Room Service for Your Home
8/25/2013 - Following in the footsteps of other online services, such as Amazon's 'grocery-delivering' Fresh, or the 'we-are-not-a-taxi-service' Lyft and Uber, comes Handybook, an online housecleaning/handyman broker that connects users with local professionals at the click of a button. Find more info at Racked.
Hotels for North Hollywood and Westwood
8/24/2013 - Curbed brings word that a new 43 room luxury boutique hotel is in the work's for NoHo's Arts District at Weddington and Tujunga. Meanwhile, it appears that, after nearly four years, construction on Westwood's La Reina Hotel at Lindbrook and Tiverton has finally resumed.
More Mixed Use for Little Tokyo
8/23/2013 - According to Curbed, work has finally begun on a long planned 240 unit mixed use development on the corner of 2nd and San Pedro. In addition to a pool, spa, and two story gymnasium, the project will feature 16,000 square feet of retail space and public parking. An opening is planned for sometime in August of 2015.
Downtown's Virtual Golf Experience
8/21/2013 - High end professional golf simulators, Execugolf, announced today the opening of their very first Los Angeles location, in the heart of downtown at the Paul Hastings Building on 5th and Flower. The full service simulator comes complete with training, driving, chipping, and putting scenarios, and features eighty virtual championship courses.
Museum, Gangnam Style
8/8/2013 - Oh goodie! Curbed reports that SM Entertainment (the korean record label equivalent of Warren Buffet) has announced plans to build a museum dedicated entirely to K-pop. The building, located at 6th and Oxford will help to promote the best that korean music has to offer, and in addition to many other features, will "showcase SM's new content through holograms ..." Get excited.
Office, Apartment, and Retail
7-31-2013 - This morning, Curbed brings us news on three separate developments. First on the list, after nearly two years mired in legal battles, that parking lot and burger shack on the corner of Selma and Vine is about to be transformed into a beautiful 8 story office building, with 2,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.
Next up is a controversial new mixed use development, at Klamath and Eastern in El Sereno, which is currently fighting its way through the approval process. If approved, the project will feature a charter school, cafe, and 20 residential units.
In other news, it looks as if that residential project planned for the corner of Sunset and Everett, will get an additional 58 parking spaces, as well as 8,000 square feet of retail space.
Medallion 2.0
7/29/2013 - Blogger Brigham Yen brings us an update on the second phase of the Medallion Development at 4th and Main. The new project will potentially include 4 separate 13 story residential towers featuring 400 high end luxury condos/rentals, a 5 story parking structure, a 24,000 square foot movie theater, 38,000 square feet of additional retail space, and 25,000 square feet of public green space. Construction is slated to begin in late 2015.
Metropolis
7/27/2013 - Big news from Bloomberg. In one of the largest local development moves in recent history, the new owners of the otherwise barren strip of land between LA Live and the 110, have announced plans to invest over $1 Billion dollars in developing a multi-building project that will include office, retail, and residential alike.
Lawyering Los Angeles
7/21/2013 - As the economy shifts from recessed to robust, an increase in government filing, contract preparation, and litigation is sure to follow. And so it comes as no surprise when a crop of new and expanding law firms emerges to service that demand. One of those firms is Denver based Messner Reeves which opened its first Los Angeles office on Tuesday, on the corner of Wilshire and Federal. The 2,500 square foot office provides litigation and transactional services to high net worth businesses and individuals.
Working on Wilshire
7/9/2013 - Curbed reports that Developer JH Snyder is planning a shiny new 13 story officeplex for parking lot located directly behind Museum Square on the corner of Wilshire and Curson. The 254,000 square foot development should be completed near the beginning of 2015.
Sport Chalet Downtown
6/30/2013 - Brigham Yen brings us word on Sport Chalet's downtown opening this weekend. The west coast retailer's flagship store, located at the Figat7th Center, boasts 27,000 square feet of sporting good happiness, including an Expert Center, where shoppers can participate in free educational clinics.
Co-Working in Little Tokyo
6/27/2013 - Following in the footsteps of other projects such as We Work in Hollywood, and Indie Desk in the Historic Core, comes Opodz, a new co-working space located in Little Tokyo at the corner of 2nd and Central. The space will provide shared professional work stations, high speed wireless internet access, event spaces, a conference room, and a kitchen. Head over to Brigham Yen's DTLA Rising for more information.
Spa for Studio, Leather for Kinney
6/21/2013 - According to webzine Refinery 29, Canadian based accessory designer, Roots, has opened up shop in Venice Beach, at Abbot Kinney and Palms. Shoppers can expect to find the designer's full line of leather accessories. In other news, PR Newswire reports that esthetician Sharona Rafaeloff has converted a 3,000 square foot space at the corner of Ventura and Valley Vista in Studio City into a full service spa, complete with a steam room.
Downtown Doggie Doctor
6/19/2013 - According to the Downtown News, the pet friendly Historic Core neighborhood will soon get a new veterinarian. DTLAVets, which has until now operated on a strictly 'house call only basis', will open a 5,000 square foot clinic at the corner of Spring and 3rd in July.
Grocer in Your Neighborhood, at Your Door, in Your Home
6/9/2013 - This week, NPR announced, and Curbed confirmed the expansion of Amazon's Fresh delivery service, which formerly catered exclusively to Seattle, to our very own Los Angeles. Now, thanks to the online behemoth, you may never have to leave home again. Seriously.
Alameda Square
6/8/2013 - 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
6/7/2013 - 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.
Star Studded Yoga
5/28/2013 - The Walk of Fame received a new addition this morning. CorePower Yoga, a well respected national yoga chain, opened its seventy seventh location today at the corner of Hollywood and La Brea. According to Marketwire, the studio caters to both beginners and advanced students alike.
Church Hotel Moving Right Along
5/25/2013 - According to Curbed, development on the Church Hotel in Silverlake is progressing at a steady pace. Once completed, the hotel will feature 25 boutique rooms, a rooftop pool and patio, and a 'Choir Lounge' bar and restaurant.
Baker and Grocer
5/10/2013 - According to DTLA Rising, Downtown will soon receive two new additions to its retail lineup, aimed squarely at its growing residential population. Grocer Smart and Final is preparing to move into 25,000 square feet of space on the corner of 8th Place and Figueroa, while Belgian bakery, Le Pain Quotidien, will occupy a smaller 2,100 square foot space within the PacMutual Building at 6th and Grand.
Friendly (and Hip) Neighborhood Grocer(s)
5/9/2013 - Hipster-Hippie-Indie-Vegan-Raw-Organic-Artistans rejoice! Whole Foods and Urban Radish are on their way to Silverlake and the Arts District respectively. The Eastsider brings us news of the health food heavyweight's impending takeover of what is now a Ralph's on Glendale Boulevard, near Fletcher. And, according to the Downtown News, the much hyped independent grocer, which has been in development for what feels like forever, has finally set an opening date of May 29th.
Palihouse Downtown
5/6/2013 - DTLA Rising's Brigham Yen, who broke the news last year, brought us an exciting update this weekend on the boutique hotel planned for the corner of Pico and Flower. According to Yen, the original 122 SRO units will be converted by developer Paligroup into a chic 90 room hotel, and rechristened the Palihouse. If all goes well, the hotel will open sometime next year.
Urban Outfitters for Broadway
5/3/2013 - The Downtown News confirms that Urban Outfitters will indeed be coming to the Rialto Theater, located at 7th and Broadway. The Philadelphia based retailer will undoubtedly help to revitalize the dilapidated street, alongside several other newly opened businesses including Ross, and Les Noces Du Figaro. This is fantastic news for downtowners.
Skirball
5/2/2013 - According to Curbed, construction on the new Skirball Cultural Center, located on 50 acres at Sepulveda Boulevard, just west of the 405, is nearing completion. Once finished, center will feature over 60,000 square feet of event space.
Retail and Residential in Eagle Rock
4/28/2013 - Curbed is reporting on two developments in LA's Eagle Rock community. First, a small eight home development on Mount Royal Drive is currently undergoing initial government screening by the Neighborhood Council's Land Use Committee. The project is being developed by Stan Fargeon, and designed by Franklin Studios. Second, Safeway is in the initial phases of planning a strip mall style annex for its Vons grocer located at the corner of La Loma and Figueroa.
Yoga and Fashion in the Historic Core
4/26/2013 - 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.
Juicing Downtown
4/22/2013 - Earth Bar fans rejoice! The inter-gym juice joint, famous for its fabulous smoothies and vegan cookies, recently opened a new location inside Equinox Downtown. Be sure to pick up a 'gimme greens' after that next spin routine. Thanks to Eater for the news.
Food for the City, Juice for the Beach
4/19/2013 - The high end buffet bar, Larder, is opening its third location on the corner of Burton and San Vicente, near La Cienega. The cafe will feature tantalizing dishes like Grilled Salmon and Farro, and Bucatini and Lamb Meatballs with Spiced Tomato. In other news, New York Juicer, Blueprint, is setting up shop on Abbot Kinney, near Venice. Cleansers rejoice. Thanks to Curbed for the heads up.
'Runway' For New Mixed Use
4/18/2013 - Construction on Playa Vista's large mixed use 'Runway' project, located on Jefferson and Lincoln, is finally under way. According to the Times, the project will include 420 apartments, 35,000 square feet of office space, and a 35,755 square foot Whole Foods grocer.
Acne Downtown
4/14/2013 - The high end fashion retailer, Acne Studios, will soon open its second US store in the heart of downtown. Brigham Yen reports that the swedish based company's new location will be at the corner of 9th and Broadway.
Mid Wilshire's New Museum and Hardware Store
4/12/2013 - According to Curbed, development on the new Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Museum, located at Wilshire and Fairfax, is under way. The museum, designed by Renzo Piano and Zoltan Pali, will house 30,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, and 15,000 square feet of public plaza, and will open in 2017. Additionally, construction has begun on the new Orchard Supply Hardware Store, located just around the corner at 4th and La Brea.
Downtown Movies
4/11/2013 - According to the Times, the cherished Electric Dust Drive-In Theater has found a new home at the San Pedro / San Julian corridor, between 9th and 12th. While there are plans in the works to construct an elevated theater, for now, patrons will enjoy films on the ground floor. In other news, the Downtown News reports that the Medallion Project development, located at Main and 4th, will soon receive its very own eight screen Alamo Draft House. Welcome news for downtown cinephiles.
Where Hollywood Meets Highland
4/10/2013 - According to Curbed Los Angeles, Hollywood will soon receive 248 new luxury apartments. The building will be constructed at the corner of Highland and Selma, just south of Hollywood Boulevard, and will feature five stories of luxury living, with retail on the ground floor.
Walmart in China Town
4/8/2013 - According to Southern California Public Radio, construction has begun on the new33,000 square foot Walmart, located on the corner of Ceser Chavez and Grand. Its advent will no doubt help to stimulate the local economy, by bringing in a host of steady jobs, and improving access to affordable consumer goods.
At the Corner of Fashion and Art
4/6/2013 - The Architect's Newspaper reports on an exciting development on 7th and Alameda; Evoq Properties is transforming four large industrial warehouses, including the headquarters of American Apparel, into a chic modern mixed use project that is intended to join the burgeoning Arts and Fashion Districts. Fantastic news for those that believe in the evolution of what once was Downtown's most dilapidated areas.
More Mixed Use in Hollywood and Sherman Oaks
4/2/2013 - Curbed Los Angeles is reporting on two new mixed use developments that are, very quickly, getting off the ground. The first, to be located just north of Hollywood, between Las Palmas and Cherokee, will feature 225 apartment units and a whopping 378 square feet of retail space. The second, consisting of both apartments and a grocery store, will be built on Riverside and Hazeltine in the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood.
Spinning on Larchmont
4/1/2013 - Los Angeles Magazine reports that the well known spinning gym, Flywheel Sports, will soon open a new location at Larchmont and Beverly, just in time for summer. The gym presents a high tech, user friendly twist on traditional spinning.
Hostel in Heart of Hollywood
3/30/2013 - 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.
Long Vacant Warehouse to be Converted Into High End Office Space
3/28/2013 - 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
3/27/2013 - 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.
Hotel Clark Moves Forward
3/24/2013 - 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.
New Hollywood Hotel Design Revealed
3/18/2013 - 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.
Sold: U.S. Bank Tower
3/11/2013 - 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.
Renaissance Hotel to Be Built Across from LA Live
3-8-2013 - 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.
3/5/2013 - 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.
3/1/2013 - 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.
New Climbing Gym Coming to Arts District
2/27/2013 - According to Racked, Touchstone Climbing will open a new bouldering gym in the heart of the Arts District. Located on Factory Place, the gym will cater to the anticipated influx of new residents in the area, and will feature 15 foot walls, meaning that climbers will probably not use ropes. Look for more recreational facilities to begin appearing downtown soon.
Bidding for Staples Center Parent Company Enters Second Round
2/23/2013 - The New York Post reports that bidding for Anschutz Entertainment Group ('AEG') has entered its second round. In addition to the LA Kings, LA Galaxy, and partial control of the LA Lakers, Los Angeles based AEG owns the O2 Arena, and the Staples Center. Guggenheim Partners, one of the few bidders to make the second round, recently acquired ownership of Dodgers Stadium. As the local economy improves, sports arenas, such as the Staples Center and Dodgers Stadium, will see a large opportunity to seize on increased consumer spending.
Fashion District Project Moves Forward
2/21/2013 - Yesterday, the Los Angeles Department of City Planning published a notice of preparation of an environmental impact report and scoping meeting for the massive redevelopment project planned for the fashion district. The project will encompass almost the entirety of the property located between 9th, 12th, San Julian, and San Pedro Street. It is anticipated that the project will take nearly thirty years and, once completed, will feature 945 residential units, up to 210 hotel rooms, 294,641 square feet of industrial, office, and medical space, 224,862 square feet of retail space, and 312,112 square feet of educational campus floor area. The scoping meeting is currently scheduled for March 6th, and comments may be submitted for formal consideration until March 22nd.
2/16/2013 - In 2009, entrepreneurs Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey saw a need for smaller, more efficient and affordable working spaces for budding entrepreneurs in a post-recession economy. In response, they launched WeWork, a development firm connected to building shared at work communities across the US. The first building, constructed in SoHo in early 2010, proved a success and led to several more buildings across the country, including one at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard. On Monday, a floor of the Hollywood location will be rebranded as We Work Labs, and dedicated specifically to techies. In an interview with the International Business Times, Adam Neumann explained how changing views and opinions on collaboration and ownership will increase the demand for shared at work communities like We Work.
Dodgers Stadium Renovations Less Ambitious than Anticipated
2/13/2013 - Shortly after rescuing the Dodgers from bankruptcy proceedings in May of last year, Guggenheim Baseball Management announced plans for over $100,000,000 in renovations. Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times published an interview with the Director of Planning, Janet Marie Smith. The interview sheds light on the upcoming changes to the stadium, and reveals that they are not nearly as grandiose or radical as some might have anticipated. Such a lax attitude may actually be taken as a good sign, as it demonstrates a considerable amount of confidence in the current economy, and its ability to support the Dodgers. Regardless, after nearly four years of declining revenues, something must change if the team is going to avoid a second stint in bankruptcy court.
Final Design of New Wilshire Grand Unveiled
2/8/2013 - In the late spring of 2011, Korean Air announced the closure of one of the most well known and beloved buildings in downtown Los Angeles, the Wilshire Grand. The following year, construction crews began the laborious process of dismantling the building piece by piece. Now, after several years of planning and negotiations, the final design for the building that will rise in its place has been unveiled. Initially, plans called for two independent buildings, a sixty-five story office structure and a forty-five story luxury hotel. However, the Los Angeles Times reports that the new design consists of a single seventy-three story tower that will 'slightly surpass in height the 72-story U.S. Bank Tower on Bunker Hill that has held the title of tallest west of Chicago since 1989.' Such an ambitious redesign, especially this late in development, is yet another example of increasing investor confidence in the L.A. economy.
Millennium Hollywood Project Presses Forward
2/7/2013 - According to CBS Local, on Tuesday, Millennium Partners submitted the findings of a fiscal study detailing the projected impact of its acclaimed Millennium Hollywood Project. The study follows an environmental impact report released in October of last year. While public hearings are still underway, several prominent business leaders have endorsed the project, and its future looks bright. Once completed, the project will boast a staggering 492 residential units, 200 luxury hotel units, 215,000 square feet of office space, 34,000 square feet of restaurant space, 35,100 square feet of sports club space, 15,000 square feet of commercial retail space, and approximately 2,000 parking spaces. Additionally, it is projected that the project will create 2,915 construction jobs, and 1,257 permanent new jobs. The project reinforces a positive outlook for L.A.'s economy, and its success will undoubtedly help to spur future growth and development.
Construction on Blossom Plaza to Begin This Summer
2/3/2013 - This week, The Shenzhen New World Group, a China-based real estate developer, announced plans to convert the L.A. Hotel Downtown, which it owns, into a Hyatt-Regency branded hotel. The conversion will see the culmination of over $20 million of renovations, and is scheduled to finish in May of this year. The press release states that "Each guestroom and suite will be redone in a welcoming palette of colors, and will feature new carpet, wall treatments, drapery, and all-new contemporary bedding and furnishings, as well as upgraded bathrooms and work areas. The hotel will receive exquisite new design upgrades as well as new floor plans for its more than 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space, which includes 17 versatile meeting rooms, two ballrooms, including 4,000 square feet of pre-function space." Many contend that the luxury hotel industry is among those that suffer the most during recession, and so, its returning strength may logically be taken as a sure sign of economic vitality and prosperity. Regardless, such an ambitious project demonstrates, at a minimum, the positive outlook shared by developers and investors alike concerning the future economic growth and development of Los Angeles.
2/5/2013 - The Los Angeles Downtown News is reporting that, after nearly five years in suspension, the long awaited Blossom Plaza Project may finally see the light of day. One of many projects that stalled as a result of the recession, Blossom Plaza has become a symbol of economic stagnation, and so, news of its return bodes well for the future of Los Angeles. If all goes according to plan, the mixed use development, with an estimated combined total of 240 residential, retail, and restaurant spaces, will open its doors in 2015. It is anticipated that the development contract, which was originally awarded to Bond Chinatown Ventures, will be awarded to Forest City, a national firm that has completed large-scale developments in nine states (including California), with ongoing development in nineteen others.
The Hyatt Returns to Downtown Los Angeles
