Bowling, Little Tokyo Style

According to the Los Angeles Downtown News, a new entertainment center, featuring an arcade, bowling alley, sports bar, and pizzeria, is coming to the southwest corner of Little Tokyo, on Alameda.  The center will cater to both tourists, as well as the large influx of new Arts District residents.

Hostel in Heart of Hollywood

CBS reports that a new european style hostel has opened on Cosmo Street, between Sunset and Hollywood.  The mini hotel, known as Podshare, sports 10 individual pods, complete with both bed and television, that share restrooms, kitchens, and other common areas.  At just $40 dollars a night, Podshare offers, without a doubt, the most affordable lodging around.

Three New Restaurants Coming Next Month

According to LA Eater, The Doughroom, a Mediterranean and Italian influenced fusion restaurant will be replacing Kristina's Italian Kitchen on the corner of Palms and Overland.  Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Downtown News reports that a new Mendocino Farms location will be opening at the Figat7th food court, and that a new 1920's style restaurant is planned for the corner of 2nd and Hill.

Long Vacant Warehouse to be Converted Into High End Creative Office Space

Last week, the empty warehouse on the northeast corner of 11th and Hope was acquired by developer Lincoln Property Co.  Lincoln plans to convert the building's five stories of warehouse space into creative office space, of which, it believes, their is a high demand.  In addition to the $16.25 million spent on purchasing the building, another $9 million will be invested on capital improvements and repairs.  Such an ambitious project further illustrates a burgeoning investor interest and confidence in the downtown area.

High End Gym Opens Downtown

According to LA Racked, the upscale Equinox Gym will be opening a new location in the heart of downtown, at the corner of 5th and Flower.  The 28,000 facility will feature a juice bar and spa, and serve the large influx of new downtown residents.

Classy Apartments for Hollywood's East End

LA Curbed reported today on the grand opening of the new Gershwin Apartments, located on the corner of Hollywood and Western.  The 163 unit complex sports a gym, business center, and luxurious lounge that features an arcade.  It is anticipated that the apartments will attract young professionals, and breathe new life into Hollywood's east end.

Thai Food on Broadway

Today, LA Eater reported on the opening of Sticky Rice, a new thai cuisine cafe on 3rd and Broadway. The restaurant is currently serving authentic thai food for lunch, with a dinner menu soon to come.

Hotel Clark Moves Forward

According to Brigham Yen, development on the highly anticipated new King and Grove Hotel, located on 5th and Hill near the Pershing Square Metro, is finally moving forward.  After almost two years of static, signs of life, including new paint and shipments of mattress and other hotel goods, have begun to surface.  The new hotel will retain the historic Hotel Clark exterior, while simultaneously bringing the chic luxury of the King and Grove brand to the heart of Downtown.

'Smallish' Apartment Complex to Receive Modern Remodel

The LA Times reports that TRG, a Beverly Hills based investment firm, has recently purchased a three story apartment complex on the corner of 9th and Georgia.  It is anticipated that the firm will renovate the building's 32 studio units in the same manner as many larger apartment complexes throughout the city.  The shift, or rather, expansion in focus is a good sign for downtown; investment in smaller buildings can be taken as a sign of bullish confidence in the local economy.

New Planetarium at Harbor College

Yesterday, southern Los Angeles' Harbor College opened its new planetarium.  The Daily Breeze reports that the $1.6 million dollar facility will cater to both college and high school students and, eventually, the public at large.

Brooks Brothers Back in Town

The Los Angeles Downtown News reports that Brooks Brothers will open a new store on Figueroa, between 5th and 6th.  The famed retailer's advent is yet another milestone in the transformation of Downtown from an island of professional office space to a mixed use metropolis.

No LACMA for MOCA

It's official.  According to the Los Angeles Times, MOCA will not merge with LACMA.  Supporters of the decision argue that MOCA's independence will help to encourage diversity in the arts, and quality in exhibit and gallery content, as the individual museums compete for visitors.

Rumored - New Target Store to Open Near 101

According to LA Curbed, Target's logo has appeared at an old strip mall on the corner of Sunset and Western, near the 101.  While the chain has been planning a store at the location for years, fierce local opposition has frustrated development.  Let's hope that the new logo proves prophetic, as a quality department store such as Target could be exactly what is needed to revitalize one of Hollywood's most dilapidated sections.

New Hollywood Hotel Design Revealed

Curbed LA just posted a rendered design of the new Hotel Indigo which will be constructed on the corner of Franklin and Highland.  The hip new hostel will sport 100 luxury sweets.  Beyond that, little is known.

Ronen's Crossroads Opens on Melrose

LA's much lauded chef and entrepreneur, Tal Ronen, has opened yet another fine dining establishment--this one located on Melrose, near Crescent Heights.  Crossroads features an exquisite and well crafted menu that caters to both vegan and gluten intolerant alike.  Head over to LA Weekly for more information.

February Home Sales Up

The Associated Press reports that, this year, february home sales in Southern California reached their highest point since 2006.  Almost 16,000 homes were sold with a median price of $320,000, further proof that the economy is on the mend.

New Gastropub Opens in Downtown

DTLA Rising reports that a new Gastropub has opened up on the ground floor of the PE Lofts at 6th and Main.  For now, the pub is open for dinner until 2 AM every night, and will begin serving lunch soon.

New Housing Project in The Heart of Hollywood

According to Curbed LA, development on 49 small houses has begun on Melrose, between Gramercy and St. Andrews.  Once grading is complete, the lots will be parceled off and sold individually, rather than together.

MOCA to Remain Independent?

Less than a week after it was announced that both the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the University of Southern California were in talks to purchase the struggling Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, news has emerged that leading MOCA board member and donor Eli Broad has initiated partnership talks with D.C.'s National Gallery of Art.  While the proposed union would not provide direct financial support to MOCA, it would allow for resource sharing between the museums that would, in turn, have the effect of increasing revenues, thereby securing MOCA's independence.

New Development on Corner of Olympic and Hill

Curbed LA reports that a new mixed use development will soon appear on the northwest corner of Olympic and Hill.  The seven story project will be designed by TCA Architects, and will include 281 residential units, three creative live/work spaces, and 15,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.  If all goes according to plan, the project will open in the early summer of next year.

Sold: U.S. Bank Tower

According to an article published by Bloomberg today, Singapore based Oversea Union Enterprise, a real estate firm, has agreed to purchase the U.S. Bank Tower, the west's tallest building (that is, until construction on the new Wilshire Grand is complete), from MPG Office Trust Inc.  Interestingly enough, while the local economy is improving, Reuters reports that the sale may have been due to financial hardship.

Swanky New Restaurant on Third

This week, the LA/BH border received yet another fabulous addition to its farm to table lineup.  Sporting a modern fusion menu, Goldie's is currently open for lunch, with dinner soon to follow.  Head over to LA Eater for more information.

Ross on Broadway

This morning, discount clothier Ross opened its downtown location at 719 South Broadway.  The arrival of discount stores like Ross demonstrates, in more ways than one, just how residential friendly the area is becoming.

Renaissance Hotel to Be Built Across from LA Live

Yesterday, Anschutz Entertainment Group announced that it is selling the property located on the north east corner of Olympic and Georgia to William/Dame and Associates.  According to the Los Angeles Downtown News, the developer plans to build a spacious 450 room Renaissance hotel on the site.  It is anticipated that the hotel will open in 2016.

Downtown Streetcar a Go

Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Council approved a joint report, submitted by the Department of Transportation and the City Administrative Officer, which commits up to $352 million dollars over the course of the next thirty years to maintaining and operating a street car in downtown.  According to Curbed LA, if all goes according to plan, the streetcar should be operational by early 2016, and, according to Metro.com, it will follow "a 3.5 mile loop that serves the following Downtown districts and destinations/attractions: Historic Broadway, South Park (L.A. LIVE, STAPLES Center, LA Convention Center), Bunker Hill (Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA, Broad Museum), Civic Center (City Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles) and the Financial Business District (Pershing Square, Central Library)".

Sprinkles!

This morning, at long last, Sprinkles opened the doors to its downtown store, located on Figueroa and 7th.  Hallelujah!

No Football for Los Angeles

According to Yahoo sports writer, Jason Cole, plans to construct a  football stadium in the heart of Downtown have been all but abandoned.  Despite overwhelming support from city authorities, officials within the NFL have determined that the cost of building and maintaining the stadium make such a project unfeasible.  While the NFL remains open to future plans, for now, Angelinos will have to wait.

Fatburger on Figueroa

At long last, burger chains have found their way into downtown.  Yesterday, after over a month of psyching out the public with false starts, Fatburger downtown finally opened its doors.  Located at 888 South Figueroa, the much lauded burger chain will, undoubtedly, help to keep all of that juice cleansing in check.

Stylish Italian Restaurant Opens Downtown

A new addition to Downtown's restaurant scene opened its doors last week.  Black Book reports that Casa Notra, located at 825 West 9th Street, really delivers in both selection and ambience.  Check it out, and leave your thoughts on Yelp.

Three New Parks Announced for South LA, as SCIG Project Moves Ahead

Three new 'pocket parks' have been planned for the south of Los Angeles City, one in Harbor Gateway, and two in Wilmington.  While the Los Angeles Times reports that the chief purpose of the parks is to drive off sex offenders, their construction will no doubt improve the prospects for new residential developments in the area.  In other related news for the area, The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners will meet Thursday to consider certification of the recently published environmental impact report for the Southern California International Gateway Project, which promises to enhance the efficiency of cargo transportation to and from the harbor.  The ambitious project will undoubtedly bring a host of new construction and operation jobs, and do much to improve the local economy.

Boutique Hotel Opens on Sunset

Today, Black Book announced the opening of The Moment Hotel, located on 7370 Sunset Boulevard.  The hotel features luxurious rooms and common areas, and a gorgeous open air bar on the rooftop.  Its central location allows for convenient access to the best that Hollywood has to offer.