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ByTheBay
Apr 16, 2016, 3:37 AM
But from a socio-economic divide standpoint, LA is most certainly an auto-centric city. Meaning, the vast majority of those who have the means choose to use an automobile as their primary means of transit. That is very slowly changing as more and more people with the means to have an automobile - like myself, I pay for two of them - are opting to use public transportation for select, or even regular trips, if not in entirety. But that number as a percentage of the total population is still very small, and growing relatively slowly.

LA realistically won't totally transform into our ideal urban environment during our lifetimes so we know cars will continue to be priority. What can change however is the stigma that comes along with urban living and mass transit as a socio-economic divide. I believe it's more of a generational thing than it is a regional thing. Rich New Yorkers afterall have their sprawling Hampton getaways. Suburbia happened everywhere, the only difference is that cities like NYC were already established when suburbia became a phenomenon while cities that grew up in the 20th century like LA were being shaped by it. Fortunately, the millennial generation seem to embrace the benefits of an urban way life more so than the previous generations, and that's happening in LA right now as much as anywhere.

King Kill 'em
Apr 18, 2016, 2:30 AM
There were two big fires in the valley today. One was in Chatsworth and was your typical wildfire. The other was more out of the ordinary and took place in Sun Valley. A bunch of cars caught fire in a junkyard, located in what might be the filthiest industrial area in the city. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/04/17/cars-engulfed-in-flames-after-fire-breaks-out-at-recycling-yard-in-sun-valley/

JDRCRASH
Apr 18, 2016, 3:45 AM
A bunch of cars caught fire in a junkyard, located in what might be the filthiest industrial area in the city.

Outside Wilmington, yes.

ConstructDTLA
Apr 18, 2016, 4:02 AM
2 Wilshire projects:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1640/26486394135_7ac0bc6e85_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GmvGcR)3640 Wilshire Blvd (https://flic.kr/p/GmvGcR) by Hunter (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hunterkerhart/), on Flickr

King Kill 'em
Apr 19, 2016, 12:41 AM
2 Wilshire projects:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1640/26486394135_7ac0bc6e85_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GmvGcR)3640 Wilshire Blvd (https://flic.kr/p/GmvGcR) by Hunter (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hunterkerhart/), on Flickr

I am disappointed about the development on the right. It could have been a park, AND it's going to be awful. An entire block long of a 5 story. It'll be overbearing. I wouldn't have been as disappointed if it had been a high-rise or even 3 or 4 mid-rise complexes.

Luckily there's a lot of other lots around there. I'd like to see city council take do more to create parks by saving lots for parks, because we sure do need more parks in LA.

SD_Phil
Apr 19, 2016, 4:10 AM
I'd like to see city council take do more to create parks by saving lots for parks, because we sure do need more parks in LA.

Amen to that

blackcat23
Apr 19, 2016, 3:58 PM
New renderings for $1-billion Beverly Hills development (http://urbanize.la/post/one-beverly-hills-pushes-toward-2017-start-date)

13- and 15-story towers, designed by Richard Meier & Partners, featuring 193 condos, 134 hotel rooms and .75 acres of public gardens.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/950w/public/field/image/10_2.jpg?itok=VRKI9COt

ByTheBay
Apr 19, 2016, 9:24 PM
Does Beverly Hills have a maximum height restriction? All their buildings seem to max out at the 15 story range such as the Waldorf and this.

sopas ej
Apr 19, 2016, 9:52 PM
Does Beverly Hills have a maximum height restriction? All their buildings seem to max out at the 15 story range such as the Waldorf and this.

It does have a height limit, though I don't know what it is currently. I thought at one time, it was 9 or 10 stories, but that was back in the 1970s and 80s.

blackcat23
Apr 20, 2016, 12:34 AM
New development to flank Queen Mary (http://urbanize.la/post/retail-and-entertainment-complex-planned-queen-mary)

Iconic ship to undergo renovation, adjacent 45-acre site to be developed with retail, restaurant and entertainment complex.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/queenmary.jpg?itok=6u8L5ExJ

StethJeff
Apr 20, 2016, 1:22 AM
New development to flank Queen Mary (http://urbanize.la/post/retail-and-entertainment-complex-planned-queen-mary)

Iconic ship to undergo renovation, adjacent 45-acre site to be developed with retail, restaurant and entertainment complex.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/queenmary.jpg?itok=6u8L5ExJ

Long Beach in general has such insane potential. Getting rid of the breakwater, developing that giant parking lot next to the Queen Mary, adding density throughout the city, etc will go a long way to making it such a better place. Good stuff.

NativeOrange
Apr 20, 2016, 2:17 AM
They honestly just need to redo that whole mess of streets where the 710 ends. I always get mixed up and so do many other drivers who will cut across lanes too quickly because they misjudged the direction they needed to be going.

112597jorge
Apr 20, 2016, 2:58 AM
Does Beverly Hills have a maximum height restriction? All their buildings seem to max out at the 15 story range such as the Waldorf and this.

A 26 story condo tower is planned next to this project in the adjacent Beverly Hilton so who knows if there's a height limit

WestCoastSupertall
Apr 20, 2016, 3:01 AM
13 story Marriott Edition Hotel in Weho.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1572/26467898201_0934aa2387_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GjSU1r)IMG_4308 (https://flic.kr/p/GjSU1r) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

Urbannizer
Apr 20, 2016, 4:59 AM
1601 Vine

https://scontent.fhou1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/t31.0-8/12983787_1177690398942977_2625584881183226578_o.jpg

https://scontent.fhou1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12983812_1177690392276311_7099241438863223626_o.jpg

cargocultpants
Apr 20, 2016, 3:56 PM
I don't think I've seen this posted anywhere before, fly-through video for The Academy project in Hollywood:

https://vimeo.com/112513583

blackcat23
Apr 22, 2016, 3:57 PM
Plans filed for large K-Town development

545 residential units, hotel rooms, and commercial space. Project includes the adaptive reuse of the 1939 department store at Wilshire/New Hampshire and the construction of a high-rise tower on an adjacent parking lot.

Project comes from Harridge Development Group.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/3240wilshire1.JPG?itok=N4Z4qgkl

Easy
Apr 22, 2016, 4:32 PM
Fantastic project! What are the minimum parking requirements for this area? It's always interesting/worrying to see how that plays out in the design.

colemonkee
Apr 22, 2016, 5:21 PM
This is great news! Glad they're looking at reusing that building, but it's already in use: there's a great Karoake bar in that building on one of the upper floors. The great thing about this is that the residential tower will go either mid-block or on the southern end of the block, so it will stand out a bit from the rest of the Wilshire corridor.

NSMP
Apr 22, 2016, 7:32 PM
great news! love the galleria

losangelesnative
Apr 22, 2016, 8:29 PM
This would be another nice opportunity to try and incorporate a park on one half of the parking lot while the tower goes on the other half

losangelesnative
Apr 22, 2016, 9:00 PM
AIDS foundation sues LA over Palladium http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2016/04/22/aids-healthcare-foundation-sues-la-over-planned-high-rise/

StethJeff
Apr 22, 2016, 11:37 PM
Every charity has it's bleeding heart supporters that will always donate to their cause of choice. But how are you gonna solicit the greater public to donate their money when they see that the charity is embroiling itself in a matter that is unrelated to its ultimate goals. Unless two new buildings next door has a direct link to increased HIV/AIDS transmissions or limited support for those who are afflicted, I don't see how they continue to pick this unnecessary fight. Without there being some sort of public health issue at play, this seems like the worst PR move for them.

SoCalKid
Apr 23, 2016, 10:17 PM
Everyone should sign this petition to grant the Expo Line signal preemption through USC area and Downtown. I see this as a matter that is directly related to development, as fast, efficient transportation is key to facilitating smart density.

https://www.change.org/p/ladot-signal-preemption-for-expo

SoCalKid
Apr 23, 2016, 10:26 PM
The cement factory at the Casden West LA site has been cleared. Does anyone know if permits have been pulled for that development?

blackcat23
Apr 25, 2016, 4:05 PM
Park proposal revealed for Silver Lake reservoirs (http://urbanize.la/post/grassroots-park-proposal-revealed-silver-lake-reservoir)

The group Silver Lake Forward is pushing to open the decommissioned reservoirs to public use.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/11_2.jpg?itok=Gvtfr6WB

colemonkee
Apr 25, 2016, 5:07 PM
Oh man, that would be awesome!

LosAngelesSportsFan
Apr 25, 2016, 6:35 PM
Oh man, that would be awesome!

Build it EXACTLY as its shown in that pic and the other renderings. Beautiful and useful. Seems as though they put a lot of thought into this. I also like the idea of tying in with the LA River

King Kill 'em
Apr 25, 2016, 9:47 PM
Last weekend I visited Playa Vista for the first time. I'm interested in hearing, what's everyone's opinion on Playa Vista? I'd state mine, but I don't want it to bias anyone else's so I'll tell it later.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1451/26352589570_63a373231f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G9FULA)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/G9FULA) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1576/26625981865_d11bc6d296_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GyR7LR)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/GyR7LR) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1621/26352593950_4b092fd273_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G9FW57)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/G9FW57) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1688/26625984425_e7af8c3caa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GyR8wZ)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/GyR8wZ) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1475/26560581741_0a01064fa6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4VAv)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4VAv) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1536/26560582131_808e140f2f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4VHe)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4VHe) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1571/26560582611_def0de1f84_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4VRv)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4VRv) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1561/26625988615_7fbf34cca5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GyR9Me)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/GyR9Me) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1669/26560584531_a92045f5ab_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4WqB)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/Gt4WqB) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1460/26599746336_a8d2d93d5c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GwwDS9)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/GwwDS9) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1674/26020253654_2395f628d0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FDjAT1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FDjAT1) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1534/26020254474_8b7ee7d50c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FDjB89)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FDjB89) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1633/26020255134_39f2171699_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FDjBjw)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FDjBjw) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1610/26352610170_38e959292e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G9G1TL)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/G9G1TL) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1580/26020256644_cf7cb089a2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FDjBLy)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FDjBLy) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

Then here's pics of a cool small lot building I found and a few long distance shots I'm pretty proud of.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1593/26352587590_80e51fe63b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G9FUbs)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/G9FUbs) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1455/26020257314_fcdc9a8285_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FDjBY7)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FDjBY7) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1632/26020258044_2427c4741d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FDjCbG)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/FDjCbG) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1692/26599754166_168e521683_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GwwGc9)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/GwwGc9) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

ChargerCarl
Apr 25, 2016, 10:18 PM
My opinion of playa vista is exactly he same as my opinion of Irvine: it sucks, but at least they're building desperately needed housing and office space.

I rather have it than not.

a9l8e7n
Apr 25, 2016, 10:51 PM
In what way is it like Irvine? Its near LAX and the 405 freeway. Center of LA essentially. Beach access. Google, Facebook, Yahoo are all taking advantage of the space.

My opinion of playa vista is exactly he same as my opinion of Irvine: it sucks, but at least they're building desperately needed housing and office space.

I rather have it than not.

ChargerCarl
Apr 25, 2016, 11:03 PM
In what way is it like Irvine? Its near LAX and the 405 freeway. Center of LA essentially. Beach access. Google, Facebook, Yahoo are all taking advantage of the space.

huh?

Whether or not it's located near LAX, the beach, or the 405 (which runs through Irvine too) has nothing to do with anything. IMO, the type of development taking place in Playa Vista looks pretty similar to the type of development you see in higher densities in South Orange County. Despite it's density, it manages to not be very urban or walkable.

King Kill 'em
Apr 25, 2016, 11:25 PM
huh?

Whether or not it's located near LAX, the beach, or the 405 (which runs through Irvine too) has nothing to do with anything. IMO, the type of development taking place in Playa Vista looks pretty similar to the type of development you see in higher densities in South Orange County. Despite it's density, it manages to not be very urban or walkable.

Playa Vista is nothing like Irvine. The residential part at least. The office buildings are pretty awful and I don't get why tech companies like it. The residential part is actually very walkable. Some of the architecture really sucks though because it is fake mission style like you find in Southern Orange County, but there's a lot of cool very westside feeling buildings. It's stupid how they made them all 4 stories though.

This article taught me a lot about Playa Vista. http://www.laweekly.com/news/playa-vista-was-going-to-be-a-utopian-planned-community-but-capitalisms-harsh-reality-keeps-creeping-in-4378497

Overall Playa Vista has a lot of pros and cons.

Pros
-lots of greenspace
-dense
-walkable
-bike lanes and skinny streets
-some good arcitecture
-sense of community

Cons
-fake feeling (The Truman Show)
-seperation of uses (office and residential)
-not enough mixed use
-shitty fake mission style buildings
-the barriers Jefferson and Lincoln create around it by being so wide and car centric
-rich people there in fancy cars drive like total douchebags

ChargerCarl
Apr 25, 2016, 11:26 PM
It looks exactly like Jamboree.

BrianMojo
Apr 25, 2016, 11:39 PM
Last weekend I visited Playa Vista for the first time. I'm interested in hearing, what's everyone's opinion on Playa Vista? I'd state mine, but I don't want it to bias anyone else's so I'll tell it later.

In my opinion it's basically the modern-day equivalent of suburban tract homes, and not necessarily in a terrible way.

King Kill 'em
Apr 26, 2016, 12:03 AM
It looks exactly like Jamboree.

North of Jefferson, yeah

King Kill 'em
Apr 26, 2016, 12:04 AM
In my opinion it's basically the modern-day equivalent of suburban tract homes, and not necessarily in a terrible way.

That's fair I see that. When you look at the construction of it there's a lot on common with tract home construction. Also in how a lot of families with young children are living there.

202_Cyclist
Apr 26, 2016, 1:19 AM
It looks exactly like Jamboree.

I agree. It does look a lot like Irvine and Jamboree Rd. Some of the roads in the photos look like they are six lanes wide-- certainly not very walkable.

NativeOrange
Apr 26, 2016, 2:25 AM
The area of Irvine you guys are referring to is probably the most urban area in the city, and that isn't really saying much. Most of Irvine looks inherently more suburban than those Playa Vista photos.

ChargerCarl
Apr 26, 2016, 2:45 AM
Yes, thats why I prefaced my comment by saying I'm specifically talking about the higher density corridors of Irvine.

King Kill 'em
Apr 26, 2016, 4:20 AM
Lincoln and Jefferson are essentially a wall around the Playa Vista that is walkable. In that area, there is no surface parking except for at the library for some reason and the streets have bike lanes and are no more than 3 lanes. In Irvine, nowhere do you have that.

King Kill 'em
Apr 26, 2016, 4:21 AM
Yes, thats why I prefaced my comment by saying I'm specifically talking about the higher density corridors of Irvine.

I feel like I have to visit Irvine to see what you're talking about which I really don't want to. lol

citywatch
Apr 26, 2016, 6:18 AM
My opinion of playa vista is exactly he same as my opinion of Irvine: it sucks, but at least they're building desperately needed housing and office space.

I rather have it than not.


moreover, I'd rather have that than this....

Los Angeles and the Politics of Ugly

http://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2016/034h.png
citywatchla.com

John Issakson (http://www.citywatchla.com/index.php/the-la-beat/10986-los-angeles-and-the-politics-of-ugly)
25 April 2016

PLANNING GONE AWRY-If there are two words that joined together are a classic oxymoron, it is aesthetics and Los Angeles. Like most large cities, Los Angeles suffers from a number of forms of visual pollution, disorder and banality, including cheaply built buildings with mediocre to poor architectural quality, sign and billboard clutter, miles of overhead utility wires that further add to the clutter, a lack of consistent street trees and streetscape improvements and streets with cracks, fissures and broken down sidewalks.

This ugliness is most evident in the unsightly commercial strip highways that crisscross Los Angeles, non-descript looking multifamily residential and commercial developments and inner city decay. As with most cities, the ugliness is not evenly distributed but is class based. It is tied to private incomes and wealth. Los Angeles does have a few elite communities for the top 1-2 percent that are gorgeous, perfect in every way, and some additional communities for the upper middle class that are reasonably good looking but have some flaws. But beyond these top tier communities for the upper 20-25% the visual quality of the Los Angeles drops off precipitously. For the bottom 75% Los Angeles is a ugly, banal, depressing sprawl.

The smaller cities surrounding Los Angeles are nowhere near as unattractive. Most of them have buildings with higher architectural quality, business identification signs are controlled and billboards are banned, the utilities are underground or along adjoining alleys, there is a consistent canopy of street trees and street medians are often landscaped and their streets and sidewalks are in a better state of repair. This results in jarring contrasts when one crosses the boundary of one of the smaller cities and enters Los Angeles.

Examples of such contrasts are driving south on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills and then entering an ugly looking section of La Cienega in Los Angeles, traveling east on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood and then entering a miserable looking section of Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood that has been neglected for decades, driving south on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica and then encountering an ugly section of the Boulevard in Venice and traveling northeast on Jefferson Boulevard in Culver City with its lush tree canopy and attractive, landscaped buildings and then encountering a barren section of Jefferson with few street trees and older, deteriorated buildings on the other side of the boundary line in Los Angeles.

And there is the contrast between the banal and ugly Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles and the attractive looking Washington Boulevard a block to the south in Culver City. In the San Fernando Valley there are the same jarring contrasts when one drives west from Burbank into Los Angeles along Magnolia, Burbank or Victory Boulevards and Vanowen Street. Indeed, one can tell when one is entering Los Angeles because that is where the ugliness begins.

For the most part, efforts to improve the aesthetics of Los Angeles have been sporadic and insufficient.

The City of Los Angeles has never had a deliberate, comprehensive program to improve its appearance. With the exception of the small fraction of the LA covered by Historic Preservation Overlay Zones and the handful of Specific Plans that have design standards and design review boards, architecture is unregulated in Los Angeles.

While the City Council, after decades of voting it down, finally banned new billboards in 2002, thanks to the leadership of then Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, approximately 5,630 billboards remain in the City. These existing billboards cannot be removed due to a State law, A.B. 1353, that was quietly approved by the State Legislature in 1982 and which prohibits the removal of existing billboards through amortization schedules.

While underground utilities have been required in new subdivisions since 1966, there are still many miles of existing, unsightly overhead wires in the older sections of Los Angeles put up prior to the 1960s that are untouched by that requirement. A proposal for a program to underground those wires will likely be met with resistance due to its cost and that DWP has higher priorities for its funds that involve converting its electricity sources from coal and oil to green technologies and replacing old, leaking water mains.

Similarly, a program to systematically plant street trees along the City’s major highways, to have a consistent canopy as in Beverly Hills and Culver City, will also probably face resistance due to its cost. Because the Great Recession of 2008-2009 reduced the City’s tax revenues, the City of Los Angeles had to severely cut back the number of miles of streets resurfaced each year and has spent almost nothing on repairing broken down sidewalks.


^ btw, that article popped up in a google search I did right after seeing your comment & thinking there are hoods in LA that are far more deserving of criticism....that are far more troubling....than playa vista. Pure serendipity too since the story is dated today & is from a website called.....citywatch.

BrandonJXN
Apr 26, 2016, 11:33 AM
I actually like Playa Vista. If I had a family, I wouldn't mind living down there. Though it does feel a bit cut off from everything else.

blackcat23
Apr 26, 2016, 2:42 PM
New renderings for Beverly Hilton development (http://urbanize.la/post/first-look-revised-beverly-hilton-development)

As previously reported, plans are being altered from eight- and 18-story buildings to a single 26-story tower. The footprint of the shorter building along Wilshire Bouelvard would become green space.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/950w/public/bevhilton4.jpg?itok=ZRJSzXtc

caligrad
Apr 26, 2016, 5:44 PM
^^^Not bad, I'm ok with either plan going forward.

moreover, I'd rather have that than this....

^ btw, that article popped up in a google search I did right after seeing your comment & thinking there are hoods in LA that are far more deserving of criticism....that are far more troubling....than playa vista. Pure serendipity too since the story is dated today & is from a website called.....citywatch.

Interesting, what are the odds that this "article" used the same exact photo that you used a few months back in your last argument about power lines and the source is from a website called citywatch... that's SOOOOO trippy :rolleyes:. Nevertheless. You missed the biggest highlight of the "article"

["Like most large cities, Los Angeles suffers from a number of forms of visual pollution, disorder and banality, including cheaply built buildings with mediocre to poor architectural quality, sign and billboard clutter, miles of overhead utility wires that further add to the clutter, a lack of consistent street trees and streetscape improvements and streets with cracks, fissures and broken down sidewalks." ]

Something that needs to be remembered when people put other cities on a pedestal. Everytime I read the argument "this is only an LA issue and isn't done anywhere else" makes me laugh. Blessed to have traveled so much to actually see how "other cities" are actually functioning and look. Makes me think that some people who use that argument have either never travelled outside of Southern California, or are just full of it.

PS. This works both ways, just as people come here and leave disappointed when they don't see every street lined with palm trees or because they didn't see their favorite celebrity (because apparently celebrities are ozzing out of every crack in this city) or because the sky wasn't blue and everybody in LA wasn't crazy sexy and wearing board shorts and tanks like people expect us to be.

ChargerCarl
Apr 26, 2016, 5:47 PM
Citywatch that article is really bad.

The problem with Los Angeles isn't that it has ugly architecture, it's that it has poor urban form. In comparison, Japanese cities are filled with cheap, ugly structures yet they manage to be very pleasant because they're arranged in a way that maximizes street life and walkability. The only thing architectural standards will do in LA is make the city even more expensive and bland while doing nothing to improve urban life.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Apr 26, 2016, 5:57 PM
Citywatch that article is really bad.

The problem with Los Angeles isn't that it has ugly architecture, it's that it has poor urban form. In comparison, Japanese cities are filled with cheap, ugly structures yet they manage to be very pleasant because they're arranged in a way that maximizes street life and walkability. The only thing architectural standards will do in LA is make the city even more expensive and bland while doing nothing to improve urban life.

I think that article is right on point. LA City has ignored aesthetics for a long long time. How come Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, WeHo, Santa Monica, Bev Hills ALL look great, while as soon as you drive into LA, its a mess. Just drive along Colorado Blvd from Pas to Eagle Rock, or La Cienega and on and on and on. Simple things get ignored in LA. Why dont we have a plan to underground our utilities wires on major streets? Why dont we have a comprehensive sign policy? How come our landscaping is subpar and not maintained? Its really sad because with a few simple changes, LA city can look great and spur economic activity on our commercial strips.

ChargerCarl
Apr 26, 2016, 6:23 PM
Probably building codes, lower land prices, and zoning.

For example, mandatory setback regulations and minimum parking requirements push buildings away from the street and discourage street life. Combined with various density restrictions and zoning that separates commercial and residential use and you have a city where the only convenient mode of transportation is by car.

Architectural standards won't do anything to fix that problem.

ChargerCarl
Apr 26, 2016, 6:38 PM
http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.3546104.5620/flat,800x800,070,f.jpg

http://i.picresize.com/images/2016/04/26/F7zfk.jpg

These street have ugly wires and architecture, yet they manage to be greater than the sum of their parts.

Too bad it's currently illegal to build anything like this in LA.

King Kill 'em
Apr 27, 2016, 12:33 AM
Going back to the subject of Playa Vista being like Irvine, I disagree but there is somewhere in the city that is like Irvine: The Warner Center. Here's some pics for comparison.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/26601130911_2ff9fb2065_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GwDKs8)Screen Shot 2016-04-26 at 5.23.36 PM (https://flic.kr/p/GwDKs8) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1652/26640281046_597e7c1d5a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GA7pqs)Screen Shot 2016-04-26 at 5.24.24 PM (https://flic.kr/p/GA7pqs) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1530/26062805023_3c89cf1168_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FH5FVi)Screen Shot 2016-04-26 at 5.24.33 PM (https://flic.kr/p/FH5FVi) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1565/26061227244_232d93c015_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FGWAUd)Screen Shot 2016-04-26 at 5.23.58 PM (https://flic.kr/p/FGWAUd) by Oscar Gake (https://www.flickr.com/photos/135818526@N06/), on Flickr

blackcat23
Apr 27, 2016, 4:30 PM
The Irvine vs. Playa Vista conversation isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison, since we're comparing a neighborhood to an entire city. A more reasonable comparison would be between the Playa Vista and the Irvine Spectrum Center.

In that case, the aesthetic similarities are undeniable, which is to be expected given that they were both developed post-1990 in semi-suburban locations.

In terms of built environment, both are self-enclosed, but Playa Vista is more cohesive and does a much better job of adhering to new urbanist principles. Narrower streets, relatively little surface parking, and more pedestrian-oriented.

a9l8e7n
Apr 27, 2016, 4:36 PM
Working in "The Campus" Playa Vista myself, I can definitely agree with that.

The Irvine vs. Playa Vista conversation isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison, since we're comparing a neighborhood to an entire city. A more reasonable comparison would be between the Playa Vista and the Irvine Spectrum Center.

In that case, the aesthetic similarities are undeniable, which is to be expected given that they were both developed post-1990 in semi-suburban locations.

In terms of built environment, both are self-enclosed, but Playa Vista is more cohesive and does a much better job of adhering to new urbanist principles. Narrower streets, relatively little surface parking, and more pedestrian-oriented.

losangelesnative
Apr 27, 2016, 4:41 PM
Long Beach Civic Center construction to begin soon

https://www.bisnow.com/los-angeles/news/commercial-real-estate/financing-closed-for-520m-long-beach-civic-center-project-59277?rt=14991

blackcat23
Apr 27, 2016, 4:53 PM
Exploring Long Beach's Future Civic Center (http://urbanize.la/post/exploring-long-beachs-future-civic-center)

Given the above news, take a look at renderings for the new Civic Center.

Nearly 600 residential units, 40,000+ sq. ft. of retail space, two 11-story buildings for Long Beach City Hall and the Port of Long Beach, a relocated library and a 36-story tower features residential and a 200-room hotel.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/1_29.jpg?itok=fVDgEsdV

ChargerCarl
Apr 27, 2016, 5:51 PM
The Irvine vs. Playa Vista conversation isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison, since we're comparing a neighborhood to an entire city. A more reasonable comparison would be between the Playa Vista and the Irvine Spectrum Center.

In that case, the aesthetic similarities are undeniable, which is to be expected given that they were both developed post-1990 in semi-suburban locations.

In terms of built environment, both are self-enclosed, but Playa Vista is more cohesive and does a much better job of adhering to new urbanist principles. Narrower streets, relatively little surface parking, and more pedestrian-oriented.

This is why I consider myself an "old" urbanist.

blackcat23
Apr 27, 2016, 6:25 PM
Speaking of Playa Vista...

http://urbanize.la/post/vintage-playa-vista-buildings-becoming-offices

Old buildings formerly used to manufacture aircraft parts are being repurposed as creative offices.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/950w/public/field/image/1_23.jpg?itok=S6v5sD6O

bzcat
Apr 27, 2016, 10:25 PM
huh?

Whether or not it's located near LAX, the beach, or the 405 (which runs through Irvine too) has nothing to do with anything. IMO, the type of development taking place in Playa Vista looks pretty similar to the type of development you see in higher densities in South Orange County. Despite it's density, it manages to not be very urban or walkable.

I don't think you've actually walked around Playa Vista. It is very walkable.

The area outside of Playa Vista is not very walkable. Lincoln Blvd is a state highway and I don't know that there is anything Playa Vista developers could have done to make it walkable.

The only thing that I think could have been done differently for the better is if Jefferson Blvd was better utilized by the retail center. But the design of the community was set when the area north of Jefferson was light industrial and warehouse... before the creative office boom and R2 construction boom there.

The Irvine vs. Playa Vista conversation isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison, since we're comparing a neighborhood to an entire city. A more reasonable comparison would be between the Playa Vista and the Irvine Spectrum Center.

In that case, the aesthetic similarities are undeniable, which is to be expected given that they were both developed post-1990 in semi-suburban locations.

In terms of built environment, both are self-enclosed, but Playa Vista is more cohesive and does a much better job of adhering to new urbanist principles. Narrower streets, relatively little surface parking, and more pedestrian-oriented.


I used to work in Irvine Spectrum and I'm very familiar with Playa Vista so I agree with most of what you said here.

The Irvine comparison is very off base in my opinion but even if you just limit it to Irvine Spectrum Center, I would still say that Playa Vista is far more walkable than Irvine Spectrum. Every block in Playa Vista has pedestrian path cut through (usually in the form of pocket parks or landscaped greenway) so you don't need to walk all the way to the main road (Pacific Promenade) just to get from from block to the next. Irvine Specturm area has much larger blocks and no pedestrian cut through. And it is covered in surface parking. That's the most significant difference.

Also Playa Vista streets are significantly narrower and the street designs are for the most part to slow down cars. Playa Vista also has functional bike lanes on all the main roads. Irvine Specturm Center with its close proximity to freeways have road designs primarily to speed up traffic with token bike lanes in the gutters.

The neighborhood that is most similar to Playa Vista in terms of density and built environment in my opinion is midtown section of Santa Monica. Similar mix of condos, apartments, single family homes, and neighborhood oriented retail stores with walkable small blocks and narrow streets bounded by heavy arterial roads. Midtown Santa Monica doesn't have faux mission style buildings but that's an aesthetic point or view, not a judgement about walkability.

bzcat
Apr 27, 2016, 10:56 PM
I actually like Playa Vista. If I had a family, I wouldn't mind living down there. Though it does feel a bit cut off from everything else.

It is physically cut off from everything else by 405, Westchester Bluff, Ballona creek, and wetlands on all 4 sides so there is only so much you can do. You can't organically bridge that gap...

To the west, it's empty wetland locked in permanent wildness trust.

To the east, you have 405 cutting Playa Vista off from Culver City/Fox Hills Mall area.

To the south, you have Westchester Bluff cutting Playa Vista off from LMU and Westchester.

To the north, you have Ballona Creek that is actually more like a concrete ditch. The only thing that perhaps could have been done better is to integrate the Del Rey section south of Ballona Creek into Playa Vista. But as I mentioned in the previous post, that section was almost exclusively warehouses when Playa Vista was on the drawing board so the decision was made to use Jefferson as a buffer. The success of Playa Vista has now lead to those warehouses being converted to creative office space and apartments so I guess you can say that it is still kind of a success.

ChargerCarl
Apr 27, 2016, 11:17 PM
I have been to Playa Vista, and like pretty much all new urbanist communities found myself completely underwhelmed.

http://urbankchoze.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-golden-cage-trap.html

blackcat23
Apr 28, 2016, 12:24 AM
To the north, you have Ballona Creek that is actually more like a concrete ditch. The only thing that perhaps could have been done better is to integrate the Del Rey section south of Ballona Creek into Playa Vista. But as I mentioned in the previous post, that section was almost exclusively warehouses when Playa Vista was on the drawing board so the decision was made to use Jefferson as a buffer. The success of Playa Vista has now lead to those warehouses being converted to creative office space and apartments so I guess you can say that it is still kind of a success.

Although "concrete ditch" is an apt description for most of the creek, west of Centinela out to the ocean, it gives way for an earthen bottom with plants and wildlife.

The group Ballona Creek Renaissance has done a lot of work to add signage, landscaping and seating along the bike path in recent years. A linear park was recently added near Marina Middle School.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140wb/public/field/image/20160214_103859.jpg?itok=dTVD0Sfo
http://urbanize.la/post/linear-park-opens-along-ballona-creek

King Kill 'em
Apr 28, 2016, 12:42 AM
I don't think you've actually walked around Playa Vista. It is very walkable.

The area outside of Playa Vista is not very walkable. Lincoln Blvd is a state highway and I don't know that there is anything Playa Vista developers could have done to make it walkable.

The only thing that I think could have been done differently for the better is if Jefferson Blvd was better utilized by the retail center. But the design of the community was set when the area north of Jefferson was light industrial and warehouse... before the creative office boom and R2 construction boom there.



One thing they could've done with Lincoln is connected the little parks in between the condo buildings on Crescent Park to it. The condos all have access to the sidewalk for Lincoln, but if you don't live in those buildings, you have to go around. They also maybe could've decreased the speed limit and number of lanes and not made the sidewalk a tiny little street and the bike lane so scary to bike on. The bridge over the channel has no sidewalk and I biked over it to get to the bike path on the other side. It was frightening to have big SUVs pass me by less than 3 ft going 50+ mph.

On Jefferson they could have done a lot more. All the buildings turn their back to it and have poor greenscaping and short sidewalks. The worst offender of this is the evil Irvine Company with their three disgusting mederterranean complexes.

Steve8263
Apr 28, 2016, 3:50 PM
Interesting new angle of the potential LACMA rebuild-

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-lacma-donation-20160428-story.html

LACMA receives a historic $75-million windfall

http://www.trbimg.com/img-572187bf/turbine/la-et-cm-lacma-donation-20160428-002/750/750x422

gurbie
Apr 28, 2016, 4:21 PM
Interesting new angle of the potential LACMA rebuild-

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-lacma-donation-20160428-story.html

LACMA receives a historic $75-million windfall

http://www.trbimg.com/img-572187bf/turbine/la-et-cm-lacma-donation-20160428-002/750/750x422

Any info on whether there are still plans to build an "iconic tower" over the metro station?

LDVArch
Apr 28, 2016, 6:22 PM
Interesting new angle of the potential LACMA rebuild-

Yes, it is. This rendering establishes a compelling relationship between the new building and the Heizer rock, almost as if Zumthor wants his building to be read in much the same way, as an object that has been excavated. (That would make it the second museum building in LA with that topos.)

Along those lines, it is remarkable that the open spaces around the new building will be hardscaped in some material that mimics the decomposed granite around the Heizer rock.

blackcat23
Apr 28, 2016, 7:34 PM
As was mentioned a few days ago...

http://urbanize.la/post/cement-plant-cleared-future-west-la-development

Cement plant demo'd at Expo/Sepulveda Station, clearing the way for the Casden West L.A. development.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140wb/public/field/image/20160424_105103%280%29.jpg?itok=ytF7JOap

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/950w/public/field/image/casden1.jpg?itok=cNcMak0m

ucla_engineer
Apr 28, 2016, 11:05 PM
1601 Vine is currently on the 4th floor. Floors heights seem pretty large.

http://i.imgur.com/jCzdkP4l.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HkcfkrQl.jpg

Render:

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/950w/public/field/image/selma.jpg

colemonkee
Apr 29, 2016, 12:14 AM
So the Casden development will still have a 10-story building? That's pretty good, considering what they were up against. Do we know how many units they are planning? Hoping it's still in the 500-600 range, given proximity to the Expo Line.

King Kill 'em
Apr 29, 2016, 1:19 AM
So the Casden development will still have a 10-story building? That's pretty good, considering what they were up against. Do we know how many units they are planning? Hoping it's still in the 500-600 range, given proximity to the Expo Line.

595. Was going to be 638 so they weren't cut down too significantly. 43 more units could still have helped our housing shortage though. Every little bit helps.

StethJeff
Apr 29, 2016, 3:07 AM
Interesting new angle of the potential LACMA rebuild-

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-lacma-donation-20160428-story.html

LACMA receives a historic $75-million windfall

http://www.trbimg.com/img-572187bf/turbine/la-et-cm-lacma-donation-20160428-002/750/750x422

I'm about 1/10 as excited as I was when the original blob design was revealed. Glad to hear they're making process but so wish they had never changed it.

NSMP
Apr 29, 2016, 3:28 AM
I actually really like the LACMA render. Happy it's moving somewhat closer to reality

Kenchiku desu
Apr 29, 2016, 3:56 AM
Yes. It's wonderful the building is pulled back from the park now, and uses the space over Wilshire! The design really has developed in a good way to respond to the context.

LosAngelesSportsFan
Apr 29, 2016, 5:23 AM
It's interesting and visually weird yet appealing. It makes you stop and look and that to me, it's very important with architecture

Muji
Apr 29, 2016, 3:05 PM
I can't say that I'm excited at all for the Zumthor LACMA plan. I realize that LACMA's current campus can feel disjointed, but it flows reasonably well, and most of it is built at a very pleasant scale. It would be a real shame to see so many of its historic buildings torn down (4 buildings IIRC), and replaced by a monolithic structure that we will likely regret within a few decades.

Wilcal
Apr 29, 2016, 5:22 PM
I'm about 1/10 as excited as I was when the original blob design was revealed. Glad to hear they're making process but so wish they had never changed it.

Seth,
I agree. There is something about the added angularity of the corners that bothers me, and the structures on the top (whatever they are) should be circular. Also, I had heard that the museum had planned to develop their property across the street next to the extended "blob" into an office tower. I wonder in their fundraising efforts if they just considered selling the property outright. It would fetch a very good price

blackcat23
Apr 29, 2016, 6:17 PM
"Pen Factory," now underway at Expo's 26 Street/Bergamot Station (http://urbanize.la/post/construction-underway-santa-monicas-pen-factory)

222,000 square feet of office space in what was supposed to be the Bergamot Transit Village.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/penfactory5_0.jpg?itok=Hx571Mnu

King Kill 'em
Apr 29, 2016, 9:18 PM
I can't say that I'm excited at all for the Zumthor LACMA plan. I realize that LACMA's current campus can feel disjointed, but it flows reasonably well, and most of it is built at a very pleasant scale. It would be a real shame to see so many of its historic buildings torn down (4 buildings IIRC), and replaced by a monolithic structure that we will likely regret within a few decades.

Said it better than I could. I couldn't come up with the right words to express how I feel. We'll regret building this within a few decades. Also it's awful to have it go across Wilshire. It wastes the parcel across the street and creates a dark tunnel.

King Kill 'em
Apr 29, 2016, 9:20 PM
"Pen Factory," now underway at Expo's 26 Street/Bergamot Station (http://urbanize.la/post/construction-underway-santa-monicas-pen-factory)

222,000 square feet of office space in what was supposed to be the Bergamot Transit Village.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/penfactory5_0.jpg?itok=Hx571Mnu

Perfect comment on the article. "Instead of having a vibrant pedestrian friendly mixed-use community, they'll be getting a single-use traffic inducing development. Good job boneheads."

kolchak
May 1, 2016, 12:21 AM
Marriott Edition Sunset Blvd - the site and stabilizing the large billboard on the east end:


http://i67.tinypic.com/do04s9.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/2emk1v7.jpg

WestCoastSupertall
May 2, 2016, 1:19 AM
^^^^ it's okay, they can let that billboard fall down.

The old Wells Fargo at Crescent Heights / Wilshire is completely gone. I'll get some pics when I can of the site prep.

caligrad
May 3, 2016, 12:54 AM
Exploring Long Beach's Future Civic Center (http://urbanize.la/post/exploring-long-beachs-future-civic-center)

Given the above news, take a look at renderings for the new Civic Center.

Nearly 600 residential units, 40,000+ sq. ft. of retail space, two 11-story buildings for Long Beach City Hall and the Port of Long Beach, a relocated library and a 36-story tower features residential and a 200-room hotel.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/1_29.jpg?itok=fVDgEsdV

I cant wait for this to be a reality. Downtown Long Beach is nice but it is clearly not being used to its full potential and its rather sad.

Some more news out of Long Bach. Some bad news. I think we just got hit with a project cancelation (this is just my assumption, for those who are easily butt hurt with speculations and need reassurance that's its just speculation).

The plot of land set aside for phase 2 of "The Current" was recently paved over for a parking lot, new parking lamps were installed, plants and trees were added. The project I'm talking about is the 34 story condo tower that was suppose to be Long Beach new tallest (It was going to have a spire similar to the Wilshire Grand to make it the tallest in LB).

I Reached out to the developers, no comment yet and that was a few days ago. I hope the nimby's didn't defeat this one, they were opposing it heavily. Either that or Hunter is right that another economic disaster is going to happen, if I remember correctly, on the old downtown thread he said it would start in May :uhh:.

hughfb3
May 3, 2016, 5:15 AM
I cant wait for this to be a reality. Downtown Long Beach is nice but it is clearly not being used to its full potential and its rather sad.

Some more news out of Long Bach. Some bad news. I think we just got hit with a project cancelation (this is just my assumption, for those who are easily butt hurt with speculations and need reassurance that's its just speculation).

The plot of land set aside for phase 2 of "The Current" was recently paved over for a parking lot, new parking lamps were installed, plants and trees were added. The project I'm talking about is the 34 story condo tower that was suppose to be Long Beach new tallest (It was going to have a spire similar to the Wilshire Grand to make it the tallest in LB).

I Reached out to the developers, no comment yet and that was a few days ago. I hope the nimby's didn't defeat this one, they were opposing it heavily. Either that or Hunter is right that another economic disaster is going to happen, if I remember correctly, on the old downtown thread he said it would start in May :uhh:.

One project cancellation does not equate to the demise of an entire economic cycle, nor is it evidence of such things occurring. Many cancellation would provide insight into this. But judging by the past 4 days in the downtown LA thread 2 high rise projects have broken ground or are in site prep... Just in the past 4 days.

King Kill 'em
May 3, 2016, 1:57 PM
I never would have thought long beach had a NIMBY problem.

blackcat23
May 3, 2016, 3:49 PM
Design revealed for Jefferson/La Cienega development (http://urbanize.la/post/renderings-revealed-jefferson-and-la-cienega-development)

1,218 residential units, 200,000 sq. ft. of office space, 100,000 square feet of ground-level commercial + a .68-acre park. Designed by TCA Architects, SCB and Mia Lehrer. Features a 29-story, 323-foot tall tower.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/cover.jpg?itok=dVdxyN3R

blackcat23
May 4, 2016, 3:51 PM
Proposed master plan for 20th Century Fox Studios revealed (http://urbanize.la/post/fox-studios-plans-future-development)

Upwards of 1.1-million square feet of production and office space, including high-rise buildings of up to 475 feet in height. Buildout would occur over 20 years.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/proposed1.jpg?itok=kMkqITmI

SimonLA
May 4, 2016, 7:42 PM
Renovation on creative offices opening near Expo's 17th Street/SMC station. Hopefully, this area can be transformed but we know Santa Monica NIMBYs are like no other NIMBYs in the world.

http://therealdeal.com/la/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1301-Colorado-Exterior.jpg

http://therealdeal.com/la/2016/05/03/new-creative-office-boasts-proximity-to-santa-monica-expo-line/

LA21st
May 5, 2016, 2:37 AM
Renovation on creative offices opening near Expo's 17th Street/SMC station. Hopefully, this area can be transformed but we know Santa Monica NIMBYs are like no other NIMBYs in the world.

http://therealdeal.com/la/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/1301-Colorado-Exterior.jpg

http://therealdeal.com/la/2016/05/03/new-creative-office-boasts-proximity-to-santa-monica-expo-line/

Ugh
These puny little tods are embarassing.
Sm should be building 10 stories plus at its stations.

202_Cyclist
May 5, 2016, 4:10 PM
Ugh
These puny little tods are embarassing.
Sm should be building 10 stories plus at its stations.

But at least it has plenty of parking in front of the building.... This is wasting the potential of the investment in the Expo line.

caligrad
May 5, 2016, 4:29 PM
One project cancellation does not equate to the demise of an entire economic cycle, nor is it evidence of such things occurring. Many cancellation would provide insight into this. But judging by the past 4 days in the downtown LA thread 2 high rise projects have broken ground or are in site prep... Just in the past 4 days.

I was being sarcastic, I really need to work on the sarcasm thing in text form. I'm one of the main ones skeptical about any significant economic downturn predictions anytime soon.

A spokesperson from the developers finally contacted me. Nimbys did in fact throw up a minor road block. The parking lot is temporary. They plan on going forward later this year or early next year.

I never would have thought long beach had a NIMBY problem.

Oh its really bad but goes unnoticed, Long Beach tends to go unnoticed sometimes in the bigger LA picture. Nimbys have killed or downsized SO MANY projects. I love Long Beach but its nimbys are on par with Santa Monica but just a little more insane and contradictory.

"Less density, more bikelanes , wider streets, more one way streets, shrink sidewalks, we need street cars, no street cars, more adaptive reuse, kill the airport, throw more money at the struggling aquarium, get rid of the Queen Mary, kill any development near the Queen Mary, dismantle the breakwater, leave the breakwater, reroute the LA river, Reroute the 710, limit high rise development, kill any sports franchises, kill theme parks and Casinos"

^^^ These are just some recent examples. As you can see, some are good, some are ridiculous, some are contradictory and some make you want to scream. At least in Santa Monica there seems to be a genuine consensus for what the nimby groups want. In Long Beach we have different nimby groups all with different agendas.

There was once a plan to add street cars through downtown long beach, nimbys killed it.

They have killed, from my knowledge, 9 towers in the past 15 years (each one getting downsized to a 5 story shit box or nothing at all).

Not many people know this but Disney actually wanted California Adventure to be built in the Long Beach Harbor. Nimbys killed it saying they didn't want the traffic congestion. (but yet they settled for a watered down version of the Pike with a Ferris Wheel and Carousel)

Not to mention the Baseball stadium proposed next to the Queen Mary they killed back in the early 2000s. :( (I think that was back when the Padres was looking for a new home, before San Diego caved and built Petco park, funny how history is repeating itself with the Chargers this time).

WestCoastSupertall
May 5, 2016, 11:07 PM
Hollywood mini-update. Sorry for the image quality.

Eastown Part 2:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/26234936904_4df217e93b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FYhUJm)IMG_4336 (https://flic.kr/p/FYhUJm) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/26235815583_f2ccf056d4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FYnpVZ)IMG_4337 (https://flic.kr/p/FYnpVZ) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

Columbia Square:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7635/26746693112_a80017a149_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GKvN2f)IMG_4338 (https://flic.kr/p/GKvN2f) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

The Camden. Nice street wall it's created. Looks like it's getting an Equinox at the Vine / Selma intersection.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/26234927114_7d84daf38b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FYhRPy)IMG_4339 (https://flic.kr/p/FYhRPy) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7221/26746684982_531300bf37_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GKvKB5)IMG_4340 (https://flic.kr/p/GKvKB5) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7627/26773060551_1c1d6d9a38_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GMQW9g)IMG_4341 (https://flic.kr/p/GMQW9g) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

1601 Vine

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/26567617010_9e08a3a4c5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GtFYWf)IMG_4342 (https://flic.kr/p/GtFYWf) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

Dream Hotel

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/26773055481_ac9e509533_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GMQUCR)IMG_4345 (https://flic.kr/p/GMQUCR) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

Argyle Hotel.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/26567611990_70628dce49_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GtFXrG)IMG_4343 (https://flic.kr/p/GtFXrG) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/26234903294_5daea7d74d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FYhJJS)IMG_4344 (https://flic.kr/p/FYhJJS) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

colemonkee
May 6, 2016, 12:50 AM
Whoa. Hollywood is booming! Someone better call AHF to stop all of this!!! ;)

NativeOrange
May 6, 2016, 3:21 AM
Is it just me, or does the Dream Hotel look quite a bit different from the renderings? The roofline was supposed to slope in above the opened deck a floor below and look much more slender but now it seems like this big blocky staircase pattern. Also the window configuration is clearly simplified as well as how they were supposed to be more indented with a gold-ish inner trim.

Am I missing something? Like is there still some cladding that needs to be done? It looks like the color scheme from the renderings already so I can't honestly tell. Even the lower facade above the first two floors is a brick/wood like color, but it was supposed to match the color of the 2 story building on the corner.

WestCoastSupertall
May 7, 2016, 9:59 PM
This one doesn't get much coverage. 6 story / 56 unit apartments at 10777 Wilshire on the corridor. IMO such wasted potential given the location. Should have been a high-rise. One more floor until it tops out...:(

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/26272346893_5c8440bb5f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/G2ADqa)IMG_4347 (https://flic.kr/p/G2ADqa) by Blake Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/136245160@N06/), on Flickr

King Kill 'em
May 8, 2016, 4:08 AM
An 1,000 unit project has been announced for the site of the old ikea in Burbank. The NIMBYs on the Burbamk Facebook group have been going insane and I'm essentially the only person who supports the project and actually voices my opinion there. It's so depressing how selfish and ignorant they've been in their reaction.

DJM19
May 8, 2016, 5:52 AM
People just don't understand traffic. Stopping homes from being built, yet still having all this commercial activity, is not going to spare you from increasing traffic. Just the fact that those 1000 units worth of people might be built somewhere else guarantees they will drive through Burbank downtown rather than walk anywhere.

dktshb
May 8, 2016, 5:09 PM
An 1,000 unit project has been announced for the site of the old ikea in Burbank. The NIMBYs on the Burbamk Facebook group have been going insane and I'm essentially the only person who supports the project and actually voices my opinion there. It's so depressing how selfish and ignorant they've been in their reaction. Tell them it is 1000 less cars driving to the mall next door and 1000 less cars driving to the movies or the restaurants in the area too.

King Kill 'em
May 8, 2016, 7:17 PM
Insane rich NIMBY comment.

"You have a lot to learn about life. Not everyone that wants a house gets one. Not everyone that wants to find a spouse finds one. Not everyone that wants children can have them- they struggle with infertility. Not everyone can be a supermodel ( they have a stalky build) , a famous actor or whatever else they dreamed about. There are people that get cancer despite living a very healthy lifestyle. Not everyone that wants to live in Burbank can afford to. I grew up in Huntington Beach- do you think I'd love beach property; of course. But that's not possible . I'm thankful for what I do have. Burbank is a wonderfully cute town. But the whole population of earth can not live here. That's part of life. It's designed that way o help us get perspective on what matters not make us bitter and angry."

blackcat23
May 9, 2016, 2:56 PM
Mid-rise office building starts work in Culver City (http://urbanize.la/post/site-prep-begins-culver-city-creative-offices)

IDS Real Estate Group + Gensler. Seven-story, 132-foot tall building with 280,000 square feet of office space.

http://urbanize.la/sites/default/files/styles/1140w/public/field/image/1_c3.jpg?itok=wlLamKHG

colemonkee
May 9, 2016, 4:29 PM
^ NICE! I've been waiting for that one to start. When it was originally announced, I tried to get my (then) employer to move there. The working spaces look amazing.

Wally West
May 9, 2016, 4:48 PM
Nice infill for the area.