B-R-E-A-K

After seven straight months of covering real estate and development news in this fantastic city of ours, The Industrious Angel will be taking a break to work on a new layout and design.  Posting will resume October 1st.


All the best,

J. Austin Russell

Transit Village a Go!

The Eastsider reports that, on Wednesday, the City Council voted unanimously to reject an appeal brought by opponents to the Highland Park Transit Village project, and back measures that would  expedite the projects development.  Once completed, the project will feature 20 condominiums, and 60 rental units, and will run along the Figueroa Corridor, between North Avenue 52 and 56.

Apartments for Filipinotown

Apparently, three new apartment projects are headed to Filipinotown, with a combined total of 168 units!  Read more on the story at Curbed.

Little Tokyo's Rec Center

According to the Downtown News, The Budokan project, an effort to develop a rec center in Little Tokyo, received a $1.3 million dollar donation this week, bringing the total funding to $11 million, about half of what is needed.  Assuming the additional funding comes through, groundbreaking will begin in 2015.

This Week in Fashion

Friday: Chic men's boutique, MRKT, is now open at Sunset and Hyperion, on the border of Silverlake and Los Feliz.  The 800 square foot store features ware from both local and international labels alike, all with a very edgy feel.

NYC based florist, Spruce, debuted its first ever LA store at the intersection of Fountain and Sunset in Los Feliz.

Monday: Online fashion flash sale broker, HauteLook, is moving its corporate headquarters into 7,500 square feet of space at downtown's Alameda Square, on 7th Street.

Tuesday: Come September 5th, local designer For Love & Lemons, is converting its downtown studio, at 7th and Santa Fe, into a semi retail space that will serve customers every Thursday.

Alameda Square

Word on the street is that the enormous Alameda Square project, located on the southwest corner of 7th and Alameda, has secured its first two new tenants.  According to the Downtown News, clothing retailers Splendid, and Ella Moss have both signed 10 year leases, and will soon occupy the space adjacent to American Apparel.

Macy's Plaza Reborn

Blogger Brigham yen reported yesterday on developer Ratkovich's $241 million dollar acquisition of Macy's Plaza, at 7th and Flower.  Among other things, the developer plans to renovate the existing entrance, and add an additional floor of retail.  More news to follow.

Mo' Mohawkery in Silverlake

Racked reports that the owners of Mohawk General Store, a fashion boutique in Silverlake, just opened a second store, dedicated to men's fashion and appropriately christened 'Mohawk Man', only a couple doors away at the corner of Santa Monica and Sunset.  Check it out.

Zara

This spring has been an exciting one for Downtown fashion.  First there was the opening of Ross on Broadway, then we heard about Brooks Brothers at the Jonathan Club on Figueroa, which was followed by news of Acne Studios leasing a space at the Eastern Columbia on 8th Street, and most recently we learned that Urban Outfitters will soon occupy the Rialto Theater.  Now, the LA Times brings us word that Zara has signed a 27,000 square foot lease at the Figat7th Shopping Center, and plans to open up shop early next year!  Can you say gentrification?

Yoga and Fashion in the Historic Core

This weekend, blogger Brigham Yen sounded the alarm on two new openings in Downtown's Historic Core; Evoke Yoga, located at the corner of 7th and Spring, and high end men's clothier, Beautiful Ful, located at 5th and Main.  There is little doubt that both businesses will be wildly popular with the local-burgeoning-retail-starved population.