[BrighamYen]

^ Wow! That's such a cool project! It'll expand the urban "3-dimensionality" of Hollywood by bringing pedestrians up Highland. Is this the project that will be built over the current Burger King?

[BrighamYen]

OH YEAH, btw, the lot next to the Chinese theater (Orange/Hollywood) has the official "green construction" fencing up! This means that Madame Tussauds will hopefully be breaking ground soon!

[citywatch]

^ Fantastic!! :dancing: 2 major deadzones finally being sent to the great beyond!

I remember in past yrs looking at the parking lot west of Grauman's & thinking how it really cheapened the look of the theater. Even worse, I recall what things were like when grauman's was surrounded on all sides by a bunch of parking lots.

Some of those were squeezed out by Hollywood/Highland, which has been slammed by more than a few ppl for its architecture. But if ppl really want something to complain about, they should go to the upper level of H/H & take a look at the view from there towards Highland. Right now they'll see nothing but a whole bunch of deadzone parking lots, with small clumps of businesses like the Burger King-----which has been closed down, to be replaced by the Jefferson at Hollywood apt bldg. That's why the devlpt of something like the jefferson is long overdue.

The next big gap in the hood that now has to be fixed up ASAP is the 2 story bldg west of El capitan, which for the longest time had an upper row of windows sealed off with plywood. Ppl standing on the balcony of the kodak theater look straight out over that bldg, & for them to see something as bad as a bunch of shuttered up windows (although it has been covered up more recently with a big billboard) just doesn't cut it any longer.

[Echo Park]

The Jefferson looks like Sunset/Vine, Clarett project, Hollywood/Vine project, et al. which isn't a bad thing at all. I kinda like this uniformity even though i'm not a big fan of that kind of architecture, but hollywood is really starting to develop its own feel. And I agree, the shuttured up building across the street from H&H needs to go.

[POLA]

that's the problem with Los Angeles; your so excited to get some mixed use buildings that you don't care that they look crappy. Oh well, I hope the retail is accessible on the first floor.

[dktshb]

The Jefferson looks like Sunset/Vine, Clarett project, Hollywood/Vine project, et al. which isn't a bad thing at all. I kinda like this uniformity even though i'm not a big fan of that kind of architecture, but hollywood is really starting to develop its own feel. And I agree, the shuttured up building across the street from H&H needs to go.

I think you're referring to this one where work is well under way:


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday061.jpg

Which is across from here:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday064.jpg

And next to here:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday052.jpg

Some other pictures capturing new developments:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday017.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday039.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday009.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday005.jpg

[JRinSoCal]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/laborday061.jpg

Is that where the new H & M store will go?

[sopas ej]

Is that where the new H & M store will go?

I believe that's where a new Zara will open. The H&M is going in where the Hamburger Hamlet used to be... incidentally, the remaining Hamburger Hamlets are now just called "Hamlet."

[Westsidelife]

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/movie1a.jpg

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/movie2a.jpg

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/movie3a.jpg

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/movie4a.jpg

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/movie5a.jpg

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/movie6a.jpg

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/movie7a.jpg


Source: VTBS Architects (http://www.vtbs.com/index.html)

[BrighamYen]

^ Where is THAT one located???

[Echo Park]

Enoguh with this kind of architecture! Lets not go overboard and turn hollywood into pasadena. would it hurt to have SOME character in these designs?

[Westsidelife]

Everyone is saying that the designs of both the Jefferson @ Hollywood and Movietown are uninspired and characterless. Honestly, what would you like to see instead? Something more along the lines of BLVD6200?

http://www.vtbs.com/images/large/blvd1a.jpg
Rendering courtesy of VTBS Architects (http://www.vtbs.com/index.html)

[Echo Park]

Yup. I actually really like the colors on 6200. But that faux-stone brick or whatever going on in Movietown is something you'd see in a suburban mall design, like an AMC theater in La Mirada. Personally, I like buildings to have an immediate presence on the street with minimal setbacks. I also don't mind Sunset+Vine, I think thats a good building. There's enoguh glass on movietown to make it at most decent. But I suppose construction costs keep a lot of these designs in check. still, something like Wilshire/Vermont was able to do something a bit bold considering their constraints.

[ThreeHundred]

What's going up across Capitol Records?

[Westsidelife]

^Palihouse?

[dktshb]

I don't much care for Jefferson and I have always been disappointed with the Sunset & Vine project but I like the look of movietown. I also think the Madrone on La Brea is going to look great.

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

From tndwest.com Other projects north of Hollywood Blvd include the PaliHouse at 1717 N. Vine. This is another project by the Palisades Group (which is building the Lofts at Hollywood and Vine across the street). PaliHouse will have 57 condominiums and two retail units (one of which is earmarked for a restaurant).

To be completed in 2008 per Palihouse website, no renderings that I can find.

[edluva]

yay! me like bright colors and shapey things!

[Westsidelife]

^ Where is THAT one located???

Santa Monica and Poinsettia in West Hollywood.

[citywatch]

Everyone is saying that the designs of both the Jefferson @ Hollywood and Movietown are uninspired and characterless. Honestly, what would you like to see instead? Something more along the lines of BLVD6200?
Keep some of the comments in mind here, westsidelife, when you claim that I'm a downer about the city. However, I do agree with your saying that about another forumer at SSP, who shall go unnamed. That's why, based on a post of yours at SSC, pairing my name with that person's screenname was quite insulting. :D

As for the Jefferson @ Hollywood apt proj, I think it looks perfectly fine. I don't wanna spend time nitpicking over its architecture----unless it's super bad, which jefferson isn't-----when there remains the issue of all the deadzones surrounding it.

[Westsidelife]

^It's just that some people will never be satisfied with anything. ;)

[Westsidelife]

From SSC:

sunset and vine glassy
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/1497913107_9387a95cb8_b.jpg

the unknown on vine
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2109/1497913615_4edaf15768_o.jpg

The "unknown" construction on Vine St. is called the PaliHouse.

[citywatch]

The "unknown" construction on Vine St. is called the PaliHouse.Whoa! Since I don't follow things as closely in hoods other than DT, that's news to me. I thought the only new devlpt around Hollywood & Vine right now was the W hotel proj, on the SE corner.

Since the Palihouse proj is going to be 5 stories tall, I wonder why the devlpr has installed such a large construction crane on the site?

When work begins on the large new apt proj next to the Pantages (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pantages17jul17,0,988798.story?coll=la-home-center), about 2 blocks east of Palihouse & across from the W hotel proj, that hood really will be movin on up.

http://la.curbed.com/2007-04-palihouse1.jpg


Just a tad north of Hollywood and Vine, get ready for Pali House. (http://hollywoodrevival.blogspot.com/2007/04/pali-house-construction-has-started_28.html) Developers plan 57 residential units with a ground level restaurant and bar/lounge on the courtyard level. The anticipated completion is spring 2008. The project is classified as a "Boutique Hotel". The drawing from the website resembles the historic qualities of some of the adjacent classic surrounding buildings. The difference - this building will be glossy red. A combo of hotel and condo with a proposed elevated lobby/concierge area overlooking the outdoor courtyard space framed by glass walls.
Pali House
Hollywood, CA

Creating a true landmark building (http://www.scheurerarchitects.com) in a dynamic and eclectic city presents a unique challenge to the design team. In the case of Pali House Hollywood, emphasis on color and light become the primary focus to establish a bold landmark presence in this historic and storied neighborhood.

The building façade evolves from the historic qualities of the adjacent Hollywood and Vine buildings, and the Capitol Records Building. The hotel's classical detailing evokes a formal hierarchy seen in the presence of Industry and Commerce throughout the city.

Use of a glossy bright red over the facade of the building promotes the idea of color as identity. Uniform color pulls all details into one complete object, or more specifically, into one complete idea. The result is a modern expression of historic forms and details.

[edluva]

[/b]
However, I do agree with your saying that about another forumer at SSP, who shall go unnamed. That's why, based on a post of yours at SSC, pairing my name with that person's screenname was quite insulting. :D

oh, you must be referring to edluva. yeah, i agree he's quite negative about our fair city. i think that project is just fine and quite inspiring. :tup:

[citywatch]

oh, you must be referring to edluva. yeah, i agree he's quite negative about our fair city. Actually, his problem is he over intellectualizes about things that don't really suck big time-----things that are so bad that, say, at least 80% of ppl will say "wow, that's shitty!!"-----&, in turn, & oddly enough, resents it when the things that really do suck are pointed out. For instance, all the views in the city that are not much better than these ones:


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/12/14862611_f3f46d2c83.jpg?v=0
Omar Omar

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/9/14862102_e91fb538b0.jpg?v=0
Omar Omar


About 2 or 3 yrs ago, I recall posting a pic of some dive street around the NE of DT----or somewhere like that----& his refusing to say "wow, what a crappy scene!" Moreover, he seemed indignant that such an environment was being pointed out. I guess he'd rather be sarcastic about things that in comparison aren't quite as bad & fugly.

So here it is a few yrs later, & we're right back where we started. :haha:

[Damien]

http://la.curbed.com/2007-04-palihouse1.jpg


Who said classic architecture and ornamentation wasn't possible in 21st century LA design studios?

LOVE IT! More need to do it. Palihouse will stand the test of time. 95% of the rest of this stuff. :slob:

[dktshb]

http://la.curbed.com/2007-04-palihouse1.jpg


Wow that's going to be one nice building. :cheers:

[Westsidelife]

From SSC:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2276/1521473721_fcf30a11e3_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/1521472273_6f36e5f9f2_b.jpg

[colemonkee]

Good progress. Is it me, or are the Broadway Lofts (in the background of the second picture) taking forever?

[Echo Park]

palihouse is great!

[ksep]

palihouse will fit nicely in to the neighborhood. i'm looking forward to seeing that glossy red paintjob. i just don't know how i would like living next door to the avalon.

[dktshb]

palihouse will fit nicely in to the neighborhood. i'm looking forward to seeing that glossy red paintjob. i just don't know how i would like living next door to the avalon.
Good point... a lot of this going on there: :upload_71700:

[ReDSPork02]

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-10-11-NBC_N.htm?csp=34

NBC plans to sell Burbank studio





Los Angeles, Calif. (AP) — NBC Universal plans to sell part of its site in "beautiful downtown Burbank," home to the studio housing The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, and move to a new state-of-the-art broadcast facility across the street from Universal Studios, the company announced Thursday.
NBC will take the Access Hollywood set, local news operations and other facilities with it when it moves into the new location in 2011.

Meanwhile, it plans to move The Tonight Show to the nearby Universal Studios' Stage One lot when Conan O'Brien takes over hosting duties upon Leno's retirement in 2009.

The new facilities will be located in a new building adjacent to a subway line connecting Universal City, in the southeast corner of the San Fernando Valley, to downtown Los Angeles. They will be across the street from Universal Studios, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and the CityWalk tourist destination.

"When looking at our long-term business operations, we realized there are very real strategic and synergistic opportunities in bringing our production facilities and talent together to grow in Los Angeles," Tom Smith, senior vice president of West Coast real estate for NBC Universal said in a statement posted on the KNBC-TV Web cite.


Company officials said they are pursuing opportunities to sell part of the 34-acre studio lot in the Burbank Media District. They would lease it back for news operations until the University City facility is finished.

The Burbank studio, purchased in 1951, was made famous by the late Tonight Show host Johnny Carson's frequent tongue-in-cheek references to its location in "beautiful downtown Burbank."

Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos said she was sad to learn the show is leaving the Los Angeles suburb of some 105,000 residents.

"The Tonight Show put us on the map," she told the Los Angeles Times. "Without that line from Johnny Carson about beautiful downtown Burbank, most people wouldn't even know that we exist."

NBC officials say the new facility will include virtual studios, interactive graphic capabilities, a glass-walled newsroom and other modern features.

It's news set will be modeled in part after the network's Today show set in New York and will host the Today show and NBC's Nightly News whenever those programs broadcast from Los Angeles.

^^ Hello, LA
http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2007-10-nbcrelocation.jpg
Thanks for The Memories BURBANK!!!
http://www.ev1.pair.com/colorTV/images/otherimages/NBC-Hollywood-RadioCity.jpg

http://www.ev1.pair.com/colorTV/images/otherimages/NBC-ColorCity-postcard4.jpg

[Westsidelife]

Great news, but why did you post that in this thread?

[ReDSPork02]

Great news, but why did you post that in this thread?

?????
I dont know where else, HoLLywood= Universal Studios??
If u want me to move it just tell me where, ill do it.:)

[Westsidelife]

?????
I dont know where else, HoLLywood= Universal Studios??
If u want me to move it just tell me where, ill do it.:)

LA Economic Data Thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=122453)

[ReDSPork02]

LA Economic Data Thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=122453)

DONE!
Check it out Guys!!

[Westsidelife]

Movietown Plaza Unveiled

By Ryan Gierach, West Hollywood
October 11, 2007

West Hollywood, California (October 11, 2007) - Casden Properties unveiled new plans for a re-thought Movietown Plaza, the ten-story mixed-use project proposed for the land currently occupied by a shopping mall on the Eastside of West Hollywood at 7310 Santa Monica Blvd.


http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/images/movie.jpg
A bird’s eye view showing Movietown Plaza. Courtesy
Casden Properties.


They presented architectural renderings and plans for review by the neighborhood and made representatives from the architect on down available to answer questions about the controversial 420,000 sq ft project.

Howard Katz of Casden Properties said in a statement that the firm had spent the last year revising its plans, including bringing a new architect on board, in an effort to return with a dramatic re-imagining of the schematic plan for Movietown Plaza.

The same presentation had already been made to the Eastside Project Area Committee (PAC) at its last meeting; the plans were considered to be a big improvement over the first set presented over a year ago.

Rob Bergstein, a member of the PAC, told WeHoNews at the neighborhood meeting the new plans were a pleasant improvement. “This is a huge step in the right direction after that concrete ten story gulag they presented last year,” he said.


http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/images/movie5.jpg
Visitors talked with developers and one another in
front of large placards depicting the proposed
development at Movietown Plaza. Photo by Ryan
Gierach.


Others at the presentation saw too much, they said. They complained of too much mass, too much traffic descending on their streets, too much gentrification and too many people moving in.

Barry Wendell, a neighbor living on Fuller off Fountain, decried the project as benefiting only the wealthy and not the neighborhood itself.

“If you were to list the top ten needs of this neighborhood, where on that list would ‘luxury high-rise condominiums?” he asked. “Redevelopment should improve the community, not drive the people in the community out of it because of increased traffic and prices.”

Mr. Katz emphasized that the neighborhood input received after last year’s iteration went to good use in mitigating the neighbor’s concerns about its size and potential influence on life on that side of town.


http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/images/movie4.jpg
A view of the building from street level across Santa
Monica Boulevard. Courtesy Casden Properties.


“This plan… features less density, lower-scale buildings along Santa Monica Boulevard with the taller elements shifted to the rear of the three-acre site, a new location at the front of the project for the affordable housing units for senior citizens, and increased and better organized open space,” he stated.

The new plans were developed by the award-winning architecture firm Van Tilburg, Banvard and Soderbergh with which Casden has previously worked.

Comments at the gathering from cautionary supporters of the project approved of the way the community’s input had been implemented.

“The two major improvements are the stepped back ten-story towers sitting behind seven stories instead of the single block tower,” Mr. Bergstein pointed out, “and moving the senior affordable housing to the street front so they can better access transportation and services.”


http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/images/movie2.jpg
The public space in the front of Movietown Plaza
along Santa Monica Boulevard. Courtesy Casden
Properties.


As planned now, four floors of Senior Affordable Housing – 77 units averaging 650 sq ft - will top off the two retail spaces along Santa Monica Boulevard; in the last plan the senior units were along Poinsettia on the rear of the vast plot.

The retail space totals about 22,500 sq ft; Casden hopes to have Trader Joe’s return to take the 15,000 sq foot space. Behind those two buildings runs a service alleyway that some hope can be made into a pick up/drop off lane to serve the seniors living above.

Across the alleyway stand two ten-story structures of residential condominiums, including live/work spaces, surrounding a courtyard with a swimming pool and recreation facility.

Those two buildings will hold 297 condos, mainly one- and two-bedroom units, a handful of three-bedrooms, with an average size 1250 square feet. The project will add 374 units to West Hollywood’s housing stock.


http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/images/movie3.jpg
A depiction of the paseo running from Fuller to
Poinsettia. Courtesy Casden Properties.


In a concession to the neighborhood’s demands to reduce the massing of the previous plan, Van Tilburg, Banvard and Soderbergh reduced overall density by 100 units.

They also increased and better organized the courtyard open space, including the introduction of a paseo connecting Fuller and Poinsettia, while also improving the streetscape out front along Santa Monica Boulevard, in part by adding a double row of trees to the landscaping.

Finally, to salve entrance and egress issues, the new architects separated parking entrances by use, residential and commercial.

Mr. Katz also mentioned the revenue the project expects to generate for the city’s Eastside redevelopment agency.


http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/images/movie1.jpg
A view of the rear of the project from across the Los
Angeles city line. Courtesy Casden Properties.


“Since Movietown Plaza is located in the East Side Redevelopment Project Area, this development will generate $1.5 million annually for the redevelopment agency,” he said, “with $500,000 of that to be dedicated toward the creation of new housing.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: WeHo News (http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/page.php?articleID=1781)

[dktshb]

:previous: Great I will look forward to this project filling up what's left of very few large parking lots in West Hollywood. I do hope Trader Joe's intends to stay.

Oh, and why are you posting this here? This is not Hollywood any more than Universal City is Hollywood. :frog:

[dktshb]

:hell: double post.

[Steve2726]

French firm is chosen to design Museum of Motion Pictures

From the L.A. Times-
http://www.calendarlive.com/printedition/calendar/cl-et-museum8nov08,0,3420883.story?coll=cl-calendar

Academy tabs Pritzker-winning Atelier Christian de Portzamparc. Groundbreaking on Hollywood site is scheduled for 2009.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Academy Museum of Motion Pictures moved one step closer to reality with the announcement today that French architecture firm Atelier Christian de Portzamparc will design the project.

The academy's board of governors approved the selection based on the recommendations of an architecture subcommittee whose members include Steven Spielberg, Curtis Hanson, producer Kathleen Kennedy and production designer Jeannine Oppewall.

De Portzamparc, a film aficionado, was the "happy and unanimous" choice. As for now, there are no formal plans designed for the museum campus, which will span eight acres, several buildings and open space areas and will be located next to the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood, between Vine Street and Cahuenga Boulevard, and De Longpre and Fountain avenues.

Fundraising for the project begins next year. "It's a big chunk of dough," said Ganis, who declined to reveal actually how big a chunk. "It's an extremely ambitious undertaking."

Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2009; Ganis hopes the ribbon will be cut in 2012. "It's what the academy should be doing -- show the world what the art of film has been, what film is about, what the academy is about and how film has influenced us culturally."

susan.king@latimes.com

[ocman]

French firm is chosen to design Museum of Motion Pictures

From the L.A. Times-
http://www.calendarlive.com/printedition/calendar/cl-et-museum8nov08,0,3420883.story?coll=cl-calendar

Academy tabs Pritzker-winning Atelier Christian de Portzamparc. Groundbreaking on Hollywood site is scheduled for 2009.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Academy Museum of Motion Pictures moved one step closer to reality with the announcement today that French architecture firm Atelier Christian de Portzamparc will design the project.

The academy's board of governors approved the selection based on the recommendations of an architecture subcommittee whose members include Steven Spielberg, Curtis Hanson, producer Kathleen Kennedy and production designer Jeannine Oppewall.

De Portzamparc, a film aficionado, was the "happy and unanimous" choice. As for now, there are no formal plans designed for the museum campus, which will span eight acres, several buildings and open space areas and will be located next to the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood, between Vine Street and Cahuenga Boulevard, and De Longpre and Fountain avenues.

Fundraising for the project begins next year. "It's a big chunk of dough," said Ganis, who declined to reveal actually how big a chunk. "It's an extremely ambitious undertaking."

Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2009; Ganis hopes the ribbon will be cut in 2012. "It's what the academy should be doing -- show the world what the art of film has been, what film is about, what the academy is about and how film has influenced us culturally."

susan.king@latimes.com

Nice to the see the Academy was bold enough to choose an architect rather than hold a design competition. It'll be interesting to see how much money they can raise and to see just how culturally philanthropic Hollywood really is.

[citywatch]

Clarett Group Brings Blvd6200 — Multi-Use, Dense TOD — to Hollywood and Vine

http://www.blvd6200.com/images/plaza.jpg

After many succesful high-rise housing projects in New York, the Clarett Group is bringing its expertise to Los Angeles.

The Clarett Group’s Blvd6200 Development has as much potential to impact its surrounding neighborhood as any project currently being developed in the Los Angeles basin. In order to discuss the Clarett Group’s transition to Los Angeles and the development process for Blvd6200, which was welcomed by politicians, planners, and the public, TPR was pleased to speak with Frank Stephan, who manages Clarett Group’s West Coast operations at their Los Angeles office.

The Clarett Group is a relatively new player in the West Coast development field. What brought Clarett to Los Angeles and what project is dominating your attention?

I think there are probably several factors that brought us here. An important one happens to be Blvd6200, which is our Hollywood project. It’s the right size and magnitude to launch a West Coast office and to really have a West Coast presence.

We came in January of 2005, when we closed on a 99-year ground lease with the Nederlander family. We came out here to entitle that project. The Nederlander family and our founders have had a great relationship in the past, and the Nederlanders always believed that Clarett would be best suited to carry out this redevelopment of the adjacent land to the Pantages Theater, so that connection and relationship was obviously critical to structuring a deal and them having faith in their choice of developer.

Another reason was opportunity. We know density and mixed use. We’re well respected and accomplished on the East Coast as a developer and a leader in high-rise development, and we truly believe that our expertise in density has a place in the future growth of Los Angeles.

Elaborate on the attraction to L.A. and the challenges of the L.A. market. What attracted Clarett and induced you to open an office and invest in Southern California?

Having the first project to launch an office is always helpful. The founders of the Clarett Group wanted to have an office in key markets. Today, we have one in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. We’re not the kind of company that necessarily wants to be everywhere, but we want to be in key markets where we think we can find opportunity and contribute something to the overall benefit of the cities themselves.

Our background is high-rise building in Manhattan, where we do it well. We create wonderful projects, from the rental high-rise projects that we started with in 1999 when the company was founded, to the luxury condominium projects that we’ve produced since 2001. All have been great projects with great end results, not only for ourselves but for the communities they’ve been incorporated into.

There has been a lot of talk about the market. We believe that our Hollywood project is really capable of weathering any real estate slowdown, because we’re producing new rental housing product. A softening condo market and a tough home mortgage market really leads to more of a demand for rental housing, as more people may opt to postpone ownership and choose to rent.

The other notable factor with where we’re positioned in the market with the Blvd6200 project is that Hollywood is experiencing a modern-day renaissance. We consider ourselves part of the bigger picture of that Hollywood renaissance, where an emerging, walkable, residential community is being created on the eastern end of Hollywood Boulevard—and a walkable neighborhood in Los Angeles is a true commodity.

What are the project details and ambitions of Blvd6200?

Blvd6200 is a more than $400 million, privately funded investment. It’s approximately 1.2 million square feet. If you include the parking, it’s over 2 million square feet. We’re scheduled to begin construction in the first quarter of 2008. As far as location, it’s located on an approximately seven-acre parcel, directly across the street from the Pantages Theater. We’re east of Argyle, west of El Centro, south of Carlos, and north of Selma. Our project is bisected by Hollywood Boulevard, so we refer to it as a north block and a south block.

On that north block and south block, we have more than 1,000 residential rental units, of which ten percent are onsite affordable housing without any public subsidy.

We have approximately 175,000 square feet of ground-floor, street-front retail and restaurants. We have approximately 40,000 square feet of live/work units with ground floor entrances. Through our outreach, we see these providing possible future homes to post-production and smaller entertainment companies. We’ve incorporated approximately 12,000 square feet of public open plazas on the Boulevard, and of course, with the philosophy of the city of Los Angeles, we’re really thrilled to be creating a project that is going to feature sustainable design and have a green building program.

http://www.blvd6200.com/images/Blvd6200_layout.jpg

Talk a little bit about the team of contractors, architects, planners, etc. that you’ve assembled to bring to life this new model of high-density housing for Los Angeles.

We have a fantastic team, and everyone truly plays their part, from our land use attorney, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro, LLP, to our community relations consultation, Handelman Consulting. Some of them deal with design aspects of the project; some of them deal with political aspects of the project and outreach to communities. As you’re well aware, in the approval and entitlement process in Los Angeles, every factor is equally important. We have an architect out of Santa Monica, Van Tilburg, Banvard and Soderbergh. We have a structural engineer, Englekirk Partners. We have Donald F. Dickerson Associates as our MEPS engineers. We have a number of other consultants, from LEED consultants to vertical transportation consultants. It takes a group of many to put together a project like this, but we’re very cognizant of the need to create a team that is capable of putting egos aside and really working toward the common good of a project.

Your architect is well known for dense development, and you’ve got a very dense, six story development project here. What were the challenges, trade-offs, and the ultimate result of the development process?

When you put together a project like this, you have to listen to what the people have to say. We were out in the community early and often. We think that communities are smart enough to recognize that not all density is bad, and we were able to garner unanimous community support from the Hollywood community for this particular project. We reached out to the city family early and often, and the city recognizes that density is the solution to a future housing crisis. It’s notable that this project is directly across from the Metro stop, so it’s density where you want density.

We have incorporated things that come from many different groups in the Hollywood community, such as public open spaces, live/work units, affordable housing, and a green building program. It’s not one group that contributed these ideas; it’s really our job as a developer to listen to everybody’s input and then to weigh the pros and cons to create a project that is beneficial to the community, always trying to balance what’s feasible.

Talk a little about the decisions that were made at the city level that were most helpful to the project. If you were going through the process again, what changes in processes ought to be put in place to encourage more high-rise, dense, affordable housing projects?

I’ll start by saying that the approval process in L.A. was new for us. The approval process is dramatically different from New York, where approved, by-right zoning exists, and you anticipate starting a project nine to ten months after you acquire the land. It took Blvd6200 about two years to entitle. We had never gone through an approval process in L.A. before. This is the first project. I think it’s fair to say that we learned a lot, and I feel that we’re as qualified as anyone to do it again.

I think a lot of it has to do with the community outreach. It’s balancing what the city family and the community want. It’s trying to incorporate a combination of community benefits out of a project that represents smart growth.

We always try to look at the checklist: what are we giving back to the community? It’s green; it’s sustainable; it has affordable housing; it has vast, public open spaces where dining and gathering create a sense of place on the Boulevard; it brings residential to the Boulevard that hasn’t existed in such a long time. When you create a smart growth project, you’re creating a mass of people in a mixed-use environment that creates an inherent sense of security on the Boulevard. The pedestrian activity is most desirable.

As far as the approval process, timing, and what we went through, I went to the mayoral housing summit yesterday, and almost all the speakers and panelists talked about how this process needs to be improved, from the mayor to Council President Garcetti to Gail Goldberg. I think it’s encouraging that leaders like them are committed to improving this system. Because I think, in the end, speed is a competitive weapon, and the timeframe influences the overall cost of the product. I think L.A. should really want to be as desirable a development city as any other.

What was Council President Garcetti’s influence and impact on this project?

One of the first things we did when we closed the ground lease was we booked a flight, flew out here, and sat down with Eric Garcetti and his staff. It is amazing to see some of the project attributes that people point to as smart growth or give us recognition for including in a project, such as public plazas and affordable housing, live/work units, and green building. It’s amazing to see those items incorporated into a project now, because they were the same items we talked about in the first meeting.

Council President Garcetti has been extremely helpful; he was supportive at the City Council approval. We were thrilled when he stood up there and told the rest of the council members that this project is as important to the city of Los Angeles as Grand Avenue and L.A. Live.

If TPR were to come back again in a year for a second interview with Clarett, what would be the likely subjects of our interview?

We’ll be talking about a couple of our new projects, which we hope to be able to announce before the end of the year. I’d probably be giving you an updated status report on how excavation is going on Blvd6200. We have to move a lot of dirt.

[ocman]

I’ll start by saying that the approval process in L.A. was new for us. The approval process is dramatically different from New York, where approved, by-right zoning exists, and you anticipate starting a project nine to ten months after you acquire the land. It took Blvd6200 about two years to entitle.

Incredibly sad.

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

I had read that it was canceled, but apparently it’s back.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

lacityorgcd13.blogspot.com

Bob Barker, come on down! You're the next Grand Marshal of Hollywood's Santa Parade!
Hollywood Boulevard has long symbolized a place where people come to make their dreams come true. In just a few weeks, thousands of kids will come to Hollywood Boulevard in hopes of asking Santa to make their holiday dreams come true.

When I heard that for the first time in 75 years the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce would not produce a holiday parade, I knew we couldn't let this tradition die. Today I was happy to announce that not only is the parade going to continue this year, but we have a terrific Grand Marshal in legendary television personality Bob Barker.

The parade will be on Sunday, November 25, beginning at 5 p.m. The route begins at Hollywood and Highland, making it convenient to take the Metro Red Line to the parade.
For more information, visit the Hollywood's Santa Parade site.

Hope to see you there!

[Echo Park]

Bob Barker? *yawn*

The reason they wanted to scrap the parade was its aging and loss of appeal. It had this 50s sort of hokey pagaentry to it. They really need to rebrand that parade, sex it up a bit, take some cues from WeHo and make it a little more festive. Screw the kids.

[LA420]

Bob Barker? *yawn*

The reason they wanted to scrap the parade was its aging and loss of appeal. It had this 50s sort of hokey pagaentry to it. They really need to rebrand that parade, sex it up a bit, take some cues from WeHo and make it a little more festive. Screw the kids.


:haha: LOLLOL :haha: :haha: I see rio coming into play :tup: :cheers:

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

Bob Barker? *yawn*

The reason they wanted to scrap the parade was its aging and loss of appeal. It had this 50s sort of hokey pagaentry to it. They really need to rebrand that parade, sex it up a bit, take some cues from WeHo and make it a little more festive. Screw the kids.


Yes, put some half naked people dancing on floats to the latest club sounds and I’ll watch. :tup:

I went one year, and yeah, it was pretty lame. Nothing against her, but the biggest star that year was Tori Spelling. Sure, it had its share of marching bands and horses, as all parades do, but I remember the floats were pretty shabby. A lot of cars with ‘movie stars’ went by, and we had to ask, “who the fuck was that”. This is definitely a case where they can look to other examples and learn. The Macy’s parade in New York is very polished, full of celebrities, and heavily paid for by advertisers. This is one area advertising could really give a boost to this event.

[sopas ej]

Yes, put some half naked people dancing on floats to the latest club sounds and I’ll watch. :tup:

I went one year, and yeah, it was pretty lame. Nothing against her, but the biggest star that year was Tori Spelling. Sure, it had its share of marching bands and horses, as all parades do, but I remember the floats were pretty shabby. A lot of cars with ‘movie stars’ went by, and we had to ask, “who the fuck was that”. This is definitely a case where they can look to other examples and learn. The Macy’s parade in New York is very polished, full of celebrities, and heavily paid for by advertisers. This is one area advertising could really give a boost to this event.

For as long as I can remember, the Hollywood X-mas Parade was always lame. As a youngster, they would have people like Soleil Moon-Frye and Kristy MacNichol riding in convertibles.

The Macy's Parade is just as lame, I've always thought. Maybe because I'm not into Broadway shows? But whenever I do channel surf on Thanksgiving and stumble upon the Macy's Parade, it's always some overly made-up guy and chick lip-synching to some god-awful song from a trendy-for-the-moment Broadway show. E.g., "500 68 million 400 39 thousand seconds!" from "Rent" or whatever.

[edluva]

For me, the appeal of the macy's parade was in both the baloons in themselves, and the scale of manhattan as backdrop. It's probably the only parade that showcases a city in a flattering way. any Los Angeles parade is just lame. even the tournament of roses with its underwhelming suburban banality.

[ocman]

Tournament of Roses is purposely quaint. That's the appeal of it.

[POLA]

ed, have you been to the rose parade yet? It's actually a lot cooler in person when it comes down colorado. The fact that the TV only shows the part when they pass by some suburban library totally sucks because its much more festive down the street.

[edluva]

pola - i helped sprinkle produce and elmer's glue on some of the floats way back in high school, and i've attended a few parades. they were fun to watch in person as a kid because as a kid i wasn't that hard to impress. that suburban library you're speaking of is probably the norton simon, btw...

ocman, i thought the appeal of it was that it catered to the sizeable >65 and middle-america bandos demographic. okay i'll stop being facetious.

[Guatemalanking]

pola - i helped sprinkle produce and elmer's glue on some of the floats way back in high school, and i've attended a few parades. they were fun to watch in person as a kid because as a kid i wasn't that hard to impress. that suburban library you're speaking of is probably the norton simon, btw...

ocman, i thought the appeal of it was that it catered to the sizeable >65 and middle-america bandos demographic. okay i'll stop being facetious. I think the route it passes its mostly urban except for the Norton Simon Museum area which is what they focus on tv and yes your right it is to cater to those millions and let them imagine its happy land.

[sopas ej]

I think the route it passes its mostly urban except for the Norton Simon Museum area which is what they focus on tv and yes your right it is to cater to those millions and let them imagine its happy land.

Well the Norton Simon is right near the beginning of the Rose Parade route, and that location of the TV cameras (the parking lot of the Elks Lodge across the street from Norton Simon) offers a sweeping unobstructed view of the San Gabriel Mountains, whenever they do a wide-shot, of course.

I think from a marketing perspective, the Rose Parade has been way more successful, to the good or detriment of SoCal (depending on one's POV), than the Macy's Parade in NYC. The Rose Parade started in the late 1800s, back when California was considered a remote and exotic location, and Pasadena started out as a resort town frequented by wealthy East Coast and Midwest residents (there's still a lot of old money in Pasadena/San Marino). The Rose Parade was a way of showing the rest of the US (and for the wealthy tourists staying in Pasadena to gloat to their friends back home) that in SoCal, it was possible to enjoy sunshine, oranges, and even full-bloomed flowers in the middle of winter. First through postcards, then through newsreels, then through TV, people saw images of flowers and sunshine on New Year's Day when most of the traditional population centers of the US were staying home looking at the snow outside. I've read a number of accounts of how the Rose Parade inspired people to move to California... which is why I loved it a few years ago when it rained hard on the Rose Parade, I thought 'Good! Maybe fewer people will move here this year!' Because believe it or not, the LA region is still growing... and I think there are way too many people here as it is.

I doubt that the Macy's Parade has inspired droves of people to move to NYC.

[BrighamYen]

^ Well, not only that, but if you're talking about the winter climate for NYC, once natural gas peaks and production begins to decline, the entire Northeastern part of the United States will be incredibly miserable to live in. Oil and natural gas that heats the homes in the Northeast will not last forever and there is hardly the alternative infrastructure in place to replace fossil fuels at this time. NYC will be even less attractive and inhospitable, unfortunately, since I actually love NYC.

[edluva]

I doubt that the Macy's Parade has inspired droves of people to move to NYC.


true, but it's harder to get a city of 7 million to continue growing...NY was alread that large when macy's began.

LAB - you really can't stop pushing that peak oil agenda of yours huh? what happened to your "west central" propaganda ;)

[BrighamYen]

^ I grew up ;)

[citywatch]

Even when I was a kid, I could never sit through more than a few minutes of the macy's parade, certainly the coverage on NBC. Who watches that show anyway?! I imagine mainly bored kiddies & desperate housewives.

It's like a one hour event stretched over 3 long hrs, with endless bad lip syncing routines & a thousand high school bands doing their marching routines, over & over again, stuck in front of the camera. The parade stops & starts, stops & starts, stops & starts. And many of that event's exact same units, inc balloons &, for example, a turkey float, are brought out yr after yr, so it's like deja vu all over again. I find myself yelling "ENOUGH ALREADY!", & switching the channel.

[jlrobe]

^ I grew up ;)

I know you were being sarcastic, but I actually love your idea of west central. Centralizing LA is a good thing. It is FAR more central than people want to believe.

I am using that concept for my webpage on the subway to the sea. I call it the central area for lack of a creative name.

[bobcat]

This is an unexpected announcement. With 368 performances per year there would be hardly any room for anything else besides the Oscars.

Cirque du Soleil Comes to the Heart of Hollywood With a Show About the History of the Movies



LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- CIRQUE DU SOLEIL and CIM GROUP
announced today that Cirque du Soleil will open a major new show at Kodak
Theatre, home of the Academy Awards(R), in 2010.

The $100 million production is the centerpiece of a 10-year agreement
between the two companies. A cast of 75 performing artists will present the
show in the 3,400-seat theatre 368 times a year, and while few details
about the production's content are available now, Cirque du Soleil founder
Guy Laliberte announced that it would focus on Hollywood's place in the
history of cinema.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071119/LAM069-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071119/LAM069-b)

"Hollywood movies are important in so many ways, artistically,
culturally and socially," Laliberte noted. "They don't just entertain, they
inform, inspire and move audiences all around the world. They've changed
the way we think and the way we live, and they've certainly had a positive
influence on Cirque du Soleil."

"We are thrilled to have found such a spectacular home in LA," added
Laliberte. "The city is at the forefront not only of film, but music,
architecture and art as well. This is also a kind of homecoming for us. Our
international career started right here when we brought a show called We
Reinvent the Circus to the LA Festival for opening night on September 3,
1987. At the time we were broke. We literally had no money to put gas in
our truck to go back home if we failed. We said, 'We live or die in LA.'
And when I saw movie stars -- household names -- actually standing in line
to buy tickets, I began to think maybe there was a possibility we might
live!"

Cirque's partner in the venture, as announced today is CIM Group, the
owner of Hollywood & Highland Center where Kodak Theatre is located.
"Cirque du Soleil is an internationally renowned performance company.
Bringing a permanent show to the Kodak Theatre is a tremendous attraction
for both residents and tourists," said Shaul Kuba, founder and principal,
CIM Group. "This commitment from Cirque du Soleil is another significant
milestone in the continuing rebirth of Hollywood as a flourishing community
with a vibrant daytime and nighttime population."

Since its debut in Los Angeles 20 years ago, Cirque du Soleil has
brought nine touring shows to the area. During this time, more than three
million people have attended the 1,360 performances.

"Hollywood is the home of the stars, and it's only fitting that Cirque
du Soleil would someday dwell at the home of the Academy Awards -- Kodak
Theatre," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "For 23 years, Cirque du
Soleil's trademark brand of imaginative entertainment has captivated
audiences around the world. Now, the circus is coming to our town and the
people of Los Angeles can't wait."

In 2002 Cirque du Soleil designed, produced and performed a special act
as part of the 74th Academy Awards(R). Cirque will share Kodak Theatre with
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the new show will step
aside to make room for the Academy Awards(R) each year.

"Cirque du Soleil's ten-year commitment reaffirms Hollywood standing as
the entertainment capital of the world. We're proud to welcome what is sure
to be a captivating show and we invite everyone to come experience our
exciting, revitalized Hollywood," said Los Angeles City Council President
Eric Garcetti, whose district includes Hollywood.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT A GLANCE
From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque
du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality
artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4 000 employees from over
40 different countries, including 1 000 artists.

Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to close to 70 million
spectators in close 200 cities on five continents. In 2007, Cirque du
Soleil will present 15 shows simultaneously throughout the world. The
company has received such prestigious awards as the Emmy, Drama Desk,
Bambi, ACE, Gemeaux, Felix, and Rose d'Or de Montreux. Cirque du Soleil
International Headquarters are in Montreal, Canada. For more information
visit: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com

CIM GROUP AT A GLANCE
Founded in 1994, CIM Group is a full-service private equity real estate
investor. The company applies its multidisciplinary expertise in the areas
of investment and development, mezzanine financing, fund management,
commercial leasing and property management. CIM has successfully identified
and invested in some of the most vibrant transitional urban districts in
North America based on its integrated approach to investing that utilizes
its broad based in-house capabilities and deep market knowledge.

CIM specializes in high-density urban communities, bringing its
extensive real estate experience to a diverse array of asset categories
including mixed-use, office, retail, hotel, entertainment and multifamily.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, CIM maintains regional offices in San
Francisco and Bethesda, Maryland. CIM Group acquired the Hollywood &
Highland Center in February 2004. For more information visit:
http://www.cimgroup.com/

KODAK THEATRE AT A GLANCE
Kodak Theatre is the crown jewel of the Hollywood & Highland Center
retail, dining and entertainment complex located in the heart of historic
Hollywood. The 3,400 seat theatre opened in November 2001 and soon became
known to more than one billion people across the globe as the first
permanent home of the Academy Awards(R). Built at a cost of $94 million,
Kodak Theatre was designed by the internationally-renowned Rockwell Group
to be as glamorous as its onstage artists and celebrity guests, yet capable
of serving the enormous technical needs of a live worldwide television
broadcast on Oscar(R) night. The naming of Kodak Theatre, in a 20-year
marketing partnership with Eastman Kodak Co., was one of the most
significant non-sports corporate sponsorships in history. For more
information visit: http://www.kodaktheatre.com

A FEW CIRQUE DU SOLEIL STATISTICS
-- In 1984, 73 people worked for Cirque du Soleil. Today, the business has
close to 4,000 employees worldwide, including close to over 1,000
artists.
-- At the Montreal International Headquarters alone, there are close to
1,600 employees.
-- Cirque's employees and artists represent over 40 nationalities and
speak 25 different languages.
-- Since 1984, Cirque du Soleil's touring shows have made nearly 250 stops
in close 200 cities around the world.
-- Over 70 million spectators have seen a Cirque du Soleil show.
-- Close to 10 million people will have seen a Cirque du Soleil show in
2007.
-- In 2007, Cirque du Soleil is presenting 15 different shows around the
world.

[Westsidelife]

^ GREAT news! :cheers:

[dktshb]

:cheers: Cirque du Soleil Comes to the Heart of Hollywood :cheers:

[want2beaqui]

Does anyone know what the use of the ( i call it the transformer building) building being "refaced and remodeled" is. I was driving down sunset at *cough* sunset and it just seems annoyingly open to the sun and the glass seems Super Clear. They have added what look like mini balconies also. So is this gonna be office or residential? I could just be way out of the loop but i have driven by that building so many times going "oh yeah ask someone on SSP"

[BrighamYen]

^ Residential developed by CIM Group.

[sopas ej]

Apparently, the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood was originally meant to be 12 stories high, with offices. I never knew this.

From the LA Times:

Decades later, 12-story-high plan for Pantages revived

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2007-12/34115835.jpg

By Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
6:01 PM PST, December 5, 2007
In the late 1920s, Los Angeles theater mogul Alexander Pantages started work on a costly Art Deco playhouse that would be topped by a 12-story office tower overlooking the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine.

A massive steel and concrete foundation was laid, but the 1929 stock market crash halted construction at two stories. To this date, the Pantages Theatre, currently showing the long-running musical "Wicked," remains a two-story structure.

Now, 77 years after the Pantages' spectacular opening night, efforts to finish the landmark theater's upstairs offices are moving ahead once again -- with those long-forgotten 10 additional floors, all true to the original Art Deco design.

"How often do we get a chance to bring history back?" said Hollywood's City Council representative, Eric Garcetti. "This way we get to participate in the first Golden Age of Hollywood while it's heading into its second round."

Representatives of the Nederlander family, owners of the Pantages, and local officials are expected to announce Thursday that they plan to move forward on the project estimated to cost $75 million to $100 million and take as long as four years to complete.

Local historical preservationists at Hollywood Heritage Inc. are also on board, spokesman Robert Nudelman said.

"When people see the building, they say it looks funny, like someone walked away from the job one day and never finished it," Nudelman said. "This will make it better architecturally."

Developers said the still-unnamed project architect will work from blueprints drawn by Alexander Pantages' favorite architect, B. Marcus Priteca. He designed 22 theaters for Pantages across the nation. The Hollywood theater was the last and largest in Pantages' empire.

Alexander Pantages was in deep trouble in 1930 when his flagship theater debuted at the northwest corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue. The Times reported that he listened to radio coverage of opening night from his hospital cot in the County Jail.

Pantages was in failing health and had been charged with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old actress named Eunice Pringle. She said Pantages attacked her in his downtown Los Angeles office after they discussed possible stage roles for her.

Pantages said he had been framed and pleaded innocent. The long court battles that followed were a media sensation. Pantages was convicted and sentenced to as much as 50 years, but he appealed and won a new trial. He was acquitted in late 1931.

The trials had been financially ruinous and Pantages sold his Hollywood landmark in 1932 to Fox West Coast Theaters. Howard Hughes acquired the Pantages under his RKO Theatre Circuit in the late 1940s and moved his personal offices to the building's second floor.

From 1949 to 1959, the Pantages was the site of the Academy Awards. It received a $10-million restoration and upgrade in 2000, and since then more than $1 billion worth of development is underway or planned around the junction of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.

Construction has been taking place on all sides of the intersection, and when it's all done, there will be about 2,500 new upscale condos and apartments along with a W Hotel and an array of shops and restaurants.

The completion of the theater's office tower "is something my father and I had been thinking about for many, many years," said James Nederlander Jr., whose family has owned the property for decades. "We always believed that Hollywood is a gem of Los Angeles and that good things come to those who wait."

The Nederlanders' partner in the planned addition is Clarett Group, a New York developer that will start work in January on Hollywood's largest mixed-use project, a retail and apartment complex with more than 1,000 units that will rise on parking lots by the Pantages.

A recent structural feasibility study showed that the theater building is still fit to support 10 more stories, said Frank Stephan, senior managing director of Clarett Group. The tower would rise over the Pantages' lobby and street-front retail, so the theater will continue to operate during construction, he said.

The new tower would be built to modern earthquake standards, he said. The developers would also be required to file an environmental impact report, which they said could delay construction as long as two years.

Construction is expected to take another two years, so the offices are unlikely to be ready before 2012.

Developers predicted offices in the building will be sought after and quickly filled. Only about 8% of Hollywood office space was vacant at the end of last quarter, but the market could change dramatically in the next four years.

There is risk in speculative development, Stephan said, but the builders believe the special nature of the building would attract tenants.

"Now is a good time to go forward because Hollywood needs Class A office space," he said. "We think entertainment companies will consider it a premier address."

Indeed, the Pantages "is as Hollywood as Hollywood gets," said Mitzi March Mogul, a Los Angeles historic preservation consultant and expert on Art Deco, a design style that flourished in the 1920s.

The prospect of seeing another Art Deco tower rise in Hollywood has Mogul and other preservationists a bit giddy.

"Let's face it, Art Deco is really the style that made Hollywood and in some ways Hollywood helped make Art Deco," Mogul said. "There is a symbiotic relationship between those two that is forever. You can't talk about one without the other."

roger.vincent@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pantages6dec06,0,5008399.story?coll=la-home-center

[SD_Phil]

^wow, that sounds like it could be really interesting! It sounds like it's all set to go too. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[tujunga]

For me, the appeal of the macy's parade was in both the baloons in themselves, and the scale of manhattan as backdrop. It's probably the only parade that showcases a city in a flattering way. any Los Angeles parade is just lame. even the tournament of roses with its underwhelming suburban banality.

You're impressed with a bunch of half deflated balloons lumbering through the streets of New York over the Rose Parade? The Macy's parade has got to be the most overrated gathering ever because there is no room for imaginations with balloons, besides those balloons have been known to attack the parade watchers. :yuck:

[Tanster]

IT should be interesting to see the Pantages rise ten more floors. Well thats probably going take awhile.. tho

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

Original quote:sopas ej
Apparently, the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood was originally meant to be 12 stories high, with offices. I never knew this.

I had never heard this before either. Makes me wonder how many others there are out there never completed, but we just assume they are.

I love this. That they are going to complete it with the original design, and it adds more density to the Blvd. This ones getting 3 bananas out of me. :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Steve2726]

The developers would also be required to file an environmental impact report, which they said could delay construction as long as two years.

Construction is expected to take another two years, so the offices are unlikely to be ready before 2012.



Ugh, 2 years for an EIR.:hell: That gives all the Nimby's way to much time to complain about the traffic and potential displacement of homeless people.

[dktshb]

"Decades later, 12-story-high plan for Pantages revived" :banana:

Man Hollywood is just coming along nicely but just so frustratingly slow.

[WonderlandPark]

KCRW on the way home tonight said the Pantages was fully approved and would be done by 2010. Outstanding this will get done.

[solongfullerton]

This is great as long as they don't tarnish the image of the Pantages. I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with what happened to Soldier Field in Chicago, but they took a classic football stadium and renovated it keeping the original structure in tact and pretty much destroyed the reputation of the place. Very similar with what happened with the Times building. Lets hope thats not what happens to the Pantages.

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

The Pantages is a priceless gem that could never be duplicated today. I don’t believe the theater will be touched in the slightest. It was already renovated in 2000 and thankfully it was completed with much care. This new addition really is completing the building as it was originally intended. And while the intention may be to follow the original design exactly, I hope they don’t cheap out on materials, which I still don’t think will tarnish the reputation of the theatre.

Representatives of the Nederlander family, owners of the Pantages, and local officials are expected to announce Thursday that they plan to move forward on the project estimated to cost $75 million to $100 million and take as long as four years to complete.

Wonderland – I hope the KCRW report is more accurate than the article above which says it could take up to 4 year. (but that doesn’t mean it could be done in 2 or 3)

[dktshb]

This is great as long as they don't tarnish the image of the Pantages. I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with what happened to Soldier Field in Chicago, but they took a classic football stadium and renovated it keeping the original structure in tact and pretty much destroyed the reputation of the place. Very similar with what happened with the Times building. Lets hope thats not what happens to the Pantages.

Well they're going to go off the original blue print and since the Architect originally conceptualized the building as 12 Art Deco I don't think we need to worry. This is not so much an add-on, but finally finishing it.

[ksep]

it looks like as if madame tussauds in hollywood is moving forward. there is a construction fence around the site at hollywood and orange, next to the chinese theater.

[jlrobe]

it looks like as if madame tussauds in hollywood is moving forward. there is a construction fence around the site at hollywood and orange, next to the chinese theater.

Well hopefully full site prep will come in the next 3 months. One thing that should speed the progress of this building is the fact that no parking is needed right?!? H&H doesnt realize full capacity.

Let's see what happens.

[ThreeHundred]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2403/2146857068_0a7486b769_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lizriz

Hollywood's Sunset + Vine Just Glassing Right Up

By Dakota
December 31, 2007

Jolly green giant! Following our October visit (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/10/constructionwat_2.php) to check out construction, Sunset + Vine, CIM's 63-unit apartment building (at least that was the figure initially) on the corner of Sunset and Vine is just shooting up. Still waiting word on how much these units will rent for.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/2146849626_fbb12a2937_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lizriz

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/2146042899_08e066c476_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lizriz

It would be awesome if those lines on the windows were lights.

[DJM19]

Its possible. Are those railings on the side going to hold advertisements? Or is that just part of the scaffolding?

[citywatch]

I've been hoping someone would post photos of the site of the Tussand's wax museum next to Grauman's Chinese, which broke ground several months ago. But this video of work on it is even better:


Nothing better than seeing another gap or deadzone being sent to the great beyond! (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Ky0nMgUC8)

The former parking lot directly next to Grauman's has been one of the major gaps on Hollywood Blvd, & in the hood overall. So to know it's finally being replaced deserves a round of:

:cheers:

A vid of the same site at the beginning of work. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iUGibY-CgaY)

[Marrson]

Well they're going to go off the original blue print and since the Architect originally conceptualized the building as 12 Art Deco I don't think we need to worry. This is not so much an add-on, but finally finishing it.:tup: Is there a good rendering/drawing for the Hollywood Pantages Office Building?
Here is some Pantages Stuff: http://www.losangelestheatres.googlepages.com/pantages_hollywood
http://www.commercialpropertynews.com/cpn/content_display/regions/west/los-angeles/e3i823bb751a75830c83ce500ae8159db2c
http://cf.us.biz.yahoo.com/prnews/071206/lath019a.html?.v=1
:jester: Hooray For Hollywood!!!

[hi123]

Has blvd2600 started construction or any type of site prep yet?

[dktshb]

Well after I voted yesterday I walked to Baja Fresh on Hollywood and took my camera so to show the progress of the Madrone and Fresh & Easy up and running.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/LAMountains010.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/LAMountains009.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/LAMountains008.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/LAMountains004.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/LAMountains003.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/LAMountains005.jpg

[solongfullerton]

that's a nice little plaza in front of the F&E. Also, those strip malls near the La Brea/Hollywood intersection need to get the axe.

[JDRCRASH]

Yeah, those Fresh & Easy stores have been popping up all over the place lately.

[sopas ej]

Yeah, those Fresh & Easy stores have been popping up all over the place lately.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that Fresh & Easy seems to be going into lower-income neighborhoods, at least the few I've seen (kinda like Food4Less). Is that the case, or are they going up everywhere and anywhere?

[JDRCRASH]

I was being sarcastic. There is one by the Westfield Shopping center along the 10, in my hometown West Covina.

[LAsam]

Stopped in Fresh and Easy over the weekend in Hollywood, very very nice. Cheap too. Perfect for that area. Wish we had one in West LA :(

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that Fresh & Easy seems to be going into lower-income neighborhoods, at least the few I've seen (kinda like Food4Less). Is that the case, or are they going up everywhere and anywhere?

They are popping up everywhere. They just put one in by me. Very convenient to get in and out of quickly. The few I have seen haven't been in a low or high income markets. They are pushing healthy foods and that they are environmentally friendly (not usually associated will low income markets). But they are also trying to keep food prices low, so high-end space is out.

[sopas ej]

They are popping up everywhere. They just put one in by me. Very convenient to get in and out of quickly. The few I have seen haven't been in a low or high income markets. They are pushing healthy foods and that they are environmentally friendly (not usually associated will low income markets). But they are also trying to keep food prices low, so high-end space is out.

OK, I was just wondering. The first one I saw was in the Glassell Park/Highland Park area some months ago, and I saw one in Norwalk 3 or 4 weeks ago when I was on my way to vote early at the County Registrar. I've also heard about one in Compton... so you can see why I thought what I did.

[WesTheAngelino]

I checked out the Freshy in Hollywood a coupel days ago. I gotta say, I wasn' that impressed. I liked that they had a mix of name brands and private lable (unlike TJ's)....but to me it kind of felt like a communist version of Trader Joe's lol.

[hi123]

How did the hollywood terrace hotel addition turn out?

this pic is from fridayinla and was takes in july:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/814494786_b490a25c52_b.jpg

and what about this one?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/230/471498729_f35a301ae8_b.jpg


and this one?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/phattonez/DSC00967.jpg

Any renderings/info or new pics of these?

and this one:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/dktshb/CaribbeanDKT015.jpg

[hi123]

Anyone?

[sopas ej]

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

[JDRCRASH]

^ ^ ^
:haha:

[jlrobe]

It seems like hollywood has arrived.

When the district was still changing, there would be posts all the time.

Now developments like the W hotel, Madrone, Paulihouse, Madame Trousades, and other developments don't really get updated with photos like in downtown LA.

Anyhow.

I havent been to hollywood in about a month.

How is the W hotel progressing? Is it at street level yet?
Didnt it start before the ritz tower at LA live.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

the W is about a floor and a half above ground. That site is really massive! also, PaliHouse is now 5 stories tall i believe and the former Burger King (the Jefferson?) is working on foundation. The Vine Corridor is shaping up. You can really see how the 6200 Hollywood, the Whole Foods Building, the Academy Awards Museum and the numerous other projects on Sunset East of the Archlight will really tie the area together, making it a multifaceted urban area, not just one or two streets. I just wish the City of LA would contribute and clean the area up. New sidewalks, streets and non plastic street furniture, underground the wires and paint over some graffiti and the place would look 10 times better.

[JDRCRASH]

It seems like hollywood has arrived.

When the district was still changing, there would be posts all the time.

Now developments like the W hotel, Madrone, Paulihouse, Madame Trousades, and other developments don't really get updated with photos like in downtown LA.



Now all we got to do is link all of the major business hubs in L.A. with light-rail and subway.:D

[vodila]

Are there any news regarding the Hollywood Freeway Central Park or whatever it's called? It's been a while since I've read anything about it.

What about the Runyon Canyon Park (above Fuller Ave)? There was some commotion some time ago about it being redeveloped. Anything on that front?