02-23-09

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 38, Number 8

INSIDE

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

A report featuring the latest information on 124 Downtown projects, along with a special Downtown Residential section.

11-34 W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M

February 23, 2009

This One Goes to 11 Los Angeles Downtown News Honors the Projects That Stand Out in Their Districts

by Jon Regardie executive editor

Dancers take over 7+FIG.

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Urban Scrawl on how to sell condos.

4

Skid Row’s digital TV divide.

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here is so much concern about the economy and the future of development that it is easy to forget how different things were just a year ago. Which is a mistake, especially in Downtown Los Angeles, a community that in 2008 had one of its strongest years ever.

Downtown last year saw the arrival of dozens of projects worth billions (yes, with a b) of dollars. They opened across the community and involved a variety of pursuits, from L.A. Live, the entertainment complex that instantly changed the Downtown nightlife landscape, to the expansion of Inner-City Arts, the longtime Skid Row educational institution, to the Vista Hermosa Natural Park, which created a much-needed green space in City West. The residential boom continued too, with the debut of projects such as South Park’s 717 Olympic.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Los Angeles Downtown News will recognize these and other projects at the eighth annual Downtowners of Distinction awards ceremony, and the Project of the Year will be announced. All told, 11 awards will be handed out, with honorees selected by virtue of their importance to their individual district. This year’s prizes include both new projects and some longstanding efforts that are being recognized for the years of improvement and life they have delivered to their district (as in previous years, awards are not being presented in every Downtown district).

Individual winners are selected by the Downtown News editorial staff, and the Project of the Year is voted on by leaders of the Downtown districts. The Project of the Year will be identified in next week’s issue.

Following, in alphabetical order by district, are this year’s Downtowners of Distinction winners. see Distinction, page 8

USC Plans For the Future

photo by Gary Leonard

The Urth Caffe became an instant Arts District destination when it opened last year.

Mutiny at the Market

University Preps for Expansion That Would Strengthen Ties to Downtown

Crisis Resolved After Grand Central Vendors, Citing the Economy, Withheld Rents

by Richard Guzmán city editor

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Dan Graham gets a MOCA show.

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The best race in Los Angeles.

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photo by Gary Leonard

Brian League, USC’s director of entitlements, is working on a plan that could bring more than 2 million square feet of new student housing to the area at the southern edge of the Figueroa Corridor.

by Anna Scott staff writer

Five great entertainment options.

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37 CALENDAR LISTINGS 40 CLASSIFIEDS 43 MAP

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he University of Southern California is in the early stage of creating a sweeping development plan that could bring millions of square feet of new housing, retail and other amenities to the southern end of the Figueroa Corridor. It would be a major step in strengthening the ties between the university and the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

The proposed USC Specific Plan would pave the way for up to approximately 2.5 million square feet of new academic facilities, 350,000

square feet of retail and 2.1 million square feet of mostly student housing over the next 10-20 years. The plan targets 207 acres including the USC campus, a small area east of the 110 Freeway between Jefferson and Exposition boulevards, and the USC-owned University Village shopping center just north of campus, which the school plans to replace with housing.

It is too early to determine a budget, but enacting the plan would likely exceed the approximately $100 million per year that USC currently spends on capital improvements. see USC, page 5

tenants’ mutiny at Grand Central Market was resolved last week after a group of merchants who had withheld their February rents came to an agreement with the landlord and paid up.

As part of the resolution with landlord The Yellin Company, rents will be lowered and advertising fees charged to the tenants will be eliminated.

The fracas, which resulted in many rents being paid two weeks or more late, is yet another sign of the financial hardships stemming from the national recession. Although

most visitors to the Downtown Los Angeles landmark were unaware of the situation, several tenants said their future survival is in question.

Adele Yellin, president of the Yellin Company, said that the move will lower costs for the 40 merchants.

“We do understand the pressure that our tenants are under in these times and we’ve taken steps to reduce their rent by eliminating the advertising budget,” Yellin said.

The situation had been bubbling for months, and began to come to a head in late January. That is when Ralph Leech, an attorney see Grand Central, page 7

photo by Gary Leonard

Numerous merchants in Grand Central Market did not pay their February rents for more than two weeks. As part of a deal with the landlord, many rents will be reduced and a monthly advertising fee eliminated.

Since 1972, an independent, locally owned and edited newspaper, go figure.

Maguire Properties

Los Angeles Downtown News would like to thank the following sponsors:

Central City Association Downtown Center Business Improvement District Maison Bertet

—H O N O R E E S — Urth Caffe's Headquarters • REDCAT's Adventurous Programming • Inner-City Arts Expansion • Yale Terrace • Vista Hermosa Natural Park LA Live • Roosevelt Lofts Renovation • A Trio of Film Festivals • Nisei Week • 717 Olympic • Philippe's 100th Birthday • TenTen Wilshire

“Project of the Year” will be announced at the cocktail reception.

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 3

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AROUNDTOWN Grand Avenue Penalties Deferred

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he city and county have struck a deal with Grand Avenue project developer the Related Cos., agreeing to defer a $250,000 per month penalty that Related would owe for groundbreaking delays on its $3 billion Bunker Hill development. The city-county panel overseeing the project, the Grand Avenue Authority, voted last summer to grant Related a six-month groundbreaking extension to Feb. 15 of this year. As part of the deal, Related agreed to pay $250,000 every month after February that the project does not break ground, for up to two years. Recent delays have been blamed on the economy, as Related has not been able to secure a $700 million construction loan. Gerry Hertzberg, policy director for First District County Supervisor and Grand Avenue Authority Chair Gloria Molina, signed an agreement to defer the penalties on Feb. 18. Now, rather than pay on a monthly basis, Related will pay a lump sum once the project breaks ground. If construction does not start within two years, Related would owe as much as $6 million. Four months before the two-year deadline, Related will have an opportunity to renegotiate its extension, said Hertzberg.

Sixth Street Bridge Plans Moving Forward

little as $399,000, down from the original lowest price of $459,000.

Total discounts will be about $3 million, said project spokesman Bryan DeSena. The 23-story building opened in October and has 30% of its units under contract, and escrows have closed on 18 sales since November, DeSena said. Meanwhile, South Group announced last week that they have sold a $3.2 million Evo penthouse.

The 3,973-square-foot residence is its second sale of $3 million or more in just a few weeks.

photo by Gary Leonard

Collage Dance Theatre’s sevenweek long residency at the 7+Fig mall came to an end on Feb. 18 with two free performances of A Material World. Large crowds followed the dancers in the hour-long work created specifically for the shopping center.

L.A. LIVE PARKING 3,500 SPACES

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he city’s Engineering and Public Works bureaus, working with the California Department of Transportation and other authorities, have come up with five potential designs to replace the ailing Sixth Street Viaduct. The options include an exact replica; two traditional arched bridges; and two modern-style bridges, including one with a cable-stayed design, said city engineer and bridge improvement program manager John Koo. The cable-stayed option has been recommended by city staff. The 77-year-old, 3,500-foot-long bridge spanning the Los Angeles River between Downtown and Boyle Heights suffers from Alkali-Silica Reaction, a condition that gradually weakens concrete structures. City engineers estimate that there is a 70% chance the bridge will collapse due to a major earthquake in the next 50 years. A final Environmental Impact Report on the replacement options, Koo said, is expected by December and construction could begin in early 2012. The estimated cost of replacing the bridge with the cable-stayed option is approximately $345 million (a replica would cost another $30 million). During a community meeting in Boyle Heights this month, the recommended design drew heavy criticism, Koo said. “The model that we showed was not fully developed,” he said. “It was very preliminary, so I think it didn’t go well with the community, but we are still working on it.”

Supes Hopes to Expand Project 50

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roject 50 may be closer to becoming Project 500 after the County Board of Supervisors last week approved a motion to look into expanding the effort aimed at housing the area’s most vulnerable homeless people. Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who introduced the motion and has spearheaded the $5.6 million project, set a four-week deadline to create a report detailing the expansion plans. “This is the first step to determine if we can expand and how to expand,” said Flora Gil Krisiloff, a deputy on homelessness and mental health issues for Yaroslavsky. She said the project, which so far has focused on Skid Row, would be expanded throughout the county and could help up to 500 people. So far, 39 of the 50 individuals who have been housed remain with the program in apartments operated by Skid Row Housing Trust.

Explosion Rocks Fourth Street

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our buildings in the Historic Core were evacuated on the morning of Feb. 18 after an explosion in an underground electrical vault. There were no injuries from the blast that occurred below the building at 125 W. Fourth St., at the corner of Spring Street, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman d’Lisa Davies. Spring Street was shut down between Third and Fifth streets while firefighters checked surrounding buildings for electrical hazards. The buildings were deemed safe and the streets reopened within several hours.

The Department of Water and Power assumed responsibility for any further investigation, said Davies.

Evo Stages Sales Push

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fter The Rowan condominiums found success with an auction, developer South Group hopes to sell some of the 311 residences in the Evo building with what it is labeling a $3 million sale. From Feb. 27-March 1, condos in the project at 12th Street and Grand Avenue will go for as

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4 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

EDITORIALS Mayoral Endorsement: No One

W

hen Los Angeles voters go to the polls on March 3, it will not be, as the recent national ballot was declared, the most important election of our lifetime. Also unlike that ballot, the race for the top position, in this case the office of mayor of Los Angeles, is essentially already decided, with the incumbent certain to win in a landslide.

Still, the coming election is extremely important to the citizens of Los Angeles. The results of the race will have a profound impact on a city that is struggling with a brutal budget deficit. The winner will, theoretically at least, be the most important person in leading the city for the next four years.

We say theoretically because although Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is the shoe-in, we do not know if he will serve a full second term. That, along with a string of failures during his first four years in office, means that Los Angeles Downtown News cannot endorse his bid for re-election.

We feel that none of the other candidates has the experience required to lead a city of this size. Thus, we have no endorsement in the race for mayor.

We wish it were not so, and we understand that people who enter the voting booth cannot simply throw up their hands and say “none of the above.” But implicit in the word “endorsement” is the backing of a candidate’s record and plans for the future. We cannot back anyone for mayor. Not even in the standard newspaper fallback of a hold-your-nose-and-pull-the-lever endorsement.

Problems With Villaraigosa If Villaraigosa had alternate personal goals for the next four years — i.e. focus specifically on how to get Los Angeles through this tough period — we could grudgingly support him for a second term, at least against the current competition.

However, he is expected to run for governor, and has done nothing to persuade us otherwise. When asked this month by an Associated Press reporter whether he would complete a second term if re-elected, he replied, “I’m not going to make a promise I can’t keep.” There’s your answer.

With the gubernatorial primaries taking place in June 2010 (termed-out Arnold Schwarzenegger’s replacement will be selected in November), any viable candidate will need to start raising money and campaigning for the governor’s race by this fall at the latest. That is a full-time job,

and Villaraigosa cannot give the city the attention it needs while running for the highest office in the state. We fear a scenario where Villaraigosa wins a second term and then leaves Los Angeles in the lurch by concentrating on the next election.

By the time we factor in either scenario of his winning or losing and the special election to replace Villaraigosa should he become governor, the city could be without a focused leader for about two years. It could be three to four years from now before a new mayor fills his or her administration and gets up to speed.

Villaraigosa has scored a few notable accomplishments during his first term. He helped lead the charge for voters to pass Measure R, which will inject $40 billion into Metro projects over the next 30 years. Although it is impossible to tell if his lofty “Subway to the Sea” plan will ever come to fruition, this infrastructure investment would help a crowded city create better mass-transit alternatives than exist now.

He has also displayed leadership on environmental issues, including his stances on water conservation, energy efficiency and greening the ports. This will not pay off immediately, and we appreciate his long-term vision on the matter (though we have serious questions about the narrowness of Measure B, a solar power proposal he backs which is also on the March ballot).

Additionally, he has given attention to the city’s lack of affordable housing and has helped to protect renters from the foreclosure crisis.

Unfortunately, his achievements are overshadowed by his failures. When Villaraigosa zoomed into office in 2005 (abandoning Council District 14, breaking a promise he would complete his term as councilman), he gave many people hope. When, in his inauguration speech, he invited the citizenry to dream with him about a bright future, it was easy to do so.

A key dream was to improve the education system. Many objected to his Sacramento-aided attempt to take over the Los Angeles Unified School District, an effort Villaraigosa badly bungled. Also, although he now controls a cluster of schools and his allies form a majority on the seven-member Board of Education, we have yet to see solid hopes of improvement in the LAUSD. Any such effort takes years, and it is disheartening to think he may not be here to see that through.

Villaraigosa disappointed many by spending so much time on the road during the presidential campaign, backing first Hillary Clinton and then Barack Obama. While early in his term we were excited by his travels, and they seemed to promise benefits for Los Angeles, these sojourns have come to seem like trips that serve his interests more than those of the city.

He has displayed a distressing trend of picking highprofile topics and then not following through. His touted effort to plant 1 million trees in Los Angeles went nowhere.

Another temporal subject was Skid Row — for a time it appeared that Villaraigosa would create real momentum in this impoverished section of Downtown Los Angeles, and with Police Chief William Bratton he launched the successful Safer Cities Initiative. Yet Villaraigosa’s attention soon was directed elsewhere.

We wish Villaraigosa had accomplished more.

Others Do Not Merit Of the challengers on the ballot, none has demonstrated the two most important factors for a candidate: 1) that they have a clear plan to lead the city, and 2) that they have the wisdom, experience and judgment to do the job.

One candidate, attorney Walter Moore, has done an admirable job in campaigning and raising money. However, nothing on his resume convinces us he has the knowledge and background needed to run the second-largest city in the United States. It is a massive task, and if Moore is serious about politics, we would prefer to see him first gain some experience in another elected post.

That said, there is one reason to vote for any of the other candidates, and that is to register protest against having a mayor who is concentrating on advancing his own career, not addressing the needs of the city. Enough protest votes might give pause to any local politician who doesn’t exhibit a concentrated effort on the city of Los Angeles.

But really, this election is about Villaraigosa, and the facts that he has accomplished relatively little and is already looking toward his next job. Which is a shame. So many people wanted to dream with him. Unfortunately, not enough of those dreams came true.

How to reach us Main office: (213) 481-1448 MAIL your Letter Letters to the Editor • L.A. Downtown News 1264 W. First Street • Los Angeles, CA 90026 Email your Letter realpeople@downtownnews.com FAX your Letter (213) 250-4617

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

Read Us on the Web DowntownNews.com

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie citY Editor: Richard Guzmán stAFF writErs: Anna Scott, Ryan Vaillancourt coNtributiNG Editors: David Friedman, Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jay Berman, Jeff Favre, Michael X. Ferraro, Kristin Friedrich, Howard Leff, Rod Riggs Marc Porter Zasada Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins ProductioN AssistANt / EvENt coordiNAtor: Claudia Hernandez PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Ashley Vandervort sAlEs MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin AssistANt sAlEs MANAGEr: George Caston sAlEs AssistANt: Annette Cruz clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Vanessa Acuña, Robert Dutcher, Catherine Holloway, Kelley Smith circulAtioN: Norma Rodas distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles. It is also distributed to the extended urban communities of Glendale, Hollywood, Wilshire Center, Los Feliz, Silver Lake & Larchmont Village.

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February 23, 2009

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USC Continued from page 1 “We prepared a master plan, which lays out the university’s needs for the next 20 years,” said USC Director of Entitlements Brian League. “The Specific Plan is the way that, in partnership with the city, we can implement those needs.”

The plan also addresses community needs beyond the university, calling for more public open space, pedestrian-friendly streets and community-serving retail in the neighborhoods surrounding USC. Despite the expansion, the school does not plan to grow its student body, officials say.

Much of the new housing and retail, League said, will be concentrated on and around Figueroa Street. Two miles to the north, Figueroa has seen a wealth of development, including the $2.5 billion L.A. Live “From the Coliseum to USC, the Convention Center, L.A. Live, eventually Grand Avenue and Dodger Stadium, you will basically be confronting what we consider the educational, cultural, entertainment and sports capital of the city of Los Angeles,” said City Councilman Bernard Parks, whose Eighth District encompasses the university.

Thinking Big With more than 33,000 students and an estimated $4 billion in annual economic impact, USC sits one block north of Exposition Park.

If approved by the City Council, the USC Specific Plan would allow USC to create new housing, school facilities and commercial space in an area bounded by Vermont Avenue to the west; Hoover Street to the east, north of Jefferson Boulevard; Flower Street to the east, south of Jefferson; 30th Street to the north; and Exposition Boulevard to the south.

A sort of generalized blueprint, the Specific

Plan would give USC wide latitude in using its entitlements, and construction would unfold in phases over at least 10 years.

The first priority, League said, would be building more student housing.

Currently, many students live in a mishmash of apartment complexes and sub-divided single-family homes on the streets around campus. USC offers 6,000 beds and guarantees housing to first- and second-year undergraduates. The Specific Plan would aim to add another 5,400 beds, allowing USC to guarantee housing for all four undergraduate years.

The housing would also take pressure off the surrounding neighborhood, where residents have complained for years of being encroached on.

Yolanda Jones, president of the North Area Empowerment Congress, a neighborhood group, said that her organization would also push for ground-floor retail in the new residential developments.

“We would like to see fresh food options, not just fast food. Obviously we don’t need more liquor stores,” she said. “And we’d like to see things related to the median income of the community, not just the student income.”

Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry, who represents part of the area around USC, most of Downtown and portions of South Los Angeles, said she is attuned to the community’s concerns.

“I’d like to see it balance the need for more student housing and leverage the land we have left to develop in the area,” she said of the Specific Plan, “making sure we create opportunities for people to have neighborhood needs met; places to eat, shop and get services.”

Perry and Parks have asked the city Planning Department to create a development agreement with USC to ensure that its plans benefit the community. The agreement would add stipulations to the Specific Plan, such as a local hiring quota, green building

standards and establishing preferential parking districts in residential areas.

Aside from prioritizing new student housing with commercial components, it is not clear yet how the Specific Plan will unfold.

K-8 school. Yet those plans could change, and flexibility will be key, said League.

“We want to create a big enough basket of development, because come 2011, it’s hard to predict the future,” League said Long Timeline One project already under way that provides a glimpse of the future is Downtownbased developer Urban Partners’ University Gateway.

On the southeast corner of Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard, the $168 million project broke ground last May and, when it opens in the fall of 2010, will provide 421 apartments with 1,600 student beds. The complex’s more than 80,000 square feet of retail space is still being negotiated, said Urban Partners CFO Matt Burton, but will appeal to students and non-students.

“It will include restaurants, a drug store concept that’s a national retailer, and then a lot of it will just be your coffee shops, that kind of use,” he said.

That project will start to extend the development energy from the campus north to Downtown. In the meantime, the Specific Plan still has several hurdles to clear.

Last Wednesday, the city hosted the second and final public meeting to gather community input before launching an environmental study of the plan. An Environmental Impact Report is expected to be complete

by December and go to the City Council for approval in the summer of 2010. If approved, USC could then begin construction on projects under the Specific Plan.

It is not clear yet how long the entitlements granted under the Specific Plan will apply.

“We did our master plan through 2030, and we’re looking to get as long an entitlement as we can,” said League. “Ten years, we hope so. If we can get 20 years, all the better.”

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

‘From the Coliseum to USC, the Convention Center, L.A. Live, eventually Grand Avenue and Dodger Stadium, you will basically be confronting what we consider the educational, cultural, entertainment and sports capital of the city of Los Angeles’ —Councilman Bernard Parks

The proposed 2.5 million square feet of academic facilities will depend largely on future advances beyond USC’s control. For example, in recent years the school has added a new molecular biology facility to stay competitive in the research arena, and grown its cinema school in part to keep up with digital film technology.

The plan also would also entitle a hotel with up to 150 rooms, and a university-affiliated

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6 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

How can you position your business for growth in a slow economy?

Digital Dilemma Skid Row Sees Trouble With TV Signal Switch

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hen Congress approved a plan requiring television stations to switch their broadcasting signal from analog to digital in 2009, the legislation included $1.5 billion in coupons to help consumers purchase the device needed to accommodate the conversion.

After consumers lined up en masse for the rebates, Congress pushed back the initial Feb. 17 deadline by four months to give unprepared people more time. But the extension may be delaying an inevitable problem for many Skid Row residents whose requests for a digital converter box coupon are being denied.

The $40 coupons are intended to help people who rely on “rabbit ears” and other antennas to watch television cover the cost of the $50 to $70 digital converter boxes.

More than 100 Skid Row residents have applied for coupons in recent months, only to learn that inhabitants of most Single Room Occupancy housing — the area’s predominant type of permanent housing — are ineligible, said Shannon Parker, a grant writer for the nonprofit Skid Row Housing Trust and chair of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council’s affordable housing committee.

The legislation that created the coupon program offers the discount to all households, but its definition of “household” excludes residential units that do not have individual mailing addresses. Unlike apartment and condominium complexes, in most SROs residents live in their own unit but do not have an individual mailbox. Instead, a building manager distributes mail, Parker said.

photo by Gary Leonard

Mike Gravlin, a resident of the Boyd Hotel, is one of the many Skid Row area denizens who has been unable to get a coupon that will cut the cost of a converter box when television stations switch from analog to digital signals.

SRO buildings house many residents who rely on federal Supplemental Security Income or General Assistance and cannot afford cable or a converter box without a discount.

“A lot of these people make less than $10,000 a year, so to pay $60 or $70 for a converter box is pretty hefty,” Parker said.

“So they do need the coupons.”

The eligibility rules have frustrated residents and riled activists.

“Some of the main people that need these coupons are the ones living in the SROs,” said Jeff Page, a community organizer and DLANC member known in the area as “General Jeff.”

Mike Gravlin, who lives in the SRO Boyd Hotel, and sustains himself with social security and part-time work delivering flowers, has been denied a coupon multiple times, via see TV, page 10

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February 23, 2009

Grand Central Continued from page 1 representing some of the Grand Central Market tenants, sent a letter to the Yellin Company citing the deteriorating economy and asking for a 30% reduction in rents and a discontinuation of the monthly publicity charge that pays for advertising the market.

Leech would not comment on the situation. However, his letter, sent by a market tenant to Los Angeles Downtown News, stated that “the continuous downward spiral of the economy has made it harder for my clients to stay afloat…. It is for that reason that they need to take action in order to maintain their livelihood and small business.”

“Beginning February 1st, the tenants are in agreement to discontinue publicity,” the letter read.

The crisis quickly escalated, as most of the tenants withheld the rents that were due Feb. 1. That led the Yellin Company to send notices to those who had not paid, threatening eviction.

Last week, both sides said they had reached a tentative agreement that should alleviate some of the financial woes.

“At this point we negotiated with 34 of the tenants and we’re following up with the remaining tenants,” Yellin said. She added that she expected meetings with all tenants to be held by the end of last week, after Downtown News went to press.

The Compromise Yellin and tenants who spoke with Downtown News said there will not be an-across-the-board 30% reduction, but instead the landlord will deal with each tenant individually.

The monthly publicity fee paid by the merchants, which can vary from a few hundred to more than $1,000 a month, was removed from their lease requirements.

“The businesses are very slow. People are using lines of credit to pay rent. It’s a bad situation, but hopefully we’ll survive. We just need help,” said Robina Sookasya, owner of Kabab and More, a Mediterranean food vendor.

Sookasya said she paid her February rent last week and was waiting to meet with the landlord to negotiate a reduction in her lease.

“We don’t know what kind of discount we’re going to get, but at least we’re going to get some discount,” she said.

It is an unexpected situation at the historic market, housed on the ground floor of the Homer Laughlin and Lyon Buildings, with entrances on Hill Street and Broadway between Third and Fourth streets.

The Grand Central Market has been a Downtown landmark since its opening in 1917. However, as the business community migrated west from Downtown over the decades, it deteriorated.

In the 1980s, the building’s owner, the late Ira Yellin, launched an extensive renovation of the market, with architectural and restoration work overseen by architect Brenda Levin. That project, known as Grand Central Square, also created 121 apartments in the building above the market.

Today the market is home to a vibrant mix of vendors who sell everything from produce to dried foods and spices to food from all over the world.

However, business took a big hit in 2001 following the fatal accident that shut down Angels Flight, the railway that connected the market with Bunker Hill. The closure of the funicular forced office tower workers to walk up and down the 153 steps, and reduced the market’s lunch-time clientele.

The recession has made things worse, tenants said. Some merchants have left the market in recent years, and today there are about 10 stalls empty, from 100-1,000 square feet, according to the market’s website. Some current merchants say business has dropped by 30% or more.

In normal economic times, strong-arm tactics such as withholding rent are uncommon, said Stan Yoshihara, managing director in the Downtown office of real estate firm CB Richard Ellis.

“You’re going to get a lot more of this in this economy,” he said. “Many tenants right now are asking for rental relief.”

Yellin warned that there could be a future downside, as cutting the publicity charge likely means Grand Central Market

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“There’s going to be some hurt,” Yoshihara said, noting that is what happens if you “don’t get the word out.”

More Help While the situation appears to be resolved, not all the tenants are resting easy.

Fernando Lopez’s family has owned AB Coffee, a dried goods and spices stand at the market, for about 40 years. He’s been through hard times, but this is as bad as he’s seen it. He said his business is down by as much as 60% from last year.

“There are fewer and fewer people coming here. A lot of places have had to let people go. I even had to fire two people,” he said in Spanish.

Lopez said he pays about $3,500 a month for his stall and a storage room. As part of the new deal, his $350 monthly publicity fee was eliminated and his rent was reduced by $50. However, he said that may not be enough to help him weather the recession.

C

“I would have liked maybe a 5-10% discount,” he said, referring to his rent.

Lopez said he hopes to sit back down and try to re-negotiate with the landlord for more help.

“If things keep getting worse, it’s something we may have to revisit in the future,” he said.

Yellin is hopeful that the market and its tenants will be able to ride out the recession, although a lot of it depends on at least one thing that is out of their hands.

“Once Angels Flight opens, more business will come to Grand Central Market,” she said.

No opening date has been set for that project, which has seen multiple reopening delays since it closed eight years ago.

Still, Yellin expressed confidence that the 92-year-old landmark will keep going.

“The market has thrived and survived through a lot of downturn, so it’ll come back,” Yellin said.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

entral City Association and the Downtown Center Business Improvement District congratulate

this year’s honorees for their dedication and commitment

to Downtown Los Angeles.

Central City Association (213) 624-1213 www.ccala.org

Downtown Center Business Improvement District (213) 624-2146 www.downtownla.com

8 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com Winner: REDCAT’s Adventurous Programming

photo by Gary Leonard

Distinction

Chinatown

W

photo by Gary Leonard

Arts District

Central City East photo by Gary Leonard

Winner: Inner-City Arts Expansion

Winner: Urth Caffe’s Headquarters

W

ith its selection of organic coffees and teas and food items like its grilled chicken sandwich, the Urth Caffe in the Barker Block was an instant attraction not just for denizens of the Arts District, but for all Downtowners. After all, everyone digs the fact that the bastion of Westside hipness understands that it now needs to be in the Central City. But what really makes the $6 million project from Shallom and Jilla Berkman more than just another coffee joint is the jobs: Urth has brought its corporate headquarters to 513 S. Hewitt St., and now there are more than 100 bakers, roasters, accountants and other employees in the area.

photo by Jean-Louis Darville

Bunker Hill

Winner: Yale Terrace

C

hinatown is known for restaurants and nightlife, but in May, it got a new treasure many may not have expected: a $25 million affordable housing complex. Yale Terrace, built

by Advanced Development and Investment in coordination with the Community Redevelopment Agency, houses 55 families, including 120 children, and along with places to play, the apartment complex boasts 10,000 square feet of space for social service programs. The project not only provides a new beginning for its residents, but betters the entirety of Chinatown by bringing in more people.

City West photo by Gary Leonard

Continued from page 1

hen the Walt Disney Concert Hall opened five years ago, most eyes were on the main auditorium where the L.A. Philharmonic played. But since the building’s debut, many have discovered the small black box space in the back of the edifice, the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater, where some of the city’s most interesting and avant-garde music, dance, film and theater presentations take place. From a reading by Andre Gregory to the Wooster Group’s version of Hamlet to a theatrical opera titled What to Wear, the space programmed by Mark Murphy is forward thinking and never boring. Sure, not everyone likes every show, but REDCAT does something few cultural institutions in Los Angeles dare: It takes risks and challenges its audience. It succeeds a lot more than it fails.

I

nner-City Arts has been helping the children of Skid Row and surrounding communities since it opened in 1989, providing artistic and educational opportunities they otherwise would never receive. Last October, the institution hit a new high, with the opening of a $10 million expansion that will let Inner-City Arts double the number of children it serves a year, to 16,000. Under the direction of co-founder Bob Bates and President and CEO Cynthia Harnisch, the facility at Kohler and Seventh streets offers instruction in subjects including visual arts and filmmaking, and there is a new theater and ceramics studio. It all takes place in an attractive complex designed by Michael Maltzan.

Winner: Vista Hermosa Natural Park

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or much of the past decade, the plot at First Street and Beaudry Avenue was a symbol of failure, known to all as the space where the Belmont Learning Complex never arrived. continued on next page

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February 23, 2009

Downtown News 9 photo by Gary Leonard

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But in July, the 10-acre western half of the land bloomed into use as the Vista Hermosa Natural Park. Suddenly, the parkstarved community had a glorious natural space full of trees, grass, walking trails, activities and places for children to play, along with a soccer field that is constantly in use. The $14 million project, launched by Councilman Ed Reyes and former school board member and current Councilman José Huizar, and operated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, is a glorious reclamation of public property.

ence fiction films. The newest player is the Downtown Film Festival, which in July ran films and parties for five nights. All the events expose the street and the theaters to many from Downtown and beyond, hinting at the possibility of an active future for these architectural gems.

photo by Gary Leonard

Little Tokyo

photo by Gary Leonard

Financial District the Grammy Museum. AEG’s project, which will culminate in 2010 with the Convention Center headquarters hotel, has added nightlife and energy to the area, and the development has helped inspire housing and hundreds of millions of dollars in investment in other projects. AEG took a multi-billion dollar gamble with L.A. Live, but it turns out the company was right: They have built it, and now more people than many ever imagined are coming to Downtown.

Winner: Nisei Week

T photo by Gary Leonard

Historic Core Winner: Roosevelt Lofts

T

ransforming old buildings is never easy, and Milbank Real Estate encountered more problems than it ever expected in turning the 84-year-old Roosevelt Lofts into 222 modern residences. Although the $150 million project at 727 W. Seventh St. only has a few inhabitants right now, readying the building for a residential future will have a great impact on the Financial District. Call it the most significant step for the building since it opened back in 1925.

S

Winner: L.A. Live

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he future of the Figueroa Corridor changed forever in December, when Anschutz Entertainment Group christened the second phase of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live.

Suddenly, the area glistened with a batch of new restaurants, the rollicking Club Nokia, the Lucky Strike bowling alley and

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Winner: A Trio of Film Festivals

Figueroa Corridor

uddenly, amazingly, there are three film festivals on Broadway: For more than two decades the Los Angeles Conservancy has been drawing thousands of people to the area on summer nights with its Last Remaining Seats series, which screens classic films in classic theaters such as the Orpheum and the Los Angeles. That has been joined by the 2-year-old Jules Verne Festival, which in October filled some of the Broadway venues with adventure and sci-

California Hospital Medical Center

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10 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Distinction photo by Gary Leonard

Continued from page 9

of what many consider Downtown’s signature restaurant and its signature meal. Philippe’s, at 1001 N. Alameda St., has become not just a dining destination but a tradition, a place where City Hall denizens sit next to teenagers, senior citizens and tourists, all of them at communal wooden tables. It’s more than just the sandwiches and the sawdust on the floors that speak to the history: Some of the carving ladies have been there for decades, ensuring a customer-business bond that few establishments can match.

TV

photo by Gary Leonard

Wilshire Corridor and Figueroa Street, which contains 151 contemporary apartments, offers scintillating views, while the community benefits by having another cluster of active residents to patronize area establishments. The building was designed by architecture firm RTKL.

photo by Gary Leonard

Union Station/El Pueblo

Winner: Philippe’s 100th Birthday

P

W

hen the faltering economy gave the Amidi Real Estate Group lemons last summer, they turned it into a 16-story pitcher of lemonade: When they realized it would be difficult to fill their $50 million condominium project with buyers, they repositioned it as corporate housing, offering month-to-month leases, furnished rooms and hotel-like amenities. The move completed a striking turnaround of the 1960 edifice at 1010 Wilshire Blvd., and now the many business folk who come to Downtown for extended stays have an attractive place to reside that feels more like home than a hotel. Additionally, TenTen Wilshire has one of the best rooftop scenes in Downtown Los Angeles, with a glassenclosed gym and a fully stocked bar.

Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

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Continued from page 6 email and by phone, he said.

“The most frustrating thing is that you never get a person on the phone, it’s just a machine,” Gravlin said. “If I can save $10 or $20, I’m doing good. If I have to pay $50, I’m not so good.”

Pushing for a Rule Switch The ineligibility of SRO residents has been overshadowed by the fact that the program ran out of money on Jan. 4, and more than 3.6 million requests have since been put on a waiting list, according to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is overseeing the program.

Wary that too many Americans were unprepared for the conversion, Congress voted on Feb. 4 to delay the switch until June 12. By then, the coupon program stands to be replenished with $650 million from the economic stimulus package recently passed by Congress.

It remains unclear whether the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the federal agency managing the th program, will consider amending the law before June 12 to extend eligibility to SRO residents.

U.S. Rep. Lucile Roybal-Allard, whose district includes Skid Row, is pushing for such a change. She

FrIday & Saturday, Nov. 28 & 29 (thaNkSGIvING WeekeNd) 10:00 – 3:30

the

eople routinely question Los Angeles’ sense of history, but really, can there be questions when you walk into Philippe The Original and taste a French dip? In October, the Binder family celebrated the 100th birthday

Winner: TenTen Wilshire

voiced concern about the issue at the Feb. 4 hearing.

There is precedent for expanding eligibility for the coupon program. Residents of nursing homes, who like SRO inhabitants do not normally have individual addresses, were initially excluded.

Consumers requesting coupons be sent to P.O. Boxes were also excluded at first. But in response to requests from the Energy and Commerce Committee, the program was amended in November to cover long-term care facility residents and households utilizing a P.O. Box. Roybal-Allard is currently collecting co-signers for a letter she plans to send to the Energy and Commerce Committee by the end of the month urging that the committee’s chairman, Rep. Henry Waxman, request a similar amendment for SRO residents.

In the meantime, some SRO residents are scratching their heads, wondering why the problem was not addressed earlier.

“The nursing home situation got fixed a long time ago and I don’t understand how the SRO situation didn’t get mentioned then,” Page said. “Why wasn’t th the necessary research done before it was initiated so that the aM could be PM situation addressed out of the gate?”

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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SearchDowntownLA.com

Downtown News 11

photos by Gary Leonard

Downtown Development

HEWITT FIRST photo by Gary Leonard

Rising, and Sometimes Shining The Latest Information on 124 Downtown Projects

by RichaRd Guzmán, Jon ReGaRdie, anna Scott and Ryan VaillancouRt ith all the hubbub about the failing housing market and the faltering economy, one might expect Downtown Los Angeles to be a development dead zone. Not quite. Although activity in the area has slowed noticeably from its peak of several years ago, dozens of projects are still under way or have recently opened.

It’s easy to focus on what has failed, and indeed, many proposed efforts, including some high-profile projects, have stalled due to an inability to secure financing. But at the same time, numerous attention-grabbing developments are rolling forward, and there are still cranes in the air. Housing projects like Little Tokyo’s Sakura Crossing are set to boost Downtown’s residential population even further, civic efforts such as the Gold Line Eastside Extension are nearing completion and will help move people around, and cultural attractions like the Sports Museum of Los Angeles are providing new opportunities for locals and visitors.

In the following pages, Los Angeles Downtown News updates the progress (or lack thereof) on 124 projects, including 18 that have recently opened. Each of the entries includes a grid reference to a full-color map, which appears on page 22.

(Some projects are beyond the map’s boundary and are denoted by NA.)

W

NEW PROJECTS These projects were either announced or garnered public interest in the last five months.

CLEANTECH MANUFACTURING CENTER The Community Redevelopment Agency in September announced a plan to develop a 1 million-square-foot indus-

trial center east of Santa Fe Avenue, near 15th Street and Washington Boulevard, for companies that manufacture green technologies such as wind turbines or hydrogen fuel cells. The CRA is in the process of reaching out to businesses that would be interested in the center, as well as developers to build the project, said Alex Paxton, the agency’s manager of policy analysis. Paxton said that about 35 companies have so far expressed interest in the project. The CRA hopes to launch a request for proposals, which would be open for about 90 days, by the end of the month. A development timeline has not yet been determined, Paxton said. NA

DA VINCI G.H. Palmer Associates, the developer known for its Italian villa-inspired apartment projects, is in the planning stage for the Da Vinci, a 670-unit complex at Fremont and Temple streets. The property, which Geoff Palmer bought in 2004 for about $8.2 million, consists of 31 lots totaling about 202,000 square feet. The 508,000-square-foot project would put six floors of housing above one level of subterranean parking. It would include two pools, one of which would be on the roof, and a full-size basketball court. The Da Vinci site includes a parcel on Temple Street that abuts the nightclub Vertigo’s.

Palmer said the plan is to build around the one-story club, but that he would purchase the property if the price is right.

The project is currently making its way through the entitlement process and is awaiting a date to go before the Planning Commission for approval. B4

GATEWAYS APARTMENTS SRO Housing Corp. is proposing a 100 to 120-unit affordable housing project on a 22,000-square-foot vacant lot at Fifth and San Pedro streets, said Joseph Corcoran, the nonprofit developer’s director of planning and housing development.

Plans are in the early stage, though they hope to start construction by winter 2010. At srohousing.org. E6

Construction is underway on an adaptive reuse project at 120-130 Hewitt St. in the Arts District. The project, by developer Mika Realty Group, will offer units in two buildings, one erected in 1936, the other in 1948; a central entrance will feature a water fountain powered by solar energy. Residences will range from 800-2,500 square feet and will have 18-26 foot cathedral ceilings and stainless steel kitchens. At hewittfirst.com. E5

LOS ANGELES CENTRAL REGION HIGH SCHOOL NO. 12 On Jan. 27, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education approved a plan to tap a charter school organization to develop and operate a new Downtown high school. The 500-seat facility would abut the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex at 322 Lucas Ave. in City West. The proposal was originally approved about five years ago, but was temporarily shelved. Now the plan is moving forward, and the district’s next step is to draft and issue a request for proposals to find a charter organization to help fund and eventually run the school. A6 continued on next page

12 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

Development

Projects

barker block photo by Gary Leonard

Continued from page 11

PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE NIGHTCLUB Downtown landowner Michael Delijani is in the process of obtaining city entitlements to turn the 12th floor, terrace and rooftop of the former Pacific Stock Exchange building at 233 S. Beaudry Ave. into a 90,000-square-foot restaurant and nightclub with live entertainment and a dance floor. Delijani declined to give timeline or budget information, but said an opening date will depend on his ability to obtain financing.

The Westside-based Nadel Architects is working on designs for the property as well as an adjacent 18-story tower. Delijani said plans also call for a new, low-rise apartment building to go up on the property, just west of the existing structure.

Currently, the 126,602-square-foot building consists of 10 levels of parking, one floor of offices and the former trading floor, which closed in 2001. A5

photo by Gary Leonard

SPRING STREET PARK The third residential building in the $75 million Arts District complex will open early this spring at 530 S. Hewitt St., said a spokesman for developer the Kor Group. The building, which houses 116 condominiums, will join another 63-unit for-sale building that opened at the same address last March. Both were designed by Nakada & Associates. There is no timeline for two more buildings at

In January city officials announced that the Department of Recreation and Parks will purchase a nearly one-acre site on Spring Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, for a new park. The city is expected to close escrow on the $5.6 million acquisition in March and a new park is expected to open within several months of that. The parcel being sold by developer Downtown Properties now houses a parking lot and construction equipment for the firm’s adjacent Rowan and El Dorado loft buildings. D6

THE FORD Nonprofit developer SRO Housing Corp. is in the process of securing public funds to transform the Ford Hotel at 1000 E. Seventh St., which it purchased in February 2008, into 151 studio apartments. Currently, the hotel has 295 units and is occupied by 132 people, but the building is dilapidated and in need of redevelopment, said Joseph Corcoran, SRO Housing’s director of planning and housing development.

The project would include 90 units for chronically homeless individuals, Corcoran said. The remaining residences will be for low-income residents making up to 50% of the Area Median Income (which is $60,000), he said. The company hopes to raise funds in time to break ground in February 2010. At srohousing.org. E7

RESIDENTIAL FOR SALE

655 HOPE The 17-story adaptive reuse project has pushed back its target opening date again, this time from last October to late April, said Larry Carr, project manager for developer SECK Group, LLC. The development has encountered a number of construction-related delays, which have also pushed the cost from $15 million to about $17 million, Carr said. The company now expects construction to be substantially complete by late March, with fire safety and building code checks to follow. The Financial District project will offer 11 levels of residential space, with 80 lofts from 600-1,268 square feet.

Fourteen units will sell for $395,000-$500,000 and the rest will go for $500,000-$999,000. The project, which will not begin sales until it has a certificate of occupancy, will also have three floors of indoor parking, a gym and a roof deck. The restaurant Qdoba is on the ground level and there is another restaurant space with a full liquor license currently for lease, Carr said. At 655hope.com. B7

549 Molino St. which will house 55 residences. Lofts range from 750-2,400 square feet and prices start in the low $300,000s. The project last year saw the debut of the organic eatery Urth Caffe, as well as the company’s business headquarters, with 100 employees. This spring the retail element is expected to expand with the Primo Cucina Italian restaurant and gourmet market. At barkerblock.com. F6

711 N. BROADWAY

ALAMEDA AND FOURTH CONDOS

No new information was available regarding the proposed conversion of a four-story office building in Chinatown.

Previous plans called for a $22 million transformation of the BC Plaza building into a 53-unit residential complex with condos priced from $300,000-$600,000. The edifice also would hold 13,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. C3

Construction is set to start in May on the $30 million adaptive reuse project in the Arts District, said Peklar Pilavjian of developer Alameda and Fourth, LLC. Plans call for the conversion of the five-story, 1923 structure that was once home to the Bekins storage company to 53 artist-in-residence lofts.

Units will range from 650-2,400 square feet. Pilavjian said he also plans to build a new residential structure on the side of the lot fronting Alameda Street, though no timeline has been announced for that phase. E5

751 S. SPRING ST. A proposed 32-story tower adjacent to Broadway’s Chapman Flats is still on hold. The project from developer Spring St. Plaza, LLC, a subsidiary of Chapman developer the Heritage Development Group, has not been entitled yet. Its approved tract map will remain valid until next April. Initial plans called for 257 condominiums and 9,558 square feet of retail space. C7

808 S. OLIVE ST. There are no immediate plans to move forward on a proposed mixed-use, residential/hotel project on what is currently a 900-space parking lot, said Oskar Brecher of the New York-based developer the Moinian Group. The parking lot will continue to operate as such until the economy improves, he said. C7

1027 WILSHIRE BLVD. Nothing has changed and planning continues on a proposed 52-story residential tower at 1027 Wilshire Blvd. in City West. Although no timeline has been announced, Hamid Behdad of the Central City Development Group, which is partnering with the Amidi Real Estate Group on the project, said the 402-unit development would take about 42 months to build. However, financing is not in place for the condo tower, and if the market does not improve, Behdad said, the developers could look instead at creating a low-rise rental project. A7

1133 S. HOPE ST. There has been no movement on a proposed residential high-rise, slated to go up on a current South Park parking lot. Richard Wittstock, vice president of development for the Vancouver-based developer Amacon Group, said the company is still working on obtaining entitlements and building permits. There is no timeline for a groundbreaking, and budget information has not been released. Plans call for a 29-story, 159-condo building, plus 250 parking spaces and 6,700 square feet of retail. The project would include an outdoor pool. B9

AMP LOFTS There has been no movement on a proposed adaptive reuse project at 695 S. Santa Fe Ave., said developer David Seewack. Seewack and partner Scott Spiwak are still waiting to bring their proposal to the Community Redevelopment Agency board for approval, a step they previously expected to take by the end of last year. The developers’ plans call for transforming the current home of American Moving Parts, a truck part supply business owned by Seewack and Spiwak, into 182 live-work lofts and 3,000 square feet of retail. There is no budget or timeline information yet. The project was originally rejected by the city Planning Department, but was revived when 14th District Councilman José Huizar brought it under the City Council’s jurisdiction more than a year ago. Once part of Downtown’s Industrial District, the project is now within the Arts District, which was expanded in December to encompass 15 additional blocks. NA

BARN LOFTS Construction is on track and an adaptive reuse project at 940 E. Second St. is scheduled to open this summer, said developer Mark Borman of Barn Lofts LLP. Plans call for the former Spreckels Brothers sugar beet warehouse to be transformed into a 58,000-square-foot residential complex with 38 market-rate condominiums. Units would all be three-story, loft-style townhouses ranging from 1,300-2,600 square feet, with two-and-a-half bathrooms, two bedrooms and roof decks. The project will include 69 parking spaces, with 48 of them in an interior lot. Prices have not been set yet, and the overall budget has not been revealed. F5

CITY HOUSE AND THE OLYMPIC Developer the Titan Organization has said it is still searching for financing for a proposed 800,000-square-foot residential and hotel project in South Park. Plans call for a 60-story structure, the City House, and the 49-floor Olympic. Residences would start at 1,200 square feet and $700,000. Titan Organization president Gary Warfel has

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 13

Development 390 spaces and 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail with day care facilities. At veniceinvestments.com. B8

CONCERTO

According to the most recent information available, developer the McGregor Company is planning a 61-story tower in the Financial District. The company has not released a budget or a timeline. Early plans call for 225 condominiums, 200 hotel rooms, 386 parking spaces, 30,000 square feet of retail and 32,000 square feet of restaurant or bar space, to rise on a parking lot on Eighth Street between Hope Street and Grand Avenue. Last year, the developer asked the city to allow up to three years to submit a specific design proposal.

Environmental planning and research firm Christopher A. Joseph & Associates has completed a draft environmental assessment of the project. B7

photo by Gary Leonard

said the development at Grand Avenue and Olympic Boulevard would cost about $450 million. Once expected to break ground in early 2008, the project currently has no public timeline. C8

McGREGOR COMPANY TOWER

PARK FIFTH Developers of the proposed $1.3 billion skyscraper are seeking new capital partners to replace their previous investors, Namco Capital Group and Africa Israel Investments, said David Houk of the Houk Development Company. Though Houk previously predicted the project would break ground in the first quarter of this year, there is no current timeline, he said. The fully entitled project, proposed for a site at Olive and Fifth streets just north of Pershing Square, would include a 76-story building that would be the tallest residential structure west of Chicago. Together with a 44-story edifice, the towers would house 790 condominiums and a 212-room hotel. A third, 15-story residential building would connect the towers. The project would also include retail and restaurant space. C6 continued on next page

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Construction on Astani Enterprises’ Concerto continues.

The first phase of the project includes a 30-story tower at Figueroa and Ninth streets, which remains on target for completion in September, and a mid-rise structure at Ninth and Flower streets that is expected to be finished in late May, said Sonny Astani, the company’s chairman. The two structures will include a combined 348 units, all with 10.5foot ceilings. Though the mid-rise was pegged for an April finish, the slight holdup is tied to normal, construction-related delays, and not financing, Astani said. There remains no timeline for the second phase, expected to bring another 629 market-rate condominiums in a second 30-story tower.

While the second phase is approved and entitled, Astani said it will not break ground until the market improves. The whole project includes 27,500 square feet of retail, 1,000 subterranean parking spaces and a pedestrian paseo connecting Figueroa and Flower streets. The buildings will wrap around a courtyard with a one-acre park. B8

EIGHTH AND GRAND Developer Astani Enterprises’ proposed $500 million, multiphase condominium development at Eighth Street and Grand Avenue remains stalled. The project is slated to rise on what is now a surface parking lot, but not until the market takes a better turn, said Sonny Astani, Astani Enterprises’ chairman. Preliminary plans call for three phases of construction, creating 875 units in 15-, 21- and 38-story towers, along with 36,000 square feet of retail. A pedestrian paseo would connect Grand Avenue and Olive Street. C7

• • • • • • •

Alliance Commercial Catellus Development Corporation Forest City Development FRG Library Court LLC G.H. Palmer Hanover Company Holland Partners

• • • • • • •

Houk Development ICO Developement The KOR Group L.A. Mart LBA Realty Ocean Blue Investments Opus West

• • • • • •

Shimi, Inc. - Harten Building Title Guarantee Building Urban Partners Venice Investments Wallstreet Investment Group Zaytim, Inc.

• • • • • •

Kahala Corporation Kimski Design Loft Appeal Lofty Dog Mi Piace Michael Cardenas “Sushi Mike” Panini Café Pastagina Pinkberry Quiznos Rite Aid

• • • • • • • • • • •

Rivera Robek’s Juice Salad Farm Sandella Flatbread Spitz Cafe 7-Eleven Subway Tonys Walgreens Wetzel’s Pretzels Yogurtland

Tenants • • • • • • • • • • • •

American Apparel Arte Calidad Cultural Institute Bottega Louie Bottle Rock Blu LA Café Caffe Primo Chef Josef Centeno Cinnabun Famima FedEx Kinkos Fresh & Easy Johnny Rocket’s

• • • • •

EL DORADO The renovation of a former hotel at 416 S. Spring St. is expected to be complete in the third quarter, said Bill Stevenson, a partner with developer Downtown Properties, a firm that includes investor Goodwin Gaw. The 1913, 12-story building is being transformed into 65 units that will range from 850-1,700 square feet. Prices will start in the $400,000s. Each condominium will feature at least one balcony and Italian kitchens and bathroom cabinets, while penthouses will have private gardens. Downtown Properties recently sold a parking lot immediately south of the project to the city; it is slated to become a public park. At eldoradolofts.com. D6

L.A. LOFTS A proposed 432,000-square-foot project at 1028 S. Hope St. from Venice Investments is still on hold as the developer continues to look for financing, said the company’s Rita Simbulan. The South Park development would rise close to Venice Investments’ Packard Lofts. Designs by Killefer Flammang Architects call for a 25-story tower with 250 loftstyle condominiums, two levels of underground parking with

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DERRICk MOORE 213.613.3334 derrick.moore@cbre.com

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CB Richard Ellis | 355 S. Grand Avenue | Suite 2700 | Los Angeles, CA 90071

14 Downtown News

Projects

February 23, 2009

Development

NEW CARVER APARTMENTS photo by Gary Leonard

Continued from page 13

ROOSEVELT LOFTS After hosting a ribbon cutting at the building in December, Milbank Real Estate’s Roosevelt Lofts remains unopened. The $150 million project at Seventh and Flower streets has been beset by a series of construction and permit-related delays.

The developer is not announcing an opening date, but said in mid-February that it was “very close.” The most recent setback stemmed from Milbank not having completed the master document detailing all aspects of the structure. That document requires approval from the state Department of Real Estate.

The 222 condominiums in the building start in the $400,000s and go to more than $1 million. At rsvlt.com. B7

photo by Gary Leonard

ROWAN LOFTS

Skid Row Housing Trust is on track to finish a $35 million, permanent supportive housing project at 325 W. 17th St. by July, said SRHT Director of Special Projects Molly Rysman. Designed by Michael Maltzan, the color-

ZEN

The Historic Core project got a jump-start after a Feb. 8 auction in which 63 of 79 units put on the block were sold.

Although condominiums sold on average for about 25% below the original asking price, the sale netted $21.8 million for the $50 million development, said Bill Stevenson, a partner with developer Downtown Properties (the firm includes international investor Goodwin Gaw). Move-ins could begin in March, said Stevenson. The 280,000-square-foot, 13-story structure includes 206 units originally priced from $300,000 to more than $1 million. Some of the 500- to 1,400-squarefoot condos in the 1912 building at 460 S. Spring St. feature private patios or balconies. Architecture firm Killefer Flammang designed the project. At rowan-lofts.com. D6

SHY BARRY TOWER II Plans for a ground-up residential tower at 601 S. Main St. are on hold indefinitely, said developer Barry Shy. Previously, Shy planned a two-phase project that would eventually bring a 40-story tower with 700 live-work condominiums to the Historic Core space. The developer currently plans to build a five-story parking structure on the site. Groundbreaking is expected within three months and the lot would take approximately one year to build. D7

SOUTH FIGUEROA With the economy in a recession and developer South Group focusing on selling units in existing projects, the groundbreaking on two 34-story condominium towers at 624 W. 12th St. and 1200 S. Figueroa St. has been pushed back to 2010, said Rhonda Slovak, a project representative. She said financing remains in place and the development will still move forward. The Portland-based developer, which created the Elleven, Luma and Evo buildings in South Park, purchased the property for $23.5 million. The high-rises are being designed by GBD Architects and TVA Architects Inc. Each will contain 324 condominiums with hardwood floors, decks and balconies. The South Group also has plans for a third tower at 1241 S. Flower St. At exploresouthgroup.com. B9

Groundbreaking for the 50-story Zen condominium tower, proposed for the corner of Third and Hill streets by developer Kawada Company of America, has been pushed back to 2011, said Beverly Zeigler, a spokeswoman for the project. She said financing is in place and the Historic Core project is in the entitlement process and is undergoing an environmental impact report, which should be complete in six months. The skyscraper is being designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

It would be taller than any current residential building in Downtown and would feature 302 lofts and penthouse condominiums, with 66 of them reserved for workforce housing.

Residences would range from 502-2,420 square feet and plans call for about 10,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space.

C5

RESIDENTIAL FOR RENT

308 E. NINTH ST. The transformation of a five-story, 73,000-square-foot former warehouse is expected to be complete by the end of the second quarter, with move-ins starting at that time, said architect David Gray. The warehouse is being converted into 38 lofts by developer South Park Group. Financing information has not been released. The building will feature a ground-floor Starbucks and eight two-level penthouse units, which can be seen from the street and are currently being dry-walled. Crews are also installing landscaping planters on the roof. D8

717 NINTH Construction continues on Meruelo Maddux Properties’ 35-story residential tower in South Park. The 214-unit building, which will launch as a rental project (though it was originally planned as condominiums), remains on pace for completion in September, said Michael Bustamante, Meruelo Maddux’s spokesman. The building, which celebrated the end of vertical construction in September, will be the largest residential tower in Downtown when it is completed. Plans call for the project at Ninth and Flower streets to contain a glass feature resembling a waterfall and a 6,800-square-foot seafood restaurant. B8

2121 LOFTS Construction on the second phase of the adaptive reuse project at 2121 E. Seventh Place, which stalled last year, is expected to resume within weeks, said Lapchih Fan of developer Concerto Development. Phase one, which consists of 19 townhouses, is complete, Fan said, though there is no open-

ful, circular building will include 95 efficiency units for low-income, disabled adults. In addition to providing housing, there will also be drug treatment, mental health and other services on site. C10 ing date. Planned as condominiums, the project will debut as rentals instead. Overall, the 125,000-square-foot complex contains 78 units in three interlinked buildings. The townhouses occupy one structure, while phase two includes 59 live-work lofts in two separate buildings. Designed by architecture firm Killefer Flammang, homes range from 750-2,100 square feet. Rents have not been determined. NA

BROCKMAN BUILDING The $35 million adaptive reuse project, completed last fall, was originally planned as condominiums. However, after announcing in December that the building would open as rentals instead, Norman Salter, chairman of developer West Millennium Group, now says the project’s opening is on hold. Salter declined to provide any additional information about when the building might open to residents, or whether it would be for-sale or for-lease. The long-awaited, 12-story project at 530 W. Seventh St., originally anticipated to open in 2005, contains 80 units ranging from 850-2,280 square feet. The property offers original, exposed-brick walls, a fitness center, hot- and cold-water outdoor spas, a lounge and sun deck, and individual storage units. The sit-down eatery and grocer Bottega Louie Restaurant and Gourmet Market is expected to open on the ground floor by mid-March. C7

FACTORY PLACE ARTS COMPLEX Developers Howard and Matt Klein are working on the final touches in the landscaping and expect move-ins to begin in March, said Shawn Alva, a project spokesman. The row of brick-clad warehouses at 1291-1333 E. Sixth St. is being transformed into 63 live-work units and at least two retail spaces.

Apartments in the Arts District project will range from 6001,800 square feet and will rent for $1,595-$5,000. The project includes multiple courtyards, a pool, fire pits, event space and a dog park. The project is designed by Seattle-based Tony Bell Architecture. Formerly known as the Sixth Street Lofts, Factory Place is the second part of a three-phase development. The first phase, an 80-unit live-work complex at 1308 Factory Place, was built in the early 1980s. The third phase calls for 45 live-work units in a three-story structure adjacent to the 1308 Factory Place building; entitlements for that phase have been secured, but permits have not been attained. Construction will likely begin by early 2010. At factoryplacelofts.com. F6

GREAT REPUBLIC LOFTS The renovation of the 12-story, former Great Republic insurance building at 756 S. Spring St. is complete and awaiting its certificate of occupancy, which is expected by the end of March, said architect David Gray. Move-ins should follow shortly, though due to the economy the project, originally envisioned as condominiums, will instead open as apart-

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 15

Development

HOLLAND PARTNERS PROJECT Developer the Holland Partners Group continues to work through the entitlement process on a proposed 360-unit project in City West. The project would rise on a current three-acre parking lot bounded by Wilshire Boulevard, Bixel Street, Sixth Street and Lucas Avenue. David Gray Architects has created preliminary designs, while the Westside-based Nadel Architects will complete the design work. A7

ROSSLYN LOFTS

SAKURA CROSSING

The $15 million conversion of the former Frontier Hotel at 111 W. Fifth St. into a mixed-income apartment building is nearly 75% complete, said Jules Arthur, chief operating officer of San Diego-based developer the Amerland Group. Completion is expected by the end of the year. The property’s third through ninth floors will house 259 lowto moderate-income units, ranging from 300-325 square feet, with rents from $620-$796 including utilities. Floors 10 through 12 house 38 market-rate apartments, ranging from 600-1,300 square feet, with rents starting at $995.

The affordable floors are still under construction, while the luxury units are all either occupied or in the process of being leased. Building features include a laundry facility, finished concrete floors and exposed brick walls. At rosslynlofts.net. D6

Formerly known as the San Pedro Apartments, the luxury continued on next page

photo by Gary Leonard

ments. Developer Spring Main Development LLC is behind the project, which is creating 72 units that average approximately 850 square feet. Design features include glass tile in the bathrooms, hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and exposed concrete-beam ceilings. There will be retail on the ground floor and 72 parking spaces for residents in a facility next door. At greatrepubliclofts.com. D7

JAMES M. WOOD APARTMENTS Nonprofit developer SRO Housing Corp. is on track to complete the 53-unit project for chronically homeless tenants by the end of April, said Joseph Corcoran, the company’s director of planning and housing development. He expects to have full occupancy by the end of May. The $14.5 million effort at 506 S. San Julian St. in Skid Row will include 31 units for tenants with severe mental illness. The project is funded in part with $6.1 million from the city’s Permanent Supportive Housing program, Corcoran said. At srohousing.org. D6

MATSU According to the most recent information available, developer AvalonBay Communities plans to build a six-story apartment complex on the southwest corner of Los Angeles and Second streets. Plans for the 1.7-acre development in Little Tokyo — part of the site formerly known as Block 8 — include a 1,700-square-foot fitness center and 8,500 square feet of retail space; the developer has said the project would be designed to condominium specifications, though would open as rentals. D5

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ORSINI III Construction continues on developer G.H. Palmer Associates’ $43 million, 210-unit complex at Figueroa Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue. The five-story City West apartment project remains on schedule for an August 2010 opening, company owner Geoff Palmer said. The complex will feature studio, one- and two-bedroom units across the street from Palmer’s existing Orsini I and Orsini II projects. The Orsini III will include a three-level podium with 13,000 square feet of commercial space and a 477-car parking garage. The building that once housed the Original Texas Barbeque King was razed to make way for the project. At theorsini.com. B3

one-bedrooms from $300K

PIERO II

move-ins available within 30 days

After halting excavation on the 335-unit apartment complex in the fall of 2008, construction is set to recommence by the end of February, said Geoff Palmer, owner of developer G.H. Palmer Associates. Palmer has been at legal odds with the city over a requirement in the Central City West Specific Plan that mandates developers include some affordable housing.

Palmer won a judgment enabling him to proceed without affordable units on the Piero II. While the city is pursuing an appeal, Palmer has prevailed in similar legal conflicts over the affordable housing rule in prior City West projects. The Italian villa-inspired complex, which is between Bixel and St. Paul streets in City West, would include a pedestrian bridge over St. Paul Street that would connect a rooftop swimming pool deck to Palmer’s existing Piero I complex. Piero II was scaled down from its original design for 600 units. The $70 million development is tentatively due for completion in spring 2011. A7

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RENATO APARTMENTS Nonprofit developer Single Room Occupancy Housing Corp. broke ground on the Renato Apartments, a 96-unit complex for the chronically homeless, in November. The Renato will replace the 38-unit Leo Hotel at 531 S. San Julian St., which is currently being demolished, said Joseph Corcoran, the company’s director of planning and housing development. The $25 million project is expected to open in April 2010. Fiftyeight units will be reserved for chronically homeless, mentally ill people. All the apartments will measure about 350 square feet, and will include kitchenettes and private bathrooms and come fully furnished. The project is funded by $9.5 million from the city’s permanent supportive housing program, $2 million from the City of Industry’s affordable housing program, $14.5 million in federal low-income housing tax credits and $1.5 million from the Community Redevelopment Agency. At srohousing.org. D6

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16 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

Development

Projects

MEDALLION photo by Gary Leonard

Continued from page 15 apartment building from developer the Related Cos. will open this spring, said project manager Rick Westberg. The six-story development at Second and San Pedro streets in Little Tokyo includes 230 units with a 20% affordable component. Amenities include a pool, a landscaped podium deck, a rooftop screening room with an adjacent deck, a fitness center and business lounge. Thomas P. Cox Architects is designing the building, which is the first development to be completed on the site formerly known as Block 8. Ultimately four separate projects will rise on the block. At sakuracrossing.com. D5

SB SPRING The adaptive reuse project at 650 S. Spring St. in the Historic Core should be complete by the end of March, said developer Barry Shy. Originally planned as condominiums, the 190 apartments in the 12-story, 200,000-square-foot building will open as rentals instead, with rates from $1,200-$2,000. Units range from 600-1,500 square feet, and the building features a rooftop pool, gym and recreation room. D7

SB TOWER A 19-story, adaptive reuse project at 600 S. Spring St. is at least six months from finishing construction, said developer Barry Shy. Originally planned as condominiums, the building’s 250 residences will instead come online as apartments.

Floor plans range from 700-1,500 square feet and rents will be $1,200-$2,000. The project will feature a rooftop pool and spa, a recreation room, a gym and 8,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. D7

Mixed Use

rendering courtesy of the Chinatown BID

BLOSSOM PLAZA

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year on the project on the northeast corner of Fourth and Main streets, said developer Saeed Farkhondepour.

The project — which last year stalled, and was then restarted — is slated to include 200 residential units, 750

HERALD EXAMINER BUILDING A proposed mixed-use project in the former home of the Herald Examiner newspaper at 11th Street and Broadway remains on hold due to the current financial market, said Marty Cepkauskas, director of real estate for property owner the Hearst Corp. Once the market recovers, he said, Hearst will begin searching for a development partner. Plans for the already entitled project have not changed, and include the conversion of the Julia Morgan-designed Broadway building into 40,000 square feet of office space, 20,000 square feet of retail and a 10,000-square-foot or larger health club. The project would also include two new buildings: a 24-story, 268-unit residential tower on the site of the former press building on Hill Street, and a 37-story, 319-unit high-rise at 120 W. 12th St. Hearst continues to work with architect Brenda Levin on the restoration of the Herald Examiner building as part of the project. C9

L.A. CENTRAL

The 262-unit, $165 million mixed-use project hit a snag after its equity partner decided to back out of the deal, said Lillian Burkenheim, the Community Redevelopment Agency project manager responsible for Blossom Plaza. Bond Companies, the developer, is looking for new equity partners to move forward with the project and a groundbreaking is at least a year away, she said. Blossom Plaza would include two residential towers designed by Nakada & Associates, 43,000 square feet of retail space and a 372-car garage, with about half of the spaces available to the public. Blossom Plaza is planned for the site of the former Little Joe’s restaurant, at 900 N. Broadway in Chinatown, and would connect the Chinatown Metro Gold Line station and Broadway. The development would offer 20% affordable housing and include a 17,500-square-foot plaza for cultural events. The city is contributing $41 million to the effort. C2

CHINATOWN GATEWAY Due to the slowdown in the economy, construction on a 321,000-square-foot development at Broadway and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue is on hold while more financing is being lined up, according to a representative of the Community Redevelopment Agency. Chinatown Gateway LLC is comprised of partners J.B. Allen Realty Inc., Delia LLC and Equity Residential. Plans call for a six-story project with 280 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and 18,000 square feet of retail. The project would include 581 parking spaces as well as 30,000 square feet of recreational outdoor space, a pool and a landscaped plaza. Thomas P. Cox Architects is handling the designs. C3

There is no timeline for groundbreaking on a proposed $1 billion development at 11th and Figueroa streets, said Oskar Brecher of New York-based developer the Moinian Group.

The company is still looking to secure a $700 million-plus construction loan, he said. Once the project does break ground, construction would likely take at least four years, said Brecher. The fully entitled mega-development, adjacent to L.A. Live, would include 860 market-rate studio, one- and two-bedroom condominiums, averaging 1,000 square feet, in 53- and 37-story towers. The development would also include 250,000 square feet of retail space, a grocery store, restaurants and a boutique hotel with 222 rooms. As part of the project, Moinian plans to set aside funds for the construction of 172 off-site, low-income housing units. B9

METROPOLIS Developer IDS Real Estate Group hopes to break ground on the first part of the multi-phase project after the first quarter of 2010, though exact timing will depend on the state of mortgage markets and the overall economy, said IDS Senior Vice President Patrick Spillane. The first phase of the estimated $1 billion development includes 351 condominiums in a 33-story tower on 1.83 acres and would take approximately three years to build; the second phase would create 388 condominiums in a 42-story tower; a third phase would deliver a 480-room hotel and 88 residential units; and the fourth and final phase would create a 42-story office tower. Each phase would include a five-level parking structure, and 46,000 square feet of retail would rise over the life of the project. One block north of L.A. Live, the development site is bounded by the 110 Freeway, James M. Wood Boulevard and Eighth and Francisco streets. The entire project would be complete by 2020. Gruen Associates is the executive architect, while Arquitectonica is the design architect for the residential towers and Gensler is handling the office portion. B8

NIKKEI CENTER Developers of a proposed mixed-use project are still negotiating with the city to purchase the 4.5-acre site at First and

parking spaces, more than 200,000 square feet of groundfloor retail, restaurants and a rooftop bar. The construction cost was originally set at $125 million but has since increased by an undisclosed amount. M2A architects is in charge of the designs. D6

Alameda streets, said Bill Watanabe, executive director of the Little Tokyo Service Center, which is part of the development team. There is no timeline yet, and budget information has not been released. The site, formerly known as Mangrove, is part of a 10-acre property that the city purchased in 2002. It also holds an under-construction Metro Gold Line station, expected to be complete by this summer, a fire station and an emergency operations center. The development team, which includes Downtown-based Urban Partners, was selected last summer to buy the land from the city for $44 million. They have until March 1 to negotiate various details, with two optional 90-day extensions. Plans call for 390 apartments, with 110 designated for seniors and low-income households, 80,000 square feet of largely Japanese-themed retail, an office tower, 1,286 parking spaces and public gardens. E5

ONE SANTA FE Construction documents are almost complete and should be submitted to the city for plan checks by April, said Chuck Cowley, a partner with One Santa Fe developer the McGregor Company. The project should break ground this fall, he said.

The $140 million, 500,000-square-foot Arts District apartment complex would include 439 units above 70,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, commercial and live-work space.

The design by Michael Maltzan would feature vertical gardens along the main facade and a 5,000-square-foot community center. The five-story development would stand on a four-acre site that currently houses an MTA lot. The property is bounded by Santa Fe Avenue, the First and Fourth street bridges and Metrolink service tracks adjacent to the Los Angeles River. F5

SANTEE VILLAGE Connecticut-based lender the Patriot Group last October took over developer MJW Investments’ stake in the massive mixed-use development, MJW President Mark Weinstein said. The 780,000-square-foot Fashion District project, the first phase of which opened in 2004, consists of seven buildings on a site bounded by Los Angeles, Maple, Seventh and Eighth streets. It houses 445 lofts, approximately one-third of which are rentals (those are about 98% leased) and 66,000 square feet of retail space. Six of the buildings are currently open. The final piece of the project, the 73-unit Santee building, is complete and was scheduled to open last November but is on hold indefinitely, said Weinstein. About 140 condominiums, including those in the Santee building, are unsold.

The Patriot Group has not yet decided whether the remaining condominiums will stay for sale or switch to rentals, said Weinstein, who is now a consultant on the development.

Also in November, the project’s anchor retail tenant, a Rite Aid, closed. D7

THE GRAND There is no timeline for a groundbreaking on the $3 billion Bunker Hill project, as developer the Related Cos. continues to seek an estimated $700 million construction loan continued on page 20

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 17

Development

THE LIST

Largest Residential Buildings: Ranked by number of units Units • No. of units • Type

breakdown of units

Building profile • Year built • No. of stories • Total square footage

rent (or cost) • Lowest available • Highest available

amenities (partial list)

Contacts • Leasing agent • Property manager • Property owner

1

The Orsini 550 N. Figueroa St., 90012 346-9980, theorsini.com

862 apartments

40 singles 375 one bedrooms 447 two bedrooms

2004 8 NA

$1,645/month $3,350/month

Regulation size indoor basketball court, 3,100 sq. ft. fitness center, massage room, sauna, steam, rooftop pools and more.

Nelson Bennet Nelson Bennet G.H. Palmer Associates

2

The Medici 725 S. Bixel St., 90017 627-3901, themedici.com

632 apartments

58 singles 315 one bedrooms 254 two bedrooms 5 penthouses

2000 10 NA

$1,440/month $5,630/month

Junior Olympic-size swimming pool, rooftop pool, spa, tennis court, fitness center, tanning beds, business center, library, sauna, oneacre park, volleyball court, barbecue and picnic area.

Amy Fylling Amy Fylling GH Palmer Associates

3

Promenade Towers Apartments 1 123 S. Figueroa St., 90012 687-8440, NA

595 apartments

100 singles 200 one bedrooms 61 one bedrooms plus den 234 two bedrooms

1986 19 NA

$895/month $2,500/month

Pool, sauna, spa, fitness center, gated parking, 24-hour manned lobby, concierge.

NA Laurel Ligier Goldrich & Kest/Shapell Industries

4

Bunker Hill Towers Apartments 222 and 234 S. Figueroa St., 90012 624-2877, bunkerhillapts.com

456 apartments

204 singles 148 one bedrooms 104 two bedrooms

1968 19 346,608

$1,030/month $2,010/month

Pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, picnic/barbecue area, fitness center, gated parking, 24 hour courtesy patrol.

Stephanie Balasa Richard Risty Essex Property Trust, Inc.

5

Grand Tower Apartments 1 255 S. Grand Ave., 90012 229-9777, NA

391 apartments

72 singles 211 one bedrooms 51 one bedrooms plus den 57 two bedrooms

1989 27 NA

$1,125/month $2,700/month

Pool, spa, sauna, fitness center, gated parking, 24-hour manned lobby, concierge.

Goldrich & Kest/Shapell Industries Aaron Bazile Goldrich & Kest

6

Pegasus 612 S. Flower St., 90017 430-9112, pegasusapartments.com

322 apartments/lofts

85 singles 134 one bedrooms 99 two bedrooms 4 penthouses

2003 13 NA

$1,275/month $4,650/month

Rooftop pool, resident lounge, fitness center, business center, onsite retail, Daily Grill, florist.

NA Jahari M. Dickens Kor Group

7

Pacific Electric Lofts 610 S. Main St., 90014 627-5600, pelofts.com

314 lofts

30 penthouses 264 other

1905 9 500,000

$1,375/month $5,000/month

On-site garage parking, rooftop pool, spa, gym, sauna, library, two restaurants, bar/lounge, game room, screening room, dog run, rooftop gardens, cabanas and more.

NA Christian Amrod ICO Development

8

Evo 408 W. 11th St., 90015 622-5400, EvoSouth.com

311 condos

35 studios • 175 one bedrooms • 48 two bedrooms • 40 two bedrooms + den • 8 townhomes • 5 penthouses

2008 24 NA

$459,000 $3 Million

Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, designer countertops/ fixtures, 11’ ceilings, expansive windows, outdoor decks, juliet balconies, walk in closets and more.

N/A N/A N/A

9

Barker Block 1 510-530 Hewitt St., 90013 620-9650, barkerblock.com

297 lofts

NA

1880 NA NA

NA NA

Voluminous ceilings, exposed beams, heavy timber rafters, wood/ concrete floors, rooftop skylights.

NA NA NA

10

The Visconti 1221 W. Third St., 90017 977-0972, thevisconti.com

297 apartments

5 singles • 35 one bedrooms • 249 two bedrooms • 5 townhomes/lofts • 3 penthouses

2006 5 287,000

$1,675/month $5,000/month

Junior Olympic pools, spa, tanning rooms, fitness center, business center, library, 24-hour doorman, washer/dryer in all units, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, skyline views.

Nicole Ahn Nicole Ahn G.H. Palmer Associates

11

Shybary Grand 1 312 W. Fifth St., 90013 891-1954, sblofts.com

280 condos

14 penthouses

1923 13 203,000

$299,000 $1.4 million

Rooftop pool, gym.

Andrew Recko NA 5th St. Lofts/Shybary Grand

12

Belmont Station Apartment Homes 1304 W. Second Street, 90026 250-9771, belmontstationla.com

275 apartments

30 singles 108 one bedrooms 135 two bedrooms 2 penthouses

2008 4-5 N/A

$1,399/month $4,260/month

Washer and dryer, dog park, energy efficient refrigerator and dishwasher, track lighting.

NA Paveena Prayonsirisak Essex Prperty Trust

13

Mozaic 1 888 N. Alameda St., 90012 617-9501, mozaicapartments.com

272 apartments

15 singles 149 one bedrooms 90 two bedrooms

2006 6 252,572

$1,595/month $3,415/month

In-unit washer and dryer, granite countertops, central heating/AC, rooftop pool, spa, lounge, landscaped courtyard, 24-hour fitness center, saunas, screening room, Internet cafe.

Mindy Swint Veronique Ledoux Lincoln Property Company

14

The Met 1 950 S. Flower St., 90015 408-0830, the-met.net

270 apartments

NA

1989 15 NA

$1,575/month $2,755/month

24-hour door attendants, on-site parking, pool, spa, fitness center, guest site, ateliers, laundry.

Evan Janney Niko DeLeon Forest City Residential

15

Market Lofts 645 W. Ninth St., 90015 553-9375, market-lofts.com

267 lofts

81 one bedrooms 186 two bedrooms

2007 7 N/A

N/A N/A

Social room, theater, gym, pool and spa.

NA NA Lee Home, CIM Group

16

Met Lofts 1050 S. Flower St., 90015 747-1877, metlofts.com

264 lofts

150 singles 25 one bedrooms 89 two bedrooms

2005 8 294,735

$1,695/month $4,719/month

Gym, pool entertainment/barbecue area, social lounge, screening room, mail lounge with pool table, 24-hour front desk and more.

Greg Bradham/Jennifer Kim Nathan Leible Forest City Residential

17

Bunker Hill Tower Condominiums 1 800 W. First St., 90012-2977 624-2832, NA

256 condos

52 studios 100 one bedrooms 100 two bedrooms 4 penthouses

1969 32 NA

NA NA

Pool, spa, gym, tennis court, barbecue, sauna.

NA George Ross Bunker Hill Tower Condo. Assoc.

18

Historic Gas Company Lofts 1 810 S. Flower St., 90017 955-5700, gascompanylofts.com

251 lofts

12 two bedrooms 236 lofts 3 penthouses

1924 12 441,259

$1,400/month $3,500/month

Parking, security, concierge, controlled access, resident lounge.

Angela Llanes Mariana Hazdovac CIM Group

19

Luma 1100 S. Hope St., 90015 742-0387, luma-south.com

240-236 condos

77 one bedrooms 45 two bedrooms 83 one bedrooms + den 12 penthouses

2007 19 351,184

NA NA

Pool terrace area includes spa, restroom, barbecue, fire place and secure parking.

N/A Action Prop. Management N/A

20

1100 Wilshire 1 1100 Wilshire Blvd., 90017 482-9000, LivingAboveLA.com

228 condos

135 one bedrooms 75 two bedrooms 9 townhomes 9 penthouses

1986 1 37 379,575

$500,000 $3 million

An urban oasis on the 17th floor, featuring a resort-style pool, raised spa, private entertainment area, fire pit, barbeque areas, built-in wet bars and more.

N/A Prime Associates Inc. NA

21

TENTEN Wilshire 1010 Wilshire Blvd., 90017 (877) 338-1010, 1010wilshire.com

227 apartment/lofts

13 studios 107 one bedrooms 107 two bedrooms

2008 2 16 NA

$2,800/month $8,000/month

Complimentary drop-off car service, complimentary valet, full gym, business center, conference room, all utilities included, local phone service included.

NA Amidi Group Amidi Group

22

The Piero 616 S. St. Paul St., 90017 250-8080, thepiero.com

225 apartments

25 singles 135 one bedrooms 60 two bedrooms 5 lofts

2004 7 NA

$1,678/month $3,100/month

Junior Olympic-sized pool, panoramic city views, executive buseiness center with study library, fitness center and more.

Jessica Farra Jessica Farra G.H. Palmer Associates

23

Museum Tower 1 225 S. Olive St., 90012 626-1500, NA

217 apartments

41 singles 141 one bedrooms 30 two bedrooms 5 penthouses

1992 20 NA

$1,050/month $3,700/month

Pool, spa, sauna, fitness center, gated parking, 24-hour manned lobby, concierge.

G and K Management Aaron Bazile Goldrich & Kest/Shapell Industries

The Downtown List continued on next page

18 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

Development

The Downtown List continued from previous page Units • No. of units • Type

breakdown of units

Building profile • Year built • No. of stories • Total square footage

rent (or cost) • Lowest available • Highest available

amenities (partial list)

Contacts • Leasing agent • Property manager • Property owner

24

Santee Village 1 738 S. Los Angeles St., 90014 624-1640, santeevillage.com

216 commercial/ condos

168 singles 36 one bedrooms 9 two bedrooms 3 penthouses

1911-1912 7 220,570

$300,000 $1,300,000

Barbecue, pool, basketball, putting green.

NA NA Santee Village Partners LLC

25

SB Main 111 W. Seventh St., 90014 891-1954, sblofts.com

214 lofts

46 singles 90 one bedrooms 70 two bedrooms 18 penthouses

1910 12 200,000

$1,200/month $3,500/month

Gym, rooftop pool and spa, 24-hour security, underground parking.

Mike Ramirez Mike Ramirez SB Spring LLC

26

Renaissance Tower 1 501 W. Olympic Blvd., 90015 629-5501, NA

204 apartments

61 singles 108 one bedrooms 34 two bedrooms 1 penthouse

1994 16 147,250

$1,550/month $4,000/month

Pool, clubhouse, hot tub, fitness center, 24-hour concierge, parking included.

Teresa Evans Charesse Browner Metric Property Management

27

Canvas LA 138 N. Beaudry Ave., 90012 977-8828, canvasla-apts.com

204 apartments, townhomes

85 single • 61 one bedrooms • 56 two bedrooms • 2 three bedrooms • 25 penthouses

2007 4 NA

$1,810/month $5,360/month

Private palm lined resort-style pool and wellness spa, rooftop cloud room with views of Downtown and more.

Andi Wallace & Chris Simon Dustin Storey Krystal Perez

28

Glo 1050 Wilshire Blvd., 90017 250-4456, globabyglo.com

201 apartments

4 singles 72 one bedrooms 106 two bedrooms 19 three bedrooms

2006 6 NA

$2,085/month $3,460/month

Roof top, 24 fitness center, movie screening room, community room, swimmimg pool and hot tub.

Andrea Roy Tom Saldana Holland Partners

29

Skyline Condos 1 600 W. Ninth St., 90015 627-7450, NA

200 condos

67 one bedrooms 112 two bedrooms 21 penthouses

1982 14 251,000

$475,000 $1,200,000

Pool, spa, racketball courts, fitness center, community room, 24-hour security.

NA Deborah Jones individually owned units

30

The Flat 1 750 Garland Ave., 90017 623-3528, theflatla.com

200 studios

195 one bedrooms

1968 6 100,000

$975/month $1,300/month

Utilities included, Internet, cable, laundry, fitness center, business center, heated pool, restaurant/bar.

Stephen Shapleigh Stephen Shapleigh Bret Mosher

31

SB Manhattan 1 215 W. Sixth St., 90013 891-1954, sblofts.com

198 condos

182 lofts 16 penthouses

1925 13 200,000

$299,000 $1,800,000

Rooftop pool, gym.

NA NA Manhattan Loft LLC

32

Vero 1234 Wilshire Blvd., 90017 NA, NA

197 condos

NA

2007 6 NA

WND WND

Pool, spa, gym, sauna, yoga room, 24/7 security, surveillance cameras.

Tamara Kim HPG Management Astani Enterprises

33

SB Spring 1 650 S. Spring St., 90013 891-1954, sblofts.com

190 apartments/ condos

NA

1920s 12 200,000

NA NA

Rooftop pool, gym.

NA NA SB Spring LLC

34

SB Lofts 1 548 S. Spring St., 90013 891-1954, sblofts.com

184 apartments/ condos

170 lofts 14 penthouses

1925 13 203,000

$325,000 $990,000

Rooftop pool, gym.

Andrew Recko NA 6th Street Lofts, LLC

35

Elleven 1 1111 South Grand Ave., 90015 622-5400, elleven-south.com

180 condos

NA

2005 13 NA

$350,000 $1,800,000

Stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, parking, onsite secure parking, pool, spa, community room, designer fixtures.

NA Action Property Management The South Group

36

Santee Court 716 Los Angeles St., Suite B, 90014 623-8101, santeecourt.com

165 lofts

165 open floor plans

1908, 1912, 1929 4-5 NA

$1,399/month $2,200/month

Rooftop pool, spa, grill, lounge, half basketball court, gym.

Kris Holland Andrew Ruiz WND

37

Little Tokyo Lofts 420 S. San Pedro St., 90013 626-6400, littletokyolofts.com

161 lofts

NA

1921 6 N/A

$300,000 WND

Pool, spa, gym, onsite parking, security, granite countertops, 12’ ceilings, maple hardwood floors.

NA NA Hammer IRP LTC Associates, IK

38

The Lofts at the Security Building 510 S. Spring St., 90013 624-6022, loftsatsecurity.com

153 lofts

120 lofts 8 one bedrooms 17 two bedrooms 8 penthouses

1906 12 115,409

$1,400/month $3,800/month

Fitness center, concierge, media room, business center, laundry on all floors.

Sylvia Del Carlisle Simpson Property LLLP

39

Higgins Loft 1 108 W. Second St., 90012 400-2284 X511, higginshoa.com

142 lofts, commercial space

135 residential 7 commercial

1902 10 N/A

N/A N/A

Roof deck, interior courtyard.

N/A Robert Hazelton Higgins Loft HOA

40

The Promenade 121 S. Hope St., 90012 617-3076, promenadeLA.com

140 condos

75 one bedrooms 57 two bedrooms 6 three bedrooms 2 penthouses

1979 6 130,000

$380,000 $700,000

24 hour front desk, pool, jacuzzi, gym, sauna, dog run, full time housekeeper, gardeners, on-site manager, commercial space.

Includes restaurants, bank, spa.

NA Terry Brewer Individually Owned Condos

41

Promenade West 880 W. First St., 90012 617-0262, 880promenadewest.com

135 condominiums

17 one bedrooms 106 two bedrooms 12 three bedrooms

1981 N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Gym, pool, spa, community room, garden, pet area, 24-hr front desk personnel, onsite managment staff, motor lobby, cable.

N/A Lorna E. Leviste The Promenade West Owners Association

42

Santa Fe Lofts 1 121 E. Sixth St., 90014 624-9090, santafelofts.com

132 lofts

131 lofts 1 penthouse

1907 8 132,314

$1,100/month $2,556/month

Rooftop courtyard, controlled access.

Legacy Partners Nathan Roland KOR Group

43

Sky 801 S. Grand Ave., 90017 827-0171, skylofts.com

132 lofts

12 penthouses

NA 22 440,000

NA NA

Social room with gourmet kitchen, gym, theater, underground parking, Julius Shulman gallery.

N/A Trans Pacific Management Lee Homes, CIM Group

44

Da Capo Building 1821-1839 S. Main St., 90015 (310) 306-6789, playavistamanagement.net

131 apartments

127 singles 3 one bedrooms 1 two bedrooms

1903 4 98,000

$625/month $1,300/month

NA

Playa Vista Property Mgmt.

Patty Flores Genesis, 2000, LLC

45

Hikari 1 375 E. Second St., 90012 625-8500, hikarila.com

128 apartments

29 singles 59 one bedrooms 40 two bedrooms

2007 6 94,264

NA NA

Pool, spa, fitness center, fire pit, community lounge, business center.

Cori Prilik Related Management Company Related/LL Second & Central LLC

46

Teramachi 1 267 S. San Pedro St., 90012 847-9345, teramachihomes.com

127* condos

23 one bedrooms 99 two bedrooms 5 three bedrooms

2007 6 142,635

$400,000 $1,150,000

Pool, spa, gym, steam room, multipurpose room, lounges, 24-hour security guard, salon, bookstore, water features, koi pond, gardening plots.

NA Tibold Asset Management Teramachi Owners Association

47

Grand Central Square Apartments 306 W. Third St., 90013 625-1917, NA

121 apartments

26 singles 79 one bedrooms 13 two bedrooms 3 penthouses

1917 12 55,587.75

$537/month $2,600/month

Fitness room, sauna, lounge.

Tulia Williams Tulia Williams Yellin CO.

48

Toy Factory Lofts 1 1855 Industrial St., 90021 670-0114, toyfactorylofts.com

121 live/work condos

NA

1924 7 251,000

$400,000 $900,000

Rooftop pool, third-floor garden, 24-hour security, indoor parking.

Liz Gottainer CCS Management Linear City LLC

49

Premiere Towers 621 S. Spring St., 90014 627-6913, cityloftsquare.com

120 apartment/condos

33 one bedrooms 76 two bedrooms 11 three bedrooms

1920 12 NA

$1,300/month $2,100/month

Gym, rooftop lounge, recreation room, business center.

Bernard Montana Bernard Montana Spring Towers LLC

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 19

Development Units • No. of units • Type

breakdown of units

Building profile • Year built • No. of stories • Total square footage

rent (or cost) • Lowest available • Highest available

amenities (partial list)

Contacts • Leasing agent • Property manager • Property owner

50

The Packard Lofts 1000 S. Hope St., 90015 749-9300, packardloftsla.com

116 Lofts

17 singles 73 one bedrooms 26 penthouses

2005 6 NA

$1,675/month $5,495/month

Sub-parking, onsite storage, rooftop jacuzzi, fitness room, resident lounge, after hours security and concierge.

Mary Yap Gene Jackson Venice Investments

51

Olive Street Lofts 314 W. 11th St., 90015 NA

105 condos

NA

2006 NA NA

NA NA

NA

NA NA The Lee Group, CIM Group

52

Hellman Building 411 S. Main St., 90013 253-4777, laloft.com

104 lofts

102 lofts 2 penthouses

1905 7 207,955

$1,100/month $4,500/month

Old Bank General Store, Old Bank District neighborhood, Lost Souls Cafe, Warung Cafe, Rocket Pizza Lounge, Fremont Apparel Co.

Erik Thoreen LaTanya Spann Old Financial District LP

53

Biscuit Company Lofts 1 1850 Industrial Street, 90021 670-0114, biscuitcompanylofts.com

104 lofts

lofts

1925 7 NA

$365,000 $4,900,000

24-hour doorman, secured parking, gas, water, park and pool, ground floor restaurant, gym and market.

NA NA Linear City LLC

54

City Lights on Fig 1300 S. Figueroa St., 90015 (866) 669-1590, citylightsonfig.com

100 apartments

15 singles 41 one bedrooms 36 two bedrooms 8 three bedrooms

2004 4 80,494

$1,631/month WND

Fitness center, heated pool, spa, clubhouse, movie theater room.

Sherif Aly Kari Landgren Tri-Cal Construction

55

Flower Street Lofts 1 1140 S. Flower St., 90015 NA, flowerstreetlofts.com

91 condos

39 one bedrooms 47 two bedrooms 5 penthouses (two bedrooms)

1936 4 NA

NA NA

Private patios and balconies (some units), secured parking, four-story central atrium, concrete floors, hardwood cabinets, GE kitchen appliances.

NA NA NA

56

Library Court 1 630 W. 6th St., 90017 488-1931, librarycourtla.com

90 condos

5 studios 55 one bedrooms 25 two bedrooms 5 townhomes

1960s 6 NA

N/A N/A

Fitness center, media/business center, social lounge, open zen courtyard, 24-hour onsite security, controlled access.

NA LB Management Library Court Community Assoc.

57

Emerald Terrace Family Apartments 1345 W. Emerald St., 90026 977-1325, solarient.com

85 apartments

8 one bedrooms 38 two bedrooms 39 three bedrooms

2007 4 N/A

NA NA

Community room, playscape, laundry rooms, technology center.

Solari Ent. Kathy Perez Meta Housing

58

Reserve Lofts 1 409 W. Olympic Blvd., 90015 489-4111, reservelofts.com

79 lofts

68 lofts 11 penthouses

1929 7 NA

$1,550/month $6,695/month

Outdoor spa, garden area, barbecue, fitness center and concierge.

Seth Gruner Andre Gerasimov 409 LLC

59

San Fernando Building 400 S. Main St., 90013 253-4777, laloft.com

70 lofts

69 singles 1 penthouse

1906 8 126,325

$1,100/month $4,500/month

Pete’s Cafe and Bar, yoga studio, Banquette Cafe, Old Bank DVD, Old Bank District neighborhood.

Erik Thoreen Latanya Spann Old Financial District LP

60

Grand Lofts 1 330 W. 11th St., 90015 827-0171, N/A

66 lofts

66 two bedrooms

2006 7 N/A

NA NA

Landscaped courtyard, 10- to 25-foot-tall ceilings, General Electric appliances.

N/A N/A Lee Homes

61

The Textile 1 315 E. Eighth St., 90014 624-1640, santeevillage.com

64 lofts

10 singles 30 one bedrooms 20 two bedrooms 4 penthouses

1925 12 60,000

$300,000 $1 million

Golf driving range, putting green, spa, pool, basketball court, exercise facility, barbecue, deck area, nearby retail locations.

NA LB Management MJW Investments

62

Continental Building 408 S. Spring St., 90013 253-4777, laloft.com

56 lofts

55 lofts 1 penthouse

1904 12 90,950

$1,000/month $4,500/month

Old Bank District neighborhood.

Erik Thoreen LaTanya Spann Old Financial District LP

63

South Park Lofts 818 S. Grand Ave., 90017 623-6857, southparklofts.com

49 lofts

21 one bedrooms 7 two bedrooms 21 three bedrooms

1920 8 + rooftop NA

$1,800/month $3,600/month

Rooftop garden, rooftop fitness center, jacuzzi, barbecue grill, pet area, lounge areas.

NA Gabriela Carmona WND

64

Pan American Lofts 253 S. Broadway, 90013 620-9634, panamericanlofts.com

40 lofts

30 one bedrooms 10 penthouses

1895 5 NA

$2,154/month $2,842/month

Bamboo flooring (select units), original exposed brick and concrete walls, bountiful natural light, stainless steel appliances, controlledaccess and more.

Delores Christopherson Right-Way Property Mangement NA

65

Spring Tower Lofts 639 S. Spring St., 90014 627-6913, cityloftsquare.com

38 lofts

9 one bedrooms 3 two bedrooms 3 three bedrooms 23 Lofts-open floor plan

1920 14 NA

$2,400/month $3,200/month

Rooftop lounge.

Bernard Montana Bernard Montana Spring Towers LLC

66

The Orpheum Lofts 846 S. Broadway, 90014 626-5321, laorpheumlofts.com

37 lofts

25 one bedrooms 7 two bedrooms 5 penthouses

1926 12 NA

$1,700/month $2,700/month

Subterranean parking, on-site manager, two laundry facilities.

Jessica Needleman Jessica Needleman Steve Needleman

67

City Loft 626 S. Spring St., 90014 627-6913, cityloftsquare.com

36 lofts

28 open floor plans 8 one bedrooms

1920 6 NA

$1,400/month $2,100/month

Rooftop lounge.

Bernard Montana Bernard Montana City Lofts LLC

68

Santa Fe Building 1 560 Main St., 90013 485-1114, NA

32 lofts

NA

1911 11 213,560

NA NA

NA

NA NA KOR Group

69

Santa Fe Investments 1 726 S. Santa Fe Ave., 90021 688-9190, loft726.com

22 lofts

22 lofts

1910 4 73,579

$1300/month $2400/month

Laundry, elevator, gated parking area, cable/satelite ready, wood kitchen cabinets, exposed brick.

Santa Fe Investments Santa Fe Investments Avraham Hassid

70

Toy Warehouse Lofts 1 215 S. Santa Fe Ave., 90012 782-9100 (Decoma Industries), NA

20 lofts

NA

2001 3 NA

230,000 483,000

NA

NA NA NA

71

4th Street Lofts 1340 W. Fourth St., 90017 (818) 438-0939, 4thstreetlofts.com

10 lofts

10 one bedroom lofts

2007 3 975-1,300

$1,695/month $2,200/month

Stainless steel appliances, central heat and air, walk-in closets, washer and dryer in unit, rooftop deck with spa, pet friendly.

Oscar Mendoza Oscar Mendoza Thomas Safran & Associates

NA=Not Available N/A=Not Applicable 1. Information from 2008 list.

2. Pattie Alvarez, John Worsham.

3. Renovation completed.

4. Downtown Properties.

5. LLC Downtown Partners.

General Disclaimer This list excludes single resident and low-income housing units as well as buildings with age requirements. It is largely determined by responses to telephone, e-mail and fax inquiries. To the best of our knowledge and ability, all information is factual as of the initial publication date. Please send any comments, suggestions and additions on company letterhead to the Los Angeles Downtown News, 1264 W. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90026.

If you have any questions or would like to reprint the list, please call (213) 481-1448 or e-mail lea@downtownnews.com. © Los Angeles Downtown News.

Researched by Claudia Hernandez

20 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

Development

Projects

LAPD HEADQUARTERS photo by Gary Leonard

Continued from page 16 in the choked lending market. Earlier this month, Related missed a Feb. 15 groundbreaking deadline set by the Grand Avenue Authority, the city-county agency overseeing the project. However, Related has sought to have a $250,000 penalty deterred. The Frank Gehry-designed development was originally slated to begin construction in October 2007 but has been delayed several times. The approximately $1 billion, 1.3 millionsquare-foot first phase would include a 48-story Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Residences with 295 rooms and 266 condominiums, a 19-story tower with 126 market-rate apartments and 98 affordable units, a 250,000-square-foot retail pavilion and a 16-acre Civic Park. Construction on the approximately $83 million park is expected to begin within 12 months. C5

UNIVERSITY GATEWAY After more than two years of delays, developer Urban Partners broke ground on the 1,600-bed University Gateway project last May. Currently, workers are pouring concrete for the sixth floor, forming the seventh floor and starting to enclose the first floor, said Matt Burton, a partner with the firm. The $168 million development, designed and being built by Clark Construction, is slated to provide 421 apartments as well as 81,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space. It will have 770 parking spaces on site and another 440 available one and a half blocks away at the USC Parking Center. Burton said they are on target for a fall 2010 opening. At urbanpartnersllc.com. NA

The new Los Angeles Police Department headquarters remains on target for a June 2009 completion, said Tonya Durrell, a spokeswoman for the city Department of Public Works. The main structure for the $440 million replacement for Parker Center is mostly complete, and contractors are now working on the site’s plaza area, which includes landscaping and sidewalk improvements, she said. Interior finish work is also in progress.

Contractors will soon begin to test the building’s systems,

VIBIANA

CIVIC

DOWNTOWN REGIONAL CONNECTOR The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted in January to move forward with an environmental review of the proposed two-mile transit link. The project would unite four light-rail lines that run through Downtown but do not currently converge: the existing Blue and Gold lines, the future Gold Line Eastside Extension and the Expo Line. The two main alternatives for the Downtown Connector, to be examined as part of the environmental study, are an estimated $800 million, street-level light rail line; and a $910 million subway. The MTA has not begun to seek funding for the project, though it is expected that some money would come from Measure R, the countywide halfcent sales tax approved by voters in November. The environmental review is expected to take two to three years. Once completed and approved, the MTA would begin looking for funding and working on designs. NA

FEDERAL COURTHOUSE The deep hole at First Street and Broadway may stay that way for a while, as plans for a new federal courthouse have stalled, said Gene Gibson, regional public affairs officer for the General Services Administration. Congress had appropriated $314 million for a new courthouse, but an increase in construction costs has forced the GSA back to the drawing board — estimates last year put the price for the new structure near $1 billion. Initial plans called for 41 courtrooms, judges’ chambers and office space for federal agencies, though there has been talk that plans may have to be downsized. The 3.6-acre site previously held a state office building. C5

GOLD LINE EASTSIDE EXTENSION photo by Gary Leonard

Developers Tom Gilmore and Richard Weintraub are continuing work on the former St. Vibiana’s cathedral, currently a special events venue, after an $8 million renovation, said a spokeswoman for Gilmore Associates. Future plans include transforming the former rectory into a restaurant, as well as developing a mixed-use high-rise on a parcel south of the cathedral. No timeline has been announced for the project on Main Street between Second and Third streets. D5

FEDERAL BUILDING The $90 million seismic upgrade at 300 N. Los Angeles St. in the Civic Center is on schedule and completion is expected in the summer of 2010 said Gene Gibson, regional public affairs officer for the General Services Administration. The project is being undertaken in stages so that business in the building can continue. The work includes new fire safety systems, ceilings, energy-efficient lighting, signage, security systems, elevators and the removal of hazardous materials, Gibson said. D4

and grand lobby. There are no hearings scheduled with the County Board of Supervisors, who have to approve construction plans, regarding the County-owned facility, Edmisten said. D4

LOS ANGELES RIVER The effort to clean and green 32 miles of the Los Angeles River continues. An updated River Improvement Overlay Plan is now available for public viewing at the city Planning Department’s website and public meetings to comment on the project will take place in the spring, said Tonya Durrell, a spokeswoman for the city Department of Public Works. The project includes design guidelines and recommendations for development within half a mile of the waterway. The Army Corps of Engineers is working on a feasibility study for ecosystem restoration; it is expected to be complete within two years. Some projects funded by state bond money are already moving forward, including the building of bike paths near Elysian Park. Of the five “Opportunity Sites” the revitalization features, three are in and around Downtown Los Angeles: the state park at Taylor Yard, the Chinatown area and the Industrial District. The overall project is estimated at $2 billion; no timeline has been announced. At lariver.org. NA

LOS ANGELES STATE HISTORIC PARK

EXPOSITION LIGHT RAIL Demolition is taking place on the east side of Flower Street, from Washington to Exposition boulevards, in preparation for utility relocation and upgrades, said Greg Starosky, a spokesman for the $808 million project. Once those are complete, street improvements such as new curbs, sidewalks, street signs, traffic signals and street lighting will be installed.

The light rail line will connect Downtown to Culver City, and completion is slated for 2010. The eight-mile route will share two stops with the Blue Line and will add nine new stations. Management of the project is a joint venture of FCI Construction, Inc., Fluor Corp. and Parsons Corp. Transit agency Metro is behind the Expo Line. At buildexpo.org. NA

Durrell said. The 10-story, 500,000-square-foot structure, designed by DMJM and constructed by Sylmar-based Tutor-Saliba, broke ground in January 2007 and is rising south of City Hall. The building will include an open plaza facing First Street and a small, landscaped park at the corner of Second and Main streets, as well as a 300-car LAPD garage. Police Chief William Bratton last year said the city will celebrate the building’s opening in October. D5

The Metro Gold Line’s extension from Downtown to East Los Angeles is on schedule and completion is expected by this summer, said Jose Ubaldo, a spokesman for Metro. Trains have been tested on the rail and the installation of the overhead power lines is nearly complete, as are the platforms and canopies for some of the stations. The $899 million light rail line will extend the Gold Line from Union Station across the 101 Freeway, creating eight new stations and culminating at Atlantic Avenue. There will be a Downtown station serving Little Tokyo and the Arts District. Officials say the extension could carry 23,000 riders a day by 2020. D4

HALL OF JUSTICE Plans to renovate the stately facility at Temple and Spring streets in the Civic Center, which was damaged 15 years ago by the Northridge earthquake, have been placed on hold due to the state’s budget crisis, said John Edmisten, a spokesman for the county’s Chief Administrative Office. The proposal called for a $200 million restoration of the building’s exterior

San Francisco-based Hargreaves Associates is working on the schematic designs for the project as the California State Parks Department continues to try to raise funds for long-term development of the 32-acre park adjacent to Chinatown (currently just 12 acres are being used). A final public meeting to comment on the designs will be held in the spring or summer, said Sean Woods, superintendent of the Los Angeles sector of California State Parks. Plans for the site long known as the Cornfield so far include creating a space for cultural events and an open meadow for recreation, as well as kiosks that would highlight the agricultural and cultural history of the city. Nine acres would be set aside for natural habitats and a nature preserve. Final technical drawings could be complete by 2010. At parks.ca.gov/lashp or lashp.wordpress.com. C1

METRO DETENTION CENTER Construction of the facility at Los Angeles and Temple streets is nearly complete, said Tonya Durrell, a spokeswoman for the city Department of Public Works. Crews are focusing on tying up loose ends on small interior details, she said. Built by Bernards Construction, the project, originally slated to open last fall, will be operating in the spring. The 160,000-squarefoot, five-level building will have more than 500 beds. The $74 million project, designed by HOK Architects, will house female inmates. D4

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 21 photo by Gary Leonard

Development

LOS ANGELES TRADE-TECH COLLEGE

schools

AMBASSADOR HOTEL SCHOOLS Construction is proceeding on the 24-acre, three-school campus on the site of the former Ambassador Hotel west of Downtown. A one-third acre community park along Wilshire Boulevard, which will include an art installation honoring Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was killed in the hotel, broke ground in August and will open this summer, said Shannon Haber, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Facilities Division. Plans call for a 1,050-seat school for kindergarten through third-grade students; the $80 million facility is 80% complete and scheduled to open this fall. Also coming are a 1,000-seat school for fourth through eighth graders and a 2,474-seat high school; those are estimated to cost a combined $300 million and are slated to open in fall 2010. The campus will include two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, a soccer field and extensive athletic facilities.

In total, the project will cost $566 million. The Hensel Phelps Construction Company is building all three schools. NA

CENTRAL REGION HIGH SCHOOL NO. 13 Groundbreaking took place last September for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Central Region High School No. 13. The district acquired the 23-acre site north of Downtown at Taylor Yard by eminent domain in November 2007, then agreed in June 2008 to pay Meruelo Maddux Properties $50 million for the land. The district had long sought to build the 2,295-seat school to relieve overcrowding at nearby high schools. The $161 million institution is slated for completion in 2011. The campus will be comprised of five small learning communities that include classrooms and science labs. Shared facilities would include performing arts classrooms, a library, a multi-purpose room, two gymnasiums, a food service area and lunch shelter, as well as central administration offices and playing fields. NA

tween the voter-created California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the USC Keck School of Medicine and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. CIRM recently awarded USC nearly $27 million for the facility, supplementing a $30 million gift from the Broad Foundation in 2006. It is targeted for a 2010 completion, said project spokeswoman Meghan Lewit. NA

USC UNIVERSITY PARK CAMPUS The new School of Cinematic Arts building was completed in December, said Carl Marziali, a university spokesman. Classes in the 130,000-square-foot facility on the college’s main campus began in January. The university’s 192,000-squarefoot Campus Center broke ground in May and remains on target for completion in summer 2010 and ready for student use that fall. During construction of the Campus Center, the school has installed a temporary dining facility.

The 20,000-square-foot building includes seating and food service comparable to the space that was lost when the old Commons building was demolished. At cinema.usc.edu. NA

CULTURAL/ENTERTAINMENT

ANGELS FLIGHT RECONSTRUCTION There is still no opening date for Angels Flight, which has been closed for more than eight years, said John Welborne, president of the Angels Flight Railway Foundation. However,

progress has been made recently: The cars, Olivet and Sinai, were returned to the tracks in November, and full-speed tests were conducted in January. Welborne said load tests are next and will be followed by an inspection from the California Public Utilities Commission, which must green light the funicular before it can open to the public. Angels Flight has been closed since the Feb. 1, 2001, accident that killed 83-year-old Leon Praport and injured seven others. Multiple reopening dates announced by the Foundation have not been met, and those seeking to get from Bunker Hill to the Historic Core still have to walk a long flight of stairs. C6

BROADWAY REVITALIZATION Last month, the steering committee that is forming the nonprofit Los Angeles Streetcar Inc. appointed Dennis Allen, formerly of Downtown developer the Kor Group, as project manager for its board of directors. LASI, to consist of property owners, civic leaders and public officials, will serve as a fundraising and advocacy entity for bringing a streetcar back to Downtown Los Angeles. The streetcar effort, which would cost an estimated $60 million-$90 million and is still mostly unfunded, is part of the larger Bringing Back Broadway initiative, launched last year by 14th District Councilman José Huizar and aimed at revitalizing the historic Broadway corridor between Third Street and Olympic Boulevard. The Bringing Back Broadway Trustees, a group of 30 government officials and community stakeholders, are also working on a plan to create special sidewalk standards for Broadway. Meanwhile, another task force is working on a plan to create more parking along Broadway by acquiring property for new facilities, negotiating with lot owners to maximize operating hours at existing venues and working with historic theater owners to reactivate their buildings. At bringingbackbroadway.com. C6

CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER The California Science Center’s phase II expansion is more than 75% complete. The CSC last fall had raised $132 million of the $165 million fundraising goal. Project plans call for adding 170,000 square feet of space to the four-story struccontinued on page 23

L.A. LIVE photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Gary Leonard

A multi-phase, $240 million upgrade at L.A. TradeTech College continues. Currently underway at the school at 400 W. Washington Blvd. are a $34 million restoration of the 100,000-square-foot A Building, estimated for completion by 2011, and the $78 million South Campus project, which will consist of two five-story buildings housing more than 65,000 square feet of technology classrooms. Construction delays have pushed back the original December 2009 completion date for the South Campus; now, the campus is expected to open in 2010, said project spokeswoman Miya Walker. Major construction for the school’s Child Development Center is complete, but additional site work is taking place before its expected opening this year, Walker said. The two-floor, $6 million facility will provide 14,238 square feet of learning space for children up to 12 years old, increasing capacity from 50 to 96 children. It will also house an infant classroom. At lattc.edu. NA

HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS Construction on the LAUSD’s $232 million High School No. 9, also known as the High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, is 96% complete, said Shannon Haber, a spokeswoman for the district’s Facilities Division. The 238,000-square-foot campus at 450 N. Grand Ave., which broke ground in 2006, is designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au and HMC. Highlights of the project include a 950-seat auditorium and a tower that rises 140 feet. The 1,728-student, arts-oriented high school will feature four academies: music, dance, visual arts and performing arts.

Students are slated to begin taking classes in the fall of 2009. C4

USC HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS USC broke ground on the $80 million Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research last September. The five-story, 87,000-square-foot Broad Center, on the school’s Health Sciences Campus northeast of Downtown, will house basic and clinical researchers working on stem cell studies aimed at developing treatments for an array of diseases.

The facility is the product of a public-private partnership be-

December marked the opening of the second phase of Anschutz Entertainment Group’s $2.5 billion South Park project. During the month-long celebration, establishments such as the Grammy Museum, ESPN Zone, the Conga Room, Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge and Fleming’s Steakhouse opened. They have since

been joined in the 27-acre South Park campus by The Farm and Rock’n Fish. The restaurants Katsuya, Rosa Mexicana and Trader Vic’s are scheduled to arrive in the spring, while a Wolfgang Puck Catering facility and a 14-screen Regal Cineplex are slated to debut in the fall. B8

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Downtown News 23

Continued from page 21 ture in Exposition Park to create new, interactive exhibits that will highlight ecological science, including aquariums, zoos and botanical gardens. Called the World of Ecology, the project was most recently expected to open in early 2010. At californiasciencecenter.org. NA

DODGER STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS According to the most recent information available, a multi-phase, $500 million renovation of Dodger Stadium will take place during the off-seasons, with completion scheduled for opening day of the 2012 baseball season.

Plans include an upgraded, landscaped entrance; a new promenade called Dodger Way, lined with restaurants, shops and a Dodger museum; a landscaped grand plaza beyond center field connecting to Dodger Way; an outdoor walkway circling the perimeter of the stadium; two new garages to replace some of the existing surface-level lots; and an outdoor plaza with a 360-degree view of the city. Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt announced the plans last April, and said the project is expected to entice fans to arrive early and stay late on game days. Architecture and planning firms Johnson Fain and HKS are leading the design team. Also this year, the Dodgers plan to renovate the stadium’s 12,000-seat Loge and 19,000-seat Reserve levels. B1

JAPANESE VILLAGE PLAZA RENOVATION American Commercial Equities, owner of the Little Tokyo outdoor mall, is working on a series of upgrades to the property’s mechanical systems and roofing, said Mark Hong of CB Richard Ellis, who is handling leasing at the shopping center between First and Second streets east of Central Avenue. ACE completed several small-scale up-

grades to the property last year, and after the current work is done plans to begin the third and final phase of renovations, improving the property’s exteriors. ACE purchased JVP in 2007, and has focused on attracting new Asian-themed retail tenants to the mall.

So far new arrivals include Japanese franchise Sanrio, which specializes in Hello Kitty accessories, and a Japanese clothing store. Mitchell Sawasy of Downtown-based Rothenberg Sawasy Architects is designing the project. D5

the Regent hosts weekly art and music events, and arts/music organization Little Radio has set up a radio station in the adjacent gallery space. Gilmore signed a long-term lease for the 10,000-square-foot property in 2006. D6

VARIETY ARTS CENTER Owner David Houk has put the 1924 structure at 940 S. Figueroa St., just north of Staples Center, up for sale. The property is listed with CB Richard Ellis for $12.5 million.

Houk, the former owner of the Pasadena Playhouse, purchased the building in 2007 and recently had sought to raise money for a $10 million renovation to transform it into a modern theatrical venue. B8

BARS & RESTAURANTS

BOTTLE ROCK photo by Gary Leonard

Projects

photo by Gary Leonard

Development

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM According to the most recent information available, work continues on the $84 million renovation of Exposition Park’s Natural History Museum, funded by various public and private sources. The upgrades began with a seismic retrofit of the 1913 Beaux Arts structure, and are continuing with the restoration of the building’s original architectural details, as well as the restoration of the facility’s collection of dinosaur fossils. The project’s first phase is expected to open in July 2010; the second phase, a gallery focused on dinosaurs, will arrive in 2011; and the third and final phase, a gallery highlighting the environmental history of Los Angeles, is expected to debut in 2012. At nhm.org. NA

REGENT THEATER Developer Gilmore Associates has not disclosed the budget or timeline for its proposed transformation of the theater at 448 S. Main St. into a live music venue with a lounge and restaurant. In the meantime, said a spokeswoman for the developer,

Although a debut has been pushed back several times, George Skorke, the general manager for Bottle Rock, said the establishment will open in early March. Located at 11th and Hope streets, on the ground floor of the Met Lofts, the restaurant and wine bar will be a larger version of its Culver City counterpart. It will serve diners and drinkers in 3,776 square feet of space near Staples Center in South Park. At bottlerock.net. B8 continued on next page

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24 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

Development

Projects

LA FASHION CENTER photo by Gary Leonard

Continued from page 23

BRIDGE TAVERN No public opening has been set for the project at 1356 Palmetto St., on the border of the Arts and Industrial districts, but a debut is expected soon, said Loriann Valencia, a spokeswoman for the beer and wine garden. The space has already been used for private events. It has previously been described as having a medieval, English-style design. F6

CHAYA DOWNTOWN A February opening is expected for the Downtown branch of the high-end fusion establishment, said Greg Rogers, a spokesman for the restaurant. Chaya, which has outposts in Venice and Beverly Hills, will open at 515 S. Flower St. at City National Plaza, which is owned by Thomas Properties Group.

Chaya is known for its Italian, Japanese and French cuisine. It will fill a street-level space at the base of the twin 51-story towers. At thechaya.com. B6

ENGINE COMPANY NO. 17

No opening date has been set for a Danish restaurant on the ground floor of the Luma high-rise at 11th and Hope streets, said Bryan DeSena, a spokesman for developer South Group, which created Luma and two other condominium towers on the same block. Hygge, which is Danish for “cozy” or “comfortable,” would feature a 4,883-square-foot dining area with 239 seats, a Danish bakery, a bar, lounge and an outdoor patio. B8

BOTTEGA LOUIE RESTAURANT AND MARKET photo by Gary Leonard

HYGGE

The developer of the LA Fashion Center has finished construction on its seven-story, 205-unit complex for wholesale garment showrooms. The units, which are for sale as commercial condominiums, range from 1,100-1,300 square feet and are being offered for about

UNION RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE Meruelo Maddux Properties has yet to sign a deal with a tenant to operate the restaurant and lounge space on the ground floor of its Union Lofts. The 6,000-square-foot space at Hill Street and Broadway, which once served as Union Bank’s grand entry, has been empty since the residential project opened in February 2008. Meruelo Maddux spokesman Michael Bustamante said the company is in negotiations with a well-known restaurateur to occupy the space, but there remains no timeline on the project. The designs by architecture firm Killefer Flammang also call for a lounge in the bank’s former vault. C7

BUSINESS

Construction on the sit-down restaurant and gourmet grocer, on the ground floor of the Brockman Building at 530 W. Seventh St., is expected to wrap by the end of this month and open for business in mid-March, said Nicole Tilley of Bottega Louie. Ventilation problems, flooding and other issues have repeatedly delayed the 10,000-square-foot, Italian-themed eatery and store. Bottega Louie will be open from 6 a.m. until late in the evening and will offer organic vegetables, seafood, pizza, seasonal salads, homemade baked goods, a hot carving station, a coffee bar and more. The project’s owners recently held a job fair and are sorting through the applicants to fill more than 200 positions for servers, cooks, cashiers and baristas. C7

611 W. SIXTH ST.

CECIL HOTEL/STAY

According to the most recent information available, developers 611 W. Sixth St. LLC and New York-based Chetrit Group are looking to turn the Financial District tower into more than 500 residential and commercial condominiums. Designs on the project were complete as of September 2008, but the developer had not yet initiated the plan check process. The first 15 floors would feature 135 office condos while 402 livework units are planned for floors 16-42. The 620-foot-tall edifice includes approximately 700 parking spaces. Architecture firm Epstein ISI will handle the designs. B7

A development team headed by Fred Cordova purchased the 600-room Cecil Hotel at 636 S. Main St. in 2007, and last July opened an adjacent hotel and youth hostel called Stay.

The latter has its own lobby at 636 S. Main St., but shares an elevator and three floors of the Cecil. Designed to appeal to young travelers on a budget, Stay consists of 138 rooms ranging from singles to dorm-style suites, with rates from $25-$85 per night. Currently, only about 90 of the rooms are open because of low demand, said Bill Lanting, president of Cecil and Stay manager the Lanting Hotel Group. About two months ago, the hotel debuted a ground-floor coffee shop and market called Marty. Future plans call for a ground-floor restaurant called Tuck, and management is in the process of applying for a liquor license (if they do not get the license, Tuck will be scrapped). The Cecil’s owners are still in litigation with the city over the building’s designation as a residential hotel, a classification they oppose. At stayhotels.net. D7

7+FIG RENOVATION The first phase of the renovation of the outdoor shopping center is underway and should be completed within three months, said Bert Dezzutti, senior vice president for owner Brookfield Properties. The upgrades include repainting the center to bring it out of its 1980s color motif. The $3 million project will include more indigenous plants and new furniture in the plaza and throughout the space at Seventh and Figueroa streets. Recently, Macy’s announced that it is shutting the store at 7+Fig, which was one of the mall’s anchor tenants. Brookfield Properties purchased 7+Fig and an adjacent high-rise in 2006. B7

CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL The $900 million Convention Center hotel recorded the end of vertical construction in December and is on pace to open in early 2010. The project by Anschutz Entertainment Group, with backing from MacFarlane Partners, will be the linch-

$800,000-$1.2 million, said Bruce Askari, operations manager for developer Los Angeles Fashion Center, LP. The massive project at 14th Place and San Pedro Street has sold 150 units and is scheduled to open April 20, Askari said. E9

pin of L.A. Live, and will create a 123-room RitzCarlton hotel and an 878room JW Marriott hotel.

The top approximately 20 floors of the 54-story establishment will feature 224 Ritz-Carlton condominiums priced from $1 million-$10 million.

The tower at Olympic Boulevard and Georgia Street, designed by the firm Gensler, will also feature the largest ballroom in the city, capable of hosting 2,000 people.

The project has employed more than 1,000 construction workers. B8

photo by Gary Leonard

Plans to convert Engine Company No. 17, a 1927 firehouse at 710 S. Santa Fe Ave. in the Industrial District, into a restaurant and gallery with the possibility of live entertainment, should go before the city Planning Department in early April, said Elizabeth Peterson, a project representative. The 8,721-square-foot, two-story Beaux Arts structure was purchased by Jeffrey Birkmeyer and is in the entitlement process; an opening is more than a year away as details of the project need to be worked out. The structure was a working fire station until 1980. NA

L.A. FASHION MART Developer Jade Enterprises has completed construction of an $80 million complex for wholesale garment showrooms and is now leasing units. The 320,000-square-foot facility at Stanford Avenue and 12th Street will feature 117 wholesale units that will debut as rentals. Like most wholesale projects east of San Pedro Street, the development will cater to sellers of women’s contemporary fashions. The center is not yet operational and did not disclose current occupancy numbers, but expects to open this spring, said Eli Taban of Jade Enterprises. E9

MARRIOTT HOTEL RENOVATION Plans for extensive renovations at the 469-room Downtown Marriott, which were originally slated to begin in late 2008, have been indefinitely put on hold, said Libby Zarrahy, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. A slowed economy is the main reason the hotel at 333 S. Figueroa St. canceled the plans, Zarrahy said. Hotel owner Namco Capital Group is reportedly under legal and financial pressure from a bevy of lawsuits alleging that the company and its founder, Ezri Namvar, lost as much $400 million lent to him. On Dec. 22, two dozen creditors filed an involuntary bankruptcy petition against Namvar and Namco. Zarrahy could not comment on proceedings against Namvar. B6

STANFORD REGENCY PLAZA Developer the KI Group remains on target to finish construction of a 400,000-square-foot complex for wholesale garment showrooms this September, said Wizeman Kangavari, a partner in the company. Plans call for 132 showrooms that will sell for $1 million-$3 million, Kangavari said. The project at 810 E. Pico Blvd. is being designed by the firm MAI. E9

WILSHIRE GRAND HOTEL RENOVATION The hotel started a renovation of all 900 of its guest rooms in January. The project, which was put on hold after originally being planned for last year, was accelerated in order to get it completed while occupancy is low, said hotel spokesman Marc Loge. They are working on updating three floors at a time, Loge said. The hotel at 930 Wilshire Blvd. is installing new beds, drapes, wallpaper and flat panel televisions. The target completion date is September. At wilshiregrand.com. B7

NONPROFIT/COMMUNITY

DOWNTOWN WOMEN’S CENTER Leaders of the Downtown Women’s Center plan to break ground on the organization’s new home at 434 S. San Pedro St. by the end of February, the center’s site director Joe Altepeter said. The 67,000-square-foot facility, which will include 71 apartments for low-income women, is scheduled to open in May 2010. The new headquarters, to be called Project Home, will allow the DWC to help more than 3,000 women and serve 75,000 meals annually, an increase from its current level of aiding 2,000 women and serving 45,000 meals a year at its 325 S. Los Angeles St. location. The DWC is vacating its current home to make way for the under-construction Medallion development. The Community Redevelopment Agency has pitched in $3.5 million for renovations. An ongoing capital campaign to raise $35 million to fund the facility has garnered about $20 million so far, organizers said. At dwcweb.org. E6

Downtown News 25

Development project with a 30,000-square-foot church building and chapel, a sky sanctuary, offices, a kitchen and an outdoor patio. B8

GOOD SAMARITAN EXPANSION Good Samaritan Hospital plans to break ground on a sevenstory building on its City West campus in late summer, said hospital spokeswoman Katrina Bada. The plans are currently awaiting city and state approvals, which are expected by August. Construction on the 150,000-square-foot building at Wilshire Boulevard and Witmer Street is expected to take 18 months. The development would house a first-floor patient imaging center and pharmacy, eight second-floor surgical suites and five levels of physician offices. The project is estimated at $65 million-$75 million. Architecture firm Ware Malcomb is handling the designs. NA

HOPE STREET FAMILY CENTER image courtesy of the Los Angeles Community Design Center

February 23, 2009

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The proposal to develop a church-owned parcel at 1010 Flower St. is now on hold, said First United’s Rev. Sandie Richards.

The South Park project is not financed, she said. A development team headed by David Houk has proposed a 14-story apartment tower with ground-floor retail and a 500-space parking structure. In exchange for the property’s ground lease rights, Houk’s team would also build a $75 million, mixed-use

Developers of the future home of the California Hospital Medical Center’s Hope Street Family Center plan to begin a construction bidding process in October. Nonprofit developer Abode Communities is handling the project for the hospital, which has been planning the new recreation and social services center for low-income families for more than two years.

Originally slated to begin construction in April, the hospital

delayed the project after initial contractor estimates exceeded the $15 million budget, said Tim Kohut, director of architecture for Abode Communities. He said they hope to begun construction by early 2010. Initial designs call for a four-story, 26,000-square-foot structure at the southeast corner of Venice Boulevard and Hope Street that would include administrative offices, classrooms and an outdoor basketball court. Partially funded by a variety of grants, including $3 million in state Prop 40 funds, CHMC is working to raise $8 million to pay for the remainder of the project. At chmcla.org. C10

LITTLE TOKYO RECREATION CENTER After trying for 14 years to develop a gymnasium in Little Tokyo, the Little Tokyo Service Center reached a deal with the city last year. In September, the City Council approved a plan to let the LTSC build a gym above an under-construction city parking lot on Los Angeles Street between Second and Third streets. There is no construction timeline for the project and the LTSC is trying to raise the estimated $15 million construction cost, said Bill Watanabe, the group’s executive director.

Preliminary designs by architecture firm Takase and Associates call for an approximately 30,000-square-foot facility that would house four courts for basketball, volleyball or martial arts. D5

YWCA JOB CORPS CAMPUS The $60 million expansion of the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles’ Job Corps Campus in South Park continues. Plans call for a 154,000-square-foot development at Olympic Boulevard and Olive Street with 200 rooms for students and an intake center, cafeteria and library, as well as medical and dental centers that will serve 1,200 students annually. The seven-story steel and glass structure designed

by Jenkins, Gales and Martinez Architects would put the YWCA Job Corps under one roof, instead of using six buildings in Downtown and one in Hollywood. The new facility would also increase the organization’s number of residential beds, from 380 to 400. Construction is scheduled for completion in July 2010, according to group’s website. At ywcagla.org. C8 continued on next page

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February 23, 2009

Development velopment team includes Jules Arthur and Ruben Islas, COO and CEO, respectively, of the San Diego-based, for-profit Amerland Group. The entire project, from acquisition to rehabilitation, was pulled together from several funding sources including tax-exempt bonds and totaled more than $56 million. So far, approximately 430 of the units are occupied, said Arthur. The upgraded apartments and studios include kitchenettes, new appliances, floor coverings and ceiling fans.

A suit was recently settled between the developer and some former tenants. At thealexandria.net. C6

ALEXANDRIA HOTEL

AT&T CENTER RENOVATION

Developer Alexandria Housing Partners, L.P., has finished renovating the historic Alexandria Hotel, at 501 S. Spring St. in the Historic Core. Formerly a residential hotel for lowincome tenants, the building now houses 461 affordable apartments with rents from $350-$800 per month. The de-

Renovations to the 32-story structure are complete, said Jeff Baderstscher, vice president of LBA Realty. The penthouse, which for decades held an 8,000-square-foot high-end restaurant, was turned into office space, which has yet to be leased. The renovation of the building at 12th and Olive

streets in South Park included a new lobby and a food court.

The exterior of William Pereira’s edifice, long known as the Transamerica Building, was updated with modern metal panels and a glass curtain wall. C9

CASA A 5,000-square-foot Mexican restaurant opened in the California Plaza food court in December. The project at 350 S. Grand Ave. features several indoor and outdoor “casitas,” pod-like spaces that can seat as few as three-four people or as many as 16-20 drinkers and diners. Kris Morningstar, a chef/ partner in the restaurant, announced this month that he will leave Casa. At casadowntown.com. C6

CHURCH & STATE A ground-level space in the Biscuit Company Lofts opened late last year as a French bistro. Church & State, from restaurateur Steven Arroyo, features original brick floors, exposed ducts and ceiling, a display kitchen and a large picture window running the length of the restaurant. There is also outdoor seating in the establishment at 1850 Industrial St. Original chef Greg Bernhardt was replaced in January by Walter Manzke, formerly of Bastide. At churchandstatebistro.com. NA

CIVIC CENTER FIRE STATION NO. 4 Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department moved into a new twostory fire and paramedic station at 450 Temple St. in mid-December. The 40,000-square-foot station, which cost $23 million, includes two bays for firefighting vehicles, a hose tower, a handball court and a commercial kitchen that will eventually serve the underconstruction Emergency Operations Center in addition to the firefighters.

The station is staffed by 22 department personnel whose service area includes Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Olvera Street. Construction on a second phase of the project, the Emergency Operations Center at 500 E. Temple St., continues. That 82,000-squarefoot structure, which will house police and fire dispatch centers and will replace emergency communication facilities in City Hall East, is likely several years from completion, LAFD Capt. Tina Haro said. E4

photo by Gary Leonard

26 Downtown News

COLE’S RENOVATION Late last year, Cedd Moses of the nightlife firm 213 Inc. reopened the former Cole’s P.E. Buffet after a year-long, $1.6 million renovation. The upgrade of the restaurant at 118 E. Sixth St. paid close attention to the 1908 decor, and restored the original glass lighting, penny-tile floors and the 40-foot mahogany bar. The menu was spruced up, though it still focuses on the French dip sandwich. At colesfrenchdip.com. D7

CORKBAR The 2,102-square-foot wine bar on the ground floor of Evo, at 1155 S. Grand Ave., opened Feb. 15, said Bryan DeSena, a spokesman for developer South Group. Corkbar features offerings from dozens of California wineries and includes an 800-square-foot outdoor patio. It seeks to serve the L.A. Live crowd and residents living in area buildings. At corkbar.com. C9

CROCKER CLUB The 6,000-square-foot basement bar and lounge opened to the public in early February, said co-owner Vincent Terzian of Hollywood-based Five-Five Endeavors. The club, in the Spring Arts Tower at 453 S. Spring St., features a 1920s speakeasy decor. It is in the 1914 Crocker Citizens National Bank building. At thecrockerclub.com. C6

DRAGO CENTRO The $7 million, 9,500-square-foot Italian restaurant opened in November, said Matteo Fernandi, a partner in the project and the general manager of the restaurant. Drago Centro, at 525 S. Flower St. in City National Plaza, was created by well-

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 27

Development

photo by Gary Leonard

EVO

LAC+USC MEDICAL REPLACEMENT FACILITY The $899 million, 600-bed hospital at Marengo and State streets northeast of Downtown opened in November. The facility includes a seven-story outpatient structure, a five-floor diagnostic and treatment building and an eight-story inpatient tower. The complex replaced four hospitals, among them two facilities damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Los Angeles-based HOK and Santa Monica firm LBL Associated Architects handled the designs. At lacusc.org. NA

L.A. LIVE Parts of L.A. Live are open. See full update in Cultural/Entertainment.

photo by Gary Leonard

NATIONAL CITY TOWER LOFTS

American fare. Provecho features an extensive tequila selection and gourmet cuisine. At provechorestaurant.com. B7

RIVERA The 5,000-square-foot, $2.3 million Latin restaurant opened Jan. 16 on the ground floor of the Met Lofts in South Park, said managing partner Bill Chait. Chef John Rivera Sedlar has created an upscale space at 1050 S. Flower St. with an open kitchen and some seating on the street. The menu was inspired by the foods of Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the American Southwest and even Portugal and Spain. At riverarestaurant.com. B8

The 220-unit adaptive reuse project opened last month. The 12-story building at 111 W. Seventh St. in the Historic Core is approximately 9% leased, said developer Barry Shy. Apartments range from 600-1,400 square feet and rents are $1,200-$2,000. The building features a rooftop pool, spa, gym and 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The project was originally planned to be condominiums, and Shy said he eventually hopes to convert the building back to for-sale units. D7

INNER-CITY ARTS In late September, educational institution Inner-City Arts opened a $10 million expansion of its headquarters at 720 Kohler St. in Skid Row. The expansion will allow the organization, which provides arts education to at-risk elementary, middle and high school students, to double its capacity and serve 16,000 students annually. Architect Michael Maltzan designed the project that created a new theater, a ceramics studio, a parentteacher resource center and an administrative building. At inner-cityarts.org. F7

The Sports Museum of Los Angeles, a mecca of vintage sports memorabilia, opened in November. The 32,000-square-foot attraction showcases the collection of Los Angeles entreThe $22.5 million adaptive reuse project opened to renters in early November.

Developed by brothers Shariar and Shahram Afshani, the former National City Bank headquarters is on a plot where Spring and Main streets converge, between Eighth and Ninth streets, giving the building frontage on three sides. Units range from 650-1,884 square feet and rent for $1,395-$2,295. The property is about 30% leased, said Caesar Morera, the building’s leasing manager. The 1924 edifice also includes 7,000 square feet of ground floor retail space, but has so far signed only one commercial lease, to Infusion Café, which opened the first week of February. At nctlofts.com. D7

PROVECHO The 5,000-square-foot Mexican restaurant and lounge opened Dec. 1 on the ground floor of the building at 800 Wilshire Blvd., said owner and chef Gabriel Morales.

The high-end establishment includes the Remedy Lounge, a late-night spot that serves

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SPORTS MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES The $160 million project by developer the South Group opened late last year and more than 30% of the 311 residences are under contract or sold. A $3 million penthouse condo, the most expensive condominium purchase in Downtown, sold in an all cash deal in January.

The 23-story edifice at 12th Street and Grand Avenue in South Park features units priced from $400,000. Evo follows Elleven and Luma as the last of three environmentally conscious buildings on the same block from the developer. It is the most upscale of the three highrises. At evo-south.com. C9

preneur Gary Cypres. Housed in a two-story warehouse at 1900 S. Main St., the museum includes thousands of vintage baseball cards, hundreds of old uniforms and unexpected items like Babe Ruth’s shotgun. Cypres is already in the process of planning an expansion.

Fire safety codes prohibited him from opening the building’s second floor, but Cypres said he has enough memorabilia to fill at least another 12,000 square feet. A tentative plan is making its way through City Hall, where the museum has a supporter in Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry, to expand the venue with more ground-floor space. At sportsmuseumla.com. NA

photo by Gary Leonard

known chef Celestino Drago. The restaurant seats 250 people in a space fashioned from a former Bank of America branch. The establishment on the ground level of the building features vaulted ceilings and a dining room with walnut tables. There is a separate lounge/bar as well as a converted former vault where up to 40 people can watch cooking demonstrations and hold private events.

At dragocentro.com. B6

Urth Caffe opened a $6 million Arts District headquarters on Nov. 16. The 14,000-sqaure-foot project at 513 S. Hewitt St. created a new cafe, and also serves as the base of operations for Urth’s approximately 100 employees.

Goods for all of Urth’s locations are prepared at the Downtown Los Angeles building, and coffee beans are roasted there as well. The project, part of the Barker Block residential complex, includes a loading dock, a tea blending room and a full kitchen. At urthcaffe.com. F6

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February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Downtown Residential

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New Favorite Residences The Barker Block Crafts an Inspired Loft Community

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t is hard to find a residence in Downtown, or in Los Angeles, that rivals the response, sales and fan base of the Barker Block. This new loft community in the heart of the Arts District has brought modern design to an authentic warehouse space, mixFROM OUR ADVERTISERS

ing new and old with the flair and style for which The Kor Group is renowned. It is hands down the hottest block around.

The Barker Block is a new living concept by The Kor Group, which has created some of the most contemporary and sought-after hotels, destinations and designer residences worldwide. And, like their other noted properties (Viceroy, The Tides & Avalon), it has been crafted with inspired design, unexpected details, perfect flow and just the right touch of indulgence.

When combined with an incredibly unique, vibrant and eclectic neighborhood, these loft homes offer a truly one-of-a-kind living experience.

Barker was created from an idea that your home should be more than a living space. It should be a living experience. It’s a complete community, bringing together residential, live-work, retail and incredible amenity spaces connected to surrounding restaurants, cafes (including the new Urth Caffé across the street), lofts and art studios.

There’s a much bigger picture here — several blocks all connected and engaged. It is walkable, friendly, beautiful and real.

Inside, the aesthetic in each home features a unique mix of contemporary elements and historic materials. Wood rafters show a century of character above polished concrete.

Original wood floors give a rich con-

trast to modern furniture. Brick walls from the early 1900s act as a backdrop to sleek countertops and steel staircases. Each home has been individually crafted with a unique variation of these materials, giving every one its own character and persona.

Surrounding the homes is a long list of amenities and community features that includes what has to be the best rooftop deck in Downtown, complete with pool, spa and private cabanas overlooking the skyline. Along with this, there is a fitness center with floor-to-ceiling city views, an outdoor living room with fireplace, roaming landscaped courtyards featuring a water garden and grass sitting area, a public arts space dubbed the Artist’s Alley for art shows and intimate concerts, on-site retail and live-work spaces, and a general feeling of community that can’t be replicated in a slick high-rise or cramped condo complex.

The Barker Block should top every would-be homeowner’s list — its status as the best-selling community in Downtown is proof positive. One look at the stunning model lofts and equally cool neighborhood, and you’ll be sold too.

The Barker Block Sales Gallery is at 513 Molino St. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. To learn more visit barkerblock.com or call (213) 620-9650.

Cultural Connection The Towers Deliver a Rich Downtown Experience

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owntown Los Angeles: Here, the living experience goes unmatched anywhere in the West. A lifestyle richly embellished with art, music FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

and the cultural events that make headlines. Downtown breeds success, housing prominent firms in impressive architectural sculptures composed of glass, steel and stone. Yet historical elements of yesterday also remain — artifacts of this city’s rich past.

From the faithful climb of the renowned cars of Angels Flight to the fantastic urban spectacle of California Plaza, daily life in the Towers’ neighborhood remains unsurpassed. Extraordinary fountains, garden alcove retreats, gourmet dining and first-run entertainment provide the perfect setting for a lifetime of enjoyment. Downtown holds all the essentials to fulfill the most demanding lifestyles.

During the day, you are moments from the business district, minimizing or even eliminating a commute. Evenings become immersed in a flood of nightlife,

movies and culture beneath the brilliant lights of the city. Day and night, the Towers place residents among all the excitement Downtown offers.

Promenade Towers greets guests via a two-story lobby embellished with a tranquil indoor waterscape. Four impressive towers embrace a breathtaking pool, spa and fitness center in an oasis Continued on next page

February 23, 2009

Residential

Spring Street’s Newest Tenant National City Tower Lofts Brings Back an Elegant Icon

R

esidential projects abound in Downtown Los Angeles, but few rival the experience of loft living in the historic Financial District. With authentic architectural elements of the romantic 1924 era, gourmet gas kitchens, distinctive finishes and a rooftop garden and spa, National City Tower offers a piece of history to its tenants.

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

The residence houses 93 sophisticated and distinctively designed state-of-the-art studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Each level offers up to nine unique floor plans with elegant touches throughout the lofts. NCT offers easy access to the trendsetting urban lifestyle just beyond your doorstep, with all the desired amenities. The open-plan lofts boast high ceilings with a wealth of windows, providing an exquisite, unobstructed view of the Downtown Los Angeles skyline.

Originally built as the headquarters for the National City Bank of Los Angeles, its was completed in 1924 by the prominent architecture firm of Walker and Eisen, whose body of work includes Downtown’s Oviatt Building and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. This 12-story building was designed in the Beaux Arts style, which had become a preferred style used by financial institutions.

The bank’s choice of this location for their building, fronting Spring Street, reflects the impressive growth of Los Angeles’ early 20th century financial district. So many financial institutions built their headContinued from previous page of flowing fountains and immaculate landscaping — a true departure from the ordinary.

Promenade Towers’ individual design includes apartments with balconies, contemporary solariums and angular rooms as exciting as the property’s unique exterior styling.

Grand Tower’s sensuous granite exterior distinguishes this landmark development as the address that reflects success. The 24-hour manned lobby provides impressive passage to spacious apartment homes with balconies and a rooftop pool, spa and fitness center with beautiful mountain and city views. Adjacent to the renowned California Plaza, entertainment can be found virtually at your doorstep.

Museum Tower neighbors the beautiful Museum of Contemporary Art. This fine collection of apartment homes features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.

Exhibit your most precious belongings amidst the outstanding backdrop of the city skyline. A controlled access lobby, pool, spa and fitness center provide the upscale amenities Downtown residents desire.

Double Assurance of Quality For more than 50 years, Shapell Industries and Goldrich & Kest Industries have established themselves among America’s most successful and most honored residential developers. Today, their nationwide reputation for providing exceptional housing is earned through a consistent dedication to quality craftsmanship and design. As a result, many of their joint ventures have been cited as model developments. Marina Park in San Diego, Town Square in Santa Ana, The Promenade and Promenade West in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles have all achieved unparalleled success in these prominent urban centers.

Together, they bring to the Towers Apartments a vast combination of experience, talent and integrity. Each has proven its dedication for a total of more than 90 years. It is that strong combination of experience, innovation and commitment to quality that makes Shapell Industries and Goldrich & Kest Industries a team you can rely on for excellence.

For leasing information at the Promenade Towers, 123 S. Figueroa St., call (213) 617-3777. For leasing information at the Grand Tower, 255 S. Grand Ave., call (213) 229-9777. For leasing information at the Museum Tower, 225 S. Olive St., call (213) 626-1500.

quarters along Spring Street that this stretch was nicknamed the “Wall Street of the West.” The majority of these palaces of finance still line the street today, and the portion between Fourth and Seventh streets is listed as a National Register Historic District.

This building was unique in having three entrances to the banking room from three different streets: Spring, Eighth and Main. In addition, it occupies the upper portion of a unique triangular-shaped lot, commonly referred to as a flatiron.

The building’s façade has been restored to its original luster, including the highly ornamented uppermost floors featuring Corinthian columns and a decorative cornice at the roofline

Downtown News 29

with alternating torches. The former banking hall with its elaborate coffered ceiling, as well as the first floor lobby complete with lavishly ornamented elevator doors, walls clad in terra cotta and a dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling, have been restored and will soon house a high-end restaurant and retail.

Completed in November 2008, National City Lofts houses 93 rental units averaging 950 square feet, and will feature amenities including an indoor gym and a rooftop garden and Jacuzzi. In addition to the standard units located throughout the building, four penthouse units feature an innovative, upper-level room extending above the roof line that affords unobstructed views of the surrounding cityscape through expansive glass walls.

In January, Infusion Café kicked off the project’s retail component with exotic coffees and teas, as well as crepes, panini, salads and free wireless Internet.

National City Tower is at 810 S. Spring St. For more information call (877) 628-5638 or visit nctlofts.com.

30 Downtown News

Luxe Living Teramachi Homes Serves Older Adults

T

eramachi Homes, Downtown L.A.’s ultra-luxurious community for residents 55 years and older, invited all Angelenos to experience the community’s beauty, amenities and lifestyle at the Feb. 7 model grand opening event.

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

The event unveiled the community’s model homes while giving guests an opportunity to walk the grounds and enjoy a day full of activities, including a mahjong exhibition, tai chi class and ikebana flower arranging demonstration.

Located in the heart of Little Tokyo just minutes from some of Downtown L.A.’s most celebrated restaurants, museums and cultural attractions, Teramachi Homes is a sophisticated 127-unit, $57 million condominium development with innovative floor plans and features that cater to the community’s homebuyers. While occupancy of Teramachi is restricted to those 55 and older, home buying is open to everyone.

Teramachi is a virtual sanctuary in the city with amenities that stand apart from other Downtown collections. Beyond the cherry blossom trees adorning the community’s entrance, residents have at their disposal a fully equipped gym with steam room, indoor/outdoor pool, private flower and vegetable planters and a multipurpose room with a full catering kitchen that opens onto the courtyard. Each floor at Teramachi also has its own private lounge.

Other high-end features within this

February 23, 2009

Residential

1.6-acre community include the central Zen garden with a koi pond and walking bridge, as well as five cascading water features. The building’s south wing is comprised of only two stories, which allows sunlight to shine into the courtyard. The community also offers an on-site hair salon and bookstore.

Teramachi Homes also puts a premium on security, ensuring residents’ serene way of life. There is a 24-hour guard in the lobby, a guard who patrols the grounds, and a secured two-story garage parking with ample room for guests.

Exclusively designed with active adults in mind, these upscale units are outfitted for a low-maintenance, stress-free lifestyle with one and two bedrooms, spacious interiors, oversized balconies, storage closets, floor-toceiling windows, window and floor coverings and upgraded appliances.

Teramachi’s prices range from the mid$300,000s to the mid-$500,000s.

To learn more log on to teramachihomes. com or visit the sales office at 267 S. San Pedro St. Call (213) 471-2969 to speak with a sales representative.

Creative Living Arts District’s 2121 Lofts Blends Practicality With One-of-a-Kind Style

2

121 Lofts is an eclectic mix of authentic lofts located in a unique and virtually secret enclave in the heart of Downtown L.A.’s Arts District.

“We are excited to bring 2121 Lofts alive,” said Joshua Bickett, business manager for Lincoln Property Company.

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

The community has a mix of townhomes and artists’ lofts that are zoned livework, making it ideal for a residence or running a creative home business. The uniquely landscaped grounds provide a Zen-like feel with a bocce ball court, outdoor community kitchen, leash-free dog park and herb garden. Intelligent space interiors vary with raw concrete floors and original hardwood floors, gourmet-style kitchens, mosaic baths with deep soaking tubs, original floor-to-ceiling windows and much more. Private parking and 24-hour guard service is provided.

2121 Lofts caters to renters in the Downtown L.A. market looking for creative living in an exclusive social atmosphere. Weekly and monthly resident events are held including art shows, wine night, yappy hour and various other “meet your neighbor” mixers.

“We are working with one of Downtown L.A.’s premier pet boutiques to coordinate our resident pet events and a fundraiser is in the works for this spring

to be hosted in our very own dog park,” said Bickett. “We have also made contact with a notable art gallery Downtown to begin hosting events at the community. 2121 Lofts will soon be Downtown’s most sought-after destination.”

2121 is now leasing, with a limited collection of lofts for the lucky few who want to experience authentic Downtown living.

There are 19 loft townhomes available for immediate move-in and 59 traditional lofts will be complete in the coming months.

Square footage ranges from 800 to 1,900 with rents starting at $1,900. 2121 accepts both large and small dogs, offering plenty of space for them to stretch in the private 2121 Bark Park.

The leasing office is open daily at 2135 E. Seventh Place. For more information visit 2121LoftsLA.com, email 2121lofts@lincolnapts.com or call (888) 479-3671.

photo by Carla Sgroi - S7 Photography

IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! BRAND NEW APARTMENT HOMES iN the traDitioNaL eLegaNCe oF a worLD-CLaSS reSort

TWO MONTHS FREE!*

*oN SeLeCteD uNitS For a LimiteD time oNLy. CaLL For DetaiLS.

550 N. Figueroa St. DowNtowN LoS aNgeLeS (CorNer oF Figueroa & w. SuNSet BLvD.)

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 31

Residential

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

It’s our business to make you comfortable...at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments.

Contemporary singles, studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant, heated pool, spa, complete fitness center, sauna and recreation room with kitchen.

Beautiful views extend from the Towers’

Penthouse Available

lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and slender skyscrapers provide an incredible

G r a n d To w e r 255 South Grand Avenue

Promenade To w e r s

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

(213) 229-9777

123 South Figueroa Street LEASING INFORMATION

back drop to complement your decor.

M u s e u m To w e r 225 South Olive Street

Far below are a host of businesses ready to support your pampered downtown

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

(213) 617-3777

lifestyle. Even the most demanding tastes

(213) 626-1500

are satisfied with gourmet dining, shops, theatres and the cultural events that make headlines.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore. Visit the Towers Apartments today.

SINGLES, STUDIO, ONE BEDROOM & TWO BEDROOM RESIDENCES MAID SERVICE FURNITURE HOUSEWARES CABLE UTILITIES PARKING WWW.GKIND.com

now

LIVING

design : art : home : neighborhood : city : retreat : loft : love : discover life in the downtown arts district : from the $300k’s Sales Gallery at 513 Molino Street : 213-620-9650 : barkerblock.com Exclusively represented by The Mark Company

From KOR, the creators of Viceroy and Avalon

32 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

Residential

Navigating a Buyersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market When Clients Want the Best, They Go to TheLoftGuys.Net

D

owntown Los Angeles is one of the most diverse and exciting places to live, with a wide array of residential options for the discerning urban buyer. TheLoftGuys.net is in the middle of the action, expertly researching the landscape to

Buyers Offered More Than $3 Million in Price Reductions

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

guide their buyers into the best fit possible, even in the ever-changing center of this unique metropolis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I walk every neighborhood constantly in Downtown,â&#x20AC;? said Peter Lorimer, owner of TheLoftGuys.net. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am obsessive about knowing what is going on with every building. I sniff out every nook and cranny and make it my business to be as well informed as I can about everything Downtown.â&#x20AC;?

But Lorimer, who is currently the top agent in his brokerage of Keller Williams Realty â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and has been for several years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just talk the Downtown talk. As a longtime local resident, he speaks from deep experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never have I seen such an advantageous market for buyers,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The mix of flexible loft prices coupled with low interest rates is something I do not think we will see again for a long time, if ever. We have positioned ourselves to service the new influx of buyers that are descending into Downtown. Some buyers might not know, but we do not charge them anything for our services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have taken time developing meaningful relationships with all the buildings and developers,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With TheLoftGuys.net doing a large volume of transactions, this makes the developers happy to see us and our clients, and it allows me to fight for the best deal possible and to make sure that the buyer has someone in their corner who is willing to go the distance for them, and to guide them through the many options Downtown has to offer to make sure their purchase is the best one possible.â&#x20AC;?

F

or the first time, Evo â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the much anticipated third phase of South, Los Angelesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first and only LEED certified â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? community â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is offering more than $3 million in total price reductions on a limited number of units during â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Evo 72-Hour Sale.â&#x20AC;?

From Friday, Feb. 27, through Sunday, March 1, buyers will benefit

Their extensive network of contacts includes real estate experts in various fields whom they recommend to their clients. For example, TheLoftGuys.net recommends buyers use an experienced loan officer who knows Downtown. Loans have become a challenging aspect of real estate, and they advise that loft buyers become pre-qualified. TheLoftGuys.net have worked with Mike Cohn from Countrywide, who has been the preferred lender on several Downtown developments including the Higgins Building and Barker Block.

Once clients purchase a loft and move in, TheLoftGuys.net shares one of their best resources.

They recently teamed up with Downtown furniture company L.A. Modern Living to stage their listings in Downtown with chic, imported furniture designed specifically for loft living. From hip to slick and everywhere in between, L.A. Modern Living has it all. To see an example of their furniture visit LAModernLiving.com or see the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two furnished lofts for sale at the Biscuit Factory.

For more information about TheLoftGuys.net call (213) 625-1313 or visit Peter@TheLoftGuys.net. To contact Mike Cohn at Countrywide Home Loans call (818) 314-1919 or email Mike_Cohn@countrywide. com. To contact Marco Fonseca at L.A. Modern Living call (562) 307-5400.

Starting at $1,400

MOnday-friday 9:00am-6:00pm SaTUrday & SUnday By appt.

-JNJUFE UJNF PĂľFS $BMM GPS EFUBJMT

Call to Schedule a Tour Today

IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES â&#x20AC;˘.0/%": 46/%": ". 50 1.

High Ceilings & light airy interiors â&#x20AC;˘ Stunning views â&#x20AC;˘ Choice of concrete or bamboo floors â&#x20AC;˘ Stainless steel appliances â&#x20AC;˘ Central air and heat â&#x20AC;˘ Washer/Dryer available in select lofts â&#x20AC;˘ On-site laundry â&#x20AC;˘ Extensive range of floor plans â&#x20AC;˘ On-site concierge â&#x20AC;˘ Security Service On Site â&#x20AC;˘ High speed internet and digital cable ready â&#x20AC;˘ Parking included â&#x20AC;˘ Pets welcome

from the lowest prices ever offered on select residences at Evo, which is already Downtown Los Angelesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best-selling high-rise community.

Prices during â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Evo 72-Hour Saleâ&#x20AC;? will begin at $399,000. Evo is also offering a 5% broker co-op to participating real estate agents.

Buyers and agents are strongly encouraged to call for event details and to schedule a preview.

The modern residences at Evo offer designer interiors with views overlooking Downtown, Staples Center and L.A. Live, as well as a Continued on next page

From Feb. 27 through March 1, buyers will benefit from the lowest prices ever on select residences at Downtown Los Angelesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best-selling high-rise community.

Downtown L.A.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier 55+ Community Teramachi Homes is a luxurious condo community in the heart of Downtown L.A.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Little Tokyo District. With a host of high-end private community amenities this new-home collection is truly a sanctuary in the city for residents 55 and better.

TERAMACHI FEATURES â&#x20AC;˘ Convenient Little Tokyo Location â&#x20AC;˘ Fitness Room â&#x20AC;˘ Pool â&#x20AC;˘ Sauna â&#x20AC;˘ 24-Hour Security â&#x20AC;˘ 1 and 2 Bedrooms â&#x20AC;˘ Guest and Community Lounges â&#x20AC;˘ Landscaped Courtyard and Gardens

NOW LEASING 213-955-5700

2 months free

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

From the mid $300,000s and the mid $500,000s

1 bedroom Lofts, Studios & 2 bedrooms:

The Evo 72-Hour Sale

TeramachiHomes.com

On 14mth lease + Goldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gym membership. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Specials subject to change. Lock in your special today!â&#x20AC;?

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7JTJU VT BU XXX HBTDPNQBOZMPGUT DPN PS 'MPXFS 4U CFUXFFO UI UI %PXOUPXO -"

Juliana Park

267 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles 90012 Free parking, enter on San Pedro

"O VSCBO JOWFTUNFOU CZ $*. (SPVQ 4065) *4 5)& /&8 $&/5&3

Sales OfďŹ ce Open: Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Monday from 10 a.m.â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5 p.m.

Juliana@TeramachiHomes.com

The purchase of a Teramachi Home is open to everyone, however the primary resident must be 55 and better. Prices, terms, and conditions subject to change without notice. Š2009 Teramachi Seniors Housing, LLC.

TMI043_55+Living_4cN_[Downtown News] Client: Teramachi Homes

Trim:

5"w x 7.625"h

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 33

Residential

A Complete Lifestyle Solution TENTEN Wilshire Is the Only Place Where Living, Working and Playing Is Just a Suitcase Away

N

ow open, TENTEN Wilshire is the ideal place for business-minded individuals to live, work and play. Whether you are a travel manager, relocation specialist, working professional or entrepreneur, TENTEN Wilshire provides the perfect blend of amenities and necessities to make your decision an easy one.

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

You have heard the phrase “Live, Work and Play” countless times, but not until now have all three been addressed in a single lifestyle solution. Located on Los Angeles’ world famous Wilshire Boulevard, TENTEN Wilshire offers 227 luxury suites in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. At TENTEN Wilshire, all suites are designated live/work, so conducting business from home in a professional manner just became possible.

The suites at TENTEN Wilshire are equipped with every imaginable amenity including free basic utilities, wired and wireless high speed Internet, premium cable TV, local phone calls, iPod ready sound systems, high definition LCD TVs, full kitchens with stainless steel appliances and extensive kitchenware sets, in-unit washer dryers, and individual thermostats for optimum cooling and heating.

TENTEN Wilshire received awards for the “Best Rooftop in Downtown Los Angeles” and “Downtowners of Distinction.”

TENTEN Wilshire is also nominated for “Project of the Year.” Inspired by luxury resorts, the world-class rooftop features a full gym, pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, locker rooms, a movie/screening room, lounge, fire pits, barbecue areas, sundecks, custom outdoor billiard and foosball tables, all while being surrounded by endless panoramic views.

A great venue for the regularly scheduled mixers that are ideal for meeting people and networking, it is easy to see why TENTEN Wilshire is the complete lifestyle solution business professionals need.

TENTEN Wilshire is located on the west side of the 110 Freeway across from the Wilshire Grand. Just two blocks from TENTEN Wilshire is the 7th Street/Metro Center, which offers easy access to MetroRail, Los Angeles’ subway system, instantly connecting residents to Long Beach, Hollywood, Pasadena, LAX and more. Union Station, your access point to MetroLink, is also nearby. With neighbors like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Exposition Park and the Staples Center, additional enterContinued from previous page rooftop retreat with an infinity-edge pool, top-floor gym studio, and on-site retail and restaurant space.

Immediate move-ins are available.

Evo is Downtown’s only new-construction high-rise available for move-in before 2010. As with South’s other two projects, Elleven and Luma, Evo is outpacing all other high-rise condominium projects for sales in Los Angeles. Evo is more than 30% sold, has closed over a dozen homes and is averaging six closings per month since December. Recent closings include a $3.1-million penthouse — the highest ever purchase price for a single residential unit in Downtown L.A. Architecturally stunning and sustainably superior, Evo’s sleek and stylish silhouette rises 24 stories over South Park at the corner of 12th Street and Grand Avenue. Floor plans range from 730 to 3,500 square feet.

Evo consists of 311 one- and two-bedroom soft loft condominiums and two-story live-work townhomes.

Each residence features high-end amenities and rich, refined finishes such as natural hardwood floors and wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, designer countertops and fixtures, expansive operable windows, decks, Juliet balconies, walk-in closets, four levels of secured parking and a 24-hour attendant. A large openroof terrace plaza with lap pool and shared food preparation area sits atop the sixth floor. “Two-Forty,” an exclusive resident lounge, takes advantage of inspiring views on the 24th floor. On the same floor is Zen Fitness, the resident-exclusive, state-of-the-art fitness center managed by health celebrity Juliet Kaska.

With the completion of Elleven and Luma, The South Group delivered the first residential high-rises in California to be awarded LEED Gold certification. The addition of Evo’s LEED Silver designation makes South the largest green residential community in California.

The South Sales Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and can be reached at (213) 622-5400 or EvoLuxury.com.

tainment and recreational activities are available year round.

L.A. Live, a 4 million square foot sports and entertainment district, offers many exciting venues and restaurants as well.

With flexible lease terms, TENTEN Wilshire is the perfect option, whatever your needs may be. TENTEN Wilshire is a new lifestyle solution for professionals wanting to live, work and play, no matter how long or short the stay.

For information about TENTEN Wilshire call (877) 3381010 or visit 1010Wilshire.com.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY

THE EVO

72

HOUR SALE

3 DAYS 1 CHANCE

PRICES FROM $399K FOR JUST 72 HOURS YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWEST PRICES EVER AT DOWNTOWN’S BEST-SELLING HIGH-RISE RESIDENCE. THIS WEEKEND ONLY : 2/27 - 3/1 : 10AM - 5PM COME BY THIS WEEKEND : EVO SALES GALLERY AT 408 W 11TH STREET : 213-622-5400

$3,000,000 IN PRICE REDUCTIONS ON 35 SELECT RESIDENCES - Designer Interiors - Rooftop Retreat + Pool - Green Construction - On-Site Retail - Two Blocks to L.A. LIVE + STAPLES Center - Immediate Move-Ins Available - 5% Broker Co-Op

EVOLUXURY.COM

Limited time only. The developer reserves the right to make modifications in materials, specifications, plans, pricing, various fees, designs, scheduling and delivery of homes without prior notice.

Exclusively represented by The Mark Company

34 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

Residential

Resort Living

At the Center of It All

The Orsini’s Grand Tuscan Village

C

lose your eyes and envision yourself in a luxurious European village with lushly landscaped courtyards, grand fountains and gorgeous views set against FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

the backdrop of a vibrant urban atmosphere.

This dream could soon be your reality at The Orsini, a grand Tuscan village in Downtown Los Angeles offering world-class amenities, incredible city views and an unparalleled attention to detail that touches every corner of this urban paradise.

Wrap yourself in luxury in one of The Orsini’s sophisticated living areas, offering airy interiors, stylish colonial crown moldings and gourmet kitchens equipped with sleek granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The luxurious baths are comprised of elegant tile floors, richly framed mirrors and beautiful Italian marble vanities.

The Orsini is the perfect place for your active lifestyle, featuring a virtual sports center with Brunswick bowling and golf; a regulation-size indoor basketball court; an onsite park surrounded by a jogging track; and a state-ofthe-art fitness center with vanity areas, locker rooms and steam rooms.

Even the most active residents will enjoy lounging by one of the two resort-style pools, unwinding at the spa and free tanning facility or taking in a

show at the 29-seat movie theater.

Immediately outside of The Orsini’s gates lies a bevy of entertainment and cultural offerings such as Disney Concert Hall, Staples Center and Downtown’s vibrant shopping and restaurant scene.

With myriad unique floor plans to choose from, including studios, oneand two-bedroom units, the luxurious lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of is closer than you think.

Call now and receive up to two month’s free rent for a limited time.

The Orsini is at 550 N. Figueroa St. For leasing information, call (877) 267-5911 or visit theorsini.com.

Gas Company Lofts Offers a Home In the Heart of South Village

I

magine living, working and playing in an exquisitely restored historic landmark building.

The beautifully restored Gas Company Lofts offer extraordinary city views that capture the imagination and open floor plans with limitless options to tap your creativity.

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

The inviting neighborhood entices residents outdoors to explore the parks, eclectic shopping and exceptional dining. Convenience is the priority of the easygoing lifestyle at Gas Company Lofts.

Tenants live within a one block radius of everything they need, and the best part is that there is no driving required. Enjoy seasonal and weekly events, such as a farmer’s market every Wednesday and Friday, and the new Ralphs Fresh Fare is literally steps away. The surrounding neighborhood also features a pharmacy, a post office, Macy’s, an outdoor shopping mall, Staples Center and L.A. Live.

With such a multitude of choices within walking distance, it is difficult to decide which restaurant to dine at. The Metro rail is a block away, making it a breeze to hop on and be in Orange County or North Hollywood in less than an hour.

Location, location, location! It is one of the most important things to consider when moving to a new home. Gas Company Lofts has it in spades.

Located directly in the center of Downtown Los Angeles, it is part of South Village, a multi-block residential and retail community that includes rental housing and a full-service grocery store. South Village, created by the CIM Group, a leading developer in urban investments, has become the cor-

Creative Live/Work Lofts and Townhomes

nerstone of South Park and the Financial District.

These elements make it the hotspot of L.A. The Gas Company Lofts’ historic architecture is complemented by the modern amenities and quality finishes in each loft, creating a signature project and luxurious environment. Interior amenities include a variety of granite countertops, dark cherry wood and maple cabinetry with modern design finishes and brushed stainless steel appliances. The “green” floors are reused materials such as cork, bamboo or distressed concrete. All apartments come with garaged residential and gated parking free of charge.

At the Gas Company Lofts, tenants have the convenience of a stellar concierge service and on site security. Concierge services include reservations, fluff and fold, dry cleaning, pet services, spa services, grocery delivery, dry carwashes and much more.

The Gas Company Lofts leasing office is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Reservations are highly recommended on weekends. For information contact (213) 955-5700 or visit gascompanylofts.com.

Luxury Living in the heart of Downtown

21

AMENITIES Home

&

FEATURES

Kitchen & Bath

Community

• 18’ Ceilings

• Caesar stone counter tops

• Private Off-Lease Dog Park

• Large canvas of exposed brick walls

• Kitchen Island with built in IslandTeak Cabinets

• Ample Private Parking

• Exposed wood posts and beams

• Wine Storage Unit

• Secured Building Entry & Neighborhood Patrol

• Concealed Bosch Dishwasher

• Zen gardens and common areas

• Polished concrete floors

• Step-Down Shower

• Folding Glass Walls

• Mosaic Tile in Bath

• Outdoor Chef’s Kitchen and Entertainment Area

• Private Patios & Balconies

• Custom sinks and cabinetry

• Bocce Ball Court

Starting from $1,350 Studio, 1 Bdrm, 2 Bdrm, Bi-Level Penthouses

• Outdoor Fire Pit

*Because each space is unique from the next, features listed above may vary

Now Leasing - Limited Availability 2135 East 7th Place, #14 | Los Angeles, CA. 90021 Office: 866.360.5509 | Fax: 213.489.2123

w w w. l i n c o l n a p t s . c o m

Modern Gourmet Kitchen (gas) • Rooftop spa/garden/BBQ • Fitness Room • Billiard/Media room • Secured access • Polished Concrete floors • Large Historic windows • Magnificient City views and much much more...

National City Tower Lofts 810 South Spring Street 213-623-3777 • www.nctlofts.com

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 35

SearchDowntownLA.com

photo courtesy of the artist

photo courtesy of the artist

CALENDAR

DAN GRAHAM’S HALL OF MIRRORS MOCA Catches Up With the New York Artist Who Has Long Been Big in Europe

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

W

hen MOCA officials started planning a Dan Graham retrospective more than two years ago, they couldn’t have predicted that the show would debut at such a crucial time for the Bunker Hill museum.

Financial mismanagement led to the museum’s near collapse in December, before a $30 million grant from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation essentially saved the institution. The fiscal fiasco, which cost Director Jeremy Strick his job, put the museum in the headlines for the wrong reasons, and its primary cultural function was placed on the back burner. Or at least it seemed that way to the public.

But with the opening last week of Dan Graham: Beyond, the museum is not only providing the first American retrospective of an artist whose career has been celebrated with five landmark shows in Europe, it is also reaffirming its mission, curators and directors said. The show continues through May 25.

“Given the recent challenges the museum has faced during this past period, this momentous exhibition in particular has served as an encouragement and a symbol of the important work that the museum does and the work that lies ahead,” said Ari Wiseman, the museum’s deputy director. “This was a project that we were committed to seeing through, so that we were able to move forward in the way that we were, accepting the generous support from the Broad Foundation, is really something we’re quite proud of.”

It’s also a source of pride for the New York-based Graham, who said the Downtown Los Angeles show is probably the best survey yet of his work because he’s had a chance to improve upon the European exhibitions.

“I was able to get the kinks out of it,” Graham said. “The show in Europe was the idea of somebody else and I was reacting to it, but here I decided the catalogue would be the catalogue I wanted, so I think I’ve perfected things in America.”

Reflection Eternal Graham has been a significant figure on the art scene since the 1960s.

One of his best-known works, the minimalist “Homes for America” (1966-67), is a tapestry of photographs documenting cookie-cutter, single-family homes in New Jersey and New York. The series depicts dreary, overcast skies over monotonous and repetitive rows of houses. It’s one of his many

photo courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, New York and Paris

New York-based Dan Graham has worked in a variety of styles since coming on the art scene in the 1960s. Pieces on display in his MOCA show include the minimalist “Homes for America” (here), his 1991 “Heart Pavilion” (top left) and a video presentation of his “Performer/Audience/Mirror.”

pieces dealing with American architecture and suburbia.

Although “Homes for America” focuses on isolation, Graham’s later work evolved to the point where involving an audience became essential. His conceptual performance art in the 1970s is known for its tendency to blur the line between artist and audience.

In the video presentation of “Performance/Audience/ Mirror” (1977), Graham stands between an audience and a mirror, describing their reflection and slight movements with the delivery of a sedated play-by-play sports announcer.

The mirror plays heavily throughout Dan Graham: Beyond, inviting — and sometimes requiring — viewers to consider their reflection while viewing the work.

The installation “Opposing Mirrors and Video Monitors” uses mirrors, closed-circuit video cameras and television monitors to create a hall-of-mirrors-like environment. At a recent media preview, it prompted looks of confusion mixed with fascination as people stared into the seemingly eternal reflections.

Los Angeles artist Paul McCarthy, a close friend of Graham’s who introduced him at the preview event, said the mirror works create both “self-awareness in reflection [and] loss of self in reflection.”

The show also features a number of the architectural installations that Graham calls “pavilions.” His interests in architecture and reflections led him to create the glass and steel installations. The structures have simple shapes and exteriors with a range of translucency.

Most pavilions have an opening that invites viewers to go inside, where the structures become disorienting. Inside “Triangular Solid with Circular Inserts,” viewers see both their reflection and the hazy outline of people outside. From some vantage points, it is unclear whether viewers outside can see the person inside.

The evolution from the minimalist works like “Homes for America” to the pavilions in a way mirrors Graham’s personal development from a teenager frustrated by the world to an adult enchanted by it.

“I read Jean Paul Sartre’s ‘Nausea’ because when I was in high school I thought that everything was nausea,” Graham said. “I had a really hard time in high school. So from that kind of period of thinking everything is nausea, I went to thinking everything is beautiful and wonderful.”

Local Influences Graham, 66, was born in Illinois but spent most of his life in New Jersey. While he now lives primarily in New York, he still recommends that visitors go see the Broadway show Jersey Boys. He chuckles when he makes the suggestion, but he’s not kidding.

But if Graham is essentially a Midwesterner who moved east, Los Angeles has been a major a source of inspiration for him. He counts McCarthy and fellow L.A. artist Michael Asher among his key influences.

Graham, whose interest in rock and roll led him to explore that world in the films Rock My Religion and Minor Threat, also counts L.A. as the home of his favorite rock groups: Love, the Seeds and the Byrds, he said.

“The most thrilling thing that happened in Los Angeles was not only meeting and trading with Paul McCarthy, but I met Raymond Petttibon and he said, ‘Dan, the L.A. artists are very excited you’re showing here,’ so I’m excited because L.A. artists have been very inspirational to me. It’s mostly because you have very good vibes here.”

Dan Graham: Beyond runs through May 25 at MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

36 Downtown News

Off to the Races Race/LA Finds a Wealth of Opportunities With Downtown Events

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

R

ace/LA is a test of wits, speed and creativity as teams plow through Los Angeles in search of clues. But it can also lead to exposure to a community you have never visited or, in some cases, can offer up a new appreciation for your own neighborhood.

“It’s like a scavenger hunt but with a twist,” said John Hennessy, who in 2004 founded Race/LA, a day-long competition inspired by the game show “The Amazing Race.” He later expanded the concept to include City Race, a three-hour version that focuses on specific neighborhoods.

While he stages races in many parts of Los Angeles, Hennessy has found fertile ground in Downtown. Starting Sunday, Feb. 28, he’ll launch a series of events that concentrate on the heart of the city. This week’s race is a trek through all of Downtown, while an April 5 race brings the focus to Chinatown. On April 4 and 18, racers will converge on the area around Olvera Street.

“Downtown is one of our most popular races,” he said. “I started with Downtown because I knew it would be the perfect place to do something like this…. It’s a combination of so much history on top of so much new stuff and quirky odd things.”

In the various races, which generally cost $35-$85 per person (the higher figure is for the all-day races), teams of two to four players solve a series of clues. The clues lead participants through different neighborhoods

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

where they solve puzzles, uncover little known facts and crack codes.

In City Race, players accumulate points, and extra points are given for scavenger hunt items that can be collected along the way.

The team with the highest point total accumulated within the time limit wins.

Participants are allowed to use tools to figure out the clues. They can bring laptops to look up information or cell phones to call someone who may know an answer.

“People really seem to like it because you can get together with a group of friends or family,” said Hennessy. “Because of the things you have to look for, you’re suddenly seeing all these things you never knew before,” he said.

Locals and Visitors The first installment of the Chinatown race came earlier this month, and about 200 people competed in two separate events.

“I think anybody that tries this would have an absolute blast,” said Elaine Grohe, who with her fiancé Tom Dellelis won one of the events. The two, under the team name Putzmeister, eked out a victory over the team Soft Tiny Baby Part IV. Although they had the same score, Putzmeister won by finishing seven minutes faster.

“It’s the whole quest for knowledge and search for things you would never normally look for, and doing it with someone you are going to have fun with is an added plus,” said Grohe.

In this week’s Downtown race, competitors may have a better chance than in previous installments. That is because the domi-

nant team, The Downtown Dwellers, has decided to retire while still on top, said Shannon Simonds, the team leader.

“We were running around Downtown for three hours and it’s just non-stop fun,” said Simonds, who also runs the blog shainla.typepad.com.

As a tour guide for the Los Angeles Conservancy, Simonds had the distinct advantage of knowing the neighborhood better than most people. She cemented her position by teaming up with Downtown residents.

Still, the race helped her see Downtown in a different way, with an eye toward small details that many people would miss.

She noted that the race made her look at the buildings in St. Vincent’s Court, off Seventh Street, closer than she ever had. photo by Gary Leonard “It’s fun to explore and go John Hennessy, founder of Race/LA, at a Chinatown location that around. You’re looking at the figures in his urban scavenger hunts. city from a different aspect,” she said.

Those not familiar with specific commu- to Grand Central Market. He has now parnities also find rewards. The events are less ticipated in four of Hennessy’s events, and about winning than they are about the expe- although he has yet to win, he expressed conrience. fidence that victory is within his reach — West Hollywood resident Eric Mueller along with some delicious rewards. rarely visits the Central City. So when he par“There’s definitely competition and we’ve ticipated in the Downtown race last year, he come so close to winning,” he said. “At the discovered a lot he never knew existed. end of the Downtown race one of the big “I’ve lived in L.A. for 20 years, but like a prizes was a really nice box of cupcakes, and lot of people that live further west, you just you really work up an appetite in the race, so don’t make it to Downtown that often,” he I could have really used some cupcakes.” said. “The coolest thing about it was running Registration and more information at racela. around Downtown and getting to see all this com. stuff.”

Contact Richard Guzmán at The race gave Mueller his first exposure richard@downtownnews.com.

EXPO LINE

CONSTRUCTION NOTICE Downtown/Segment A: LINE I-110 Freeway Closure for Flower StreetEXPO Bridge Demolition

EXPO LINE

CONSTRUCTION NOTICE CONSTRUCTION NOTICE Downtown/Segment A:

Attention Residents and I-110 Freeway Closure for Flower Downtown/Segment Street Bridge Demolition A: Business Owners I-110 Freeway Closure for Flower Street Bridge Demolition Attention Residents and Attention Residents Business Ownersand Business Owners

As a part of construction of the Expo Line project, work crews will temporarily close the I-110 Freeway between Adams Boulevard and the I-10 Freeway. This closure is necessary for the demolition of the Flower Street Bridge over the I-110 Freeway, near Adams Boulevard. The work is being managed and performed by the design-build contractor FCI/Fluor/Parsons (FFP, a Joint Venture) and its subcontractors.

As a part of construction of the Expo Line project, work crews will temporarily close the I-110 Freeway between Adams Boulevard and the I-10 Freeway. This closure is necessary for the demolition of the Flower Street Bridge over the I-110 Freeway, nearproject, Adamswork Boulevard.

The work is being managed andFreeway performed by the As a part of construction of the Expo Line crews will temporarily close the I-110 design-build contractor FCI/Fluor/Parsons (FFP, Joint Venture) and its subcontractors. between Boulevard the I-10 Freeway.

This closure is necessary for the demolition What: Adams Temporary, fulland closure of the I-110a Freeway, northbound and southbound, betweenof the Flower Street Bridge over the I-110 Freeway, near Adams Boulevard. The work is being managed and performed by the Adams Boulevard and the I-10 Freeway design-build contractor FCI/Fluor/Parsons (FFP, a Joint Venture) and its subcontractors.

What: Temporary, full closure of the I-110 Freeway, northbound and southbound, between Adams Boulevard and the I-10 Freeway What: Temporary, full closure of the I-110 Freeway, northbound and southbound, between When: Adams Boulevard and the I-10 Freeway • Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.

When: • Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.

• Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. to Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:00 a.m.

When: • Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. to Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:00 a.m.

Saturday, February February 24, 21, 2009 2009 at at 10:00 11:59 p.m. p.m. to to Wednesday, Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.a.m.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. to Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2009 at 5:00 5:00 a.m.

••• Tuesday, February 25, at ••• Friday, Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. to Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:00 a.m.

Friday, February February 27, 27, 2009 2009 at at 11:00 11:00 p.m. p.m. to to Saturday, Saturday, February February 28, 28, 2009 2009 at at 6:00 6:00 a.m. a.m.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. to Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 5:00 a.m.

••• Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.

Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.

Friday, February 2009 at 11:00 p.m. to Saturday, February 2009a.m. at 6:00 a.m.

•• Sunday, March 1,27, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. to Monday March 2, 200928, at 5:00 •• Sunday, 1, 2009 at 10:00 1.m. to Monday MarchMarch 2, 2009 5:00ata.m.

Saturday,March February 28, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. to Sunday, 1, at 2009 8:00 a.m.

• Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 10:00 p.m. to Monday March 2, 2009 at 5:00 a.m.

Traffic Impacts: • A full closure of the I-110 Freeway from Adams Boulevard to the I-10 Freeway will be in effect Traffic Traffic Impacts: Impacts: throughout this construction activity.

•• Directional signage boards on the to streets andFreeway freewayswill willbe A of I-110 Freeway from Boulevard the effect A full full closure closure of the the and I-110electronic Freeway message from Adams Adams Boulevard to the I-10 I-10 Freeway will bebein inused effectto safely directthis drivers and pedestrians throughout construction activity. throughout this construction activity. around the construction zones in order to minimize the tosignage traffic.

• disruption • Directional Directional signage and and electronic electronic message message boards boards on on the the streets streets and and freeways freeways will will be be used used to to safely direct drivers and pedestrians around the construction zones in order to minimize the safely direct disruption to drivers traffic. and pedestrians around the construction zones in order to minimize the Advisories: Please do not to enter the construction work zone and obey all posted construction signs. disruption traffic.

Advisories: Please do not enter the construction work zone and obey all posted construction signs.

(Construction schedules are subject to change for various reasons including but not limited to: conditions, unforeseenwork emergencies acts ofconstruction nature.)

Advisories: Pleaseweather do not enter the construction zone and and obeyother all posted signs.

(Construction schedules are subject to change for various reasons including but not limited to: weather conditions, unforeseen emergencies and other acts of nature.)

EXPO Light Rail Project

Gabriela G. Collins Torri D. Hill Government/Community Relations Exposition Constructionschedules Authority are subject CONTACT FCI/Fluor/Parsons, (Construction toEXPO change forRail various reasons including but not limited to: a JV INFORMATION Light Project Tel. 213-243-5535 Tel. 323-290-7605 Expo Hotline:Relations Gabriela G. Collins Torri D. Hill Government/Community weather conditions, unforeseen emergencies and other acts of nature.) gcollins@exporail.net torri.hill@parsons.com 213-922-EXPO (3976) Exposition Construction Authority FCI/Fluor/Parsons, a JV CONTACT INFORMATION Tel. 213-243-5535 Tel. 323-290-7605 www.BuildExpo.org Expo Hotline: gcollins@exporail.net torri.hill@parsons.com

Gabriela G. Collins Exposition Construction Authority Tel. 213-243-5535 gcollins@exporail.net

213-922-EXPO (3976) EXPO Light Rail Project www.BuildExpo.org Government/Community Relations CONTACT INFORMATION Expo Hotline: 213-922-EXPO (3976) www.BuildExpo.org

Torri D. Hill FCI/Fluor/Parsons, a JV Tel. 323-290-7605 torri.hill@parsons.com

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 37

SearchDowntownLA.com

LISTINGS THE ISS’ M T ’ N O ‘D IST L

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Tuesday, Feb. 24 ALOUD Business Forum Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudbizforum.org.

7:30 a.m.: Mohammed El-Erian, the co-CEO of PIMCO, discusses “Investment Strategies in the Age of Global Economic Change.” The event starts with breakfast. Talk begins at 8:15 a.m.

MOCA Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

7-8:30 p.m.: Scholars Alexander Alberro and Johanna Burton discuss the “periodizing” of contemporary art. The speakers will engage the audience in a collective dialogue about the politics and problems of contemporary art today.

Thursday, Feb. 26 Downtown Women’s Center Social Enterprise Downtown Women’s Center, 325 S. Los Angeles St., (213) 680-0600 or dwcweb.org.

6-8:30 p.m.: In the spring of 2010, the Downtown Women’s Center plans to open a high-end consignment boutique at its new location. The enterprise will provide job training and employment for low-income women. This event invites community members and stakeholders to share ideas about how to develop the project.

MOCA Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

2:30-5 p.m.: Co-moderators Noah Chasin and Susan Merriam lead a panel discussion exploring artists’ rights to public self-expression in the face of increased political tension and limited access to public visual display and free speech. Topics covered will include the public sculpture/installations of Thomas Hirschhorn and the impact of terrorist threats on models for urban design.

6:30-8:30 p.m.: Definitive Abstract Expressionism Continued on page 38

2 photo courtesy of REDCAT

Wednesday, Feb. 25 SCI-Arc Lecture Series Sci-Arc, Keck Lecture Hall, 960 E. Third St., (213) 623-2200 or sciarc.edu.

7 p.m.: The architecture series hosts New Yorkbased architect Michael Bell. The Columbia University associate professor teaches a planning course on the development, design and financing of public and affordable housing.

Free Muay Thai Classes The Nine, 1335 S. Flower St., (213) 746-9021 or theninemma.com.

6:15-7:45 p.m.: The Nine, a mixed martial arts studio formerly known as the Piccinini Training Center, is offering free Muay Thai classes every Wednesday and Saturday through February. The Saturday class is from noon-1:30 p.m.

ALOUD at Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org.

7 p.m.: Lawrence Weshcler, an author and staff writer at The New Yorker for more than 20 years, sits down with the emeritus director of the Getty Museum, John Walsh, to discuss Weshcler’s award-winning work.

SCORE Los Angeles Los Angeles Athletic Club, 3rd Floor, 431 W. Seventh St., (818) 552-3206 or scorela.org.

10 a.m.-noon: Score Los Angeles hosts a talk by James Ellis, dean of the USC Marshall School of Business and marketing expert, about positioning your company for a successful future. It’s free, but reservations required.

Business Plan Basics Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Meeting Room A, (213) 488-3599 or info@downtownLAretail.com.

6-8 p.m.: Get a crash course in planning your business at this free workshop, in which participants will learn how to identify goals and objectives in relation to marketing, sales, distribution, management and finance.

Business Savvy, Native American Culture, Family-Friendly Entertainment and Wagner

by AnnA Scott, StAff writer

Over the weekend, L.A. Opera kicked off its long-anticipated production of Das Rheingold, the first installment of Wagner epic’s Ring cycle.

It’s a fantastical tale of gods, goddesses, giants and dwarves struggling to be lords of the ring (no hobbits though), until the ring’s curse unleashes its vengeance. Yikes! There are performances on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, March 1. German Achim Freyer directs the internationally acclaimed cast and oversees the design, while James Conlon conducts. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.com.

Times are tough, but a little savvy can help anyone weather the storm. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 9:30 a.m.-noon, small business advisory group SCORE will bring USC Marshall School of Business Dean James Ellis to the Los Angeles Athletic Club, where he will talk about how business people and companies can position themselves for the recovery while getting through this rocky time. Ellis, who holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School, previously served as president and CEO of Porsche Design and chairman and CEO of the upscale home accessory retailer Port O’Call Pasadena. The event is free; a post-talk buffet lunch is $15. Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W. Seventh St. For reservations, contact SCORE What are the conditions like on Indian reservations? Should at (818) 552-3206 or scorela.org.

Indian gaming be allowed in California? Whether or not you have any idea of how to answer those questions, chances are you could gain some perspective from acclaimed writer and poet (and Spokane Indian reservation native) Sherman Alexie, who has written extensively about the modern Native American experience. On Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., Alexie appears at USC to discuss the status of Native Americans in the U.S. The winner of several literary awards including the 2007 National Book Award for his novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Alexie also wrote the 1999 Sundance Film Festival hit Smoke Signals. Alfred Newman Recital Hall, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, (213) 740-2167 or usc.edu/spectrum.

3

4

Visionary animation, whimsical stories and high adventure come to Downtown Los Angeles as the fourth annual REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival continues this weekend. The festival, which began last weekend, features programs this Saturday, Feb. 28, at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. The diverse lineup highlights three decades of Polish animation, an international collection of live-action shorts about growing up and short folktales from around the world. Sunday, March 1, aka Nickelodeon Family Fun Day, also features three programs, showcasing Nickelodeon channel programming.

The festival continues next Saturday and wraps up Sunday, March 8. 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

5

Downtown in the past year has seen a puppet version of The Nutcracker, tiny puppets in miniature theaters and traditional Taiwanese puppets. Still, we haven’t seen it all. On Saturday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m., the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion hosts giant puppets in The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. It arrives courtesy of Pillow Theatre, the venue’s occasional series of 30-minute, interactive children’s shows. In this adaptation of a Beatrix Potter story about an absentminded duck, the larger-than-life puppets will dance and act in narrated ballets, accompanied by the music of William Walton. 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 9728000 or musiccenter.org.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

photo courtesy of the Music Center

photo by Rob Casey

Monday, Feb. 23 ALOUD at Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org.

7 p.m.: Azadeh Moaveni, author of “Lipstick Jihad” and co-author of “Iran Awakening,” is one of the few American correspondents allowed to work continuously in Iran since 1999. In conversation with Muhammad Sahimi, a chemical engineering professor at USC, Moaveni discusses “Honeymoon in Tehran: Two Years of Love and Danger in Iran.”

Little Tokyo Library Book Club 203 S. Los Angeles St., (213) 612-0525 or lapl.org.

6-7 p.m.: This new book club debuts with a discussion on President Barack Obama’s book “The Audacity of Hope.”

photo by Robert Millard

EVENTS

38 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

But Wait, There’s More!

Additional Event Information on the Web

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/LISTINGS : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC | THEATER, OPERA & DANCE ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS

Listings Continued from page 37 scholar and critic Irving Sandler revisits his account of the movement in conversation with Raphael Rubinstein, former senior editor of Art in America.

Sherman Alexie at USC Alfred Newman Recital Hall, 3601 Trousdale Parkway, (213) 740.2167 or usc.edu/spectrum.

7 p.m.: Renowned author Sherman Alexie discusses the status of Native Americans in the U.S., including topics like Indian gaming and the state of Indian reservations.

Friday, Feb. 27 SCI-Arc Lecture Series Sci-Arc, Keck Lecture Hall, 960 E. Third St., (213) 623-2200 or sciarc.edu.

1 p.m.: Jean-Pierre Hebert discusses his specialty in computational drawing. The artist focuses on algorithmic drawing processes and translating them into images in traditional and new media.

Saturday, Feb. 28 Benefit Concert for International Women’s Day New LATC, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 489-0994.

8 p.m.: Exiled Iranian singer Gissoo Shakeri, Tom Morello and La Banda Skalavera perform at a benefit for the International Women’s Day Coalition in honor of repressed women in Iran and around the world. For ticket information, call (323) 490-2647.

Chinese Garden Talk Chinatown Branch Library, 639 N. Hill St., (213) 620-0925 or lapl.org.

2 p.m.: The Friends of the Chinatown Library host a lecture and presentation by the staff of the Huntington Library’s new Chinese Garden, “Garden of Flowing Fragrance.”

Junk Your E-Waste First United Methodist Church parking lot, corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., tinyurl.com/ junkycomputer.

9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Drop of your electronic waste — old cell phones, computers, televisions, fax machines and more — for free.

Junior Scientist at the Natural History Museum Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3230 or nhm.org.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: This museum celebrates National Science Day by highlighting the role the public plays in the museum’s research. Curators will show specimens collected by the public, from spiders to Silverado Canyon fossils, while 6-9 year olds and their families participate in a Junior Scientist program that shows how science can be performed at school, home or even in your backyard.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ 2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz.

Tuesdays: Jazz jam session. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m.

626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com.

Tuesdays, 6 p.m.: Live music with Goh Kurosawa.

Thursdays, 6 p.m.: More live sounds, this time with Jessie Torrez.

Automat 936 Chung King Rd., (213) 617-0422.

Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/bar107.

Tuesdays: A classic island mix of reggae with attitude. Jah! Wednesdays: The world famous (or at least in L.A.) Bar 107 Karaoke Gong Show. Come join the fun and help the judges vote for the best act of the evening.

Sundays: DJ’s choice with 107’s Matt Dwyer, the

comic-actor genius who plays music while serving the meanest drinks (in the nicest way) Downtown.

Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland Ave., (213) 239-0061.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 p.m.: Live music and DJs. Café Corsa 2238 S. Figueroa St., (213) 746-2604 or cafecorsala.com.

Café Metropol 923 E. 3rd St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com.

Feb. 27: The Jimmy Emerzian Quintet plays a mix of straight ahead bebop and original jazz music.

Feb. 28: The Paul Im Quartet features Im on tenor sax, Bryan Wong on keyboards, Kai Kurosawa on guitar and bass and Abe Lagrimas on drums.

Casey’s Irish Bar and Grill 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com.

Fridays: Live Irish music.

Chop Suey Café 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com.

Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Live jazz on the patio of the restored landmark.

Cicada Cicada Restaurant, 617 S. Olive St., (213) 488-9488 or cicadarestaurant.com.

Thursdays, 8-11 p.m.: The velvet-voiced Max Vontaine recreates the sounds and styles of rat packers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His smoking jackets and tunes are vintage; his bawdy repartee is less so. Keep a close eye on the unlit cigarette.

Sundays, 6-11 p.m.: The restaurant is transformed into a vintage, old Hollywood-style dance club every Sunday. Come out to appreciate the big band, swank costumes, dinner and cocktails. Visit cicadaclub. com.

Club Nokia Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., clubnokia.com.

Feb. 26: Writers of the best song in the world, Tenacious D. Feb. 27: Is that ghost still talking to you? Get some advice from clairvoyant Lisa Williams, who always

Listings for additional concerts, exhibits and more in Downtown Los Angeles can be found on our website. Go to downtownnews.com/listings for full information, including time and location, for all the happenings in Downtown.

brings special guests… the invisible kind.

Feb. 28: Comedy’s queen of mean, Lisa Lampanelli.

March 1: Woo haa, woo haa, Busta Rhymes is here and he’s still got you all in check.

Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com.

Thursdays: “Azucar” features tropical rhythms from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Fridays: “The Beat Down” features global beats and dance groove starting at 9 p.m.

Saturdays: “Plata” brings an upscale Latin flavor from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. e3rd Steakhouse and Lounge 734 E Third St., (213) 680-3003 or myspace.com/therhythmsectionla.

Second Saturdays: The Rhythm Section brings in DJs and live acts to this Arts District restaurant, playing eclectic selections in nujazz, soul, rare groove, soul and hip-hop.

Grammy Museum L.A. Live, corner of Olympic Blvd and Figueroa St., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

J Restaurant and Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com.

Tuesdays: Live acoustic performances in the lounge.

Wednesdays: Salsa in the City features complimentary salsa lessons at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., a batch of live musicians takes over for a jam session.

Fridays: Live bands on select dates.

La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or myspace.com/lacitabar.

Mondays, 9 p.m.: Mustache Mondays is a gay/ mixed theme night with the best in electro, dance and live performances.

Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Cheap Souls, featuring DJs spinning funk, soul, old school and electro dance.

First and third Wednesdays, 9 p.m.: Mucho Wednesdays are dance nights with Latin music.

Continued on page 39

CROSSWORD PUZZLE photo by Gary Leonard

Lamar Odom has given the Lakers life in his starting role.

Answers to last week’s puzzle on page 40

February 23, 2009

Listings Continued from page 38 Second and fourth Wednesdays, 9 p.m.: Full Frontal features big-time DJs from L.A. and beyond. $5 cover.

Thursdays, 9 p.m.: Dance Right, voted Downtown’s best dance night. Free if you RSVP, $5 otherwise. So duh, RSVP. Fridays, 9 p.m.: Punky Reggae Party. That’s right: punk plus reggae equals party. Free before 11 p.m.

After that, it’s $5.

Saturdays, 6 p.m.: Hacienda Nights features live Tejano, Norteño and cumbia music. Cover $10.

Sundays, noon-10 p.m.: Hacienda Nights again, $8.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel – Gallery Bar 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1011 or millenniumhotels.com.

Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com.

Every Tuesday “Broken Dreams” is DJ’ed by China Art Objects’ Steve Hanson and the Red Krayolas’ Tom Watson.

Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com.

Pete’s Café and Bar 400 N. Main St., (213) 618-1759 or petescafe.com.

Tuesdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pablo Calogero and Fabiano Nacimento play Brazilian jazz.

Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com.

Feb. 23, 10 p.m.: Jake LaBotz, praised by Tatoo

Magazine for his “sadder than hell balladry, razor sharp testifying, storied takes on loneliness, beatnikon-the-Mexican-border music, coffeehouse chic.”

With Hank Bobbit.

Feb. 24, 10 p.m.: Deep-rooted country from Mike Stinson and Dave Gleason.

Feb. 26, 10 p.m.: Violinist turned rocker Quetzal Guerrero and the Warriors.

Feb. 27, 10 p.m.: Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys play American roots music.

Feb. 28, 10 p.m.: Rumble King plays rhythm and blues aimed to make you rumble the dance floor.

March 1, noon.: Brunch Americana with Exotiki, the ??? Trio, The Sidewynders and more.

Rerax Fridays at Señor Fish 422 E. First St., (213) 625-0566 or senorfishla.com.

Fridays, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.: Music, art, VJ performances, silk screening and photos.

Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 388-8488 or royaleonwilshire.com.

Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A live musical showcase with bands, a DJ and an Eastside vibe.

Tuesdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: An acoustic live set in the historic Royale lounge. A DJ spins between sets.

Wednesday (second of every month), 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A fusion of spoken word and acoustic musical melodies.

Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight: Rat pack protégé Max Vontaine.

Sheraton L.A. Downtown Hotel 711 S. Hope St., (310) 216-5861.

Fridays: The hotel presents a weekly live jazz night.

Standard 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotels.com.

Nightly DJs at both the lobby bar and rooftop lounge.

Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m.: DJs spin in a swank, but still comfy, lobby. And yes, there’s a bar right there.

We Got Games

Saturdays, noon-8 p.m.: Local DJs unleash indie, rock and electronica at “Diss.”

Suede Bar and Lounge 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 489-3590 or suedebarla.com.

Nightly DJs and pop music in this upscale lounge at the Westin Bonaventure.

Tribal Café 1651 W. Temple St., tribalcafe.com.

Feb. 27, 7:30-11:30 p.m.: Tribal presents three indie jazz bands: Slumgum, Whaleshark and Colter Frazier/Matt Crane.

Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org.

March 1: One of Buenos Aires’ hottest companies, Tango Fire, heats up Disney Hall.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Monday, Feb. 23 Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., Thayer Hall, colburnschool.edu.

8 p.m.: Conservatory students give chamber music performances.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: Members of the L.A. Phil give a concert of chamber music featuring Ravel’s Duo for Violin and Cello, Brahms’ Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano and Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor.

M

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MY

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CMY

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photo by Gary Leonard

Lamar Odom has given the Lakers life in his starting role.

EXP

EST 1991

RESS

525 W. 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213)627-7555 (213)627-7557

Curbside Service • Delivery

Chicken, Ribs & Tri Tip

LADowntownNews.com

NEW HOURS:: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday: 10am-5pm | Thursday & Friday: 10-8pm | Closed Sunday

pub where you can wave to all your downtown-dwelling friends and coworkers while riding in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. $20 will buy you a seat inside the bus so you can hide from your downtowndwelling friends and co-workers.

Call 213.629.2353 now to reserve your seat. The Guinness may flow all St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, but the bus to Casey’s fills up fast.

IRISH BAR & GRILL

Loca File N

allstonyachtclub.com

Allston YAcht club

Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or kings.nhl.com.

The Kings are on the road all week, with games against the Minnesota Wild (Feb. 24), the Philadelphia Flyers (Feb. 25), the Detroit Red Wings (Feb. 27) and the Chicago Blackhawks (March 1).

—Ryan Vaillancourt

iginal Texas r O The KING

4:25:08 PM

613 SOUTH GRAND AVE / 213.629.2353 / WWW.CASEYSIRISHPUB.COM

Pierce and Ray Allen, come to town. After a quick trip to Sacramento to take on the Kings (Feb. 27), the Clips return to Staples Center to host the Charlotte Bobcats.

Catering

2/16/09

Downtown’s St. Patrick’s Day Weekend festivities begin Thursday at Casey’s Irish Bar & Grill where you can enjoy the flow of green beer, or a pint of Guinness for $5.

Not only that, Paddy’s Pig will perform Friday and Saturday night, while a traditional Irish Bagpiper joins DJs to commemorate the sacred day.

Best of all, there’s no cover charge. $30 will get you a seat on top of Casey’s double-decker bus and mobile

CM

OffiCe Or HOme Parties!

To submit events for this section, please email a brief description, street address and a public phone number to calendar@ downtownnews.com. Web addresses are welcome. Listings are due 10 days before publication date. Because of time constraints, submissions without full information cannot be considered for publication.

Inclusion in the listings is at the discretion of the L.A. Downtown News. Sorry, we cannot accept follow-up calls about event listings.

D Cre Cha

1320 Echo Park Avenue, los Angeles cA 90026

noW oPEn 213.481.0454

full bar small plates dining good wine by the glass



An Extensive Seafood Menu including Dim Sum at Moderate Prices Relaxed Dining in an Elegant Ambiance Live Lobster Tank

Free Parking Next to Restaurant

700 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Tel: 213.617.2323 | Fax: 213.617.0065



GET THE S C O O P

C

BARBECUE

Please email Your event info

THINK GREEN



Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/clippers.

Monday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.: The Clippers have three home games this week, though if they play like they did in the first two games following the All-Star break — both blowout losses to Phoenix — expect the boo birds to come out. First they take on the Golden State Warriors, then the defending champion Boston Celtics, with the trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul

Friday, Feb. 27 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 11 a.m.: See Feb. 26 listing.

Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., colburnschool.edu.

11 a.m.: Conservatory student performances in Thayer Hall.

Thursday, Feb. 26 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org RevisedThinkGreen.pdf

TEXASBBQKING.COM

Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/lakers.

Thursday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.: The Lakers look to continue their winning ways, a goal that should be attainable if forward Lamar Odom keeps on shining in his new role.

Starting in place of injured Andrew Bynum, “L.O.” has been a rebounding machine in recent weeks. The Lakers start the week with a trip to Oklahoma City (Feb. 24), before returning home to host Shaquille O’Neal and the Phoenix Suns. Expect none of the Steel Magnolias collegiality displayed

by Shaq and Kobe at the recent All-Star game, especially with Phoenix sporting an aggressive new offense following a coaching change. The purple and gold finish the week on the road, travelling to Denver (Feb. 27) and then to Phoenix (March 1).

8 p.m.: Conductor James Conlon leads violinist Sarah Chang and the L.A. Phil in a program of works all by composer Felix Mendelssohn, including his Violin Concerto and music from A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 622-7001 x 215 or laco.org.

7 p.m.: Monica Huggett, Elissa Johnston and John Schneiderman perform baroque works including music from The Tempest and The Fairy Queen.

The musicians will introduce the music from the stage and invite audience questions at the program’s conclusion.

Wednesday, Feb. 25 Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., Thayer Hall, colburnschool.edu.

7 p.m.: Guest artist Gail Williams presents a horn master class for Conservatory students.

It’s Always Fun When Shaq Is Back in Town

Read Monday Morning’s News On Friday Night!

Downtown News 39

SearchDowntownLA.com

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40 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

CLASSIFIED

pLAce your Ad onLine At www.LAdowntownnews.com

L.a. downtown news classifieds call: 213-481-1448 classified display & Line ads deadlines: thursday 12 pm

office sPace

“Be wary of out of area companies. Check with the local Better Business Bureau before you send any money for fees or services. Read and understand any contracts before you sign.

Shop around for rates.”

Prime Office Spaces As Low As 99¢/sqf.

High-Rise Building on Olive St. Near Metro (train), Security, New Elevator System. Air Condition.

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for rent

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Utility included. 800 sqft. Balcony

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Granite Kitchens, Washer/Dryers, Business Center, 2 Pools, Spa! Visit TheMedici.com for a full List of Amenities. Call 888886-3731 for Specials!

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Upgraded interiors & washer/ dryer in every home. Pool & spa with a skyline view, gym, sauna.

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Lofts Buying, Leasing or Selling a Loft?

BiG BeAUTiFUL Arizona lots Near Tucson. $0 down $0 interest. Starting $129/month. Total $14,995. Moneyback guarantee.

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BUYeR’S MARKeT. New Mexico. Ranch Dispersal. 140 acres $89,900. River Access. Northern New Mexico. Cool 6,000’ elevation with stunning views. Great tree cover including Ponderosa, rolling grassland and rock outcroppings. Abundant wildlife, great hunting. EZ terms. Call NML&R, Inc. 1-866-360-5263.

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Up TO 2 month free! (O.A.C.) New downtown luxury apartments with granite kitchens, marble baths, pool, spa, saunas & free parking. 888-736-7471.

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SiLVeRLAKe carpet/tile floors, Downtown views. Near bus & freeway. 5 Minutes to central city.

2 BR/1BA. Room for expansion.

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323-663-1318 or 323-896-2223. dOWNTOWN Los Angeles 2 Month’s FREE RENT! Studio $1688/ month Luxury at it’s finest! Granite counters, W & D 888-262-9761. cOMMeRciAL SpAce for lease. 1800 square feet. 804 E. 7th Street, L.A. $1,100 per month. ist month 1/2 price. 213623-9090. chARMiNG Mid-Century studio with kitchenette. Cozy & private.

Patio. Quiet. $775. 2505A W. 5th, LA 818-352-1732.

LA’s #1 Loft Site

Lofts from $1,100. High ceilings.

A/C. Parking available.

High speed internet/T1 & direct T.V. Pets no charge. call 213-253-4777 LAloft.com

Land/acreaGe 20 AcRe RANcheS, $0 down!

Near Booming El Paso, Texas. $15,900, $159/month. (10%/225 mths) Beautiful Mountain Views.

Road Access. Money Back Guarantee. Owner Financing.

No Credit Checks. 1-800-3439444. (Cal-SCAN)

Place your classified ad online, it’s safe and secure at DowntownNews.com

reaL estate for saLe

Downtown since 2002 Don’t settle for anyone less experienced!

Call us today!

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TheLoftExpertGroup.com

commerciaL reaL estate FOR LeASe: 945 E. 10th St. (at Stanford) 11,500 total square feet, (3) 5000 sq. ft. beautiful offices. 24’ ceilings. Built 1986. 22 car parking lot. $0.85 per sq. ft modified gross. Call Stuart 323246-9800 Mon-Sat. 8-6.

213.627.1900

NATiONAL cARRieRS needs O/Os & Lease Purchase Candidates for its Regional Operations in Southern California. Generous Home Time & Outstanding Pay Package. CDL-A Required.

1-888-707-7729. www.NationalCarriers.com. (Cal-SCAN) dRiVeR - Positions Available!

Start your new career with our CDL Training: $0 down, No Credit Check financing by Central Refrigerated. 1-800-5870029 x4779. www.CentralDrivingJobs.net. (Cal-SCAN) AcUpUNcTURiST MS in Acupuncture or Oriental Med. required. Fax resume: Cerritos 562860-8311 Acuworld Group, Inc.

dRiVeR - West Coast Regional new hiring area. Newest equipment on the road. Competitive Pay. Run the Western 11 States.

On Site - Full Service Maintenance Shop. Reasonable Home Time. Western Express - 22 yrs. old. Good MVR, EOE, CDL-A, 1 yr. OTR. Call Edna Today!

1-866-863-4112. (Cal-SCAN) dRiVeR- Currently Hiring Experienced Teams and Solos with HazMat. Dry Van & Temp Control available. O/Os welcome.

Call Covenant 1-866-684-2519 EOE. (Cal-SCAN) ABLe TO TRAVeL: Hiring eight people, no experience necessary, transportation & lodging furnished, expense paid training.

Work / travel entire U.S. Start immediately. www.ProtekChemical.com Call 1-877-936-7468.

(Cal-SCAN) AccOUNTANT - BS in Bus Admin, Accounting, or related required. Fax resume: Los Angeles 213-384-1215 Dongwan D. Chong Accountancy.

comPuters FRUSTRATed BY cOMpUTeRS? For services or solutions for home or business, call 213458-6873.

Business oPPortunitY Up TO $275K+ 1st year Potential Income. We train. Serious, Motivated & Driven Only. Not MLM. Don’t Believe it, Don’t Call.

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FREE report. Dry-tech, Suite CL13167, 8920 Quartz Ave., Northridge, CA 91324. 1-818576-0388. (Cal-SCAN) WiNe BAR in Downtown for sale.

Accepting all offers. Sarkis@theabb.com or 818-903-7890.

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AdMiNiSTRATiVe LAW attorney to handle your professional licensing case. Represents physicians, nurses, laboratories, pharmacies and other professionals in disciplinary actions brought by state and federal agencies including license denials, suspensions and revocations and associated criminal matters. Please call John Dratz, Jr. at (213) 221-7564. www.medicalfraudattorney.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE

BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, IN CONFORMANCE WITH SECTION 33490 OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA’S HEALTH & SAFETY CODE, REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THE MID TERM REPORT FOR THE FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2005-FY2009) OF THE PICO UNION No. 1 AND PICO UNION No. 2 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREAS OF COUNCIL DISTRICT 1.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California (CRA/LA) will hold a public hearing on the Mid Term Report of the Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY2005-FY2009) for the Pico Union No. 1 and Pico Union No. 2 Redevelopment Project Areas of Council District 1, Hollywood and Central Region on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Redevelopment Agency of¿ce located at 354 South Spring Street, 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013. A map showing the location of the Project Area is attached to this notice.

The public hearing is being conducted to hear testimony of all interested parties regarding the Mid Term Report of the Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY2005-FY2009) for the Pico Union No. 1 and Pico Union No. 2 Redevelopment Project Areas of Council District 1. Any person desiring the opportunity to be heard in the Implementation Plan will be afforded an opportunity to do so. At the above stated time and place, any and all persons having any testimony regarding the proposed Mid Term Report of the Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY2005-FY2009) for the Pico Union No. 1 and Pico Union No. 2 Redevelopment Project Areas of Council District 1 may appear before the CRA/LA Board of Commissioners and be heard.

The hearing may be cancelled or set for another time in the future at any time until the scheduled hearing-time.

Copies of the Implementation Plans are available for public review at the following locations: CRA/LA Of¿ces 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

354 South Spring Street, 5th Fl. Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 977-1925

CRA/LA Hollywood Regional Of¿ce 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

3055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 520 Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 977-2633

Of¿ce of Council District 1 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

200 N. Spring Street, Room # 410 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 473-7001

Pico Union Public Library 1030 S. Alvarado Street Los Angeles, CA. 90006 (213) 368-7545

Any and all persons having any objections to the proposed Mid Term Report, or who deny the regularity of this proceeding or wish to speak on any issue raised by the proposed Mid Term Report, may appear at the public hearing and will be afforded an opportunity to state their objections.

If any person desires to challenge in court the adoption of the proposed Mid Term report or any proceedings in connection therewith, they may be limited to raising only those issues that they or someone else raised a the hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the CRA/LA, or prior to, the hearing. Written correspondence on this matter may be addressed to the CRA/LA at the above noted addresses.

The public hearing is being held pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 33490 and is open to the public.

CNSB#1511160

10.25” x 5”

February 23, 2009

Downtown News 41

SearchDowntownLA.com LIFE INSURANCE Beneficiary Available.

Singhaa2000@yahoo.com.

FOR SALE 2 NECKLACES $100 & 175.

Take your choice. 323-4286274.

SERvicES STOP FORECLOSURE FAST! We Already Work With Your Current Lender. We’ll Immediately Take Action For You. Attorneys On Staff, Call NOW! 1-888-7149437. (Cal-SCAN) CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818409-9183.

AUTOS wAnTEd DONATE YOUR CAR: Children’s Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child’s Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible. Call 1-800-252-0615. (CalSCAN) DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher.

United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, NonRunners Accepted, 1-888-4685964. (Cal-SCAN)

Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices

KidS pERFORming SchOOLS CHILDREN’S PERFORmING Group! Singing, dancing, performing and fun! For boys & girls ages 3 and up! See SunshineGenerationLA.com or call 909861-4433.

vOLUnTEER OppORTUniTiES HELPING KIDS heal. Free Arts for Abused Children is looking for volunteers to integrate the healing power of the arts into the lives of abused and at-risk children and their families. Today is the day to get involved! Contact Annie at volunteers@freearts. org or 310-313-4278 for more information.

Abram Friedman Occupational Center wASc postsecondary Title iv institutions

Accreditation

Locations Nationwide Beautiful Offices For As Little As $400 Fully Furnished/Corporate ID Programs Flexible Terms/All New Suites Services Include: • Reception • Mail • T-1 • State-of-the-Art Voice Mail & Telephone • Westlaw • Fax • Photocopy • More

Available Immediately

Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301

Top floor of 11 story (18,000 SF) historic building available now!

Perfect for corporate hqtrs. Features separate executive suite(s).

Stunning views of LA two blocks away from Staples Center and across the street from the new LA Live complex. The building also has approx 4,000 sq ft of beautiful contiguous space and some small offices available. These spaces can be viewed by appointment.

Information available to qualified prospective tenants.

Email request to mdavis@shammasgroup.com or call (213) 746-6300

jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com

MOVe-In SPeCIAL REAL ARTIST LOFTS FOR LEASE

Open House Sunday 12:00pm-3:00pm 1250 Long Beach Ave., L.A. (Friendly Fun Community)

Wood floors, New kitchen, fireplace, high ceilings, jacuzzi, laundry room, pool.

Gated Parking. View of Downtown.

Sorry No Dogs

madison hotel

1100 Sq Ft – 2000 Sq Ft. Prices from $1600-$2300

Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service.

•Daily, $25.00 •Weekly, $99.00 •Monthly, $295.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

Includes 1 Pkg space.

Call Emily (866) 425-7259

Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site, street parking, 1 yr lease.

208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown L.A.

THAI MASSAGE SPECIALIST

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)

VIP Room Available. The Best Way For Business Meetings & Entertainment

Professional massage for men & women. Services include Thai Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Swedish Oil Massage, Foot Massage, Sauna, Steam, and more. Lounge area.

Children’s Performing Group

Sunshine Generation

HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years

SAKURA hEALTh gYm & SAUnA, inc.

For English Call Terri or Pierre 213.744.9911

111 N. Atlantic Blvd. Ste #231-233 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (626) 458-1919 [Corner of Garvey Ave.]

For Spanish call Susana 213.749.0306

First Professionally Licensed Massage Shop in L.A. County.

HBODY

MASSAGEH

3386766 0119

Single rooms starting from $550/mo.

JOB SECURITY: Be Great Looking. Fully stocked private gym personal training right in Downtown. Fast learning curve will result in high intensity workouts to get you fit and keep you in shape. Free parking. Email: Ronnie@HealthConquest.com (248) 980-5695. I have a degree in Exercise Science. Experienced, w/NASM.

DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAm openings in Arizona. Two-year program prepares graduates for high-income employment. Applications close March 1. Call (928) 704-7797 or go to www.mohave. edu today. (Cal-SCAN)

miScELLAnEOUS SAWmILLS FROm ONLY $2,990 - Convert your Logs To Valuable Lumber with your own Norwood portable band sawmill. Log skidders also available. www.NorwoodIndustries. com/300N -FREE Information: 1-800-578-1363 x300-N. (CalSCAN)

We've got what you're searching for!

DowntownNews.com

LEgALS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES NO. KC 053121 PLAINTIFF: RAFAEL CASTILLO; JOSE FLORES; VANESSA ZAmORA; KENIA FLORES, A mINOR,

BY VANESSA ZAmORA, HER GUARDIAN AD LITEm VS DEFENDANT: RENEE BELL; ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR; JOHN DOE AND DOES 1-20, INCLUSIVE You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Monthly from $695 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

Monthly from $595 utilities paid.

(213) 612-0348

Singing, dancing, performing and fun!

For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433 fictitiOus

plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form, if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

OFFicE SpAcE

1st 2 MOnthS FRee. call pierre for details at (213) 744-9911

ARTIST LOFTS FOR LEASE Live/Work in Downtown Fashion District 700 to 1500 Sq. Ft. Lofts.

High ceilings, skylights, cable, kitchen, bath+shower, laundry room, elevator, controlled access, sub. parking. Sorry no dogs.

Call George: 818-634-7916 or 310-275-9831 x24

The name and address of the court is: POMONA COURTHOUSESOUTH(EAST DISTRICT) 400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA POMONA, CA 91766 Case Number: KC053121 Dated: June 16,2008 John A Clarke, Clerk E. Leon, Deputy The name, address, telephone number, and fax number of Plaintiff’s attorney is: THE LAW OFFICES OF ARTHUR G. LESMEZ BERNARD WARE, ESQ (SBN 159833) A Professional Corporation 854 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405-1325 Telephone: 310-399-1111 Fax: 310-399-3299 Pub. 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16/09 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR POLICE PERmIT Notice is hereby given that application has been made to the Board of Police Commissioners for a permit to conduct a DANCE HALL NAME OF APPLICANT: CASA VALDEZ, INC. DOING BUSINESS AS: CASA VALDEZ Continued on next page

DOWNTOWN L.A. at Hill St. & 14th 1200 sqft to 2400 sqft for retail rent or office space.

Persons making comments must provide their names and mailing addresses.

Additional Features: Kitchen Facilities, All Support Services, Great Views, Free Conference Room Hours, Fully Trained Staff, Cost Effective.

Move-in Special 1/2 Month Free

EdUcATiOn

Abram Friedman Occupational Center is applying for accreditation with the Accrediting commission for Schools of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Persons wishing to make comments should write to: Executive Director Accrediting Commission for Schools, WASC 533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200 Burlingame, CA 94010

Burbank • Brentwood Century City • Downtown L.A. Woodland Hills

Rent

hEALTh

The Alexandria at 501 S. Spring St.

is Now Leasing!

On-site laundry, free utilities, indiv. bathrooms, 24 hr. security & pet friendly. Close to metro, restaurants, farmers market & supermarket. Units starting at

$570/month income & other restrictions apply.

call 213.626.1743 or stop by for a tour

Take Your Game to the Next Level Learn Course Management

3 Learn while you play 3 Shot visualization 3 Mastering club selection

3 Driving strategies 3 Mid/long iron techniques 3 Short game fundamentals

In golf, its you versus the course. Learn to manage the entire game, not just the mechanics of your swing. Learn course management and improve your game.

Steve Andelich Professional Golf Instructor

818.618.2099

Catering to Intermediate/Advanced Players

Do you have something to sell?

All ads run for 2 weeks. Ads may be renewed after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.

Ad prices (Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY): • Items under $300…12 words, 2 weeks FREE! • Items $301 to $500…15 words, only $11.50 • Items $501 to $1200…15 words, only $14.00 • Items $1201 to $2000…15 words, only $16.50 • Items $2001+…15 words, only $19.00 Restrictions: Offer good on private party ads only.

Ads must be pre-paid by cash, check or credit card.

Certain classifications excluded.

Deadline: Thursday at noon for next issue.

Name: Address: City Phone: Cash $ Credit card #: Exp. Date:

State Check $

With a circulation of 49,000 our classifieds get results!

Zip Credit Card $

Ad Copy: ___________________________________________________________

name

__________________________________________________________________

Only

__________________________________________________________________

fOr 4 insertiOns

__________________________________________________________________

Business

statements:

$ 85.

Call (213) 481-1448 for details.

(Note: The Downtown News does not perform filing services)

__________________________________________________________________

42 Downtown News

February 23, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Continued from previous page

LOCATED AT: 2907 E. 1ST STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90033 Any person desiring to protest the issuance of this permit shall make a written protest before MARCH 10, 2009 to the: LOS ANGELES POLICE COMMISSION 150 North Los Angeles Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Upon receipt of written protests, protesting persons will be notified of date, time and place for hearing.

BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS Pub. 2/16, 2/23/09

Advanced Computing Institute is applying to become a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on occupational Education, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally approved Accrediting Agency. The Council on Occupational Education is located at 41 Perimeter Center East, NE, Suite 640, Atlanta, GA. 30346- (770) 396-3790. Persons interested in making a comment should contact COE at the above address.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SOUTH DISTRICT LONG BEACH COURTHOUSE

lished at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in CIVIC CENTER NEWS, 1246 West First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026, of general circulation, printed in this county.

Date: Feb. 13, 2009 John A Clarke, Executive Officer/Clerk Hon. Douglas M. Haigh, Judge Pro Tem Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 2/23, 3/02, 3/09, 3/16/09

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NO. NS020883 Petitioner (name of each): LUIS ANGEL TOBON BARRAGAN, 4561 Montair Ave., Apt. D8, Long Beach, CA 90808 filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: LUIS ANGEL TOBON BARRAGAN Proposed name: LUIS ANGEL TOBON JR. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 4/02/2009 Time: 1:30 p.m.

Dept.: G Room: 51 The address of the court is 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA, 90802. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be pub-

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAMES Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 20090021831 The following persons doing business as: JOHN ALDANA TRIPLE J’s PROCESS, 4316 Willowbrook Avenue #2, Los

Angeles, CA 90029, is hereby registered by the following registrants: JOHN ALDANA, 4316 Willowbrook Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrants has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on January 7, 2009.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on January 7, 2009.

NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code).

Pub. 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23/2009

Announcing a new affordable housing opportunity in downtown Los Angeles Requests for applications are being accepted from qualified applicants for Studio, one and two bedroom apartments with luxury amenities such as Caesar stone counters, washer & dryers in every apartment In order to qualify for this housing opportunity provided under a Federal affordable housing program the following criteria apply: • A minimum of one person per household. A maximum of 4 persons per household • A 1-person household must have a total income between $17,523 and $26,550* • A 2-person household must have a total income between $17,523 and $30,300* • A 3-person household must have a total income between $22,506 and $34,100* • A 4-person household must have a total income between $22,506 and $37,900*

Why Chapman Flats are the fastest leasing lofts in Downtown?

Rents range from $463 to $731* *Maximum incomes and rents are subject to federal adjustments in area median incomes.

Iconic Beauty

Mail a written request including your name and address to: Little Tokyo Apartments P.O. Box 26220 Los Angeles, CA 90026 Or You may also request an application by sending your complete mailing name and address, including apartment number and zip code, by e-mail to littletokyorequests@related.com. Requests will be received through March 6th.

Now Leasing

Spring Tower Lofts:

• Rooftop Garden • Pet Friendly • Stainless Steel Appliances • BBQ • Refrigerators • Hi-speed Internet • Spa • Fitness Center • Ground Floor Dry Cleaners and Kelly’s Coffee

Open floor plan, 2000 sqft $2500/mo. • Live/Creative work space • 14 story bldg. • Rooftop garden terrace w/city view • Pet friendly

On Broadway at 8th St. • 213.892.9100 C h a p m a n f l at s . c o m

2 bdrms/2 bath, $1600/mo. • 1 bdrms, $1300/mo. • Rooftop garden terrace/GYM w/city view • 24 hr. doorman • free (1) parking

Equal Housing Opportunity

Luxury Rooms in Downtown

City Lofts:

880 sqft, 13 ft ceilings, $1600/mo. • Granite marble top • Stainless steel appliances/refrigerator etc. • Pet friendly

Monthly Rents Start at $880 1 & 2 Rooms Available

We are located in a prime area in Downtown LA nice neighborhood w/ salon, market, café etc. Wired for high speed internet & cable, central heat & A/C

• Fully Furnished • 100% Utilities Paid • • Refrigerator, Microwave & TV In Each Room • • Wireless Access Throughout Bldg. • Gym • • Close to USC & Loyola Law School • • Presidential Suite with Kitchen • Parking Available Onsite

Please call 213.627.6913 www.cityloftsquare.com

$100 OFF

Special STUDENT RATE!

Bunker Hill Real Estate Co, Inc. Established 1984 For Rent: ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 7th Floor. Elegant Upgrades. Green House.

Pride of Ownership. $3,000 Furn. $2,800 Unfurn. ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 5th Floor. Move in Now. $2,200 Month ❏ Bunker Hill Tower-2 Bed. 2 Bath. N/W View. $2,200 Month ❏ Bunker Hill Tower-1 Bed. 1 Bath. South View. $1,600 Month Foreclosures-Los Angeles Pasadena Home. Semi Circular Driveway. More. Price $399,900 ❏ 3 Bed. 2 Bath. Pasadena. Upgrades. 3 Car Gar. Big Lot. $547,800

Promenade West Condo

Due to the limited number of these special apartments, the filing of an application in no way guarantees you an apartment

*subject to change without prior notice.

Premiere Towers:

2 Story Townhouse. West Facing With Downtown City View. Upgrades. Large Patio. Very Elegant.

Asking $599,900

REQUESTS FOR APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN March 6th, 2009

Move-in Specials $1395* - Free Parking

On Spring St.

on 1st months Rent

$780 1 Person

Exp. March 31, 2009

Mayfair Hotel 1256 West 7th Street

Simin (213) 484-9789 Ext. 555 or (213) 632-1111

Mirza Alli

$ Fictitious Only 85. for 4

Broker/Realtor Leasing-SalesLoans-Refinance

insertions

BUSINESS NAME

(213) 680-1720 e-mail us: Info@bunkerhillrealestate.com

STATEMENTS:

Call us for other condos for sale or lease Dwntwn & surrounding areas!!

www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com

WWW.DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

(213) 481-1448

(Note: The Downtown News does not perform filing services)

A HAndy MAP RefeRence To food, ATTRAcTions & enTeRTAinMenT F

Where to Eat

_

Where to Shop

§ Where to Live

§F § §

C5 C5 B5

Grand Tower • 255 S. Grand Ave. Museum Tower • 225 S. Olive St. Promenade Towers • 123 S. Figueroa St.

229-9777 626-1500 617-3777

§

B8

The Metropolitan Apartments • 950 S. Flower St.

489-3300

The Millennium Biltmore Hotel • 506 S. Grand Ave.

624-1011

EF m C6 FF_ C6 E# #

California Plaza II • 4th St. & Grand Ave. • Watercourt • 4th St. & Grand Ave. • Angels Flight Railway • 4th St. & Hill St.

687-2001 687-2190 626-1901

F m B7 F F F

Wilshire Grand Hotel • 930 Wilshire Blvd.

• Cardini Ristorante • Seoul Jung • Kyoto

688-7777 896-3822 688-7880 896-3812

Downtown Dental Office • 255 S. Grand Ave., Suite 204

620-5777

☞ C5

F Where to Office F m D5 P

F D5

F m ☞ C7

m Where to Stay

#

Points of Interest

Kyoto Grand Hotel & Garden • 120 S. Los Angeles St.

629-1200

Frying Fish Restaurant • 120 Japanese Village Plaza Mall

680-0567

The Los Angeles Athletic Club • 431 W. 7th St.

630-5200

☞ Services F C5

§ P

B3

F NA

§☞

B5

Bunker Hill Real Estate • 800 W. 1st St., #401

680-1720

☞

B6

Dr. Silvia Kasparian DDS • 601 W. 5th St., Suite 1110

892-8172

F C5

F C2

CBS Seafood Restaurant • 700 N. Spring St.

617-2323

F C7

Clifton’s Brookdale Restaurant • 648 S. Broadway

627-1673

FF_ C2

E ☞ C8

F# C4

Far East Plaza/Wing Hop Fung • 727 N. Broadway

626-7200

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM FIDM Museum Galleries & Shops • 919 S. Grand Ave.

624-1200

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels • 555 W. Temple St.

680-5200

§

P Free Parking with Validation

El Pollo Loco • 260 S. Broadway Orsini Apartments • 505 N. Figueroa St. Gus’s Drive-In • 1657 W. 3rd St. Medici • 725 S. Bixel St.

626-7975 877-267-5911 483-8885 888-886-3731

Carl’s Jr. • 254 S. Broadway

625-1357

☞ B7

PIP Printing • 700 Wilshire Blvd.

489-2333

F NA

Tommy’s • 2575 W. Beverly Blvd.

389-9060

7+FIG • 7th & Figueroa Sts.

955-7150

Ernst & Young • 725 S. Figueroa St.

955-7100

P P

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Contact Cartifact for the full-color, every-building version of this map and others. Available as a poster and in print, web, and mobile media.

700 S. Flower St, Ste. 1940 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213.327.0200 maps�cartifact.com

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44 Downtown News

DowntownNews.com

February 23, 2009

Maguire ProPerties salutes the Los AngeLes Downtown news’

Downtowners of Distinction 2009 Congratulations to this year’s honorees urth Caffe’s headquarters (Arts District) � reDCat’s adventurous Programming (Bunker Hill District) � inner-City arts expansion (Central City East District) � yale terrace (Chinatown District) � Vista hermosa natural Park (City West District) � la live (Figueroa Corridor District) � roosevelt lofts (Financial District) � a trio of Film Festivals (Historic Core District) � nisei Week (Little Tokyo District) � 717 olympic (South Park District) � Philippe’s 100th Birthday (Union Station/El Pueblo District) � tenten Wilshire (Wilshire Corridor District)