the developer here is Kambiz Hekmat. A local developer, Hekmat is playing it safe and requesting two development options (all based on market conditions): A hotel and 10 condos, or an 144-unit condo building. Both options would have ground floor retail, restaurant, and a business center. And most interesting: According to the documents submitted this week to the city's planning department (the documents are June 2009), "construction of the project would begin in approximately the third quarter of 2009 and would end in 2012." Who knows if that'll actually happen? For his part, Hekmat declined to comment on the project.

And what we are guessing is the view from Gayley:

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2009.08.westwood2.jpg

Excerpt from Planning Department: "The project would require the demolition of an existing one-story commercial building on the south parcel. The Applicant is requesting review of two development options. Option 1 would result in the development of a 134-room luxury business hotel and 10 for sale condominiums. Option 2 would result in the development of 144 condominium units. Both options would have approximately 6,510 square feet of ground floor retail uses. Amenities in both options would include a public restaurant, a coffee shop, a business center with meeting rooms, a swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center. The building envelope and exterior treatment would be the same for either option. The building, which would contain approximately 303,709 gross square feet of floor area, would be 29 stories and approximately 427 feet in height. Parking would be provided in a four level, approximately 200-space subterranean garage."

LAsam
Jun 10, 2009, 10:44 PM
That's a beautiful rendering for a parcel which is currently an eyesore. I have this funny feeling the local HOA's are going to have a field day with this due to the size... I really hope it survives though.

BrandonJXN
Jun 10, 2009, 11:23 PM
I like it's 'Flatiron' like shape.

dachacon
Jun 11, 2009, 1:38 AM
That's a beautiful rendering for a parcel which is currently an eyesore. I have this funny feeling the local HOA's are going to have a field day with this due to the size... I really hope it survives though.

i dont think so, its location is right on wilshire with high density zoning. most of the buildings along that corridor between santa monica and beverly hills are between 20 and 30 storeys so it fits pretty well in terms of height and architectural style and look. as daily traveler down wilshire to santa monica every day it would be nice to see a new building on the street to continue the canyon effect on wilshire.

JDRCRASH
Jun 11, 2009, 1:57 AM
^ Have you forgotten the "traffic" excuse?

I like it's 'Flatiron' like shape.

Too bad it wasn't in Downtown.:(

AndrewK
Jun 11, 2009, 5:02 AM
nice render, that would go in nicely on that spot, a much better use of that space. i was in westwood recently and noticed that they tore down the movie theater that was at the corner of gayley and lindbrook (just below the bottom right corner of that second sketch). anyone know whats going on with that site?

colemonkee
Jun 11, 2009, 2:20 PM
Great project! I actually lean more in the direction of the hotel, based on the site. A hotel will be much more active than a condo tower on a regular basis, and the siting of the tower is perfect for business travelers in the area, tourists who want to visit the Getty, be close to the village, or family of UCLA students. Plus it would be a good compliment to the W on the other side of Westwood, which is the only large luxury hotel I can think of in the immediate area.

In regards to the design, I love the massing, but the devil will be in the details, especially the level of detail at the crown. If they go in the direction of, say, the Atlantic in Atlanta, this should end up being quite nice.

StethJeff
Jun 11, 2009, 4:18 PM
Wow, great looking tower. Fits in well with the other buildings in the neighborhood, like The Californian.

dachacon
Jun 12, 2009, 9:48 AM
^ Have you forgotten the "traffic" excuse?



Too bad it wasn't in Downtown.:(

if it stays a condo building with only 149 condos it will not impact traffic at all compared to the way traffic already is. with 200 parking spaces its a drop in the bucket. but your point is valid its the west side after all.

JDRCRASH
Jun 12, 2009, 4:09 PM
^ Which only further hastens the need for the subway extension.

mdiederi
Jun 18, 2009, 6:59 AM
My first LA Metro thread post.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/BW2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/BW.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/red1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/red2.jpg

colemonkee
Jun 18, 2009, 2:41 PM
^ And it's a damn fine one. Thanks, mdiederi. Good to see some visual progress on the Red Building. I've driven by that spot a number of times but I've never had a chance to stop and peek over the fences. Seems like the foundation work took forever on that project.

Kingofthehill
Jun 18, 2009, 4:05 PM
Great job, mdiederi..but remember, there's more to LA than Broadway theaters and new skyscrapers ;)

vidgms
Jun 18, 2009, 8:34 PM
My first LA Metro thread post.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/BW2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/BW.jpg




What tower is this? I've never seen it before. Where is it?

Kingofthehill
Jun 18, 2009, 10:12 PM
^ Courtesy of the boys in Dubai, that's the Beverly West (http://beverlywestla.com/).

Quixote
Jun 22, 2009, 6:18 AM
5550 Wilshire

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3649063952_cf94d09b21_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed


Madame Tussauds

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/3649116954_ac6e234b9d_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed


MacArthur Park

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3648251931_19c406048e_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3649055228_9acb021f77_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3649052278_a104610553_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3649049558_7e431c7705_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3649046578_85a411e064_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3649032038_6bd5e7ec31_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3648223405_603a255bf7_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3649026280_49bbd89853_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3648217589_f0de9a2131_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3649020726_437fc9e0e3_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/3649015662_346d4700e5_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

LosAngelesSportsFan
Jun 22, 2009, 5:11 PM
i never thought Mac Arthur park could look so good!

colemonkee
Jun 22, 2009, 5:48 PM
MacArthur park does indeed look good. As does Madame Tussaud's.

dachacon
Jun 22, 2009, 7:14 PM
MacArthur park does indeed look good. As does Madame Tussaud's.

the city sodded the grassy areas in MacArthur park over the last month.

and i got a tour of Madame Tussauds on Tuesday after i got hired at the job fair!!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
the inside is very nice and elegant there gonna start to move the wax figures inside starting in July and open in August.

LosAngelesBeauty
Jun 22, 2009, 8:37 PM
Wow I am so glad to see MacArthur Park cleaned up! I just hope it doesn't become a ratty park again.

Congrats on the new job dachacon!

LAsam
Jun 22, 2009, 8:49 PM
i never thought Mac Arthur park could look so good!

The key is keeping people out of it. If we can keep everyone out, it will stay beautiful! In all seriousness, it does look beautiful and should be a point of PRIDE for the neighborhood. In other words... they should to keep it looking good.

sopas ej
Jun 22, 2009, 10:07 PM
The key is keeping people out of it. If we can keep everyone out, it will stay beautiful! In all seriousness, it does look beautiful and should be a point of PRIDE for the neighborhood. In other words... they should to keep it looking good.

Yeah let's see how good it'll look after the soccer players start using it again.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Jun 22, 2009, 10:17 PM
its not real grass though, so it should stay this way for a while. its the turf used in some football stadiums. they switched to it because of all the use.

sopas ej
Jun 23, 2009, 3:45 AM
Ah OK, all that sweet green icing, flowing down...

dachacon
Jun 23, 2009, 6:53 AM
Wow I am so glad to see MacArthur Park cleaned up! I just hope it doesn't become a ratty park again.

Congrats on the new job dachacon!

thanks i'll see if i can get free tickets for you guys when we open. if you guys want.

RuFFy
Jun 23, 2009, 12:18 PM
OMG! MacArthur Park looks nice. I remember going there to purchase a fake ID and if my memory serves me right, the Westlake/Mac Park station on the Red Line was by FAR the most dirty station on the system and the park usually complimented the filth. It's great to see they've brought it up so much and I hope the local community takes pride in it and maintains it. I may stop by on my next trip out to LA to buy some corn. : )

sopas ej
Jun 23, 2009, 2:31 PM
OMG! MacArthur Park looks nice. I remember going there to purchase a fake ID and if my memory serves me right, the Westlake/Mac Park station on the Red Line was by FAR the most dirty station on the system

It still is. And I swear, everyone who gets on/gets off at that station is no more than 5 feet tall! They're all these little Mayans.

LAMetroGuy
Jun 23, 2009, 5:46 PM
It still is. And I swear, everyone who gets on/gets off at that station is no more than 5 feet tall! They're all these little Mayans.

Most of the community in that area are from El Salvador.

LosAngelesBeauty
Jun 24, 2009, 5:43 AM
It still is. And I swear, everyone who gets on/gets off at that station is no more than 5 feet tall! They're all these little Mayans.

LOLOL

LosAngelesBeauty
Jun 24, 2009, 5:45 AM
This is under construction in Monterey Park at the corner of Hellman and Atlantic Blvd.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9209/atlantictimessquare4.th.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atlantictimessquare4.jpg)
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4057/atlantictimessquare5.th.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atlantictimessquare5.jpg)
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2719/atlantictimessquare2.th.png (http://img196.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atlantictimessquare2.png)
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9167/atlantictimessquare1.th.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atlantictimessquare1.jpg)
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7606/atlantictimessquare3.th.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/my.php?image=atlantictimessquare3.jpg)

RuFFy
Jun 24, 2009, 2:48 PM
^^^ Is that Atlantic Times Square?

LosAngelesBeauty
Jun 24, 2009, 3:58 PM
^ Yup it sure is and it looks like it's about 50% completed when I drove by last week.

mdiederi
Jun 25, 2009, 10:47 PM
W

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_Win.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/Win.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wold2.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wold2.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wold.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wold.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wSkybridge.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wSkybridge.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wscaflod.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wscaflod.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wsheer.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wsheer.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wvine.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wvine.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wscafold2.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wscafold2.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/th_wtaft.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/wtaft.jpg)

Click images for bigger pictures.

mdiederi
Jun 25, 2009, 10:53 PM
What is this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/mdiederi/buildings/LA/Wood.jpg

Quixote
Jun 25, 2009, 10:57 PM
^ The Jefferson @ Hollywood.

Chef Boyardee
Jun 27, 2009, 12:16 AM
I don't think there were updates on the Kenmore Tower in Koreatown. This is the only one i could find from the construction company's site.
http://www.fassbergconstruction.com/content/kenmoretowers.jpg
http://www.fassbergconstruction.com/displayprojects.asp?ID=129&ID_CAT=9&p=1

DowntownCharlieBrown
Jun 29, 2009, 3:59 PM
I don't think there were updates on the Kenmore Tower in Koreatown. This is the only one i could find from the construction company's site.


Thank you Chef! I don't think we have ever had a construction shot of that project posted.

And welcome to the thread!

LosAngelesBeauty
Jul 3, 2009, 6:53 PM
Where is the Kenmore Towers located? It doesn't list the address on the site.

LosAngelesBeauty
Jul 13, 2009, 7:43 AM
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5646/img0053vsu.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/img0053vsu.jpg/)
New lighting upgrades to an office building at the border of Weho and BH on Sunset Blvd. A brand new BOA steakhouse is also on the ground floor.

dktshb
Jul 22, 2009, 3:57 PM
Walking by last night I was suprised to see it open for business (although it was closed to the general public for a private showing).

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/016-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/010-5.jpg

OneMetropolis
Jul 22, 2009, 7:32 PM
Walking by last night I was suprised to see it open for business (although it was closed to the general public for a private showing).

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/016-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/010-5.jpg

Holy **** were this thing come from?

dachacon
Jul 22, 2009, 11:07 PM
^^

:haha:
while setting up the figures i knocked over obama in that room and the head popped off. some people on the street saw that and thought i had killed the president, and ran off screaming. :haha:
but seriously you guys should check it out. its really cool. ill try and get my card to give discounts. i go back friday working the box office. come by and say hi :yes:

JDRCRASH
Jul 22, 2009, 11:53 PM
You work there, dachacon?

dachacon
Jul 23, 2009, 6:42 AM
yup :yes: :yes:

milquetoast
Jul 23, 2009, 9:54 AM
A HOTEL'S PAST VS A CITY'S FUTURE
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/diane_keaton_gallery_10.jpg...http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/damiandovarganesap6666.jpgLENINIMPORTS.COM-Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the actress Diane Keaton are leading an effort to save the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
When Century City was built in the 1960s, it was a stab at urbanism amid Southern California’s sprawl. A 176-acre enclave in West Los Angeles, the development resembled the New York World’s Fair of 1964-65, with its futuristic buildings and its parklike setting.

At its heart was the Century Plaza Hotel, a 19-story building designed by Minoru Yamasaki, who also designed the World Trade Center towers in New York. The hotel had a distinctive curved facade that appeared to unfurl across the landscape.

But these days, the structure — now known as the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza — feels hemmed in, with much taller buildings surrounding it. “The entire context has changed,” said Michael Rosenfeld, a local real estate investor.

Last year, Mr. Rosenfeld bought the hotel for about $366 million, or around $500,000 a room. Six months later, he announced that he planned to tear it down and replace it with two 50-story towers designed by Henry N. Cobb, a principal of the New York architecture firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. One of the buildings would contain a 240-room hotel; the rest of the space would be offices and residential condominiums.

The plan alarmed preservationist groups. The National Trust for Historic Preservation added the hotel to its list of the “most endangered” sites in the country. The actress Diane Keaton, a board member of the National Trust, made the announcement in late April at a news conference in Century City.

In a later telephone interview, Ms. Keaton said she was determined to save the hotel, in part because of its distinctive shape, which she compared to a “sexy woman surrounded by ogling men — Sophia Loren in the 1960s.”

The effort also has to do with her love for hotels, which she described as places where history and social connections were made. In 1980, Ms. Keaton published “Reservations,” a book of photographs of hotel lobbies.

The Century Plaza served as a home away from home for President Ronald Reagan and has been the scene of many important entertainment industry events. . “We need to honor our city’s history more than we need two new towers,” MS. KEATON
. http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/22hotelB_large.jpg .
When he bought the hotel last year, Mr. Rosenfeld seemed to agree that the Century Plaza was special. “This is a rare opportunity to buy a jewel in my hometown,” he said. “The Century Plaza has been an L.A. icon since it opened in 1966.”

But in the wake of Ms. Keaton’s news conference, his company issued a terse statement, saying it was “disappointed to see the Century Plaza Hotel politicized in this way, particularly at a time when the city of Los Angeles is suffering from extreme economic hardship and is in dire need of new jobs.” It added, “This is not considered one of the more significant Minoru Yamasaki buildings and is not characteristic of his style.”

A spokeswoman for Yamasaki Associates, the Troy, Mich., firm founded by the late architect, declined to take a stand. Kim Anderson, who handles marketing for the firm, wrote in an e-mail message, “As much as we are saddened by the news of our project’s loss, we must respect the rights of the new owner.”

In an interview, Mr. Rosenfeld, who can see the hotel from his office in Century City, said that when he bought the building (with backing from the D. E. Shaw Group, a hedge fund), he had no plans to demolish it. The idea, he said, came from the Los Angeles City Planning Department, which is working to make Century City more pedestrian-friendly.

Right now, getting from one part of Century City to another can require “going down an alley, through a loading dock and across a parking deck,” he said.

The hotel, which has a huge semicircular driveway, “actually serves as a physical impediment” to people trying to walk through Century City, Mr. Rosenfeld said.

Replacing it with a pair of thin towers would free more than two acres for gardens. Reached by telephone in London, Mr. Cobb, who designed the proposed towers, said his goal was to “improve public space and public life” by “giving Century City a heart.”

Mr. Rosenfeld said the buildings would be built to high standards of energy efficiency. “We’ve covered green from every angle,” he said.

But Richard Moe, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said that the teardown would be anything but green. Demolishing “a perfectly good building,” Mr. Moe said, is “antithetical to the idea of sustainability.”

Mr. Moe said it could take 50 years or more for even a highly efficient building to save as much energy as is expended in the demolition and construction processes. Calling the developer’s plan green, he said, “boggles the imagination.”

Mr. Rosenfeld said that the difficulty of filling a 726-room hotel, especially during a downturn in the economy, was a factor in his decision.

At noon on a recent Sunday, the lobby of the Century Plaza was quiet. “Times are tough now,” conceded the hotel’s general manager, David Horowitz. “We’re fighting hard to get every piece of business we can get.” He added that the teardown, if it happened, was years away. “We’re focused on the immediate future,” he said.

Mr. Horowitz said the hotel was in good physical shape, thanks to a $30 million renovation that was begun when Hyatt took over the management of the hotel in 2006.

Mr. Rosenfeld said that while it might be difficult to obtain financing for the redevelopment at present, the downturn was a perfect time to begin obtaining the approvals needed to begin construction. That process, he said, could take up to three years.

The hotel, with 100,000 square feet of meeting space, remains a popular setting for banquets. On May 28, the Los Angeles Architectural Awards luncheon, a program of the Los Angeles Business Council, was held there. Eric Owen Moss, a Southern California architect, was the keynote speaker.

Mr. Moss didn’t mention the Century Plaza in his remarks. But, in a later interview, he disputed the contention that the building was a key part of the city’s architectural history. “I think it’s a hotel you could ship to São Paulo or Singapore or Dubai,” he said, “and nobody would know the difference.”

His bottom line? “I wouldn’t fight for the preservation of that particular building,” he said.

But Ms. Keaton plans to battle on. Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy, a local preservation group, said that she and Ms. Keaton were monitoring the project’s environmental review process while continuing to call attention to the building’s historical and architectural significance.

Several years ago, Ms. Keaton was part of a campaign to save another Los Angeles hotel, the Ambassador, which has been torn down.

“We really can’t afford to lose these,” she said. photo PEI COBB FREID & PARTNERS FRED A. BERNSTEIN NEW YORK TIMES
SSC

213
Jul 23, 2009, 1:09 PM
Mr. Moss... disputed the contention that the building was a key part of the city’s architectural history. “I think it’s a hotel you could ship to São Paulo or Singapore or Dubai,” he said, “and nobody would know the difference.”

His bottom line? “I wouldn’t fight for the preservation of that particular building,” he said.I think Moss sums the matter pretty well. Though a pleasant enough building and a perfectly fine hotel, the Century Plaza is simply not a historic and architectural landmark of the stature that preservationists suggest. It's a lesser project by a noted designer, and its history as a political and entertainment venue is not regionally exceptional.

That said, the pro-development interests are hitting false notes of their own. A pedestrian-obstructing driveway is grounds for re-thinking the plaza, not the entire premises. The green angle is spin, and notions of "giving Century City a heart" are poetic flourish.

A better argument is that the area does not need an unfillable 726-room hotel, and is better served by putting the land to more market-relevant use.

pesto
Jul 23, 2009, 4:55 PM
213: I agree with you completely: the CP is historic but not that historic; architecturally nice but not that nice. But it raises kind of an interesting issue: is there a single residential or commercial building west of Hollywood that is worth saving or is preservation something that is largely inconsistent with constantly remaking yourself? The BH Hotel? The Beverly Wilshire? Maybe some historic mansion or a work by a famous architect? Not very much it seems.

You also raise an interesting point with the hotel aspect. It does seem that hotels are proposed quite often in the area (e.g., the Waldorf and Hilton expansion). I wonder if this is based on actual demand or if there is some permit ploy going on here? Do hotels promise more jobs and therefore get an easier time from the city? Or do residences get more opposition from local homeowners? Maybe it's easier to propose hotel and then switch to condo later.

213
Jul 24, 2009, 1:41 AM
^ Personally, I'm a fan of preserving things. Just looking at old photos of virtually any area of the city, I'm amazed by the character and magnitude of what has been lost. "Reinvention" in L.A. seems to have too often been a process of raw commercial expediency, with little regard to flavor or fabric.

Sometimes preservation is a tough call, though. If any hotel was truly iconic it was the Ambassador, and its loss was fairly a heart-wrencher. But the hotel had become the whitest of elephants, having been mothballed for 18 years without viable options for re-use. If given a vote, I'd have supported the high school and learning complex that is replacing it.

Re: west side hotel demand, I'm not savvy enough to the industry to really speculate. But as a former west sider, my impression is that the area's hotel market has become quite articulated, favoring small-to-medium niche offerings over generalized large-scale fare à la Century Plaza. (An exception may be the Beverly Hilton, but that's a destination in itself.) My feeling is that the demand isn't so much for additional rooms as for, in typical L.A. fashion, different-newer-boutique ones.

;)

JDRCRASH
Jul 24, 2009, 9:12 PM
If they were to save the hotel, they should at least allow the developer to integrate the design of the towers with it.

JDRCRASH
Jul 24, 2009, 9:30 PM
From Curbed LA,

"Condo-Style Hotel" Proposed for Koreatown (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/07/condostyle_hotel_coming_to_koreatown.php)

http://cdn0.curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2483/3750138499_0c37d79d79_o.jpg


http://cdn0.curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2424/3750929628_41b290472f_o.jpg


Friday, July 24, 2009, by Adrian Glick Kudler

The Ambassador Hotel may be gone, but meet Artcite I. Interesting name. Plans were submitted to the city this week for a "condominium-style hotel development" to be built at New Hampshire and West 7th (current site of a parking lot). The plans call for a 23-story hotel with 226 suite-style guest rooms, ground floor retail, a restaurant, a fitness center, and 318 parking spaces, mostly above-grade on the second through eighth floors. If approved, construction is slated to start in the first quarter of 2010, with completion planned for first quarter 2013. The developer named is an entity called Newkoa, LLC, which may or may not be affiliated with Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm Art Nouveau.

colemonkee
Jul 25, 2009, 1:12 AM
^Interesting. I really like the program of the development, save for the above-ground parking. Especially given its proximity to the Red Line stop and the other recent residential development nearby making that area a much more vibrant pedestrian neighborhood.

But that design reminds of that godawful brown and white striped residential tower on 42nd Street in New York (the name escapes me). Even on it's very best day, in the perfect light, this design is shittay.

DowntownCharlieBrown
Jul 25, 2009, 2:29 AM
^When I first saw the rendering, I was sure it was a rehab building since the upper portion already looks dated.

JDRCRASH
Jul 25, 2009, 2:43 AM
It looks kind of Las Vegas-ish. BTW, the Vertical Mall planned at Wilshire & Vermont is cancelled, according to Curbed.

BrandonJXN
Jul 25, 2009, 3:51 AM
What vertical mall? See..when you say things like this, it would strongly help to post some sort of link. To prevent moments like this.

And Artcite (wtf) is horrible. It looks straight outta (Compton?) no 1972.

JDRCRASH
Jul 25, 2009, 4:29 AM
^ I thought people would know what I was talking about, given that it was spoken of before...


Anyway, here's the link; or better yet, the article:


Wilshire and Vermont Vertical Mall Is Never Happening (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/07/wilshire_and_vermont_vertical_mall_is_never_happening.php)

Thursday, July 23, 2009, by Dakota

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2009.07.dead.jpg

Remember that much-hyped story about an Elkus/Manfredi-designed crazy vertical mall--with a possible housing element--that developer Jerry Snyder said he was looking to put up at the corner of Wilshire and Vermont? Not happening! Despite a glowing Los Angeles Times story published last fall about the project, Snyder's purchase of the land from Portland-developer Gerding Edlen fell out of escrow, confirms Thomas Dujovne, Chief Investment Officer at Snyder. According to CRA/LA CEO Cecilia Estolano, Gerding Edlen still owns the land and had planned to do a housing project on it, but of course, it would have been a CRA project so there's a chance nothing is going to happen to the area given the CRA cuts. God, the news is terrible.

sopas ej
Jul 25, 2009, 4:35 AM
:previous:
So THAT was what was going to go on the southeast corner of Wilshire and Vermont? They tore down a perfectly fine old brick building for that ugly thing, and then it's not even gonna be built? And now there's an eyesore of a vacant lot there.

Jesus Fucking Christ on a cross.

JDRCRASH
Jul 25, 2009, 4:38 AM
Yeah, talk about a waste. It should've been built around the L.A. Live area.