More Lofts for Arts District

The final phase of Barker Lofts, on Hewitt, between 4th Place and Palmetto, saw construction commence this weekend.  According to the Downtown News, the project will feature 68 condo and apartment units, and will open later this year.

Food for the City, Juice for the Beach

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

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.

Mixed Use Projects Get Off the Ground

Big news from Curbed on two mixed use projects.  The blog reports that Developer Fifteen Group has announced construction dates for both the Morton Village Project, located on Morton Avenue in Echo Park, and the Coffee Table Project at Rowena and Avenel in Silverlake.  The first will break ground in May, and the second in September.

More Residential for Medallion Mixed Use

The Toy District's Medallion Mixed Use Project, which opened in 2010 on the corner of 4th and Main, is set to see much of its retail space exchanged for 300 residential units and a large open farmer's market.  The Downtown News reports that the change is due to the dismal reception given to, what was intended as a primarily retail development.  With a current residential vacancy of only 2%, it is anticipated that the project's new units will go quickly.

Luxury Living for Less Fortunate Seniors

Curbed reports that Del Rey Square, a 124 unit housing complex designed for low-income and homeless seniors, opened officially opened its doors on Friday.  The project, developed by Thomas Safron and Associates in conjunction with Los Angeles City, features a gym, jacuzzi, and library.

Mid Wilshire's New Museum and Hardware Store

According to Curbed, development on the new Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 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

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

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

According to Southern California Public Radio, construction has begun on the new 33,000 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

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.

Fairfax Theater Development Moves Forward

After overcoming some aggressive public pushback, the Fairfax Theater mixed use development finally received the approval of the Los Angeles City Planning and Land Use Management Committee.  The classy five story building will sport 71 apartments, a rooftop pool, and the now officially historic Fairfax Theater facade and entrance.  Head over to LA Curbed for more info.

More Mixed Use in Hollywood and Sherman Oaks

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.