[Damien]

It wasn't until LAMetroGuy's post (#449) that I really understood the concern of many that Hollywood redevelopment is good, but it's going to seriously challenge the available office space. We need to make better use of the limited space, which basically means I think some of these buildings need to be much taller, especially if they're off Hollywood Blvd. and on Sunset. Lord knows the north-south arterials Vine, Cahuenga, Highland, etc. could all use a facelift.

[citywatch]

I wish i could speed these DT LA, Hollywood and Wilshire projects up about 3 years. that would be freaking great. I know exactly what you mean. That's in spite of my also being bothered by how fast time flies too.

Ex: I was reading about the renovation of the Griffith Pk Observatory several wks ago, & I was stunned at how many yrs its been since it was closed for new construction. It seems that happened far more recently.

And if would be freaking claustrophobic to get caught in a time machine & sent to the past.

Ex: I saw a video of the 1984 Olympics a few months ago & on it the TV camera at the Coliseum panned up towards a view of the DT skyline in the distance. It's hard to believe how much less was in the hood at that time, well before the days when Gilmore had renovated bldgs in the OBD, way before when the Higgins or Douglas bldgs had been salvaged, way before Elleven, the Savoy in LT, way before Staples Ct, Disney Hall, Colburn, Cal Plaza, Citicorp Plaza, etc, etc, etc.

[bjornson]

Can someone tell me how the city plans (or whoever) plans to restore Hollywood and Vine to it's former glory? I'm not sure how that is.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

ive been thinking and about hollywood and how we could make it better. i have a couple of suggestions that would change everything.

1) we need to promote Multi use buildings on ALL major interstections and mid blocks as well. We need to get rid of all the STRIP MALLS. what a waste of space and a very bad way to use the land. Interstections like La Brea and Sunset piss me off to the nth degree. we need 3 major proejcts on all three corners and that needs to be replecated all over Hollywood, much like the Archlight distrcit. the whole area fromt he Archlight area to La Brea should look like that.


2) Uniform Street furniture and regular street cleaning and maintenance all over the district. this is really lacking in LA in general and gives a trashy we dont give a fuck feel to the city and i cant believe how much are great city is trashed, from Tagging Every freaking where!!@! to trash and messede up street and sidewalks and weeds.


3) no more empty lots and one story developments in the districs main streets or anywhere between hollywood and sunset blvds. Also, the area directly across from Hollywod and Highland, the few lots witht he Burger King, the Stripp Mall,t he Gas Station, the two One Story shabby stores, the church parking and the lot next to the office bulding being rehabed need to attract a major development similar to H & H to complete the block. it is in the heart of Hollywood, on top of a Subway Stop with massive foot traffic. It needs to be developed ASAP.

4) lastly, a left turn only on highland and Hollywood. is that a bad joke or what?

there are more but i think these things will chagne the whole area for the better and i realize that its happeneing, but seeing lots like teh old McDonalds site on La Brea and Sunset and the Garbage Stripp Malls next to it pisses me off. who planned this shit years ago? how could they approve things like that?

[citywatch]

How about my asking whether it's too much to at least hope that the bldg next to the El Capitan theater finally be renovated? Or if the 2 upper floors have to be boarded up, how about at least painting the damn plywood? :gaah:

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

And the parking lot directly west of Grauman's?! I've wanted that gap to be filled in since around, oh, the age of the dinosaurs.

I sure hope the proposal for the Tussand wax museum follows a fast track schedule. I think the combo of stars' footprints in cement on one side & realistic figures of celebs on the other are ideal for each other. However, the Tussand museums in NYC, London & Vegas charge around 40 bucks a head to enter, so I'm also hoping the tourist base in Hollywood is full of dedicated ppl who don't mind spending $$.

[Marrson]

Funny :haha: that you only mention the Westside where majority of the people own cars and there well to do and i highly doubt they are ready to jump on a bus or rail :jester:. Hum i can just see it, some rich folk jumping on the MTA and not driving their BMW. :jester:
Everbody does not want to sit in a car all day on a street or freeway, that's not moving...BMW or whatever. Some folks will ride on Public Transit, whatever their class status is. Provided that it's safe & dependable!!! If your car is not functioning, no friends available, no Taxi Fare, plus you're not able to rent a car for driving in the city...are you going to stay home or what???
When you consider one day, we'll have Newer & Improved Public Transit that will get you to main entertainment venues. New York, Chicago, London, Paris are All World Class Cities and everybody uses their Public Transit. Yes, it depends what's @ Lincoln Center(NYC), that you need to hire a Limo or drive the BMW for that occasion or even here @ The Music Center, in the near future. There is a time & a season for all things! Yes, LA420 some folks get out of their cars, and don't turn their noses up!

[ncabanil]

I work in HOllywood, at Hollywood/La Brea to be exact....and when I walk through the boulevard on my breaks, i can't help but wonder why nobody has bought all the shuttered movie houses/theaters all along the boulevard....to me, those seem like goldmines waiting to happen, if somebody would jsut put some money into them...I can count at least 5-6 that could be put to use.....maybe Nederlander or somebody else could refurbish these theaters (much like the Pantages) and spread out the options of first-run broadway shows or concerts all along the boulevard....think of the overflow to all the bars/clubs along the street....we could have the street packed at all days of the week,

In no way could it rival Broadway in terms of sheer volume, but if were to stretch out consumers'/tourists' theater options from Vine all the way to Highland, instead of just the Pantages, you'd see foot traffic on Hollywood double, triple, even quadruple.

Maybe the Hollywood BID can convince all the club/bar owners in teh area to form a cooperative or something to purchase the movie house and refurb them.....each of them would stand to gain from all the increased foot traffic before/after shows.

Probably not feasible, but a guy can hope....

[LAMetroGuy]

I agree, and Hollywood BLVD could be complimented with the more grander theaters along Broadway Blvd in downtown LA.

[dktshb]

We need renderings for all these projects in Hollywood:

NEW RESIDENTIAL/MIXED USE
BROADWAY BUILDING

Developer: KOR Group

Address: 1645 Vine Street

This adaptive reuse project, now under construction, will create 96 condos with 152 on-site parking spaces. Retail on ground floor. Completion anticipated before the end of 2006. (323)930-3796.



CAMDEN DEVELOPMENT
Developer: Camden Property Trust

Location: Vine at Selma

This $200-million project will feature a 60,000-sq.ft. Whole Foods Market, with 306 apartments above in an 11-story building. Anticipated groundbreaking is 2008. (949)629-3313.



CITIZEN NEWS BUILDING

Developer: Brentwood Capital Partners

Address: 1545 Wilcox Ave.

Developer is planning to construct a 40-unit condo development and parking structure on an adjoining parcel to serve condos and offices in the rehabbed Citizen News buildings. (310)405-7800.



ENCORE HALL

Developer: Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing Corp. & McCormack Baron Salazar.

Location: City parking lot on Vine St. adjacent to Doolittle Theatre. Construction began in summer 2005 on a $20.7-million project that will feature 104 units of senior housing, in addition to a 460-space parking garage. Construction on the housing is expected to be completed at the end of 2006. (213)236-2660.



FOUNTAIN AT WILCOX
Developer: DS Ventures, LLC

The developers are proposing 37 row houses to wrap around a historic building at the southwest corner of Fountain and Wilcox. Construction anticipated to begin in early 2007, with completion by the beginning of 2008. (323)658-1511.



GTO SUNSET
Developer: GTO Development LLC

Address: 5925 Sunset Blvd.

Developer has proposed 125 condos, 10,000-sq.ft. of retail, and 38,000-sq.ft. of office space. (310)314-4880.



HILLVIEW APARTMENTS
Developer: Hollywood Hillview, LLC

Address: 6531-33 Hollywood Blvd.

The developers have rehabilitated this historic building to restore its 54 residential units. In addition, it will house Lift, a 24-hour gourmet bistro, Club 86, a restaurant, lounge, jazz bar, and an on-site fitness center. Completion in 2006.



THE HOLLYWOOD
Developer: Metro Modern Developers

Address: 6735 Yucca

Fifty-four condos are under construction at this site, with completion anticipated by May 2007. (818)346-0036.



HOLLYWOOD & VINE
Location: Hollywood Blvd. at Argyle

A total of 375 apartment units and 145 luxury condominiums are being proposed as part of a development by Legacy Partners and Gatehouse Capital, anticipated to begin construction by the end of 2006. Completion in early 2009. (949)261-2100.



HOLLYWOOD GARFIELD
Developer: Bond Companies

Address: 5555 Hollywood Blvd. at Garfield

A 90-unit apartment building is planned for this site, along with 6,000-sq.ft. of retail. Construction start anticipated by spring 2007. (310)395-4250.



HOLLYWOOD EVOLUTION

Developer: Metro Core Developers

Address: 1800 N. Whitley

A September 2006 groundbreaking is anticipated for this 32-unit condo project, with completion by March 2008. (818)992-6345.



HOLLYWOOD PROFESSIONAL BUILDING

Developer: CIM Group

Address: 7046 Hollywood Blvd.

A total of 42 units will open at the end of 2006 in an adaptive reuse of this historic property. Ground floor will continue retail use. (323)860-4900.



HOLLYWOOD REGENCY

Developer: GTO Development LLC

Address: 7926-7940 Hollywood Blvd.

GTO plans for 61 condos in a three-story building. Ground-breaking anticipated by December 2006 with completion in May 2008. (310)314-4880.



HOLLYWOOD SERRANO

Developer: James J. Todd & Dean Farmer

Address: 5400 Hollywood Blvd.

A total of 40 apartments are proposed at this location. Groundbreaking is anticipated in late 2006.



THE JEFFERSON AT HOLLYWOOD

Developer: JPI

Location: Highland Avenue at Yucca

Developers propose 270 apartments, 8,500-sq.ft. of retail, with 750 parking spaces. Anticipated start June 2007. (213)533-4139.



THE LOFTS @ HOLLYWOOD AND VINE

Developer: Palisades Development Group

Address: 6253 Hollywood Blvd.

This rehab of the former Equitable Building is scheduled for completion in December 2006 and will provide 60 residential units and 5 office units. (310)450-2200.



MADRONE

Developer: Laing Urban

Address: 1625 La Brea Ave.

Laing Urban began construction in May 2006 on a 180-unit, seven story condo project with 16,000-sq.ft. of ground floor retail space. Completion anticipated in early 2008. (323)836-0000.



METROPOLITAN HOTEL SITE

Developer: DS Ventures, LLC

Address: 5825 Sunset Blvd.

Developers plan to rehab the existing Metropolitan Hotel into 140 apartments and convert the adjacent commercial building into creative office space. Phase one anticipated completion end of 2007, with phase two to be completed in mid-2008. (323)658-1511.



NEDERLANDER SITE (Boulevard 6200)

Developer: Clarett Hollywood LLC

Location: Hollywood Blvd. between Argyle and Gower

The Clarett Group plans to build a large scale, mixed-use project with up to 1,000 residential units on land adjacent to the Pantages Theatre. The project is in the entitlement phase, and developers hope to break ground in summer 2007. (310)461-1470.



PALI HOUSE

Developers: Palisades Development Group & Herman Properties

Address: 1717 N. Vine Street

Developers plan 57 residential units with 154 parking spaces, ground-level restaurant and bar/lounge on the courtyard level. Construction start June 2006 with completion anticipated in spring 2008. (310)450-2200.



SUNSET VINE TOWER
Developer: CIM Group

Location: Southeast corner of Sunset & Vine.

CIM is rehabbing this former landmark tower into a 63-residential unit adaptive reuse project at this site, with 11,000-sq.ft. of retail space. Completion expected in 2007. (323)860-4900.



WESTERN AVENUE GATEWAY

Location: Hollywood Blvd. between Western and Garfield.

Developer: CIM Group,.

North side of Hollywood Blvd. will include 77 condo units, 76 affordable rental units and rehabilitation of the 140-room St. Francis Hotel, plus 450 parking spaces.



YUCCA & ARGYLE

Developer: Second Street Ventures

Location: SW corner of Yucca and Argyle

Developers propose erecting 80 to 85 residential units and up to 20,000-sq.ft. of office space on the old KFWB site. Anticipated groundbreaking by first quarter 2008. (310)301-0743.



1427 N. COLE AVE.

Developer: Bond Companies

Address: 1417-1433 Cole Ave.

Fifty condos are proposed at this site. Construction start expected winter 2006. (310)395-4250.



1538-1542 CAHUENGA BLVD.

Developer: Hermitage LLC

Address: 1538-1542 Cahuenga Blvd.

Developer proposes 32 condos above 7,000-sq.ft. of retail space. (818)346-9828.



1714 McCADDEN
Developer: DS Ventures, LLC

The block bounded by McCadden, Yucca, and Las Palmas, is proposed for 218 condos, with a construction start anticipated at the end of 2006, with occupancy in 2008. (323)658-1511.



2775 CAHUENGA
Developer: DS Ventures, LLC

Former Banana Bungalow site is proposed for 75 townhomes and six single-family homes. Construction anticipated to begin in early 2007, with occupancy in late 2008. (323)658-1511.



7060 HOLLYWOOD BLVD. (Broadstone Hollywood)

Developer: Alliance Residential Co.

The developer is proposing up to 130 condos, with a 99-seat theatre on the ground floor. Construction expected to begin February 2007, with completion in 2008.



7950 W. SUNSET
Developer: Legacy Partners

Location: Sunset Blvd. at Hayworth

Legacy has begun construction on 183 apartments over four levels of underground parking on the block west of the Directors Guild, with 13,000-sq.ft. of retail. A June 2007 completion is anticipated. (949)930-7700.

Okay, I will see what I can do this weekend as far as pictures.

[dktshb]

6753 Hollywood Mixed Use Project.... looks good!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Hollywood/6753Hollywood.jpg

This building was completed about 2 years ago and except for Fredericks and the skateboard shop (now closed too) on the first floor it sits entirely vacant and I am not sure why. They can't get any business tenants... perhaps it's not wired for today's business needs. :shrug:

[DJM19]

It seems odd because Hollywood Blvd is a great place for a business it seems. And that close to H&H too.

[RAlossi]

There's probably some other issue we're not aware of. I doubt with the resurgence of Hollywood that they're simply unable to attract a tenant in a brand-new building.

[ocman]

One word. Parking. Do they have it? If not, that's the reason.

And that area is in desperate need of trees. The palms will not do.

[sbocguy]

How about my asking whether it's too much to at least hope that the bldg next to the El Capitan theater finally be renovated? Or if the 2 upper floors have to be boarded up, how about at least painting the damn plywood? :gaah:

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

CW, you'll be pleased to know the upper floors of that building's facade have been covered up by a large billboard for at least the last month (I was in the area several weekends ago, but forgot to to mention it until now). Still not the greatest looking building on the block, but at least it's an improvement on the boarded-up windows in the pic...

[BrighamYen]

I personally LOVE Hollywood in its current state of vibrancy (lights, people, shopping, tourists, energy, clubs, lounges, bars, etc.), and anything else added to it will only make it better, like W Hotel, Whole Foods, etc.

BUT, do I like Hollywood only because I'm biased? Do other people who come to Hollywood (Angelenos and visitors alike) feel disappointed in Hollywood? I know the pre-adaptive reuse/Hollywood+Highland days were miserable and people who would come would take one look and run for their lives. But things have obviously changed right before our very eyes. And I think it'll get better and better like Old Town Pasadena and Third Street Promenade have (all three with similar historical shortcomings).

I was in the car the other night with another "urban geek" who totally thinks of himself as an elitist, and even he agreed as we drove through Hollywood Blvd. at 10PM on a Saturday night, that it "rivaled" (don't u just love that word) Manhattan.

[bjornson]

Hey LAB, do you think there could be some sort of ordinance on Hollywood Blvd requiring tenants to have huge flashy lights and signage for their stores? Well maybe no ordinance, but you know.

[BrighamYen]

^ Currently, you can only have a maximum (I believe) of two electronic LED lighting boards on one side of the block. So you technically can have up to 4 (2 on each side) in a given area if I'm not mistaken. It might be ONLY 1 on each side, which means only two. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes as a full-fledged LED lighting board since Hollywood+Highland seems to have more than two? Plus you have the El Capitan on the other side with 1, so another one could be allowed on the other side.

But you have to quell the NIMBYs' fear because there are still a lot of people that live in Hollywood that are against this "new" Hollywood (because they're soo used to seeing whores and tattoo parlors, they're afraid of change).

Anyway, LED lighting is something that's VERY new to LA and it actually gets a lot of backlash. You have to get the CRA and City Council to approve it, and usually a hearing with anyone opposed to it will set the whole tone off the bloody course!

But we could pass an ordinance similar to the one in Times Square that actually does require every building in the area to have a fancy billboard. Times are changing and Hollywood may actualy start getting brighter without having to be forced. I bet you Madame Tassaud's will have something brightly lit!

[citywatch]

CW, you'll be pleased to know the upper floors of that building's facade have been covered up by a large billboard for at least the last month
Good to read that. Now that I think of it, that is an excellent option for a bldg like that. Since the devlpr isn't interested in restoring his bldg's top 2 floors to active use, then at least cover it over with a big billboard, as what has been installed on the sides of many bldgs in Times Sq.

[citywatch]

But you have to quell the NIMBYs' fear because there are still a lot of people that live in Hollywood that are against this "new" Hollywood (because they're soo used to seeing whores and tattoo parlors, they're afraid of change). :gaah:

How come those ppl never seem to nitpick over the things that really make their hood a mess? About all the dives, gaps & deadzone parking lots.

I know homeowners in the hills above the blvd caused Hollywood/Highland to take even longer to break ground because they complained about things like the proj's big billboards.

[ReDSPork02]

Conan OBrien on Hollywood Blvd. Lets start petitioning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ThreeHundred]

On www.cimgroup.com, there is a few renderings of the new Sunset+Vine tower. It looks like a totally new skyscraper.

[edluva]

^no, it's an already existing one.

[cookiejarvis]

This building was completed about 2 years ago and except for Fredericks and the skateboard shop (now closed too) on the first floor it sits entirely vacant and I am not sure why. They can't get any business tenants... perhaps it's not wired for today's business needs. :shrug:

This was just a shoddy Hollywood low rise that received some rehab a few years back. It's not a "brand-new" building, that's for sure. The northeast corner of HoHi blvds needs bigtime redevelopment all the way up to Franklin. So much potential, so little imagination.

And that gas station @ Franklin and Highland has got to go. Perfect place for another one of these:

http://www.slyons.net/images/fountain/6.jpg

[ThreeHundred]

^no, it's an already existing one.

I know that.

It looks like a totally new skyscraper=It looks nothing like what it did before.

[LAMetroGuy]

Blvd6200

Address: 6200 Hollywood Boulevard
Location: Hollywood
Description: New York-based Clarett Group is currently in the planning stage for a major mixed-use development project of approximately 1 million square feet located on Hollywood Boulevard. Clarett Capital signed a 99-year ground lease in January 2005 on the property’s seven acres at the Pantages Theatre, owned by Nederlander.

1000 Rental Units opening in 2008

The Proposed Project consists of the demolition of five small structures and construction of a new mixed-use development containing up to 1,042 residential rental units and approximately 175,000 square feet of retail uses, and a total of approximately 2,800 parking spaces would be provided in ground floor and subterranean levels to accommodate the patrons of the retail uses, the occupants of the residential units, and patrons of the Pantages Theater that presently utilize the existing surface parking lots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Hollywood/map.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Hollywood/sitemap.jpg

Hollywood and El Centro
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Hollywood/HollywoodandElCentro.jpg

Central Plaza
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Hollywood/CentralPlaza.jpg

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

you are the fucking Man!!!

[edluva]

Destination architecture continues to pervade LA. Every development for itself.

[SunMonTueWedThuFriSa]

What are those giant beetle looking things on the sidewalk supposed to be?

[Damien]

(yawn)

Isn't this the same project Councilman Garcetti criticized for not being majestic for the city's most well known intersection.

I don't know if this is the architect's second stab at it, and if it is I have to say the first one must have really been bad.

The height is one issue among many. Why only 5 stories? If the space can only be leased (why is that again?) why not add some Class A 5-10 stories office space and another 5-10 of residents.

[citywatch]

What are those giant beetle looking things on the sidewalk supposed to be?Not sure if you're referring to what looks like awnings or canopies sitting on the south & north sidewalks of Hollywood Blvd.

BTW, Hollywood & Argyle isn't exactly a major intersection in the same way that Hollywood & Vine or Hollywood & Highland is.

I like how the proj attempts to bridge the two portions of the devlpt site. Only downside to learning more about such projs is it really tests my patience. It's gonna be tougher than ever before waiting for this, or the proj next to Graumans, or the Hollywood & Vine devlpt to finally break ground.

[danparker276]

2008? No way.

[cookiejarvis]

^If it's made out of tinkertoys like the sketch, it will. Either way, it doesn't look like it will age well.

Wasn't there supposed to be street mitigation in the form of extending a new street diagonally from Vista del Mar to Vine?? Or maybe that's part of the Nederlander project...

[RAlossi]

I suppose I'm in the minority here when I say that I kind of like the way this looks. I do wish it were a bit taller, but a gradual increase in density (replacing parking lots and one- or two-story buildings with a five-story structure) seems a good way to go.

I also wish there were an office aspect to the project as well.

[Vangelist]

All of these projects are kinda similar - similarly hideous, imo. They really do want to turn this into a mixed-use version of Third Street Promenade, don't they? As it's currently my neighborhood, I have issues with this... but feel helpless, along with my neighbors. The amount of traffic has tripled in the past year alone, it seems, and most people are _not_ taking transit, especially on the weekends. Or at least none of the out of town tourists are, maybe because thy're not staying at hotels near the Red Line.

I actutally want to write a bit more in-depth about this in a while.

[RAlossi]

I think this type of architecture will come to represent the West Coast in general, and LA specifically.

Vangelist, you're complaining about people not using transit in an area served by the Red Line. Let me ask you: Do you use transit? If you don't, then you're probably part of the problem. If you do, then traffic shouldn't be an issue.

You do live in the middle of a very large city, and a very popular and populated district at that. Traffic is to be expected, IMO.

[Vangelist]

There's a difference between saying "traffic is to be expected," and building new housing on a street forever famous for its excessive tourism without thinking about the existing neighborhood at large; building more housing on the adjacent streets would be more appropriate rather than directly on this particular stretch of Hollywood, but the lofts at H&V have kickstarted it. I do use transit when I can, and of course I'm not opposed to building in general (or else I wouldn't be on this forum), but saying I'm "part of the problem," if I'm not using transit all the time in LA is illogical.

Furthermore, I simply don't think this type of construction is aesthetically pleasing on a boulevard juxtaposed next to cultural landmarks such as Chinese Theatre, plus it already seems to be a second-rate version of the development at Sunset/Vine. I'm sure it's still an early rendering, but I don't think we should limit ourselves to believing this will be the total sum of west coast architecture in the future. We can do better; we should be striving for something unique, grand and functional at the same time, but making Hollywood Boulevard look like any other street in LA will only dilute its appeal.

I think many of the developments on the boulevard have been exceedingly positive - I've seen and experienced many of them firsthand, but there have also been mistakes, and the success of Hollywood & Highland almost seems to be in spite of itself. Building a large Gap-laden "mall" worked there since it was already next to a tourist destination and it anchored the pedestrian traffic with a "place to go" after looking at Mann's, but we should still be striving for something better in attempting to let Hollywood live up to its own reputation (as the worldwide center of glamour). We need to keep our standards high. I will have to expand this in another post.

[RAlossi]

Okay, well architectural tastes aside, what I meant when I made my comment is that when people see this type of architecture, they may think of Los Angeles/the West Coast because we have so much of it. Whether you or I think it's beautiful or disgusting or so-so is irrelevant.

When you moved to Hollywood -- and near Hollywood Boulevard at that -- did you already know that it was one of the largest tourist destinations in the nation, if not the world, and that it was in the middle of a resurgence? If you did, then how would you change this development to accommodate the existing neighborhood? Any smaller wouldn't be a good use of space for one of the most recognized names in the world -- Hollywood Boulevard; anything larger (better, in my opinion since it's transit-adjacent) would seem to worsen your argument re traffic congestion, etc.

So I'm not meaning to sound like an a**hole, but when you want something "more grand," wouldn't that serve as a bigger tourist draw, something that would just continue to worsen that traffic? Maybe you're thinking of something that would be better on that plot... I'd like to hear what would be better there.

I am also against focusing ever more development in boulevard-adjacent neighborhoods. In many of our central-city areas, our boulevards look crappy, for lack of a better term. We have so much developable space to put apartments and condos over retail on the major boulevards that would simultaneously allow families seeking single-family homes and smaller apartments in boulevard-adjacent neighborhoods to actually do that, as well as beautify our major boulevards with new, dense development.

There's a difference between saying "traffic is to be expected," and building new housing on a street forever famous for its excessive tourism without thinking about the existing neighborhood at large; building more housing on the adjacent streets would be more appropriate rather than directly on this particular stretch of Hollywood, but the lofts at H&V have kickstarted it. I do use transit when I can, and of course I'm not opposed to building in general (or else I wouldn't be on this forum), but saying I'm "part of the problem," if I'm not using transit all the time in LA is illogical.

Furthermore, I simply don't think this type of construction is aesthetically pleasing on a boulevard juxtaposed next to cultural landmarks such as Chinese Theatre, plus it already seems to be a second-rate version of the development at Sunset/Vine. I'm sure it's still an early rendering, but I don't think we should limit ourselves to believing this will be the total sum of west coast architecture in the future. We can do better; we should be striving for something unique, grand and functional at the same time, but making Hollywood Boulevard look like any other street in LA will only dilute its appeal.

I think many of the developments on the boulevard have been exceedingly positive - I've seen and experienced many of them firsthand, but there have also been mistakes, and the success of Hollywood & Highland almost seems to be in spite of itself. Building a large Gap-laden "mall" worked there since it was already next to a tourist destination and it anchored the pedestrian traffic with a "place to go" after looking at Mann's, but we should still be striving for something better in attempting to let Hollywood live up to its own reputation (as the worldwide center of glamour). We need to keep our standards high. I will have to expand this in another post.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

i also agree that this project NEEDS to be bigger and taller. 12 - 15 stories with office space, more housing and retail retail and retail!

[Vangelist]

RALossi, I pretty much agree with you in general, but I think that Hollywood Blvd needs to be a little special and distinct - it SHOULDNT be just "another boulevard" in LA that should have its own Whole Foods with families perched on top. If anything, it should have more unique landmarks that _are_ tourist draws, but specifically those that concern the history of American cinema and entertainment, and we should be fixing the ones we already have. For example, I liked hearing about the wax museum thats coming (the current one is poor in quality and a rip-off, same with Ripley's Believe it or Not). I think the local businesses and retail of course are important, but they should remain on the side streets that residents can easily access, or on Sunset, Franklin, Highland, Selma, Argyle or Vine.

If anything, this boulevard should be a bit "sacred" and more rarifed in what it chooses to harbor; particularly from Gower to La Brea. Think about it - it's the part that has the Walk of Fame. It shouldn't be littered with the same retailers you can find in Omaha. It's interesting that the pseudo-museums they've had, like the Hollywood History Museum etc have been so disappointing, and I've always asked why Hollywood here doesnt have a proper museum devoted to classic American film. Jane's House and the like are interesting footnotes in the boulevard's history, but they need to be revitalized better.... and all of the beautiful, neglected theatres on the street, like the Ritz and the Vogue and the Vine should be refurbished and re-pened, maybe functioning as smaller exhibits in and of themselves instead of just opening up another Coffee Bean or overpriced "Famima!!" next to them. I heard that Laemmle is thinking of opening a new theatre at Cherokee, but if they're neglecting the movie palaces that are already there, thats a missed opportunity.

As far as traffic there is no easy solution except for building more transit all over the city that will take people to the Boulevard - so they can use that to get back, and forget parking in the depths of hell that is H&H's underground netherworld. And this would mean having a line come in from the west, where many of the hotels people actually stay in are really located.

I have a lot more - later.

[BrighamYen]

^ Yes, having a line from Hollywood/Highland continued SOUTHWEST is imperative in the future to meet with the extended PURPLE LINE. Standing at Beverly Center the other day, I realized looking out the window that Hollywood/Highland needed to be connected to the rest of the Westside, essentially forming a "loop" in West Central. That would give people much more flexibility to choose where they want to go. I seriously think we need to invest most of our future monies into the West Central area of LA, which is the heart of the Southland. If Boston can spend $14 billion on an underground fiasco, what kind of sorry ass excuse can we come up with to not build such a necessary tool to mitigate the kind of traffic that will literally CHOKE our air, residents, and economy to the very death.

[Damien]

Please understand that a significant portion of Hollywood street traffic is directly related to the 101 and 405: people trying to avoid or get on them heading/coming from all directions. In my conceptual map (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=104544&page=6&highlight=billion), I envision Hollywood/Highland as a major transit hub for the line making the loop LosAngelesBeauty suggest (Silver) and one coming directly from the south (Pink), to compliment the line coming from the west (Red) and one extended north (also Red).

And while I agree there need to be more and better maintained tourist spots on Hollywood Blvd, tourist have to eat and they come wanting to spend money. So while I don't think the area should turn into 3rd Street Promenade or Old Town Pasadena, a multi-story Disney Store (a la San Fran's FAO Schwartz/Time Square's Toys R Us), a multi-story Lego Store with a Hollywood/Southern California/movie focus, a multi-story Planet Hollywood restaurant (how funny is it that there isn't one) and ground-floor studio broadcast are types of "corporate" projects that would fit well on the boulevard and compliment the atmosphere we're trying to revitalize. Fit that in with a new retro Brown Derby restaurant (brown hat, dark wood, leather booths, celebrity sketches and all), renovated theaters, museums, and more Beaux Arts hotels, with one of them on top of a (dare I say it) casino and we begin to a create a boulevard that begins to live up to the hype. Because right now, I don't think anyone who lives or visits here would say that it does.

Also, why does it matter what's above the retail? As I see it, the only reason to oppose the new condos, is the apparent shortage of Class A building space in Hollywood. But even then there are plenty of parking lots looking for life and single-story commercial strips on Hollywood, Sunset and their north-south connecting streets destine for the wrecking ball.

[LAMetroGuy]

Wow, I'm surprised at all the attention this project is getting... and all of this just based on those sketch drawings. Well, I agree... this project could use more pizzaz, glitz, and better architecture. However, this rendering is not final, in fact according to the EIR there are 4 other alternatives to this project:

Alternative 1: No Project Alternative
Alternative 2: Reduced Density Alternative
Alternative 3: High-Rise Alternative
Alternative 4: Zoning Compliant Development

For the High-Rise Alternative:

This alternative examines an alternate urban design concept for the project site, incorporating two high rise towers containing condominium units, one each on the north and south block of the project site. Under this alternative, the project site would be developed with a mix of apartment units, condominium residential units and retail uses. One tower containing 228 condominium units and 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail uses and one tower containing 152 condominium units and 10,600 square feet of ground floor retail uses would be constructed (see Figure VI-1). These buildings would be up to 20 stories, or 252 feet in height. A total of 573 apartment units, 8 live-work units and 112,500 square feet of retail would be developed in multiple mid-rise (five stories residential on top of ground floor retail)buildings on the remainder of the project site. The design of the building at the northeastern corner of the north block under the Alternative would be the same as the Proposed Project with respect to transitional height and location of live-work bungalows at the edge of the project site. The segment of Vista Del Mar north of Hollywood Boulevard would not be vacated under this alternative. As such, this alternative would provide a total of 961 residential units (573 apartment, 380 condominium, 8 live work) and 133,100 square feet of retail, compared to 1,042 apartment units and 175,000 square feet of retail uses that would be included under the Proposed Project. Approximately 2,826 parking spaces would be provided to serve this alternative in a combination of subterranean and above-ground parking structures, which would include replacement parking for the Pantages Theater. Above ground parking structures, up to six stories above ground, would be provided behind each of the two high rise towers.

Under the High Rise Alternative, development of fewer dwelling units and lower retail square footage would take place compared to the Proposed Project. Building height would be increased over the Proposed Project with the inclusion of up to two high rise towers, one each on the north block and south block and associated parking structures. The parking structures would be up to six stories above ground. The potentially beneficial effects of providing a consistently and coherently designed project to replace the existing view of an underutilized site would occur under this Alternative. The High Rise Alternative would provide transitional height between the residential neighborhood located north and northeast of the project site, similar to the Proposed Project. Aesthetic impacts would be similar to the Proposed Project at this edge of the project site. On the western part of the north block under this Alternative, buildings of increased height and mass would be provided. The proposed parking structure under the Alternative would not provide the same transitional height and massing as the Proposed Project and would provide a greater sense of building mass than the Proposed Project. However, because this edge of the project site is buffered from the adjacent Little Country Church property by extensive landscaping, the effect of increased massing would not be significant under the Alternative. Similarly, inclusion of the high rise towers on the north and south blocks would increase the height and massing of the project at this location and would increase the perception of development density on this segment of Hollywood Boulevard. The proposed towers under this Alternative would be higher than other high rise buildings on Hollywood Boulevard, which have historically been limited to 150 feet. However, the inclusion of high rise towers would be visually compatible with the proposed Hollywood & Vine development on the west side of Argyle Avenue across from the south block. Hollywood Boulevard is characterized by relatively dense urban development and is perceived as a regional center, although development density is presently lower in the area of Hollywood Boulevard near the project site. Inclusion of high rise buildings under this Alternative would extend development density further east on Hollywood Boulevard. Although this would not be inconsistent with the visual character of Hollywood Boulevard, the Alternative would represent a greater, although less than significant, visual impact than the Proposed Project. The additional mid-rise development on the remainder of the south block would have the same aesthetic impact as the Proposed Project.

[danparker276]

Palladium Deal Falls Through

By DANIEL MILLER

Los Angeles Business Journal Staff

Negotiations to sell the Hollywood Palladium have ended with no deal reached between the hall’s owner and Combined Properties Inc., Palladium Investors Ltd. announced today.

The 66-year-old Hollywood landmark will continue to book concerts, fundraisers, and other events, and has over 60 bookings for the remainder of the year, Larry Worchell, chairman of the board of Palladium Investors, said in a statement.

In June it had been reported that the 11,000-square-foot Palladium, which has been home to the Academy Awards and hosted Frank Sinatra, was sold to Washington, D.C.-based Combined Properties, a developer of commercial and residential properties.

The sale price for the nearly four-acre property on Sunset Boulevard was reported to be near $65 million.

“We couldn’t comment on reports of a sale before now, so today we want to set the record straight by announcing that the Palladium has not been sold,” Worchell said in a statement. “We were in negotiations to sell the venue, but that deal was not viable and it is over.”

The Business Journal first reported in June that the two sides were in early stage negotiations.

[BrighamYen]

Doesn't anyone remember that Garcetti STOPPED the low-density version of this project? That's why when I read the article regarding him doing that, I felt a sense of hope that our leaders today finally "got it." Garcetti even said he was disappointed in how minimal the vision of the Nederlander/Clarett group was. He pushed for more density, being that this project sits directly across the street from the Red Line station.

I think once the W Hotel breaks ground, it'll add the necessary momentum to Nederlander's project. Let's get the W off the ground ASAP!!!

[Damien]

Is this the same proposal Garcetti stopped (? - I didn't know he "stopped" it, just registered a negative opinion) or another version?

[bjornson]

Please understand that a significant portion of Hollywood street traffic is directly related to the 101 and 405: people trying to avoid or get on them heading/coming from all directions. In my conceptual map (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=104544&page=6&highlight=billion), I envision Hollywood/Highland as a major transit hub for the line making the loop LosAngelesBeauty suggest (Silver) and one coming directly from the south (Pink), to compliment the line coming from the west (Red) and one extended north (also Red).

And while I agree there need to be more and better maintained tourist spots on Hollywood Blvd, tourist have to eat and they come wanting to spend money. So while I don't think the area should turn into 3rd Street Promenade or Old Town Pasadena, a multi-story Disney Store (a la San Fran's FAO Schwartz/Time Square's Toys R Us), a multi-story Lego Store with a Hollywood/Southern California/movie focus, a multi-story Planet Hollywood restaurant (how funny is it that there isn't one) and ground-floor studio broadcast are types of "corporate" projects that would fit well on the boulevard and compliment the atmosphere we're trying to revitalize. Fit that in with a new retro Brown Derby restaurant (brown hat, dark wood, leather booths, celebrity sketches and all), renovated theaters, museums, and more Beaux Arts hotels, with one of them on top of a (dare I say it) casino and we begin to a create a boulevard that begins to live up to the hype. Because right now, I don't think anyone who lives or visits here would say that it does.

Also, why does it matter what's above the retail? As I see it, the only reason to oppose the new condos, is the apparent shortage of Class A building space in Hollywood. But even then there are plenty of parking lots looking for life and single-story commercial strips on Hollywood, Sunset and their north-south connecting streets destine for the wrecking ball.

I agree with your thoughts. I would just hate the thought of a casino on Hollywood Blvd though. It doesn't reflect it's character or history. That of which is film and glamour.

[SamBronco]

Hey guys, I'm a new member here and I am as excited as all of you about all thats goin on in Hollywood. Anyone know anything about the Henry Fonda Theate that is just East of the proposed Clarett project? Do they have plans in restoring that?

[citywatch]

I'm sure if the devlpr believes there will be enough demand for space in his proj, primarily residential (since Hollywood still doesn't seem to be very attractive to businesses), he'd happily increase its size. Or he may be purposefully lowering its potential height & volume because of fear that something too big will set off the NIMBYites in the surrounding hood.

Projs in Hollywood also could be facing problems similar to what's hit the devlpr of the Medallion apt proj in the OBD at 4th St & Main. Because any bldg above 7 floors has to be either steel or concrete, that costs a lot more to construct than a wood framed structure, meaning the devlpr would have to charge a higher rent or sales price in order to stay profitable.

I'm more easygoing about the scale of projs like the one proposed by the Clarett Group because there's still a ton of sites on the blvd & throughout Hollywood that also deperately need new devlpt. Plus the drawings of the proj are dated from almost a yr ago, & they're so sketchy that I'd hold off judging them until the devlpr releases works that's been worked on more recently & are nearing a point of finalization.

[SamBronco]

Interview with Clarett's Veronica Hackett. Pretty informative story on Blvd6200:

http://www.globest.com/upclose/upclose/148148-1.html

[dktshb]

Destination architecture continues to pervade LA. Every development for itself. I agree, but I suppose Hollywood Blvd. is one of the few places where I would support this type of development, which also happens to appear to be a little better planned than Hollywood Highland. My concern is with the lack of progress on the W; I don't expect this project to come to fruition any time soon

[dktshb]

Interview with Clarett's Veronica Hackett. Pretty informative story on Blvd6200:

http://www.globest.com/upclose/upclose/148148-1.html


Good article :tup:

[ocman]

Excuse the rant, but those f--king palm trees!!! Are they 10 for a dollar or something? You want to make a street walkable and you want to make it inviting, then should plant REAL trees and not those twigs that need stick crutches to stay up or the ubiqutious palm tree that is just a waste of space and have absolutely zero contribution to help LA's air quality.

You just look for palm trees as a sign of a crap development. Because if they don't give a shit about the landscape, they don't give a shit about the building either.

[ReDSPork02]

Excuse the rant, but those f--king palm trees!!! Are they 10 for a dollar or something? You want to make a street walkable and you want to make it inviting, then should plant REAL trees and not those twigs that need stick crutches to stay up or the ubiqutious palm tree that is just a waste of space and have absolutely zero contribution to help LA's air quality.

You just look for palm trees as a sign of a crap development. Because if they don't give a shit about the landscape, they don't give a shit about the building either.

When I think of L.A., i think of lined boulevards w/ palm trees. i kind of like them. and if they are trying to make it look like a flashy billboard area, trees will block the sighnage on the buildings.

[LordUnum]

ocman abridged:

"I want these motherfucking palms out of my motherfucking city!"
</easy pop culture reference>

;)

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

I agree, but I suppose Hollywood Blvd. is one of the few places where I would support this type of development, which also happens to appear to be a little better planned than Hollywood Highland. My concern is with the lack of progress on the W; I don't expect this project to come to fruition any time soon

Why so negative on the W Project? its sales office is open, i get emails from thema nd theya re suppose to break ground in November. have you heard anything different?

[ocman]

When I think of L.A., i think of lined boulevards w/ palm trees. i kind of like them. and if they are trying to make it look like a flashy billboard area, trees will block the sighnage on the buildings.



http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/savvysearch/palms.jpg

But no one ever walks the lined boulevard of palm trees. YOu drive by it because it may be pretty, but it's not walkable. It makes the sidewalks looks hot, it looks dry and unforgiving of the sun beating down on you. And on a hot day like in the picture, I'd rather stay off that street and just drive in an air conditioned car. On a hot day, I would NEVER want to walk that heated concrete.

One large bushy tree can add as much as 500 gallons of water to the air. I wonder how much of a waste that whole line of palm trees is contributing.



Now look at this street. Nice and cool. And it's just a pathetic blank wall, but I'd much rather walk that one.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/savvysearch/tree-sidewalk-2-big.jpg

[POLA]

totally feeling you on that. palm trees are total shit and a complete waste. They are certainly one of the main reasons this city sucks for walkers in my eyes.

[RAlossi]

I just remembered that I needed to ask about that project just north of Franklin on Highland, near the Best Western. There seems to be an old wood-framed building on the hill on the west side of Highland, and some new construction at the street level.

Anyone know what it is?

[Trojan in NYC]

LA is know for palm trees. i think they look nice and i dont think palm trees make sidewalks less walkable. they may provide less shade but there are some sidewalks with no trees at all.

[citywatch]

Having too many streets with shadeless palms trees would be a major problem if quite a few streets in LA actually weren't much worse, or more like this:

http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images090/ca-091_wb_app_crenshaw.jpg

[Damien]

I did a quick wikipedia on Times Square, to learn a little bit more about its history since it was mentioned in the article with the Blvd6200 developer. I thought some might find this interesting:

The atmosphere changed with the onset of the Great Depression during the 1930s. Times Square became a neighborhood full of "peep shows", erotic all-night movie houses, and stores selling cheap tourist merchandise. The change is captured in Damon Runyon's stories, including his collection Guys and Dolls. In the decades afterwards, it was considered a dangerous neighborhood. The seediness of Times Square was a famous symbol of New York City's danger and corruption from the 1960s until the early 1990s. Influential and dark films such as Midnight Cowboy and Taxi Driver had many scenes in Times Square, while its grindhouse cinemas routinely showed sleazy films.

In the 1980s, a commercial building boom began in the West 40s and 50s as part of a long-term development plan conceived under Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins. Then, in the mid-1990s, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (1994–2002), led an intense effort to "clean up" the area, including closing sex shops, increasing security, driving out the "squeegee men" and opening more tourist-friendly attractions. The process began when the local government issued an injunction against the tight clustering of the porn shops in the 42nd Street area. Many of the sex shops closed or moved to industrial areas in Brooklyn or Queens. More up-scale establishments have opened. Advocates of the remodeling claim that the neighborhood is safer and cleaner. Detractors, on the other hand, argue that the changes have diluted the character of Times Square and have unfairly targeted lower income New Yorkers from nearby neighborhoods (such as Hell's Kitchen).

In 1990, the State of New York took possession of six of the nine historic theatres on 42nd Street. The New 42nd Street nonprofit organization was appointed to oversee their restoration and care. The theatres were variously renovated for Broadway shows, converted for commercial purposes and demolished.

My favorite work phrase is "Don't reinvent the wheel."

[Damien]

LA is know for palm trees.

Exactly.

And the major asset of palm trees is that they require little to no water. We're talking about Los Angeles, not Montana. There aren't many trees as drought-tolerant as palm trees.

I'm positive these arent:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/savvysearch/tree-sidewalk-2-big.jpg

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Heres a video rendering of the W Hotel and Residences that i got as an email from them today..

http://r.vresp.com/?ThePointGroup/e555486dfb/656386/098531a5f8/f9050d3

it takes a couple minutes to load, but its really cool.

[BrighamYen]

Heres a video rendering of the W Hotel and Residences that i got as an email from them today..

http://r.vresp.com/?ThePointGroup/e555486dfb/656386/098531a5f8/f9050d3

it takes a couple minutes to load, but its really cool.


THANK YOU LASF! That video is awesome! It makes me feel like there is TRUE hope for LA's future urban hip factor. To have a hotel of that caliber above a subway station will REALLY make mass transit that much more "sexy" in LA. I take the subway very often and Hollywood/Highland is usually always the busiest station after 7th/Metro. PLUS, at the Hollywood/Highland station, you see many more middle class people stopping there, which is a very good thing to create a comfortable environment for tourists and locals alike.

Now imagine the W Hotel finished--along with BLVD6200 and Whole Foods, etc.! The two stations in Hollywood will become super busy as people realize how much easier it is to take the subway to get there. Then you'll also get a shuffle of back-and-forth riders from Downtown LA to Hollywood as LA Live opens! LA Live will have an even stronger pull than Hollywood perhaps, creating a balanced synergy that creates the kind of pedestrian activity made possible by the heavy use of subway.

The new residents of Hollywood will venture to Downtown LA to see LA Live and the residents of Downtown LA will hop the subway to party it up in Hollywood.

I can't wait! :haha:

[citywatch]

THANK YOU LASF! That video is awesome! It makes me feel like there is TRUE hope for LA's future urban hip factor. I second that. Nothing better than seeing another corner of Hollywood & Vine, & another part of the hood in general, finally getting some $$ & TLC.

It's amazing how slick computer graphics can be, esp in how real they make water look in a swimming pool. The rooftop pool & lounge area in particular of the W hotel should be quite a spot. However, I notice the video indicates that the railing around the roof will be glass. Don't devlprs have sympathy for acrophobes? :D

And, LASF, I think dktshb's skepticism about the proj may have something to do with the owner of that damn luggage store. His threat of a lawsuit, assuming he hasn't filed one already, may end up slowing everything down to a crawl.

[colemonkee]

That video is pretty fuckin' sweet. Must have cost them a pretty penny to put together.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

LA Beauty - i agree, Hollywood and DT LA, along with the Wilshire Corridor are the future of LA. LA Live and Hollywood are gonna be jumpin with people, whether its for Laker games, a night out in Hollywood or to just have a good time. By the way, i think we need to start a campaign to push the alcohol cutoff until 4 or 5 am. its really silly and sad that LA of all places, the center of Hollywood and Entertainment, shuts down at 2 for no reason, and i dont want to hear about how drunk drining or rowdyness will go up. its BS. people wont have to binge drink, can take their time leaving a club, a staggered exit instead of a 1000's pouring into the streets at the same time, and there would be less of a mess. (Sorry for going off topic.)

Citywatch, i totally forgot about that pending lawsuit. thankd for reminding me. thats why i didnt understand his skepticism.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Also, is it me or does that video have a updated render of DT LA at the very end? maybe they added a few towers.

[bjornson]

^I was trying to figure that out as well. But anyway, you're awesome LASF! Now all you need is a W in DT!

[Trojan in NYC]

thanks for that video. it was awesome.

[Steve2726]

:previous:
I can't believe they are going to tear down Bernards Luggage for this silly little project.....:D

[Steve2726]

<double post>

[BrighamYen]

No, I don't think they added in any new towers for Downtown LA. It's just that the rendering makes Downtown LA look more "squashed" flatter so everything looks wider, which gives it a denser look. At first I thought I saw a tower that looks like Ritz Carlton at LA Live, but upon closer inspection, it's just Cesar Pelli's 777 tower. :P

[RAlossi]

And, LASF, I think dktshb's skepticism about the proj may have something to do with the owner of that damn luggage store. His threat of a lawsuit, assuming he hasn't filed one already, may end up slowing everything down to a crawl.


I did some work on a couple depositions regarding the Bernard's Luggage lawsuit w/ the CRA. The case has been settled out of court, I believe.

They were going for the argument that the developers couldn't use federal/CRA money to build a portion of the project on the Bernard's site because federal rules forbid the building of market-rate housing and hotel/retail uses on land that has been purchased with CRA money (don't quote me on that one). Since the project is mixed-use and has hotel, condo, and retail aspects, this created a problem.

I'm not a lawyer, so again, don't quote me on that.

But it doesn't matter since they settled anyway. This was about a month and a half ago, so it should be moving forward soon!

Oh yeah, and imagine my surprise as I'm listening to the audio and proofreading the transcript of the depo when I realized that I already knew what this was about :) Thanks for reminding me of this, Citywatch!

[BrighamYen]

^ Thanks for the insider info on that RAlossi. It gives me more confidence that this project will break ground in November. I have a feeling this will open up around the same time that LA Live and Grand Ave. Project and Sunset Millenium will as well.

[dktshb]

I just remembered that I needed to ask about that project just north of Franklin on Highland, near the Best Western. There seems to be an old wood-framed building on the hill on the west side of Highland, and some new construction at the street level.

Anyone know what it is?

Well it used to be a Hostel in an uninteresting structure. It was a welcome sight for me to see that most of it was torn down . Unfortunatey I am not sure what's going up in its place. I'm surpirsed there isn't any information being distributed (that I am aware of) about what's being developed.

[citywatch]

But it doesn't matter since they settled anyway. This was about a month and a half ago, so it should be moving forward soon!:dancing:

[danparker276]

Is this video of the Hollywood W Hotel new or old?
http://r.vresp.com/?ThePointGroup/e555486dfb/656386/56266db3b4/a400b40

Any one have a guess at what these units will start for?

[slackerdva]

I heard that the initial friends and family offering went out at 900-1000/sf.

[ocman]

Exactly.

And the major asset of palm trees is that they require little to no water. We're talking about Los Angeles, not Montana. There aren't many trees as drought-tolerant as palm trees.

I'm positive these arent:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/savvysearch/tree-sidewalk-2-big.jpg


There are other trees beside the palm that are drought tolerant. California has tons of native trees that do require little water, and grow to be large and leafy with providing lots of shade, tenfold over a palm. You see them periodically along a freeway or a barren sidewalk flourishing without any access to water.

When palms are growing in every single city within the southwest, every city in SoCal including Barstow, where every street in Las Vegas and Arizona looks like it could be Los Angeles, the age of the palm tree as symbolically LA is over. Worse, we've come to a point where so many palm trees in California are diseased that half the palm trees in California give the appearance of death and dehydration. Palm trees don't age well in California.

[colemonkee]

I took the Red Line to run some errands today and exited at Hollywood and Vine. They've removed all of the scaffolding from the Broadway Lofts, and the building underneath is beautifully restored.

Also, the W project has a really cool model in their showroom, but alas, their office was closed and I didn't bring my camera.

[LAMetroGuy]

I found this areal of the Hollywood W... kinda blury but you get the idea:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Hollywood/hollywoodW.jpg

[ReDSPork02]

ITS not about Hollywood but it talks about our current discussion about palms vs. trees.

LOS ANGELES, CA, United States (UPI) -- Dying palm trees might soon be replaced by oak trees across the Los Angeles area.

Paula Daniels, head of the city`s program to plant 1 million oak trees during the next five years, told USA Today the oaks can provide cooling shade and help air and water quality more than do palms -- even if they don`t provide such an exotic image.

'We`re looking to drive environmental change,' said Daniels, chairwoman of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa`s 'One Million Tree Initiative.' 'Palm trees are not part of what we will be targeting to achieve these environmental benefits.'

Thousands of the city`s most visible palms were planted early during the 20th century as Los Angeles developed and then later in preparation for the 1932 Olympics, USA Today said. But now, 75 to 100 years or older, many palms have become inflicted with fungal diseases.

Replacing them can cost as much as $20,000 for each tree -- and that, officials say, can`t be supported by the city`s budget.

Daniels told USA Today she recognizes the allure of palms, but believes Los Angeles is ready to move beyond them.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

http://science.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1201469.php/Oaks_may_replace_palms_in_Los_Angeles

[danparker276]

Cool W pic. So the bottom right open area is where the metro station is?

Looks a little dull for $1000+ a sq foot.

[RAlossi]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully they'll use some native oak species. I think oaks are beautiful, and they can create an allure of their own if planted correctly.

ITS not about Hollywood but it talks about our current discussion about palms vs. trees.

LOS ANGELES, CA, United States (UPI) -- Dying palm trees might soon be replaced by oak trees across the Los Angeles area.

Paula Daniels, head of the city`s program to plant 1 million oak trees during the next five years, told USA Today the oaks can provide cooling shade and help air and water quality more than do palms -- even if they don`t provide such an exotic image.

'We`re looking to drive environmental change,' said Daniels, chairwoman of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa`s 'One Million Tree Initiative.' 'Palm trees are not part of what we will be targeting to achieve these environmental benefits.'

Thousands of the city`s most visible palms were planted early during the 20th century as Los Angeles developed and then later in preparation for the 1932 Olympics, USA Today said. But now, 75 to 100 years or older, many palms have become inflicted with fungal diseases.

Replacing them can cost as much as $20,000 for each tree -- and that, officials say, can`t be supported by the city`s budget.

Daniels told USA Today she recognizes the allure of palms, but believes Los Angeles is ready to move beyond them.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

http://science.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1201469.php/Oaks_may_replace_palms_in_Los_Angeles

[danparker276]

Palm trees is what seperates us from NoCal.
There are not many places in the US where you can have palm trees like that.
Who needs shade and a bunch of leaves all over the street. Plus Oak trees probably need a lot more water. I don't think the palm trees need to be watered.

[POLA]

Palm trees is what seperates us from NoCal.
There are not many places in the US where you can have palm trees like that.
Palm trees are all over the place! In fact that was one of the points talked about in the article on USAToday http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-09-13-los-angeles-palms_x.htm?POE=click-refer
The entire sunbelt is abusing the palm tree!

Who needs shade and a bunch of leaves all over the street. Plus Oak trees probably need a lot more water. I don't think the palm trees need to be watered.
I do! I need shade! Seriously, I want some god damned shade! Have you ever visited any of the oak tree lined streets in the valley, or west hollywood? or weswood? they are amazingly beutiful and lush looking. A real treat for all who live near it.

[bjornson]

Why can't both trees just coincide?

[DJM19]

^ Yeah, I dont want to eradicate palms. LA is famous for them and they can be lovely. We need both. Perhaps more shade trees over areas that are more pedestrian.

[danparker276]

How about LEDs on plastic trees. I gotta work during the day anyway.

http://loftla.com/loftla/Handler.ashx?PhotoID=106

[BrighamYen]

^ I think Beverly Hills is the best example of a mix of trees that really creates the kind of luxurious neighborhoods that the city is famous for. You have some streets lined with presumably Oak, and obviously your beautiful palm-tree lined streets that give Beverly Hills the kind of unique feeling that we (all) covet. Those same palm tree-lined streets in Beverly Hills also have oak right along side I believe. Just beautiful!

[BrighamYen]

I found this areal of the Hollywood W... kinda blury but you get the idea:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Hollywood/hollywoodW.jpg


Fantastic pic LAMG! THanks again!

I can see that Hollywood will be one of the only "3-dimensional" urban areas in LA for the foreseeable future--basically, the ability to stray away from your linear commercial street (like Wilshire or Hollywood Blvd.) and still be able to shop retail. IOW, a mixed-use neighborhood akin to Manhattan. There are a few other examples in LA including Old Town Pasadena, Westwood Village, Golden Triangle Beverly Hills, Koreatown (kind of), Downtown Long Beach, and OF COURSE the largest walkable area of all...Downtown LA!

I see the boundaries for that 3-D urban area to be between Hollywood Blvd./Vine/Sunset/La Brea. Of course, it would spill out from that as well, but hopefully that rectangular zone will become infilled with so much people/retail/entertainment/etc, that it'll finally live up to its name as the entertainment capital of the world! :)

[ThreeHundred]

I do! I need shade! Seriously, I want some god damned shade! Have you ever visited any of the oak tree lined streets in the valley, or west hollywood? or weswood? they are amazingly beutiful and lush looking. A real treat for all who live near it.

Wear sunscreen or carry an umbrella while you walk. Palm trees is a vital to the whole Southern California mystique. No one comes to LA hoping to see oak trees.

[POLA]

why are we so concerned about the tourism factor? shouldn't the improvement of our neighborhoods trump that of catering to midwesterners' ideas of what paradise should look like. And you know what? No one comes here looking for palms either. Disney land, yes, walk of fame, maybe, trees, no.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Palm trees make sense in certain areas. They need enough moisture, plus proper care, and they need to get replaced when they get old and die.

Too many places in So Cal are wrong for palm trees. Like up and down many of the hot boulevards in South L.A. They stand there for years, dead. A dead palm tree is not glamourous. Ask any local residents, I'm sure they'd prefer a nice oak tree to a dead, shadeless palm tree.

To me, Pasadena's Green Street (parallel to Colorado one block south) is a model for how streets can be used to make a street beautiful and comfortable. There is a variety of So-Cal trees along Green, including palms put also several other species like walnut.

[citywatch]

shouldn't the improvement of our neighborhoods trump that of catering to midwesterners' ideas of what paradise should look like.
I guess the reason it's harder for me to get as worked up over the pros & cons of palm trees is that we in LA still are struggling to take care of even the basics, or improving all the miles of streets that aren't much better than this:

http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images090/ca-091_wb_app_crenshaw.jpg

Areas with very few or no trees of any kind to speak of, &, not helping matters, the remnants of former trees now used as wire carriers.

[Wright Concept]

Hell, Street trees ARE the basics! As well as trash cans so that streets aren't littered everywhere. Imagine the shade trees there. Wouldn't that soften the edge and scale of those wires? Besides that recycled pic is the City of Torrance.

[POLA]

[/b]
I guess the reason it's harder for me to get as worked up over the pros & cons of palm trees is that we in LA still are struggling to take care of even the basics, or improving all the miles of streets that aren't much better than this:
Areas with very few or no trees of any kind to speak of, &, not helping matters, the remnants of former trees now used as wire carriers.

Citywatch, you of all people should be backing shade trees. After all what is a palm tree other then a telephone pole with no wires?:D Plus shade trees will hide those ugly wires until they are burried.

[DJM19]

Put those wires underground and a tree in their place

[ocman]

Filling that street full of healthy large trees would be much more significant psychologically to visitors than taking away those phone poles, if it's just one or the other. Take away phone polls, it's still sterile. Add trees, the street gets a little bit of life.