[citywatch]

MapGoulet has a scoop on groundbreaking plans for the Concerto condo proj (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2012452&postcount=1281) at the SE corner of 9th & Fig!

[BrighamYen]

^ Yeah they finally have the "green constuction fencing" around the parking lot now. FINALLY. Let's expect Concerto finishing in early 2009.

[citywatch]

I know you said several wks ago that groundbreaking would occur right around now. And prior to that Astani's office suggested construction would being even as early as Feb or March. Still, the idea of that site finally being cleaned up & built upon is hard to believe. Almost too good to be true.

So that & a press conference on the Grand Ave proj, which is then followed by a formal announcement of the Rodmark proj taking place over the next several days? I gotta pinch myself.

[citywatch]

Raymond3000 at SSC, assuming he has some inside info about the Concerto proj, has a post that makes me wonder if the devlpr, Sonny Astani, is becoming more cautious about demand for housing (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8149246&postcount=467)?

[Easy]

LAB had said earlier that the low rise would "probably" be the first phase. The downtown news had said that the first phase would be 2 of the 3 buildings. Have we heard for sure since then? It's hard to keep track.

[bobcat]

In the video from back in November of Astani describing the project he says the short building would be phase 3. (He states this around 8 min 10 sec into the video.)

http://la36.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=11&clip_id=765

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Raymond3000 at SSC, assuming he has some inside info about the Concerto proj, has a post that makes me wonder if the devlpr, Sonny Astani, is becoming more cautious about demand for housing (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8149246&postcount=467)?

I don't see anything in the post that suggests he has any inside info. He seems to be just speculating.

The project is about to break ground. That's great news. Leave it to you citywatch, to find the dark lining on that silver cloud! :tup:

[LongBeachUrbanist]

BTW, here are a few short news items from Downtown Los Angeles, for those who don't get down there too often:

:) As many of you know, the building at the southeast corner of Fifth and Broadway ("Jewelry Trades"???) has been undergoing an extensive rehab. Well, I can happily report, the building is looking fantastic!!! The walls have been cleaned and restored, and the nasty plywood signage has been removed. I believe the tenants are being replaced.

:) The Broadway Arcade building also looks cleaned and restored -- above the second floor, that is. The ground floor is still a mess of trinket vendors. I wonder if they are going to stay, or maybe the building owner has to wait out the end of their leases.

:) The Hollenbeck Police Station is now being torn down. What does this have to do with DTLA? Well, the police cars have been relocated during the station rebuild to the north side of First Street, across and over from the Savoy. The next three years are going to see tremendous change along First Street!!!

:) The little burger joint on the future LAPD HQ site is finally gone. This might have happened in the last couple of weeks, I haven't been down there in that time.

:) The new Colburn building is now a small tower, possibly six stories above Olive Street. Looking good!!!

:) Luma is rising fast, it's already several stories out of the ground, and I would suspect it will reach the hight of Elleven within the next two months.

[citywatch]

The little burger joint on the future LAPD HQ site has finally been torn down. This might have happened in the last couple of weeks, I haven't been down there in that time.
That eyewitness update all by itself makes your post worthwhile ;) Thanks!


Leave it to you citywatch, to find the dark lining on that silver cloud!Call it a case of Old DTLA Syndrome, where for yrs & yrs I'd think, OK, something good finally is gonna happen soon, only to find myself getting burned later at the last minute. :D

[citywatch]

As many of you know, the building at the southeast corner of Fifth and Broadway ("Jewelry Trades"???) has been undergoing an extensive rehab. Well, I can happily report, the building is looking fantastic!!! The walls have been cleaned and restored, and the nasty plywood signage has been removed. I believe the tenants are being replaced.That's very important for the hood, because it's the bldg across the street from one of Barry Shy's loft bldgs, the one that I heard still had around 40 units left to be sold & that Colemonkee said were very small & dark. IOW, whether Shy is trying to get too many $$ or not from buyers, it's still critical that every proj in DT be successful, inc even his.

[LAMetroGuy]

LBU, thanks for the update!

[colemonkee]

Looks like the Brockman is finally getting serious. I got this in an email today, nearly one year after I signed up on the interest list...

The Grand Debut

The Brockman
SAVE THE DATE MAY 18th

Join us for cocktails, entertainment and hors d'oeuvres

7th and Grand Downtown

Prequalify by May 7th to receive an invitation to an exclusive VIP tasting and builder introduction.

RSVP by May 15th.

TheBrockman.com

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Wow, it's about time. I would guess the building-burka will be removed on or before that date.

[citywatch]

I'm still wondering (& starting to worry about) why the Coulter-mandell bldg next door to the Brockman is taking so long to be converted into apts.

And has Astani's Concerto finally broken ground, even if only symbolically, by now?

All this waiting & wondering makes for a good test of patience.

[danparker276]

i walked by concerto last night, and didn't notice anything different. They had some lights up, but thats about it, not machinery. I'd think they need to do the surveying 1st and draw those orange lines on the concrete before they start digging.

[danparker276]

edit:sorry

[ronson]

Wow, it's about time. I would guess the building-burka will be removed on or before that date.


i heard it was post 25th.

[citywatch]

i walked by concerto last night, and didn't notice anything different.Assuming it's not been done already, I'd think the devlpr will be showing signs of getting really serious when the 2 big billboards on the site finally have been removed.

[danparker276]

Things are looking good at 1100 wilshire. The Lobby is done and it could be a month or 2 before the lower floors move in.
Took another picture of the skydeck
http://loftla.com/loftla/Handler.ashx?PhotoID=306&Size=L

[colemonkee]

^ Lookin' good, man. I bet you can't wait to move in.

On another note, looks like the conversion of the Title Guarantee Building is a go. Not so sure about the December completion though. From the Downtown News...

Tapas Bar to Open, Adaptive Reuse Gets Go-Ahead

After months of delays, Downtown wine and tapas bar 626 Reserve opens Thursday, May 4, at 626 S. Spring St. in the Historic Core. The bar is the brainchild of Jackie Pratt and Tyree McLyn, creators of Dipped in Chocolate LA, a catering service specializing in chocolate fountains. McLyn owns the 626 Gallery, also in the building. A few blocks away, at Fifth and Hill streets, the Title Guarantee and Trust Company Building received its building permit to begin the conversion into 74 adaptive reuse lofts. With its Gothic style tower looming 240 feet over Pershing Square, the conversion is slated for a December completion, said developer Daniel Swartz.

[ksep]

december of next year maybe - if they are lucky.

[MapGoulet]

^ Lookin' good, man. I bet you can't wait to move in.

On another note, looks like the conversion of the Title Guarantee Building is a go. Not so sure about the December completion though. From the Downtown News...

Tapas Bar to Open, Adaptive Reuse Gets Go-Ahead

After months of delays, Downtown wine and tapas bar 626 Reserve opens Thursday, May 4, at 626 S. Spring St. in the Historic Core. The bar is the brainchild of Jackie Pratt and Tyree McLyn, creators of Dipped in Chocolate LA, a catering service specializing in chocolate fountains. McLyn owns the 626 Gallery, also in the building. A few blocks away, at Fifth and Hill streets, the Title Guarantee and Trust Company Building received its building permit to begin the conversion into 74 adaptive reuse lofts. With its Gothic style tower looming 240 feet over Pershing Square, the conversion is slated for a December completion, said developer Daniel Swartz.

I called 626 Reserve to find out what time they are opening this Thurs and they told me they will be opening on Thursday, May 11th, or one full week later than published. I wanted to show up with a bunch of downtowners and support the establishment, so I'm glad I called.

Cole, maybe you and the other downtown forumers can get a group together to support the opening. I'd love to be there, but I will probably fly to the east coast for the week (yes, even LA boosters need a break).

[blogdowntown]

I called 626 Reserve to find out what time they are opening this Thurs and they told me they will be opening on Thursday, May 11th, or one full week later than published. I wanted to show up with a bunch of downtowners and support the establishment, so I'm glad I called.

That should be a good date for them to open. The 11th is the May Downtown Art Walk (http://downtownartwalk.com), so they'll have a big built in opening crowd.

[colemonkee]

^ Good call. Perhaps this is a good time for a forum meet? Perhaps we can all meet for a drink and support some downtown retail? I'm in if anyone else is.

[ferneynism2]

^ Sounds like a plan....... also here are some pix I took.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/fnee1901/Anothershotoftheschool.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/fnee1901/Asideview.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/fnee1901/ConstructionWilshireVermont.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/fnee1901/Ralphsisgoingtosomewhereinthere.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/fnee1901/Moreconstructionon6thstreetWilshire.jpg

[dcmcgov]

BTW, here are a few short news items from Downtown Los Angeles, for those who don't get down there too often:

:) As many of you know, the building at the southeast corner of Fifth and Broadway ("Jewelry Trades"???) has been undergoing an extensive rehab. Well, I can happily report, the building is looking fantastic!!! The walls have been cleaned and restored, and the nasty plywood signage has been removed. I believe the tenants are being replaced.

:) The Broadway Arcade building also looks cleaned and restored -- above the second floor, that is. The ground floor is still a mess of trinket vendors. I wonder if they are going to stay, or maybe the building owner has to wait out the end of their leases.

:) The Hollenbeck Police Station is now being torn down. What does this have to do with DTLA? Well, the police cars have been relocated during the station rebuild to the north side of First Street, across and over from the Savoy. The next three years are going to see tremendous change along First Street!!!

:) The little burger joint on the future LAPD HQ site is finally gone. This might have happened in the last couple of weeks, I haven't been down there in that time.

:) The new Colburn building is now a small tower, possibly six stories above Olive Street. Looking good!!!

:) Luma is rising fast, it's already several stories out of the ground, and I would suspect it will reach the hight of Elleven within the next two months.

Pictures, man! Pictures! :(
I haven't been to downtown in a couple of months so I need visuals!

[Wright Concept]

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-mayor4may04,0,4208344,full.story?coll=la-home-home

From the Los Angeles Times
ARCHITECTURE
First sprouts of a vertical cityscape
L.A.'s top architects say three- and four-story complexes could provide the answer to the mayor's call for more housing.
By Janet Eastman
Times Staff Writer

May 4, 2006

ARCHITECT Lorcan O'Herlihy's custom touches were exactly what Sara Beugen and Stephen Mabry wanted in their new home — a light-filled, industrial modern in West Hollywood with polished concrete floors and open-to-the-sky steel catwalks crossing the upper levels of the condominium complex.

Over in South Pasadena, two other architects, Elizabeth Moule and Stefanos Polyzoides, created a private retreat and communal experience for Juan Posada, whose second-floor loft has soaring ceilings and a terrace overlooking a courtyard where he and his neighbors barbecue.

Yet none of the architects worked directly for, or even with, these residents. O'Herlihy, Moule and Polyzoides adhered to the principle that sharp design could entice people into a compact vertical lifestyle. They, along with other progressive local architects, see enormous creative opportunities in multifamily housing of fewer than 50 units on an acre.

And the timing couldn't be better. The designs, which are more about good use of space and light rather than square footage, could help coax Angelenos out of single-family homes and a horizontal way of life.

Adding new homes — a few dozen small ones at a time — to existing neighborhoods is part of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to relieve L.A.'s housing shortage. If the new dwellings are close to public transit, all the better. If they rid the neighborhood of an eyesore, longtime residents win too.

Villaraigosa's newly appointed city planner S. Gail Goldberg, who is credited with helping San Diego turn around its downtown with multiunit housing, believes well-situated three- and four-story buildings, not monolithic high-rise towers, are the way to re-energize communities. San Diego's approach to density was to create a city of villages. For Los Angeles' boulevards, Goldberg sees shops, restaurants and people-watching spots. Down the side streets, houses. Filling in between the existing shops and houses, multifamily designer dream pads.

Even critics of the mayor's call for higher density see this as a better way to grow.

"I don't think there is a desire for massive density but a low- and midrise strategy makes a lot of sense," says Joel Kotkin, an urban commentator and author of "The City: A Global History." He often disagrees with Los Angeles politicians, developers and others who "get on density jihads." That includes the mayor, he says.

If built in an underutilized area or if replacing "a crappy strip mall," however, a small condo development is not a high price to pay for a better district, says Kotkin, a longtime house owner in Valley Village. "This is particularly attractive if it brings in stores and other amenities that are in walking distance of single-family homes."

With less open space for traditional single-family homes, housing experts say that a portion of new development will be devoted to urban, mid-size projects especially in existing neighborhoods. Good design, architects and developers say, can make a big difference in attracting residents doubtful about sharing walls with their neighbors.

"There is a new language in housing, a new market for those who want to live in urban areas and who have an appreciation of design," says O'Herlihy, whose Culver City architectural firm shifted from sleek contemporary houses with ocean or hillside views to multifamily projects two years ago. His first project was the condo complex in West Hollywood that Beugen and Mabry moved into in January; the 10 units there sold out before construction was completed. He now has nine mid-size projects under development or construction in Los Angeles. "Our previous residential work was a lab for these new projects."

Many of the new dwellings are 21st century twists on the classic 1920s courtyard apartments designed by Irving Gill, Richard Neutra and others who artfully interpreted living in close-quarters. Besides creating a sun-filtering, roomy and indoor-outdoor ambience, many of the new designs offer custom floor plans, private terraces, generous storage areas and designer touches such as translucent channel glass and stone shower stalls.

And unlike high-rises and economical apartment buildings of the 1960s and '70s, in which budgets and construction restraints dictated look-alike floor plans and tunnel-like hallways, these new mid-rise buildings are designed not only for looks but also for getting people out of cars — "feet on the street," as city planner Goldberg puts it.

"We fell in love with this place," says Posada, 36, a photographer who lives in his one-bedroom loft in South Pasadena with his wife Sally McKissick, 39, and their 10-month-old daughter, Maria. They wanted to buy a house with a yard but sticker shock brought them to this rental near the Gold Line's Mission Station.

Although the three-story, brick-clad, Mission-style structure looks like the century-old building next to it, generous windows wash his rooms in sunlight. "There is lots of light, and it feels big with 18-foot ceilings," Posada says.

Where he and his family live used to be a parking lot. Now parking is underground for the block-long redevelopment, a mix of ground-floor shops with courtyards, lofts, Craftsman-style duplexes and single-family houses designed to blend with the 1920s single-family bungalows across the street.

The courtyard approach is appearing in high-end and subsidized mid-size housing. For the Crescent in Beverly Hills, where monthly rents are as high at $7,000, architect Johannes Van Tilburg designed the apartments to face a courtyard, while brownstone-style town houses front the street. Brian Lane's award-winning contemporary apartments on Harold Way in Hollywood where rents don't exceed $700, is built around two courtyards where streamlined stairways almost resemble sculptural installations.

Beugen and Mabry's high-design condo is across the street from an auto shop and stucco apartment building — what architect O'Herlihy refers to as "six pack," repetitive units stacked on top of each other. An orderly line of single-family houses fills out the rest of the block, with stores and restaurants around the corner.

Beugen, 32, a marketing and communications professional at Cresta West, says her new neighbors are as design demanding as she and Mabry. "We had an informal talk here about everyone using a similar window treatment," says Beugen, who grew up in Chicago next door to architect Walter Netsch in a contemporary house her father built. "We took a deep breath when we saw that no one hung big drapes, but simple off-white museum shades."

With so many restaurants so close, the couple is surprised that since they moved here they have enjoyed more meals at home. "There is more room in the kitchen than in our old place," says Mabry, 45, an actor and photographer, "and we like to eat on our patio. We have two chefs who live in the building, one, Albert Melera, is a private chef for celebrities, and they come by and ask, 'What's for dinner?' "


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Janet Eastman can be reached at Janet.Eastman@latimes.com

*

(INFOBOX BELOW)

*

HAROLD WAY: Private but public housing

"THERE are no hidden corners here," says Brian Lane, left, of Koning Eizenberg Architecture in Santa Monica. He wrestled with a tight budget, ignored the pitfall of designing bland affordable housing and found ways to make 51 apartments near a busy intersection off Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood feel safe and private.

As a built-in safety measure, the four-story buildings line up around two interior courtyards. "All units are accessed from exterior walkways so neighbors can see the activities," says Lane, near one of the open stairways that make it easy to watch comings and goings. Even the community laundry room in this stylish gated complex has windows to the courtyard and playground.

For privacy, entrances to most of the three-bedroom town houses and one- and two-bedroom apartments are set back 3 feet from public walkways to create a porch-like setting. Apartments have their own decks, patios or balconies. Trees and bamboo are strategically placed to screen views for privacy. Bedroom windows are tucked away from areas where people congregate.

Subsidized rents for the 500- to 1,200-square-foot apartments go for $350 to $700. The complex built for the Hollywood Community Housing Corp. received Residential Architect magazine's affordable housing merit award in 2004.

Future project: Hancock Corner in West Hollywood with stores and restaurants, 38 condos and affordable apartments.

— J.E.

*

MISSION MERIDIAN: Going for the Gold Line

"ALOT of people fear density because there are a lot of terrible, overly dense projects in Los Angeles," says Elizabeth Moule of Pasadena-based Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists. "Making slightly denser places around transit lines is a way to accommodate the growth to L.A. that also preserves single-family houses and yards."

When Michael Dieden of Creative Housing Associates of Los Angeles asked Moule and husband Stefanos Polyzoides to create housing and shops on a block near a Metro Gold Line stop in South Pasadena, the duo came up with a series of buildings with different heights and façades, right, to blend into the Mission Street neighborhood. "We wouldn't put a high-rise on a street like that," says Moule.

A brick-clad, three-story nearest the busy street has small shops on the ground level — a bakery, florist, spinning gym and a gift store; none is a chain store.

Above them are 14 lofts that make the most of their 845- to 1,120-square-footage with a minimum of interior walls and two-story-high windows. Two levels of parking underneath the building accommodate residents' and train riders' cars.

Next to the flat-roof brick building are four duplexes built in the Craftsman style. These green-shingled buildings with pitched roofs begin to blend — in height and façade — with the new housing with the street's original single-family houses.

Adjacent to the duplexes, at the end of the new development, are three 2,400-square-foot single-family bungalows that fit in with the 80-year-old ones across the wide street.

To encourage occupants to people-watch, architects designed porches and large windows. "People like urbanity and being with one another," says Moule, who co-founded with Polyzoides and others the Congress for the New Urbanism, a national association of architects, planners and environmentalists focused on improving suburbs and urban centers.

Three courtyards in the center of the buildings also create a sense of community, Moule says. Residents pass through courtyards to reach their front doors. One night last year, the electricity went out and neighbors took their dinner plates and candles to the courtyards and ate together.

There are no security gates to block the courtyards from the sidewalk, a decision the architects made so neighbors can have a more positive experience when strolling by.

The 67 homes were completed in June and sold during construction for $350,000 to $850,000. The development received a Tranny Award from the California Transportation Foundation, and it will be featured in the Urban Land Institute's annual book on outstanding housing projects.

Future project: Granada Court in Old Town Pasadena with 31 flats and town houses, private balconies, decks or patios, two internal pedestrian courts and an auto court.

— Janet Eastman

*

THE CRESCENT: It's valet all the way

"THIS is all about livable cities with the focus on the street, actually the sidewalk," says Johannes Van Tilburg, above, of Santa Monica-based Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, whose new complex is the first apartment building constructed in Beverly Hills in 25 years.

In 2001, the architect looked at a parking lot with a chain-link fence and a worn commercial building on Crescent Drive. Van Tilburg knew he could upgrade this area near the famous Rodeo Drive with a new type of luxury housing.

"Small lawns in front of live-work town houses and garden apartments on top is a very European and urban lifestyle," says Van Tilburg, who worked with Los Angeles developer J.H. Snyder Co.

Residents and their guests can enter the property through the motor court, hand their keys to the valet, pass the concierge in the atrium lobby and enter into one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, which rent for $4,000 to $7,000.

The 12 two-story town houses that front the street have the silhouettes of traditional brownstones but with a California contemporary twist. They have bay windows, Juliet balconies, stoop entries, awnings and private gardens.

Exterior walls have alternating sand-colored plaster and red-brick veneer to create the look of a streetscape that has evolved over time.

The town houses hide parking from street view, and there's also subterranean spaces.

Overlooking a landscaped courtyard at the 1.7-acre site is a building that houses 76 apartments. Amenities in the 815- to 1,810-square-foot spaces include stone-finished showers, stainless steel appliances and walnut-stained cabinets.

Future project: Granite Park in Pasadena with 71 live-work town homes and flats sited around courtyards and an auto court.

— J.E.

*

GARDNER STREET: Lighten up

"LIGHT is an architectural material, equally important as others," says Lorcan O'Herlihy of Culver City-based Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, who designed a tight, but sun-catching cube of 10 contemporary condominiums on a side street off Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood.

The 1,300- to 1,700-square-foot condos are built around a U-shaped central courtyard. Four units are on the first and second levels and two penthouses on the third level. Each has windows or doors on three sides with views of the sky; a courtyard water sculpture, below; and, because this is an urban setting, alleys and nearby buildings.

To capture as much sunlight as possible, O'Herlihy used light-filtering materials. Steel catwalks that connect front doors on the levels above the courtyard are perforated to allow streams of sunlight into the complex and into the homes.

Translucent walls of industrial Profilit Channel Glass encase the vertical stairwell at the front of the building.

At night, the lighted stairwell looks like a lantern. Next to it, a cedar entrance gate veils residents from passersby on the sidewalk, but inch gaps between the slats illuminate the courtyard.

The condos, which were developed by Richard Loring of Habitat Group Los Angeles, sold on average for $670,000 before construction was completed in December.

Future project: A 19-unit building adjacent to the Schindler House, now the MAK Center, on Kings Road in West Hollywood will have a courtyard, pedestrian-inviting setback with benches and light wells on the top of the three levels that open up to the sky and bring light into each unit.

— J.E.

[blogdowntown]

Pictures, man! Pictures! :(
I haven't been to downtown in a couple of months so I need visuals!

Jewelry Trades Building:

http://static.flickr.com/46/135556805_ea9d579d02.jpg (http://blogdowntown.com/blog/2200)

(That pic links to a post on the blog where I note the ground floor is getting the Rite-Aid from across the street)

Colburn:

http://static.flickr.com/51/139789114_ed721f911f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericrichardson/139789114/)

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Pictures, man! Pictures! :(
I haven't been to downtown in a couple of months so I need visuals!

My camera was not in my car when I went downtown. I figured even w/o pictures, a first-hand account was better than nothing. I guess I won't do that again.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

My camera was not in my car when I went downtown. I figured even w/o pictures, a first-hand account was better than nothing. I guess I won't do that again.


No definitley better than nothing. going to the laker game tonight! i will leave Hollywood on the subway around 5 and i will try to get pics from as many spots as possible!! LETS GO LAKERS!!!

[citywatch]

I figured even w/o pictures, a first-hand account was better than nothing.It was!

This board, at least when it comes to local ppl & those who know the latest about hoods like DT, needs everyone & everything. That's why it's good someone like blogdowntown is now posting here.



i will try to get pics from as many spots as possible!! I always look forward to the latest photos for the newest clues.

For example, I guess nothing has been said recently about the Concerto site because.....it's finally under construction!! :???:

And someone posted here not long ago that Meurelo's condo tower at 9th & Flower was supposed to be underway around now. That SSPer was correct. I saw an article a few days ago that indicated exactly that, although in that case I'm pretty sure the date was overly optimistic.

[citywatch]

also here are some pix I took.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e124/fnee1901/Anothershotoftheschool.jpg

That pic is a great example of how the height of each floor in a bldg can really affect its overall height. The first 5 stories make the floors above them look like they're being fitted for dwarfs. Residential space, such as the dorms at the Colburn, generally has lower ceiling height, while commercial is taller. That's another reason the proposed Rodmark condo towers at Olympic & Grand are so interesting, because they're supposed to have ceilings higher than even many office bldgs.

[colemonkee]

^ Looks like they're about to start attaching the facade to the lower floors. You can see the rivets (or whatever they're called) attached to the concrete.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Colburn's going to look great w. that new tower. I'm looking at Colburn (School of Performing Arts) for my daughter, I'd like to get her enrolled in the early-childhood classes this fall. She'll be four years old by then. :baby:

[BrighamYen]

LBU, first-hand accounts are better than none! ;)

[BrighamYen]

In the video from back in November of Astani describing the project he says the short building would be phase 3. (He states this around 8 min 10 sec into the video.)

http://la36.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=11&clip_id=765


I am very glad if the first phase is going to be the Twin towers! VERY GLAD! :yes:

BTW, we could be seeing a HOOTERS restaurant across the street from Concerto. I brought them downtown and it looks like they're going to open up because of its proximity to Staples. *Crossing fingers*

[ThreeHundred]

I want to see a Barney's on Grand Ave.

[MapGoulet]

I am very glad if the first phase is going to be the Twin towers! VERY GLAD! :yes:

BTW, we could be seeing a HOOTERS restaurant across the street from Concerto. I brought them downtown and it looks like they're going to open up because of its proximity to Staples. *Crossing fingers*

I never thought I'd say this, but I believe the Hooters will be oddly appropriate just 2 blocks from Staples and one block from LA Live. It has kind of a Sports Bar theme and should mix well with the game-going crowd. Having said that, I wouldn't want it at 7th and Fig or on Broadway. :D

[POLA]

Hooters... heh, well it would work and it's better then my old haunt's Mugs and Jugs... or Kegs and Legs.

[citywatch]

i will try to get pics from as many spots as possible!! LETS GO LAKERS!!!I hope your pics didn't meet the same fate as the Lakers. :(

And a post at SSC says the site of the Concerto, although fenced off, still isn't under active construction.

[citywatch]

It's good to keep track of ongoing sales & leasing of condos or apts, or at least potential interest in them, in the hood:



Just to the north, beneath the bright colors of the Savoy development on First and Alameda Streets, a hole in the ground is the sandbox for earthmovers and dump trucks readying the site for Artisan on Second. The development offers the best of both worlds: access to Little Tokyo and a future Gold Line station, with a hip Arts District address to boot.

It may be an irresistible combination for a certain type of urban professional, says Yaffa Pascal of RAP Communications, Artisan's Culver City-based advertising agency.

"A lot of the people that would live in this particular area, they may not be full time artists by profession, but their hobbies may be in the arts," Pascal said. "They also will show a lot of interest in supporting the arts."

Already more than 700 have signed up on the development's interest list, and are potentially willing to pay the $480,000 starting price for a 931-square-foot condominium.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

lets add the trinity Project to the lists. 31 stories, 67 units, expected finish in 2008, 8th and garland 9near the medici and Staples on the medici side of the freeway.

[colemonkee]

:no: The clowns at the Brockman are at it again. I got a notice in my email that their Grand Debut event has been postponed. "New date to be announced Summer '06", their email says.

Get it together, West Millenium Homes!

[citywatch]

Exasperating, esp since their neighbor, the ppl in charge of the Coulter mandell bldg, don't seem to be moving any faster in getting their proj completed or, worse, at least clarifying what exactly is going on.

[LAMetroGuy]

Can you imagine if they finished the 8th and Grand project before the Brockman/Mandell buildings... HA!!!!!!

[citywatch]

I think some of these devlprs, such as Astani & his Concerto (which I'm guessing still is nothing but a closed off parking lot with a fence around it), or Meurelo & his site at 9th & Flower, or the ppl in charge of the Medallion, or, of course, the owners of the Brockman are trying to repeat the cat & mouse games of the Ralphs/condo proj, at least as things were less than 2 yrs ago.

[citywatch]

DAMN IT!!! :whatthefuck: :whatthefuck::whatthefuck: (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2054178&postcount=1413)

[danparker276]

The Grand Debut of the Brockman, was probably closed because of lack of interest (People having to be pre-qualified). Why would they announce it and 2 weeks later say sometime in the summer.

They need to advertise that building, put big signs on it or something. And it's really hard to see what the inside of the building will look like on the website. They're probably trying to figure out how to market the building better.

[colemonkee]

That site's been up for about a year now. I signed up on their interest list in May of 2005. They've had plenty of time to figure out how to market the building. As Walter Sobchak would say: "Fuckin' amateurs, dude. Fuckin' amateurs."

[citywatch]

The Grand Debut of the Brockman, was probably closed because of lack of interest (People having to be pre-qualified).
That's the last thing I want to see right now, esp since the housing boom in DT has barely started & there's still a need to develop a lot more sites in the hood. I hope you're wrong & that the event actually has been delayed because, if anything, so many new projs now underway in DT & elsewhere in LA are causing a shortage of qualified labor.

Whatever the case, all these delays &, worse of all, possible problems with projs like the Medallion aren't exactly what I like reading about.

[ggmike]

Hi, I've been reading this discussion as a lurker but now that i've opened up escrow on a unit downtown I figured I'd join up and start adding my 2 cents on stuff.

Is it just me or is this whole "prequal waiting-list" a major turn-off for buyers? For one, to me it just kind of cheapens the whole experience, makes it feel like a time-share sale. Secondly, it makes it really hard on the buyer because you really can't comparison shop. For example, if your timeframe to buy is 2-3 months, you might have 2 developments that are actually showing and selling and 3 other developments where you need to get on a list and wait for them to be ready "sometime soon". I was on the Brockman list, but given that I never got ANY notification or even a time-frame up until a couple weeks ago, how could I even consider them? I don't want every development running my credit and potentially lowering my score just so I can get on their list and be contacted when they finally feel ready. Secondly, the website tells you absolutely nothing other than the floorplans. Big whoop! It's a loft, what kinda floorplan do you really need? It's just a big open space!

If you ask me, the market is softening up and pretty soon developers are going to have to switch their game to be more upfront rather than trying to build all this hype. For someone to spend $600 /sq foot in what most still consider a dangerous area, really requires a leap of faith on the part of the buyer. If you add on top of that all these hoops theyre making people jump through, I think it's pretty obvious why the Brockman didn't get the numbers they expected.

[colemonkee]

ggmike, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new place! What building are you buying into?

The problem that the Brockman is facing is similar to the one the Pan American Lofts are facing: construction delays. Most, if not all, of the Pan American lofts were sold last year, but a number of buyers (at least 20%) have backed out because the building is taking so long to complete. I don't think the Brockman necessarily suffers from a lack of attention, it suffers from a developer who can't give potential buyers a legitimate timeline. If they do decide to put big signs on the building, their tagline should read: "Opening sometime in the next decade".

[citywatch]

I can deal with the idea that construction delays, esp because a lot of devlpt activity in LA prob is stretching the pool of qualified workers, is wreaking havoc with schedules & completion dates. But I hate to think that demand for housing in the hood is starting to drop so much that projs like the Brockman now are being negatively affected by it. That's why I hope what I read on a message board at loftla.com is likely to be as accurate as any other explanation:



DavidKean.com

I think the reason behind the delay is far less ominous. There are two developers working together, Urban Pacific & West Millennium Homes. There could be issues between the developers, like pricing. There may be delays with the construction. The department of Real Estate mandates that all DRE approved projects follow DRE contract guidelines. One being, if a project is not completed 1 year from the time the contract the buyer can cancel the contract with no penalty. Developers need pre-sale units to help qualify for construction loans. They don’t want people dropping out at the last minute.

My guess is construction is going slower than expected. 7th and Grand is a very busy area, not easy to get truck in and out, or get street closure permits. Plus 2 developers + 1 expensive project = lots of issues. I do agree that the days of buyers lining up to throw down their money has passed since downtown broke the $600 per square foot ceiling. Fewer investors will be spec-buying.

On the flip side, more people who actually want to live downtown have a better chance to get into a project. We need residents more than investors. Residents build community and foster business. Investors are in and out, some never spend a second, or a dollar downtown. I’ve been downtown for 4 years and love it. I eat, drink, and shop in the area. As we get more residents spending money we will get more services, like a Trader Joe’s. I think is good the downtown is cooling a bit, before it overheats.

[ggmike]

ggmike, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new place! What building are you buying into?


Thanks for the welcome, I'm just glad such a forum for this kind of discussion exists! :tup:

I ended up purchasing a unit at the Textile Building in the Santee Village development. I know it's kind of located on the edge of where most development is taking place, but I like the fact that it's highly unlikely my view will be blocked anytime in the near future and I think there's potential for the fashion district to one day attract higher-end retailers, giving it a more promenade-ish feel.

I also kind of felt like there were slim pickings. The Pan American was mostly sold out, the Shy Barry units were both dark and the developer has a horrible rep, the Brockman had no real timeline, Evo wasn't ready yet and probably too expensive, Little Tokyo Lofts are in a pretty sketchy area, and that's about it. So really, in you're looking to spend under $500k, there are very few options and even then most units are either small, have poor views, or are probably on a lower floor.

[ferneynism2]

in you're looking to spend under $500k, there are very few options and even then most units are either small, have poor views, or are probably on a lower floor.


^ That's a big turn off if your looking to buy Downtown. Hopefully by the end of the year or by next Spring prices start to drop. I'll keep an eye on the market in the next couple of months to see where the prices and the market is and go in for the kill........ So rude of me "Welcome GG".

[colemonkee]

I hear that. When the Rowan and El Dorado sales start, the pickings will be less slim. Right now, the only thing out there in the market are $550K+ units, most of them averaging more than 600K. I think once those buildings open up for sales, you'll start hearing about a "hot" market downtown again.

[ggmike]

Actually, I spoke with someone at the Rowan and El Dorado who mentioned that alot of the lofts had already been sold to friends and family. She said they'd have a couple of lofts in the $300's but those would be around 500sq feet. And from there it jumps up to $450k for the cheapest units and those would be around 850sq feet.

[danparker276]

Off the topic a little, but downtown is gonna be packed to night.
The last day of E3, everyone leaving at 6, and the clipper game tonight, where everyone starts to enter the game at 6.
Almost time to leave for the game for me now.

[colemonkee]

And from there it jumps up to $450k for the cheapest units and those would be around 850sq feet.
That's $529/sq ft, about right for the market right now.

[ggmike]

That's $529/sq ft, about right for the market right now.

Question: Everyone talks about the price per sq foot, but I've noticed that in the same building the price per square foot for a single floor plan can range from $500 (bottom floor) to $700 (top floor). I've even heard of people paying $1000 per square foot for the penthouse units in 1100 wilshire. So, when people talk about the average price per square foot, are we talking about an average of all floors, or the average starting price?

I would assume that if the cheapest 850sq/ft condo at El Dorado were $450k, the one on the top floor must be at least $600k, making the average price per sq ft somewhere around $617? Is that right? I'm just confused by how much the price per square foot seems to change between the different units and buildlings...

[BrighamYen]

lets add the trinity Project to the lists. 31 stories, 67 units, expected finish in 2008, 8th and garland 9near the medici and Staples on the medici side of the freeway.


Renderings? Developer? Condo/rental?

[ThreeHundred]

Renderings? Developer? Condo/rental?

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/images/front_big.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/images/cityview_big.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/images/back_big.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/pics/2.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/pics/3.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/pics/4.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/pics/6.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/pics/8.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/pics/10.jpg

http://www.trinitytowersla.com/pics/11.jpg

[colemonkee]

Question: Everyone talks about the price per sq foot, but I've noticed that in the same building the price per square foot for a single floor plan can range from $500 (bottom floor) to $700 (top floor). I've even heard of people paying $1000 per square foot for the penthouse units in 1100 wilshire. So, when people talk about the average price per square foot, are we talking about an average of all floors, or the average starting price?

I would assume that if the cheapest 850sq/ft condo at El Dorado were $450k, the one on the top floor must be at least $600k, making the average price per sq ft somewhere around $617? Is that right? I'm just confused by how much the price per square foot seems to change between the different units and buildlings...
Very good questions. Here's how you get that wild variance in price per square foot:

Let's start with Plan A, and Plan B, both 800 sq. ft. Plan A has a city view, Plan B has a "courtyard view". Both are in a 10 story building. On the first floor (usually the 2nd, since retail and lobby take up floor 1), let's say they both have a $500 sq ft. starting price. That makes both of them $400K. Now, since Plan A has a city view, you add roughly $25K to the price (that $25K is an actual value that showed up on my property assessment as "city view"). Already, Plan A on Floor 2 (bottom) is at $425K, or $531 sq. ft.

Now, for each floor you go up, add $3 - $7K to the price. For ease of use, let's say that figure is an average of $5K per floor. Plan B (with no view) on the 2nd Floor is $400K ($500/ sq. ft.), while Plan B (also with no view) on the 10th floor is $445K ($556/ sq. ft.).

Plan A (with the city view), is a bit more complex. That $25K you tack on for the "city view" also goes up per floor. For ease of use, let's say that on Floor 2 it's valued at $25K and on Floor 10 it's $50K (which is probably close to what an assessor would give). So, for Plan A on Floor 2 you're looking at $425K ($531/ sq. ft.) and for Plan A on Floor 10 you're looking at the view plus the floor count, so $495K ($618 sq. ft.).

If the 10th floor happens to be a penthouse with it's own private rooftop area, tack on another $50-$100K, which could bring your price to $595K ($744/ sq. ft.).

Keep in mind all of these units have the same floor plan and the same square footage, but wildly different price per square foot. That's how you can see such different prices per sq. ft., even for the same size unit in the same building.

[citywatch]

The Pan American was mostly sold out.

Actually, I spoke with someone at the Rowan and El Dorado who mentioned that alot of the lofts had already been sold to friends and family. I hope indications like these mean it's even less likely that the recently announced delay in holding a preview party or whatever at the Brockman several blocks to the south isn't because of too little demand or interest from potential buyers.

[ocman]

The AEG Tower has both a glass parking structure and a cement parking structure? Is the cement parking structure related to the project or is that an adjacent pre-existing structure?

[BrighamYen]

Thanks ThreeHundred.

I think the tower is decent, but it's way too suburban. Where are the retail spaces on the ground floor? This thing is a taller version of Medici...basically a fortress. Even the Medici has ground floor retail.

When did this project announce itself? Was it in DT News or the Times? What is the timeline. I doubt this thing will make it out of the ground.

[bobcat]

When did this project announce itself? Was it in DT News or the Times? What is the timeline. I doubt this thing will make it out of the ground.

Believe it or not, it looks like this project was "announced" by Kyoshosir right here at SSP in the DTLA thread of the City Compilations section. (Post #1372)

[colemonkee]

Thanks ThreeHundred.

I think the tower is decent, but it's way too suburban. Where are the retail spaces on the ground floor? This thing is a taller version of Medici...basically a fortress. Even the Medici has ground floor retail.

When did this project announce itself? Was it in DT News or the Times? What is the timeline. I doubt this thing will make it out of the ground.
I agree with you that it's very suburban, but the location of the tower makes ground floor retail very difficult. That part of 8th, where it splits and goes to an onramp, isn't very pedestrian friendly at all. Hopefully this tower gets built and spurs more development in adjacent parcels that build some ground floor retail, then the area will become more urban.

Also, according to the DT News, the developers just bought the parcel for 3.2 million, so they seem serious. Whether there's a market for luxury condos right here remains to be seen. But the views should be a very good selling point.

[bobcat]

Also, according to the DT News, the developers just bought the parcel for 3.2 million, so they seem serious.

Since they have no prior real estate development experience whatsoever, my guess is they are only land speculators and are hoping its value greatly increases due to its proximity to LA Live.

[colemonkee]

^ Then they should get it entitled and sell it to Hanover. Hanover has a sign right now at the Hanover Tower site soliciting calls from people who want to sell their land for development.

On another note, there's some picture updates in the DT rundown thread.

[citywatch]

On another note, there's some picture updates in the DT rundown thread.
Godblessbotox at SSC.com has a set of photos (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=8464265&postcount=493) that complements the ones you've taken. This one in particular shows that some of the makeshift light fixtures & wires (on those poles) have been removed from the site of the Concerto:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/godblessbotox/lot.jpg


Nothing better than to see a parking lot being shut down (finally!) for something of significance.

[citywatch]

^ FWIW, after looking at a shot of the Concerto's site at local.live.com, those poles (whatever they're supposed to be used for) scattered throughout the parking lot have been like that for a long time. And Raymond3000 at SSC.com says the proj will be underway in June.

[blogdowntown]

Sometime pretty recently Astani also put its logo up a couple places on the fence around the Concerto site, so that's good to see.

[colemonkee]

^ On the Flower St. side, from Saturday...

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/9900/concerto2006051320ve.jpg

[RAlossi]

Looking at the CIM Group's web site, I came across this little development. I don't think it's been discussed here yet, but I may be wrong. It's not on the first page of this thread.

http://www.cimgroup.com/property.aspx?id=9&area=1

From the article linked to above:

Metro Center
655 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA

In 2003, CIM acquired 655 Hope Street, a 17-story office building located
at the corner of 7th and Hope Streets in Downtown Los Angeles. At acquisition, the upper portion of the building (floors 7 to 17), containing approximately 85,425 square fee of leasable office space, was 74% vacant while 6,300 square feet of retail space was 100% vacant. Evolving market conditions in the downtown submarket have given rise to an adaptive re-use of the building for residential use.

The Metro Center is located in the Financial District of Downtown Los Angeles, and is being converted to 90 loft-style market rate apartments within floors 7 through 17 of the building, and 7,200 square feet of ground level retail.
Property Highlights

* Ideal location steps from Macy's Plaza
* Easy access to 7th St. metro station and the 110 (Harbor) & 10 (Santa Monica/San Bernardino) freeways
* Loft-style apartments with panoramic city views
* Steps away from nearby full-service supermarket
* Central location steps from STAPLES Center and other entertainment facilities
* Rooftop signage upon request

http://www.cimgroup.com/imgs/props/Metro_Center_lg1.jpg

http://www.cimgroup.com/imgs/props/Metro_Center_lg2.jpg

http://www.cimgroup.com/imgs/props/Metro_Center_lg3.jpg

[RAlossi]

Again, I don't know if this has been posted before, but I can't find any reference to it. Also, it's not listed on the first page of this thread.

Same link as the above posting, just click on "9th and Hope"


9th + Hope

826 - 850 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA

CIM invested in a 60,500 gross square foot lot at the northeast corner of 9th and Hope Streets. It sits directly across 9th Street from Grand Hope Park, and is adjacent to the historic Embassy Hotel building. Due to its proximity to the park, the site represents a unique, highly visible location within the rapidly evolving South Park residential and entertainment district. It is the crown jewel of the overall mixed-use development plan proposed by CIM for the three-block area.

The proposed development plan will include 293 luxury condominiums within 293,000 square feet of residential space, and 27,400 square feet of street front retail space. The building is structured with a 34-story residential tower over a seven-story parking deck for 552 spaces. The slim tower is positioned at the corner of 9th and Hope Streets, and will make a dramatic statement to this prominent intersection.

The full-service condominium building marks the exciting emergence of a residential core in the area. Complete amenities and its accessible location will make the Grand Hope Park Loft building a housing opportunity as comfortable as it is contemporary.
Property Highlights

* Loft-style apartments with panoramic city views
* Complete amenities including full-service supermarket within one block
* Central location steps from STAPLES Center & other entertainment facilities
* Easy access to Metro Rail public transportation & the 110(Harbor) & 10 (Santa Monica/San Bernardino) freeways
* 552 parking spaces


Nothing really there image-wise, just a basic 3-D massing (I think that's what it's called, I don't know the exact architecture term)

[blogdowntown]

In 2003, CIM acquired 655 Hope Street, a 17-story office building located
at the corner of 7th and Hope Streets in Downtown Los Angeles. At acquisition, the upper portion of the building (floors 7 to 17), containing approximately 85,425 square fee of leasable office space, was 74% vacant while 6,300 square feet of retail space was 100% vacant. Evolving market conditions in the downtown submarket have given rise to an adaptive re-use of the building for residential use.

There's nothing (visibly) going on with the building as of now. They have really done well with the retail space, though. That's the Qdoba at 7th/Hope, and possibly the Camile's as well (if that little jut-out counts as part of 655). They may have to sit and wait for the last office leases to run out, or they may just be waiting for some other stuff to clear up. If they do end up developing this the Roosevelt will lose its claim to being the only residential with a subway stop in the basement (even more so since I think that basement level retail space at the 7th/Hope entrance is in 655).

Long-term this could be an interesting little residential enclave, with the Roosevelt next-door, Pegasus on the block behind and Brockman / Mandel / Astani's 8th/Grand all on the diagonal block.

[Steve2726]

Looking at the CIM Group's web site, I came across this little development. I don't think it's been discussed here yet, but I may be wrong. It's not on the first page of this thread.

http://www.cimgroup.com/property.aspx?id=9&area=1

From the article linked to above:

Metro Center
655 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA

I find this a bit troubling. This is a beautiful building right in the middle of the financial district, has a subway stop in the basement, and it is almost entirely vacant!?!??! Residential conversions and construction can only take downtown so far. There needs to be increased demand for office space as well. Vacancies are almost non-existant in other sides of town, when is the city going to make an effort to get business to return to this area?

[LongBeachUrbanist]

As for the specific issue with that building, I would say it looks fine from far away, but kind of dirty up close. Part of it is the metro stop, I'm sorry to say. Also, we don't know what kind of prices they've been asking...maybe they've been asking too much.

To the general problem of office demand in Downtown, I've been reading that it's starting to improve. Although vacancies haven't caught up to the regional average, I remember reading that DTLA has made significant progress as of late.

The fact is, Downtown's office construction spree of the early 90's far outpaced the market. The result has been a glut of office space for nearly 15 years now.

Now take into account the huge profits that can now be made in the condo market, and you get the current situation. I do think it's a shame that the Financial District proper (west of Olive, north of Seventh) is being shrunk to such an extent. Keep in mind that office space farther east (Jewelry District) is also disappearing, as more buildings go residential.

[citywatch]

Vacancies are almost non-existant in other sides of town, when is the city going to make an effort to get business to return to this area?A broker was quoted not long ago as saying that ppl in the industry expected to see more movement toward DT once hoods farther west started filling up. He said that's still not happening.

I know Westwood, as one example, had a huge vacancy rate as recently as 1 to 2 yrs ago. I thought some time ago that no way would all that unused space be leased for a long time to come, esp if that hood wasn't totally different from DT, meaning if DT hadn't lost even more of its original advantages than some have estimated. But as it turns out, Westwood now has filled up to a higher mark than DT, where owners of bldgs have been stuck with a high vacancy rate for over 15 yrs.

This is a big indicator that once ppl & $$ start leaving a hood, it's hard to ever grab them back again.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

The Vacancy rate in DT LA has been dropping every quarter for a couple of years and is down to 14.9 % i beleive, from the high of around 20 - 21 % a couple of years ago. There is new demand for DT LA and most articles i read indicate that business are moving downtown or at the least considering DT LA. Were headed in the right direction folks.

[BrighamYen]

^ The only major NEW tenant I can think of that has leased downtown in the past year is Microsoft with about 38,000sf in the Wells Fargo Tower. I was working with some of the brokers downtown to try and woo CNN's broadcasting facility to come downtown. Crossing my fingers for that!

[bobcat]

I don't really expect a large number of employers to move downtown until company executives begin living there, which may start happening over the next few years. Right now most choose to live on the Westside, so of course they are going to locate their offices there.

[BrighamYen]

^ Yeah, and so we also need designer/executive quality housing options, which pretty much doesn't exist right now. There are very few residential projects that are uber-luxurious.

[citywatch]

It's also gotta be said that a major reason there's less empty office space today is not because new businesses have moved to the hood but because some bldgs have been converted into apts & condos. So if super deluxe housing is one way to help lure execs & their offices to DT, that makes projs like Rodmark's City House & Olympic condo towers even more important.

I know negative news is a downer, but my feeling is that if more folks in LA hadn't been so damn easygoing & ignorant about various problems in the hood starting from a long time back, more ppl (like those found at the LA Daily News) would have been smacked around a lot sooner to get them & others to wake up & start cleaning & improving the city a lot faster.

Instead we've had ppl picking their noses with their feet up on the table, saying, grrrrr, that bldg is too tall, that bldg is too wide, that bldg is blocking my view, that bldg should have been preserved (never mind it's been a dive from the beginning), that place is a dump but it's a hip & real dump, or that SRO or squatter camp deserves our attention & sympathy far more than the fact that ppl & businesses hate DT.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

It's also gotta be said that a major reason there's less empty office space today is not because new businesses have moved to the hood but because some bldgs have been converted into apts & condos. So if super deluxe housing is one way to help lure execs & their offices to DT, that makes projs like Rodmark's City House & Olympic condo towers even more important.

I know negative news is a downer, but my feeling is that if more folks in LA hadn't been so damn easygoing & ignorant about various problems in the hood starting from a long time back, more ppl (like those found at the LA Daily News) would have been smacked around a lot sooner to get them & others to wake up & start cleaning & improving the city a lot faster.

Instead we've had ppl picking their noses with their feet up on the table, saying, grrrrr, that bldg is too tall, that bldg is too wide, that bldg is blocking my view, that bldg should have been preserved (never mind it's been a dive from the beginning), that place is a dump but it's a hip & real dump, or that SRO or squatter camp deserves our attention & sympathy far more than the fact that ppl & businesses hate DT.


Those vacancy rates we see are for Class A, the rehabs are not Class A.

[LAMetroGuy]

Pershing Square to Downtown: Meet Your Neighbors! - News




Publish Date : 05/26/2006

There isn’t much green space Downtown, but the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks hopes to make maximum use of the full block that its Pershing Square park occupies on the border of the Jewelry District and Bunker Hill.
It’s a back-to-basics approach—an effort to remind folks Downtown that Pershing Square is as good a place as any to meet your neighbors.

Actually, the park will be a better place than most on Saturday, June 3, when it will play host to an official “Meet Your Neighbors Day.” The event is scheduled to run from 12 noon to 4 p.m., bringing some special features to Pershing Square, located at 5th and Hill streets.

The event—co-sponsored by the volunteer Pershing Square Park Advisory Board—will include a Velcro climbing wall for visitors to try their luck—at no charge. Climbers will be equipped with the sticky material to help them boost themselves up the wall. There will also be live music and guided tours of the park.

Visitors can also make use of Pershing Square’s status as a “wi-fi” zone, which allows wireless laptop computer users to connect to the Internet as they take in the fun and sun.

Department of Recreation and Parks personnel are urging visitors to bring a picnic lunch. Louise Capone, a senior recreation director who oversees operations at Pershing Square, has a few other ideas, too. Capone is encouraging local artists to bring their sketch pads and easels and take advantage of the unique Southern California light against an urban backdrop.

Capone said the event will provide plenty of entertainment for the day, but she adds that information will also be available on programs scheduled for the upcoming summer months at Pershing Square and other locations—everything from tours hosted by the Los Angeles Conservancy to guided shopping excursions, and yoga and pilates classes.

Capone is a Pershing Square booster first and foremost, though. So she saved her most emphatic pitch for the park itself.

“This is really a way to say that this is your park,” she says. “It’s your neighborhood—so come out to meet your neighbors.”

Capone’s enthusiasm contains one more reason to meet your neighbors during Meet Your Neighbors Day—a sales pitch that should resonate with longstanding and newly arrived residents of Downtown, alike.

“This is how you build a community,” Capone says.

[ksep]

...there is now a BULLDOZER on the concerto site!!!

[z1sthies]

^^ I was wondering when they were going to start that.

[ThreeHundred]

I've seen more people misspell Concerto.

[ksep]

I've seen more people misspell Concerto.
oh shit! - fixed. :)

[citywatch]

...there is now a BULLDOZER on the concerto site!!!

Unless you're referring to (& saw) a different piece of equipment, Colemonkee scooped you on giving us the latest. (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2083292&postcount=1503) :D

[ksep]

Unless you're referring to (& saw) a different piece of equipment, Colemonkee scooped you on giving us the latest. (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2083292&postcount=1503) :D
yeah, yeah, i know. ;) stupid, multiple, redundant forums. we should incorporate the dt and l.a.metro threads into the california forum.

[colemonkee]

Unless you're referring to (& saw) a different piece of equipment, Colemonkee scooped you on giving us the latest. (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2083292&postcount=1503) :D
it's the same piece of equipment (there's only one out there), but ksep announced it with much more style... :cool:

[colemonkee]

citywatch, there's a photo update in the DT rundown thread. Now there's 3 pieces of equipment on the Concerto site.

[Westsidelife]

Medallion is under construction right now...right?

[colemonkee]

No. There is nothing going on at the Mediallion site, and there won't be for quite some time. The developer cited construction costs as the main reason for delaying the project, and said that it may even be downscaled or sold to another developer.

[BrighamYen]

^ You THINK it's just construction costs. There are other reasons involved. Unfortunately, everything boils down to politics in City Hall once again.

[colemonkee]

Really? So there's more to the story here? Are you at liberty to tell?

[citywatch]

Now there's 3 pieces of equipment on the Concerto site.
That's what I like to think ksep was referring to!

As for the Medallion, I don't know what's worse: the proj being delayed or cancelled because of rising costs of construction or because of idiotic snafus due to the permitting process. However, I still suspect, LAB, that if the devlpr were having problems mainly because of city hall, he'd have said so loud & clear.