[bobcat]

This is a complete listing for housing construction in Downtown LA.

Projects in normal type are in the planning stages.
Projects in green are under construction.
Projects in red are recently completed.

If anyone has anything to add to this list I'd appreciate it. I'll try to keep it updated as new projects are announced.

Bunker Hill/Financial District

611 Place 402
Aon Center
Colburn School
Grand Avenue Plan 2600
Library Court 90
Metro 417 277
Metro Center 90
The National 99
Pegasus 322
Park Fifth 900
Roosevelt LA Lofts 223
Total: 5003 3992 322 689

Chinatown/Civic Center

808 N Spring 93
BC Plaza 42
Blossom Plaza 169
Capitol Milling Building 300
Cesar Chavez Gardens 47
Da Vinci 650
Figueroa Terrace & College 175
Gateway Chinatown 280
Lucia 200
Mosaic 272
Orsini II 566
Orsini III 260
Yale Terrace 55

Total: 3109 2169 621 319

City West

1100 Wilshire 228
1010 Wilshire 240
Bixel St Lofts 80
Broadstone LA 204
Coronita 21
Emerald Terrace 85
The Flats LA 205
Fourth Street Lofts 10
Hartford Project 54
James Wood Apartments 61
Lorenzo 600
Mayfair Hotel 250
Northwest Gateway 276
Pacific Exchange 850
Piero 225
Seven West 62
Skyline Village 73
Trinity Towers 67
Union Point 21
Vero 234
Visconti 297
Wilshire Court I (Glo) 93
Wilshire Court II (Glo) 108
Wood Apartments 61
Total: 4344 2174 1205 965

Historic Core/Fashion District

308 E 9th St 38
810 S Spring St 93
Bartlett Building 140
Barry's Lofts 280
Broadway Exchange 68
City Front Place 135
City Lofts 35
City View Lofts 44
Douglas Building 50
El Dorado Hotel 65
Judson Rives Building 60
Lofts at the Security Building 153
Main Mercantile Building 40
Main Street Apartments 135
Medallion 200
Mercantile Arcade Building 143
Metropolitan Lofts 84
Pacific Electric Building 314
Pan American Lofts 40
Rosslyn Lofts 130
Rowan Building 203
Santa Fe Lofts 103
Santee Court I 165
Santee Court II (Cornell) 95
Santee Court II (Eckardt) 48
Santee Court II (Santee) 73
Santee Court II (Textile Bldg) 64
SB Manhattan 198
SB Spring 420
SB Tower 220
SB Tower II 550
ShyBarry Lofts 184
Title Guarantee Building 74
Tomahawk Building 7
Vibiana Place 300
Victor Clothing Lofts 38
Zen 330
Total: 5319 2606 1223 1490

Little Tokyo/Arts/Industrial

Alexan Savoy I 303
Alexan Savoy II (Artisan) 118
Alexan Savoy III 210
Barker Brothers Building 297
Biscuit Company Lofts 104
Block 8 750
Bridge Lofts 8
E2 Lofts 23
Hikari 128
Mill St Lofts 121
Molino Hewitt Gallery Lofts 297
Molino Street Lofts 30
Mura 190
Santa Fe Yards 400
Sci-Arc Lot 300
Sixth Street Lofts 63
Teramachi 127
Toy Factory Lofts 119
Total: 3588 1812 1324 452

South Park

717 Ninth 214
755 Figueroa 184
801 Grand Lofts (Sky Lofts) 132
1060 S Broadway 61
1100 Grand Lofts 66
1500 S Grand 62
Broadway Plaza Lofts 82
Brockman Building 80
Chapman Building 168
City House 182
Coulter and Mandell Building 55
Eastern Columbia Building 147
8th and Grand 875
Elleven I 176
Elleven II (Luma) 236
Elleven III (Evo) 311
FIDM 110
Fig Central 700
Fig South 648
First United Methodist Church
Gas Company Lofts 251
Glass Tower 128
Hanover Tower (717 Olympic) 156
Herald Examiner Project 589
LA Live 1000
LA Lofts 200
Metropolis 836
Met Lofts 264
Ninth and Figueroa (Concerto) 629
9th/Flower 214
9th/Hope 293
Olive Street Lofts 105
The Olympic 149
Packard Lofts 116
Reserve 78
South Village II 267
South Village III 152
South Village IV 520
The Union 91
Total: 10527 7278 2104 1145



GRAND TOTAL: 31890 20031 6799 5060

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Nice list. i think Grand ave was suppose to be closer to 2500 but either way its clearly a huge project for us.

[LAMetroGuy]

wow, that is very impressive... losts of tenants!

[bobcat]

I cleaned up the list by dividing it into neighborhoods, which makes it a lot less overwhelming. I also added a couple of projects and removed South Village I, which has been completed.

[colemonkee]

Faaaaaaaantastic list! How many of these are actually under construction? It would be great to have a total number of units under construction vs. those planned. That would help paint a clearer picture of the downtown residential boom.

[DJM19]

How much housing does DTLA have already? I wanna see what the numbers looks like when you combine housing being built in addition to already existing.

[POLA]

Not sure if this answers your question DJM, but it shows just how dead Downtown was. This is pulled from the 2000 Census and posted on www.losangelesalmanac.com

Downtown Communities:
Central City - 25,000
Central City East - 17,740
Chinatown - 9,029

Total pop: 51,769

With the new apartments that wouldbe over 36% population growth of DTLA.

[LAMetroGuy]

18,852 residencies equals approx 30,000 residents... and averaging approx $90,000 salaries.... hmmmmm this is really going to affect downtown in a good way!

Hurray!!!

[bobcat]

Updated from this week's Downtown News. I added some recently completed projects and removed some projects that were situated outside what I consider to be the traditional Downtown boundaries. For reference I used the interactive map at the DCBID website.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

thanks for adding those green and red highlights. they clearly and effectivly show the trends and the fact that most of these projects are proposed and yet to start. cant wait till they are all under construction. i think in 2006, were gonna see a lot of cranes in DT LA.

[colemonkee]

Wow, I didn't know that Historic Core area was that far along! Over 1,100 units under construction, almost as many as South Park. Bobcat, thanks again for compiling all this data!!

[Easy]

Bobcat, Great list! Thanks for compiling the info. The red and green totals are already pretty impressive considering downtowns recent history.

It'll be interesting to see how many of the black numbers end up being built. Not all of them will of course, but I'd bet that there will new proposals to take their place keeping the number the same, if not higher. For example, the South Group is already planning more.

(Double check the Little Tokyo total green number. I think that the Bunker Hill total green may have been accidentally included)

[bobcat]

Double check the Little Tokyo total green number. I think that the Bunker Hill total green may have been accidentally included.

Hmm, it looks right to me.

385 + 200 + 30 + 128 + 127 = 870

I did this on Excel, so all the numbers should be correct.

[Easy]

Double check the Little Tokyo total green number. I think that the Bunker Hill total green may have been accidentally included.

Hmm, it looks right to me.

385 + 200 + 30 + 128 + 127 = 870

I did this on Excel, so all the numbers should be correct.

Oops, I meant Chinatown.

[Easy]

Taking a closer look at the units under construction, these are the number of units expected to be completed in the next few months (from the DT News article in the DTLA construction thread):

March - 504
April - 128
May - 145
June - 277
July - 670
August - 278

Total - 2002

[bobcat]

Thanks!

I went ahead and changed the totals at the bottom to reflect the correction. I'll double check everything again tomorrow.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Bobcat, i hope you dont mind, but i used your list for another thread. i quoted you of course. it was a thread for Downtown housing units across the country.

http://www.skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=1180725#post1180725

[bobcat]

I've updated the list with a few new projects and revised some of the older data. It's getting hard to keep track of all the projects so if you see anything I've missed, I'd appreciate your letting me know.

[bobcat]

bump

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Bobcat, i dont think Elleven 1 has 417 units but i could be wrong. Also, Metropolis will definitley be higher since the new version of the project consists of three towers of 53, 47 and 38, probably somewhere around 1000 - 1500 units. Ill keep an eye out and see what i can find out about it.

[bobcat]

The Downtown News tidbit on Elleven/South is a bit confusing. The way I interpret it is that Elleven (Phase I) is a 2 building (13 story and 17 story) project with a total of 417 units. Elleven (Phase II) is the 19 story Luma, and Elleven (Phase III) is a 27 story building.

[DJM19]

I thought eleven was one of 3 buildings.

http://tinypic.com/2iqlau

[bobcat]

Here's what it says in the Downtown News:

ELLEVEN/SOUTH
This three-phase collection of South Park condo towers will include more than 700 units and will be completed by 2007. The first phase is Elleven, an $85 million ground-up construction slated for a March 2006 opening, said Tom Cody, a principal with developer The South Group. The project includes 417 condominiums in two towers - a 13-story, 194-unit building at Eleventh Street and Grand Avenue and a 17-story, 233-unit building at Eleventh and Hope streets. Floor plans range from 850 to 2,800 square feet and will cost from $300,000 to more than $1 million.

The $80 million second phase dubbed Luma will feature a sophisticated, upscale design. It's set to break ground in April and will include 236 live-work condos with 10 two-story townhouses. The 19-story structure will occupy the southeast corner of 11th and Hope streets. Completion is expected in fall 2006, said Cody.

The final $100 million phase (currently unnamed) immediately south of Elleven will begin in September, and will include up to 350 condos and eight two-story townhouses in a 27-story building. It will share the entire block with Elleven, and is set for occupancy by summer 2007

^I think the confusion is because South Group own parcels on different blocks. It sounds like the 17 story tower of Elleven I will be on a separate block from the others.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Now im confused too. Ive always thought that phase one was just the 13 story Elleven thats going up now, Luma was phase two and phase three was the 27 story building, and the second project they were gonna start was a group of towers that was gonna break ground around 2007. All i know is that there is only one building under construction right now and its the 13 story elleven. maybe LAB can clear this up.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

I've been confused about this for some time as well. From what I've been able to find on the web, I believe I've found the problem.

I think the Downtown News is double-counting the Phase II (Luma) tower as a second tower of Phase I (Elleven). I say this because They seem to occupy the same location: SE corner of 11th/Hope.

The South Group Website (http://www.elleven-south.com) only mentions one building for Elleven. In fact, it says "Elleven is the first of three residential buildings planned at 11th and Grand..."

Look at the project costs. How could Phase I consist of two towers, yet cost around the same as Phases II and III, which consist of a single tower each?

The tower or towers concerned are about the same height, and maybe the Downtown News people simply confused/double-counted the two, especially since the project has grown several times in its history.

That's my take. I could be wrong, of course. But I think the three phases consists of basically three towers, with Phases II and III also including some townhomes.

This still leaves questions about the actual sizes of the towers, including Phase III, which the above image says is 24 stories, and Downtown News says is 27 stories.

[Easy]

Glad to see this list back again.

I didn't realize that Hilton Checkers was converting. This along with the Best Western, Holiday Inn, and possibly the Hyatt will cause a hotel shortage if LA Live doesn't hurry up.

As for additional projects, LAB has mentioned in a couple of threads that 611 Place is going condo. I assume the whole thing (40+ stories) is converting.

[bobcat]

I think the Downtown News is double-counting the Phase II (Luma) tower as a second tower of Phase I (Elleven).
You may be right, but I'll just keep the list as is until I'm sure.


I didn't realize that Hilton Checkers was converting.
I may remove the Checkers from the list soon. The developer for that project appears to have taken it off their list of developments.


LAB has mentioned in a couple of threads that 611 Place is going condo
No offence to LAB, but I'm holding off on listing that one until I see something a bit more official.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

I checked out the South development again tonight. There isn't anywhere a fourth tower of South would go, IMO. Everything is on the one block. To the east is Grand Lofts. To the west is a parking structure. To the northwest is Met Lofts. So I've got to conclude that each phase of South is a single tower, making three towers for the entire project.

[colemonkee]

There's most likely going to be three towers on that block. Phase One of Elleven only takes 1/4 of the block on the northeast corner. I assume Luma is going up to the west of Elleven and the 27 story tower will go up to the south, but cover the entire south end of the block, part of which still has some single story buildings on it.

But, with footprints equal to Elleven, that block can handle four towers. But if I remember right, when I saw the drawings, the 27 story tower had a much bigger footprint.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

I note this here because it's related to housing development in LA.

The website www.livableplaces.org is a pretty cool website about LA housing policy. Lots of stuff about smarter housing policies.

There's an article about the excellent new townhouse ordinance that allows the type of row houses and townhouses that other major cities have. Also an article about TOD's along the Blue Line, and another about the "joint-use schools" initiative.

In addition, they've formed a "YIMBY brigade", which supports projects that promote higher-density urban designs and defends these projects against NIMBY attacks. Pretty cool idea!

[BrighamYen]

According to the project manager of South, there will be three towers. Three months ago, the heights were set at 13, 17, and 24 stories.

To my understanding now, the heights have increased to 13, 19, and 27 stories. I am just as curious as anyone here as to what the heights will ultimately be for the two tallest towers.

And instead of creating townhomes on the ground level as initially planned, retail spaces will take their place. There will be about 7,000sf of retail space.

Many of the people who have bought into Elleven are "reverse commuters" and also people with children, which was a nice surprise to these developers who have not seen this demographic buy into their Portland projects.

[BrighamYen]

I think the Downtown News is double-counting the Phase II (Luma) tower as a second tower of Phase I (Elleven).
You may be right, but I'll just keep the list as is until I'm sure.


I didn't realize that Hilton Checkers was converting.
I may remove the Checkers from the list soon. The developer for that project appears to have taken it off their list of developments.


LAB has mentioned in a couple of threads that 611 Place is going condo
No offence to LAB, but I'm holding off on listing that one until I see something a bit more official.


haha, no offense taken. I don't think I'll even fully release my breath until I see the actual construction workers entering that building à la citywatch. ;-)

[citywatch]

I really want the DCBID's conference, which I hope LAB gives us an insider's view of after it occurs, to lure more businesses to DT to have some impact, because I get antsy when I hear about bldgs like the 611 (or the Transam bldg before that) being looked at as a possible conversion to residential. For one thing, it's better if DT retains X amt of office space, just as it's good if it retains X amt of hotel space, for the sake of economic diversity. Also, when existing viable office bldgs are switched to apts or condos, that alters the supply/demand equation, meaning it may be tougher for a devlpr of a totally brand NEW apt or condo bldg to go forward, because X number of apts or condos already will be available in the hood.

However, if demand for new housing in DT is really huge, then all this concern can be thrown out. But the word to keep in mind is "IF".

[POLA]

I note this here because it's related to housing development in LA.

The website www.livableplaces.org is a pretty cool website about LA housing policy. Lots of stuff about smarter housing policies.

There's an article about the excellent new townhouse ordinance that allows the type of row houses and townhouses that other major cities have. Also an article about TOD's along the Blue Line, and another about the "joint-use schools" initiative.

In addition, they've formed a "YIMBY brigade", which supports projects that promote higher-density urban designs and defends these projects against NIMBY attacks. Pretty cool idea!

Thanks for the info, I just sent an email to YIMBY brigade and got a call back this afternoon. They seem really nice and I talked with the lady about various projects they are supporting and whatnot. She asked where I heard of them at, and I told her about this site. She said SSP sounded great and asked for the url. Funny.

[LA rehab]

Those hotel conversions are interesting. It may actually be a healthy thing to reduce the hotel inventory in the areas far from the convention center. I've always wondered why the Sheraton Grande or the hotel in California Plaza weren't built closer to the CC. If the Hilton Checkers were actually converted, that'd be a serious loss of hotel rooms. Staples II might pencil out with NO public incentives were that to be the case.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

I'm not sure if you want to include as "in the planning stages" the 20-story residential tower involving developer Dan Rosenfeld and architect Thom Mayne, discussed in this week's LA Weekly article (http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/23/features-goldin.php). It's supposed to be next to the Herald Examiner Building, which is at Olympic and Broadway.

I hope the Downtown News mentions this project soon. It seems to me they were caught flat-footed on this story.

[bobcat]

Updated.

[BrighamYen]

What was updated?

[LongBeachUrbanist]

^ The first post of this thread (on page 1), which lists housing projects and their statuses, was updated by bobcat.

[BrighamYen]

hehe I know, but I just didn't know what projects were added !

[bobcat]

I added 1717 W Olympic, Fourth St Lofts, and ShyBarry Tower. I also updated the number of units for a few projects like the South Group towers. In addition, a couple of the projects changed names (i.e., Reserve was fka Olympic Lofts).

[RAlossi]

I don't know at what point you consider something to be "recently" completed, but here are a few that I could think of that I didn't notice on the list:

south park -- I have no details of this project, but at downtownla.com's interactive map it's marked as "future development" -- north side of 8th street between olive and grand (south of brockman/coulter&mandell)

city west -- medici -- 632 units

south park -- city lights on fig -- 100 units

historic core -- old bank district -- 230 units (san fernando, contintental, hellman buildings)

little tokyo -- little tokyo lofts -- 161 units

south park -- flower street lofts -- 91 units

civic center/historic core -- higgins building -- 135 units

historic core -- orpheum lofts -- 37 units

south park -- south park lofts -- 56 units

historic core -- security building ((5th and spring))-- 153 units

south park -- ((broadway plaza lofts is now called Blackstone))

Sorry if any of these are reposts

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Regarding Medallion, from LA Times, 8 June 2005:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-medallion8jun08,1,3364295.story?coll=la-tot-promo&track=pacifictime

New Apartment Complex to Overlook Skid Row
By Roger Vincent, Times Staff Writer

Downtown's residential expansion is expected to march deeper into historic Los Angeles this fall with construction of a $140-million apartment and retail complex on a Main Street block long considered to be part of skid row.

Developer Medallion Inc. plans to build 370 rental units in two 11-story buildings on top of stores facing Main and Los Angeles streets between 3rd and 4th streets. The apartments are expected to average 770 square feet and rent for $2 to $2.50 a square foot, in line with other new downtown units.

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2005-06/17914661.jpg

The apartments are among the 11,000 proposed or approved units in the pipeline for construction downtown, according to the Downtown Center Business Improvement District. Since 1999, nearly 4,000 apartments and condominiums have been added to the market; an additional 4,500 are under construction. There are about 7,000 market-rate apartments and condos downtown, an increase of 53% since 1998, district staffers say.

New development at the Medallion location will fill in a key piece of the urban landscape, said City Councilwoman Jan Perry, who calls it "one of the gateways to downtown."

Medallion bought the property less than a year ago with the intention of building retail space to serve wholesalers branching out of the nearby toy and garment districts, President Saeed Farkhondehpour said. But city officials wanted more residential units in the area, he said, so his project is now 70% apartments.

"We want to resurrect Main Street," said city staffer Greg Fischer, who is also a historian.

Consequently, the Medallion's ground-floor space on Main will be devoted to shops and restaurants. On Los Angeles Street, Farkhondehpour plans to rent the first level to toy and garment companies that have wholesale and retail operations. There also will be eight-story and four-story parking structures and some underground parking.

The property is across the street from the Old Bank District, a 230-unit complex in three former office buildings that were built around the turn of the last century and converted to housing in 2000.

The design of the L-shaped Medallion building at 4th and Main will make a stylistic nod to the Old Bank District's San Fernando Building, completed in 1906, said architect Alex Ward. His Omaha-based firm, Leo A Daly, is designing the Medallion complex with M2A, a Los Angeles architecture firm.

The Medallion building at 3rd and Main will have a more contemporary design in what Ward calls "sleek materials," including glass, metal and precast concrete.

"We want to re-create a more traditional urban experience — what you find in all great cities," he said.

The intersection of 4th and Main was once the site of the Westminster Hotel, one of the city's finest. The Victorian-era establishment, built in the 1880s, played host to Presidents William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. It was razed decades ago.

Main Street also was one of the city's most exclusive residential addresses after the Civil War. Among the homeowners was Mayor Cameron E. Thom, who had a large house and yard that took up a third of the block at 3rd and Main, historian Fischer said.

The area eventually grew disreputable and has long been plagued by homelessness and drug abuse.

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2005-06/17914654.jpg

However, a boom in residential construction in the last four years, led by developer Tom Gilmore's Old Bank District apartments, has altered the fabric of the historic downtown area. And in April, the Midnight Mission moved from 4th and Los Angeles to 6th and San Pedro streets.

With the mission relocated, development on his property became viable, said Farkhondehpour, adding: "We feel like downtown is definitely changing."

Farkhondehpour said he and his partner, Morad Neman, own almost a third of the commercial space in downtown's toy district. They own more than 1.2 million square feet in that area and the nearby garment district and manage their properties through Investment Consultant Inc.

The new complex will be his and Neman's first residential project, Farkhondehpour said.

Gilmore, who is building condos nearby in the former Hotel El Dorado on Spring Street between 4th and 5th, said the Medallion project would further improve the neighborhood.

"There's nothing worse than walking along a whole block of parking lot," he said. "A sensitive development that incorporates uses that the neighborhood needs is nothing but good."

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2005-06/17914662.jpg

[citywatch]

Tom Gilmore: "There's nothing worse than walking along a whole block of parking lot,"
Amen to that.

And assuming that the devlprs of the Medallion have their proj lined up properly, with funding a sure-fire thing, and permits, cost of materials and contractors, etc, within easy grasp, & that they're not going to repeat the exasperating endless delays of the Ralph's proj or the last minute pulling of the plug on that apt tower aimed at USC students for a site across from Staples, all I want to do is:

:carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

[DJM19]

Looks a lot different than before, unless that just one part of the site, thebuilding on the left in this rendering. Come to think of it, it does fit that one part (at least the front):

http://m2a-architects.com/media/580/4m-web_render_02%20copy.jpg

[BrighamYen]

This will hopefully help create a sense of security and upscale urban environment for the OBD. Those homeless people really get in the way!

[LAMetroGuy]

I'm guessing that this view:
http://www.m2a-architects.com/media/580/4m-web_render_04%20copy.jpg

Is the same as this "updated" view:
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2005-06/17914661.jpg

[BrighamYen]

Actually I think they wanted to make the corner edifice of 4th/Main a little more like the historical buildings like San Fernando.

The one on 3rd/Main would be modern and sleek. It would match since the Caltrans would be right across the street too!

[LAMetroGuy]

So you think its this:

This view:
http://m2a-architects.com/media/580/4m-web_render_03%20copy.jpg

Is the same as this "updated" view:
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2005-06/17914661.jpg

[BrighamYen]

i think so lol

[LongBeachUrbanist]

^Yes, those last two are the building at 3rd/Main - the modernist corner.

The article says the building at 4th/Main would be made to "reflect" the surrounding historical character. I have a feeling the picture below was a pre-architect depiction of the general mass of the building.

http://www.m2a-architects.com/media/580/4m-web_render_04%20copy.jpg

I hadn't realized those developers are real estate king-pins in the adjacent Toy District. That gives me a new perspective on what they want to do. They seem to understand that their site is in a very unique position, at the crossroads of the Toy District, the Historic Core, Little Tokyo and Civic Center. Combining old and new styles in the way described even reflects this. Hopefully they'll make sure this project is done right, and without delays, to really take advantage of this opportunity.

[citywatch]

I'm guessing that this view:

Is the same as this "updated" view:

I'm glad you pointed that out because it made me look more closely at the image in the LA Times & compare it with the image released by the devlpr several months ago. At first, I also made the assumption you did, & became apprehensive that the owner perhaps was unreliable & into making major changes at the last minute, which is something I associate with huckster type of ppl, the ones who promise a lot & talk big, but never follow through. But I believe the older b/w rendering actually shows what a person would be seeing if he were standing on the south side of 4th St, west of Main St, looking EAST on 4th.

The color photo shows the part of the proj as seen by a person standing on the northwest corner of 3rd & Main, looking southward down Main ST.

Here's another indication of why the 2 bldgs are so different:

The design of the L-shaped Medallion building at 4th and Main will make a stylistic nod to the Old Bank District's San Fernando Building, completed in 1906, said architect Alex Ward. His Omaha-based firm, Leo A Daly, is designing the Medallion complex with M2A, a Los Angeles architecture firm.

The Medallion building at 3rd and Main will have a more contemporary design in what Ward calls "sleek materials," including glass, metal and precast concrete.

[BrighamYen]

NEWS:


There is a new proposed high-rise (possibly 35-40) residential tower in the works at 3rd/Hill. The developer wants to make it really upscale with a high-level fitness center, and a new kind of convenience store here in America from Asia.

Stay tuned for renderings and more as I get them. :)

[LAMetroGuy]

wow, that's great news!!! Would this be in the parking lot behind the Irvine Byrne building?

[bobcat]

I don't know at what point you consider something to be "recently" completed,

It's somewhat arbitrary, but "recently" is up to about a year or so ago, so those projects you listed wouldn't qualify. In the future, I might extend that time frame as I'll probably be to lazy to remove the older projects from the list.

Didn't know about the Broadway Plaza Lofts/Blackstone. I'll look into it.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

There is a new proposed high-rise (possibly 35-40) residential tower in the works at 3rd/Hill. The developer wants to make it really upscale with a high-level fitness center, and a new kind of convenience store here in America from Asia.


That's awesome news! :yes:

wow, that's great news!!! Would this be in the parking lot behind the Irvine Byrne building?

If it's "on" the corner of 3rd/Hill, it would have to be the NE corner. The western corners are grassy areas in front of Angelus Plaza senior center, and the SE corner is the parking structure for Grand Central Market.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

WOOHOO! and the beat goes on...

[sbocguy]

Great to hear about the 3rd/Hill tower... new construction on the edges of the Historic Core will do wonders for the perceived attractiveness of that area. Hopefully once those parking lots get filled up, we'll start seeing some of the crappier lowrise buildings, such as the stuff around 4th/Broadway, get replaced w/ ground-up residential.

[LAMetroGuy]

yes, gotta love the snow ball effect !!!

[LAMetroGuy]

http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/E/2/B/E2B87B69-FC08-44B5-B9D2-157FA74005AC_or.jpg

[LongBeachUrbanist]

It's great that developers are finally getting over the long-time psychological hurdle of development east of Bunker Hill. I hope Medallion and this 3rd/Hill high-rise get built ASAP. I also hope to hear about other new developments announced on that side of the hill.

Part of it is the two or three parking lot kingpins that are timing the market, trying to maximize the sale price of their land. The NW 2nd/Hill parking lot was turned over to the Grand District, probably at a nice price. As market pressures increase, I think we might see lots of new development projects along Hill, Broadway and Second Streets.

[bobcat]

I also hope to hear about other new developments announced on that side of the hill.



Don't forget what Colemonkee said about the possible AEG development at 2nd/Spring. Also Gilmore is building the Vibiana Place mixed use project at 2nd/Main.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

I forgot about Vibiana Place. What is proposed for 2nd/Spring? Any info? I assume that means the SW corner, since all the other corners are spoken for.

[colemonkee]

All I know is what the sales woman at Grand Ave. Lofts told me. She said that AEG is planning some kind of development in that area. If anyone is trolling around downtown this weekend, stop by their office and see if you can find anything out. They're in the alleyway between the Palm Restaurant and the parking garage on 11th.

[RAlossi]

It's great that developers are finally getting over the long-time psychological hurdle of development east of Bunker Hill. I hope Medallion and this 3rd/Hill high-rise get built ASAP. I also hope to hear about other new developments announced on that side of the hill.


I agree. I think that the Artists', Industrial, and Warehouse districts present great opportunities for affordable housing in the city. If it's done right [i.e., none of those massive, midcentury government housing projects], I can see it being a great place.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

^ Yes, architecturally, I'd hate a repeat of Angelus Plaza, that depressing senior housing complex over the 3rd Street tunnel.

[bobcat]

Updated.

Added: James Wood Apartments, Molino Hewitt Gallery Lofts, Sixth Street Lofts, Glass Tower, Olive Street Tower, Venture

Edited: 808 N Spring, Ninth and Figueroa

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Thank You! I love to see that number go up and up! Almost at 24,000. oh and the color coding is great. youc an really visually see the changes in each district.

[deehrler]

Word going around that the Alexan Savoy project is going to be sold as condos rather than apartments. Should be anounced any day.

[colemonkee]

Also, the Higgins Building and Vibiana place seem to be missing from the Historic District section. Or is it the Civic Center? They're both kind of on the border. Higgins is completed and Vibiana is still technically planned.

[bobcat]

I didn't include the Higgins because it was a rental to condo conversion, resulting in no net increase in housing units. I was debating whether or not to include Vibiana Place because I wasn't 100% sure if it would include housing, although it most likely will.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Just to let everyone know, the crane is up for the Ralphs market.

[colemonkee]

^Nice! This is such a key development for downtown, it's not even funny. Great to hear it's progressing nicely. It only took two (or three?) months for excavation of two underground levels and piles/caissons, which is pretty quick.

[LAMetroGuy]

i know its a key project for downtown... but there is a Ralphs Market less than 3 miles from the site of the 9th and Flower Market:

http://imgs.maps.yahoo.com/overviewmap?OVMAPDATA=Ld4ov.R32XXT281mJDKiqLrsNMLAX.Aj.Paxk7gYDWfc4_Drk9m99tyvtP1B2XEOC7_9nzCp_EYsrpohakomenY7N08Zcmbxn1JgVV_Fdb_bVc8oaASJdktY_OPu5W69&ORG=knp9PPMmhn1OqcoCFJKCneNT.b5JVC1fWLJGKPmPg.f3VMPG.GPtLY.XDvn3ZZb.wg8aK.tIWEbLbOOUyyBBO_rmqTtijVldFedNAQCKRUrg2tmFGSZuaF7dhrc-


Sometimes I feel that the freeway circle around downtown acts like a physical barrier that is impenetrable (in or out). It's like downtown's diaphram.

[BrighamYen]

Yeah, and there's a Mitsuwa too in Little Tokyo that has everything you could possibly need. And a Grand Central Market, and tons of little markets in Chinatown, and even a Food4Less on Wilshire right next to 1100 Wilshire.

It's fucking BullShit when I hear there isnt' a "market" in Downtown.

[bobcat]

^The Food4Less on Wilshire is actually pretty big, too. I think what's special about the Ralphs under construction is that it will cater more to the downtown urbanites, i.e., more prepared or gourmet items and, of course, delivery service.

[citywatch]

That Food4Less isn't too far west of DT. However, it's the type of grocery store where customers have to bag their own items at the end of the checkout stand, which may turn off customers who are accustomed to others taking care of that sort of chore. It's also set up like a bargain oriented warehouse market, which also may turn off ppl who want something more upscale.

The million dollar question is how many potential customers exist in DT to keep a new grocery store like Ralphs drawing enough $$$ per yr, or at least enough business so that the amt of perishables that will have to be tossed out won't become too big a loss?

[LAMetroGuy]

i doubt that would happen... in fact... i think once its built it will be a big profit tank... execs will scratch their heads and think about why they didn't open sooner!

[BrighamYen]

^ That's the case with Daily Grill. We spoke with the General Manager, and was informed that the new Daily Grill in DTLA is the highest grossing one in the ENTIRE FUCKING CHAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MapGoulet]

As LAB put it so eloquently, downtown is kicking some serious merchant profit butt.

I've been talking with various people at the Broadway Bar who have some stake in downtown retail and it seems virtually everyone has been surprised by the potential. Not only has the Golden Gopher exceeded expectations by about 50% (or more), but the place is overcrowded now! I think that the Ralphs will fill quickly as demand has saturated the club and restaurant scene in no time flat.

[citywatch]

highest grossing one
the place is overcrowded now

:carrot: :tup: :carrot:


After seeing the glass half empty on so many occasions in the past, that makes good news nowadays so much the sweeter!

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

highest grossing one
the place is overcrowded now

:carrot: :tup: :carrot:


After seeing the glass half empty on so many occasions in the past, that makes good news nowadays so much the sweeter!

HAHA !

[colemonkee]

^ That's the case with Daily Grill. We spoke with the General Manager, and was informed that the new Daily Grill in DTLA is the highest grossing one in the ENTIRE FUCKING CHAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's great. Fantastic, even. But "highest" net profit is the most important figure to look at. However, if this is the highest grossing store, I can't imagine it's doing that poorly from the net profit side, unless their lease is extraordinarily high, which I seriously doubt.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

^ Fantastic news!!! :cheers:

Here's a story about that 50-story 'Zen Tower' that LosAngelesBeauty first mentioned a couple of weeks ago.

'Zen' Tower Could Dominate Historic Core
by Kathryn Maese

A 50-story residential high-rise, 20 floors higher than the Transamerica Building and nearly as tall as the Wells Fargo Tower, is being planned at the northeast corner of Third and Hill streets.

The Kawada Company of America, which also owns the Kawada Hotel on the northern end of the same block, is in the conceptual design phase for the 302-unit condo tower and 10,000 square feet of retail. If built, it would become a dominant landmark on the Downtown Los Angeles skyline and would further the rush of high-rises expected to be part of the Grand Avenue plan.

The Kawada group will seek city entitlements in the coming months, and has hired Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Design as the architect of the Asian-inspired project dubbed "Zen." Construction is anticipated to last 18 months.

"It is near the historic Broadway core so we certainly will have a style that's compatible, but we will not mimic a historic theme," said John Bowman, a land use attorney for the project. "As it is proposed, it would include a podium level with a taller, slender tower on top of that."

The immediate area around the proposed project has become a mini residential hub wedged between the Civic Center and the Historic Core. Nearby projects that are open or under construction include the Pan American Lofts, Grand Central Square apartments, the 50-unit Douglas Building and the 135-unit Higgins Building. The Victor Clothing Lofts is in the planning stages.

The 26,400-square-foot site of the future development is currently used as a Joe's Parking Lot and neighbors Grand Central Market and the senior housing complex Angelus Plaza. The project is being touted by Kawada as the first new mixed-use high-rise in the district.

Bowman said the podium level would include a ground-floor sports-themed restaurant and lounge, and an upscale mini-market, amenities lacking in an area surrounded largely by office buildings that shut down after 5 p.m. He would not reveal a proposed price for the project.

A 576-space parking garage would rise on seven floors above the podium, and would be topped by a two-story, 50,000-square-foot fitness center and indoor pool. According to the design, the developer is offering a heliport and signage rights on the building for a major advertiser.

In keeping with the Zen theme, each condo will feature a private garden or sunroom. A large roof garden will overlook the Downtown skyline. Pricing has yet to be determined for the units, which will range from 500 square feet to 1,800 square feet. Each of the four penthouses will span 2,300 square feet. High-end Sub-Zero and Wolfe appliances will be standard in every unit.

Bowman said the Kawada Company held a community meeting last month allowing local stakeholders to view the tower's early design and comment on the project.

"We got good feedback from the public and are moving forward with getting entitled," Bowman said. "We had quite a cross section with people in the development community, Angelus Plaza senior complex, people from the city and other agencies. They seemed to be favorably impressed by the project."

For one neighbor, however, the Zen could leave a less than peaceful impression. Urban Pacific Builders' 40-unit Pan American Lofts at 249 S. Broadway - which are scheduled to open early next year - bumps up against the future site, and would essentially lose its skyline views if the tower is built. The developer of the $16 million condo project did not return calls for comment.

Zen would not be the first new housing development to go high-rise. At least a dozen condo towers are in the works or planning stages throughout Downtown, including several in South Park near the Staples Center. Just two blocks away from the proposed Zen site, New York-based Related Companies is planning three condo and apartment towers with a total of 1,000 units along Grand Avenue and Olive Street as part of the $1.8 billion Grand Avenue plan. The latter high-rises would range from 22 to 45 stories.

"Certainly the fact that [Zen] is near those uses is a plus," Bowman said. "I would add that we've got excellent access to transit, the Red Line and it's also in close proximity to the Civic Center, the federal courthouse, and the various cultural attractions."

Though Kawada has other real estate holdings in Japan, this would mark the company's first residential venture in the U.S.

Contact Kathryn Maese at kathryn@downtownnews.com.

[colemonkee]

On another note, LAB, you should contact the owner of Hot's Tacos in Northridge. It's a one-off, family-owned "fusion" taco place that would be perfect for South Park. The food is very good, reasonably priced, and fairly healthy.

[colemonkee]

^^Holy shit! That's great news! I hope they get their entitlements and we see a design soon. The article says that they presented preliminary designs to residents, so something exists out there. We just have to try and find it now.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

!!!!!!!!WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!

[bobcat]

^ That's the case with Daily Grill. We spoke with the General Manager, and was informed that the new Daily Grill in DTLA is the highest grossing one in the ENTIRE FUCKING CHAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snippet from DT News:

"A lot of restaurant industry folk are eagerly watching the new Downtown Los Angeles Daily Grill, which opened on the ground floor of the Pegasus Apartments May 31, following a $2 million renovation. Mainly, observers (like Citywatch ;) ) have been curious as to whether the community can support lunches and dinners at the mid-price chain. According to General Manager Waldo Cesoni, the debate over the 183-seat restaurant ended shortly after the doors opened. "We're making 40% over what we expected," Cesoni said last week. "Lunch is nuts. We're doing 400 everyday." But what surprises Cesoni is the dinner crowd. He expected the evenings to be slow, serving 30-40 plates. Instead, he's doing about 150. Don't be surprised if other corporate restaurants hop on the bandwagon."

[LongBeachUrbanist]

The gap along Hill Street between Bunker Hill and the Historic Core is gradually filling in.

IMO, Hill Street represents a huge opportunity for developers, given all the vacant parcels, the nearby Grand Avenue project, Pershing Square, and the Red Line.

I can totally imagine in a few years a new skyscraper row of condos and hotels sprouting up along Hill between First and Sixth. That would be cool.

[bobcat]

LAB said Zen would probably be in the 35-40 storey range. I think he was holding back on us. :D

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Time to update the first post. it is now over 24000!

[BrighamYen]

LAB said Zen would probably be in the 35-40 storey range. I think he was holding back on us. :D


I went to the community meeting, which was held at the Kawada Hotel. If I remember correctly, the tower will be 558 feet tall.

[BrighamYen]

For one neighbor, however, the Zen could leave a less than peaceful impression. Urban Pacific Builders' 40-unit Pan American Lofts at 249 S. Broadway - which are scheduled to open early next year - bumps up against the future site, and would essentially lose its skyline views if the tower is built. The developer of the $16 million condo project did not return calls for comment.



This kind of BullSHIT should never even be mentioned. IT IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS THAT PEOPLE IN LA DON'T FUCKING UNDERSTAND THAT TOWERS DO NOT BLOCK VIEWS, THEY ACTUALLY FUCKING CREATE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

It's like me standing at the Gas Company Tower and bitching that Library Tower is going to be built because I'll "lose" my view of the Citigroup Tower or the Bonaventure Hotel because the Library Tower will cover it. Well, guess what, you stupid dip shit suburbanites! Those towers CREATE the view that you call a skyline!!!!!

Everytime I hear that on our tours now, or whatever, I always tell that person this (just a little bit nicer).

[LongBeachUrbanist]

^ Hear hear! A dynamic, growing skyline is a good thing people!

[bobcat]

Zen added.

[MapGoulet]

A-Men, LAB! True dat!

What an ironic situation that is about skyline views. Almost as ironic as the people who move in the flightpath of an airport then complain that the airport makes too much noise and should redirect its flightpath.

:no:

[RAlossi]

I know I read about it somewhere recently, but what's the project being constructed just north of the 5 freeway downtown? It's at the Lincoln Heights station.

[Codex Borgia]

AMCAL is building the TOD at the Ave 26 Gold Line Station. Construction is well under way and 387 units are scheduled to open in 2006, with a total of 533 units when buildout is completed.

http://www.ave26.com/

[RAlossi]

Thanks a lot!

[bobcat]

Added: Fifth and Bixel, Judson Rives
Updated: Glass Tower (added # of units), The National (changed name from 609 S Grand)
Green Lighted: Luma, at least it appears to be
Completed: Douglas Building.