Downtown Weekly LA

downtown weekly VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10th - JAN 16th 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

DTLA real estate

empire new age

of real estate KANG & JOHNSON

TAKING SOUTH PARK to new heights & victor quiroz:

fresh face in dtla real estate

2

THE HIGH MARKET RATES OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

ON THE COVER NEW AGE OF REAL ESTATE

LOCATION: TWO CALIFORNIA PLAZA BUNKER HILL DTLA PHOTO CREDIT BENNIE.LA

square one: our warmest welcome............5

dtla real estate empire: eric kang & christopher johnson taking south park to new heights..........7

VICTOR QUIROZ: fresh face in real estate...9 DTLA MAP INSIDE.......11

DOING THE MOST - DTLA TOURIST GUIDE ......12 GET2DTLA - event calendar........14 FOR ADVERTISING CALL: 888-732-DTLA EDITOR@DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

>>

SUPER AGENTS

DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA social media editor and chief ART HUNTER KERI FREEMAN comics GREG GOULD CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

KRISTY JONES DASH FINLEY mimosa creations alfredo madrid ryan kazemaini ruth lalanne KERI FREEMAN & DONOVAN FREEMAN photography

BENNIE.LA design and layout

HANFU JAZZ

FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SOUTH PARK THESKIDZ

Special thanks to...

ART WALK NEWS COUNCIL DISTRICT 14 COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 & THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO

LOFTWAY DR. SHERMAN GAY CILANTRO LIME DTLA Acupuncture NEIHULE SALON recliners la DOUCETTE WIRELESS AMERICA’S BEST DOG TRAINERS hellen’s sample shop Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties & PREMIER REAL ESTATE

downtown weekly la - downtown los angeles events & hospitality

888-732-DTLA

DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA 2018 © Downtown Weekly LA P.O. Box 13845, LA, CA 90013

WWW.DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

All rights reserved. Downtown Weekly is a content marketing resource. All content is paid for by the advertisers unless otherwise stated. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher. DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA, in support of local residents, businesses, workers and visitors of Downtown Los Angeles, publishes DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA. Readers are recommended to make appropriate inquiries before wagering any sum in relation to any ad, article or feature published herein. DOWNTOWN WEEKLY LA will not be liable to any person for loss or damage incurred or suffered as a result of his/her accepting, offering to accept or following any invitation or advice contained in any ad, article or feature published herein.

4

SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST WELCOME

SQUARE ONE

A

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

nightshade veggie grill arts district financial DISTRICT

5

s long as you keep going, you’ll keep getting better. And as you get better, you gain more confidence. That alone is success.

-Tamara Taylor

CHEF MEI LIN IS NOW SURFIN’ DTLA’S ARTS DISTRICT TURF 923 E 3rd St. Suite 109, Los Angeles, CA 90013

WHEN YOU’RE REALLY VEGGIN’ OUT 523 W. 6th street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

cocktails and coffee - hold the cream JUST add spirits 900 N Broadway #1050, Los Angeles, CA 90012

EVERYTHING Asia BETWEEN BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER 611 W 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017

cilantro lime 2.0 song bird cafe moa kitchen FASHION financial district chinatown DISTRICT

MEXICAN FOOD ON STEROIDS 934 S. LOS ANGELES STREET, LA CA 90015

DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE: TAKING SOUTH PARK TO NEW HEIGHTS

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

7

ERIC KANG & CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

TAKING SOUTH PARK ,,,,,,, TO NEW HEIGHTS/..................

O

ver the past decade, Downtown LA has seen a cultural and economic resurgence that has quickly transformed it into a hip, desirable area for working professionals. With every demand comes a supply, and the booming bounty of new real-estate businesses in the area certainly reflects that idiom. Competition is fierce yet few have managed to stay ahead of the game proving to Downtown they truly have what it takes to succeed.

SOUTH PARK REALTOR, ERIC KANG - PHOTO BY BENNIE.LA @NOMAD

D

owntown Weekly recently had the chance to sit down with Eric Kang and Christopher Johnson, two highly successful South Park Realtors in a candid discussion about the state of downtown real estate and their own personal business ethos.

Kang and Johnson both exude indepth knowledge when it comes to Downtown LA although they took divergent paths before landing in the real-estate world with a focus on promoting an urban, downtown Los Angeles lifestyle to their clients.

Native Angeleno Kang, now specializing in high-end lofts and condos, lived for 3 years prior working in the fashion industry in the Garment District of Manhattan selling textiles/fabrics to big fashion brands, such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Jones. When Kang got back to LA from New York, real estate seemed like a natural fit… his experience in sales and client service had prepared him for the job.

Meanwhile, Johnson took the field after moving from Washington D.C. in 2011.

“I had the idea that I may want to get into real estate at some point in the back of my mind. As marketing director of the Venice Art Walk & Architecture Tours,” he remarks. “I was exposed to many beautiful, architecturally significant homes on the Westside and my interest in real estate definitely grew stronger during that time. Once I left that job, I decided to get my real estate license in 2014.”

Since joining South Park’s Premier Real Estate brokerage last year, both Eric Kang and Christopher Johnson have helped multiple clients buy, sell and lease properties in downtown and beyond.

YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE VISION AND HUNGER Kang and Johnson often look ahead, revealing a forward-thinking view of the real estate market that speaks with an youthful exuberance and hunger.

“LA is now embracing the idea of vertical living,” says Eric Kang, “Before, it was about expanding outwards/ horizontally. The idea of condos and high rises has caught on the last few years. It’s exciting to see this type of market opening up here in LA.” “Everywhere you look, it’s cranes and construction crews working to bring the next great new apartment or condo building to market, especially in South Park,” concurs Johnson.

Johnson was most recently the “I feel like I’m a part of the developco-lister on a penthouse loft in Grand ing story of the downtown real estate Lofts located at 11th and Grand Ave. that market and I love helping people see closed recently for the highest sale price to downtown as an expansive, livable date in that building at $1,080,000. Kang, area where you can enjoy breathtakon the other hand, has also been busy ing city views of the changing skyline, selling and leasing units in the most exwalk everywhere and rely on your clusive South Park loft buildings, includcars less.” ing representing the buyer of a two-bedroom condo in Evo South that sold for CONTINUED... $1,845,000 in September.

8

DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE: TAKING SOUTH PARK TO NEW HEIGHTS

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

ERIC KANG & CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON

TAKING SOUTH PARK

...CONTINUED

T

SOUTH PARK REALTOR, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON - PHOTO BY BENNIE.LA @NOMAD

“When you’re working with clients, you want to be able to not only offer strategic advice on the current state of the real estate market but also helpful things like the best new restaurants, bars, retail shops, new developments, etc. that are shaping the neighborhood. I also like to be able to recommend other key services my clients may need, including contractors, interior designers, tradespeople, and cleaning services.”

“Many of them may feel priced out at the moment, but there’s a real possibility that prices will soften in the next few years, allowing more people to purchase property—often for the first time. Eric and I want to be with them through the whole process. We want to get them ready for home ownership.”

Citing the development of the he more we many new apartment buildings that have recently opened or are opening soon spoke with in South Park, both Kang and Johnson SOUTH PARK also speak on the great potential of downtown’s rental market.

REALTORS Kang and John- “There is a ton of growth on son, the clearer it bethe rental side downtown with came that these gentlethe next year or two, explod- Oh, and business is booming.

Espousing a customer-centric approach ing with opportunity,” men have a deep passion which puts making relationships ahead says Johnson. of clinical transactions holding the peofor the Downtown scene ple’s hands through this process of living — one that goes beyond PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Downtown has worked well for the duo.

Plus, with an upcoming campaign on the a purely business-motihorizon set to fully solidify their presence, “We’re going to be enacting a Downtown residents new and old ought to vated level.

“Personally, I also think it pays to have in-depth knowledge about the inventory and neighborhood amenities within the area you’re focusing on,” Johnson explains.

strategy to create a pipeline for those who want to rent for a year or so until they have a better sense of living downtown and where the market is going.”

wait with bated breath to see what Kang and Johnson will deliver next.

For more information on working with Christopher and Eric, email them at christopher@prebroker.com and eric@prebroker.com

DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE: VICTOR QUIROZ BY MIMOSA CREATIONS

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

9

DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE: THE NEW AGE OF REAL ESTATE Victor Quiroz Fresh Face in Real Estate

V

ictor Quiroz started getting involved with real estate at a very young age. His father encouraged him to own a home instead of renting. He followed his father’s advice and begin doing his homework. Quiroz found a condo that he thought would make a good investment. His condo only required an upgrade in flooring and cleaning to make it home.

This was Vic’s first introduction to the field of real estate. It had a lasting impression on him. Over the last 14 years, he became a realtor, brokers associate, and office sales manager for the Mulheam Group - now known as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. He is now the Managing Partner.

Helping Others

MANAGING PARTNER, VICTOR QUIROZ, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - PHOTO BY BENNIE.LA

B

erkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties DTLA Regional Office provides properties for residential and commercial communities in Los Angeles and the Greater Los Angeles County. The real estate company provides a variety of tools to help the buyer and seller have a relatively stress-free experience. It is a locally owned business with a team of over 840 different sales professionals and support staff. The Managing Partner is a star real estate mogul here in DTLA, Victor Quiroz.

Victor Quiroz has a deep passion for helping others to buy and sell real estate. For eight years of his career, he has been able to provide personal assistance to those living in SoCal. As a Home Retention Counselor, Quiroz assisted families that are on the brink of foreclosure. He has also helped home-owners have special forbearance plans, loan modifications, and short sale with lenders. As a realtor, Quiroz has received various awards, and has been requested to share his knowledge at conventions, community events, and expos. Publications have featured his knack for using technology, social media, and various real estate marketing techniques.

Regarding the unique region of DTLA, Quiroz says: “Downtown Los Angeles real estate is experiencing a grand revival attracting residential and commercial clients both locally and from around the world. Our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties DTLA Regional Office has been warmly embraced by the DTLA community since opening in March of 2017. We are excited to be a part of the city’s growth and look forward to to helping our clients experience the best of what DTLA and the surrounding area has to offer.”

Continued...

10 DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE CONTINUED

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE: THE NEW AGE OF REAL ESTATE A

devoted agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties DTLA Regional Office, Michelle Quintana, lives with her husband and three year old son in the South Park community.

“DTLA is Home. In the last 5 years we have witnessed an explosion of development and the ability to navigate the city by foot. I love that my family can walk from our loft in South Park to the office in the Financial District, to my son’s school on Bunker Hill, and the Arts District for dinner. While young professionals continue to be the mainstay of the area, there is a growing push to transform DTLA into a more family-friendly neighborhood.”

Industry Guidance Victor Quiroz and the rest of the real estate staff have the expertise to provide helpful advice and guide clients while helping them feel at ease throughout the

agent, Michelle Quintana, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties buying process. Programs that ensure that the seller is able to sell their home at a high list price. For more info contact Vic@BuySellLoveLA.com.

first time @angels flight - dtla photo shoot by bennie.la thanks for participating!

12

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

doing the most >> downtown los angeles courts financial china bunker south hill

park

BUNKER HILL is DTLA’s leader in live performance art, presenting formally trained theater, dance and musical performances, including those in the visual arts as well as presenting DTLA’s master chefs.

SOUTH PARK is no doubt the new Entertainment capital of the world with tours & expos, national sporting events, award ceremonies, comedy shows, restaurants, and a discotheque, almost completely surrounded by world class hotels.

The Absolute Most:

OUE-SKYSPACE Think: California’s Tallest Observation Deck, Private Events, 5Star Restaurants, 71 Stories, Skyslide.

The Most:

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL Think: LA PHIL, 2018 Centennial Season, World Reknown Composers, Beethovan, Mickey

The Almost:

MUSIC CENTER’S Grand MakeOver Think: $30 million in renovations over the next two years.

top food picks BORDER GRILL PEZ CANTINA CAFE PINOT

The Absolute Most:

town

district

Sure, the FINANCIAL DISTRICT sounds like it’s ALL WORK and no play, but with historic landmarks, sky tops with full bars, thrill rides, & award winning happy hours, prepare yourself for the pressures of excitement.

With its independence, CHINATOWN has strengthened its romantic and familiar relationship with Downtown, demonstrating it is as gentle as it is honest with its gifts for DTLA.

Order in the courts, dine in or take out...Not just for law making anymore, the COURTS DISTRICT of DTLA offers a gambit of public art, a 360 degree observation deck, legendary eateries and historical landmarks.

The Absolute Most:

The Absolute Most:

The Absolute Most:

district

WILSHIRE GRAND Staples Center/LA LIVE Think: Sushi with a view, Think: Sports Area, Live Poolside Bar, Rooftop Concerts, Movie Theater, Restaurants, Bowling Alley, XGames, Hotel Rooms, Palm Trees.

4 Star Hotels, Rooftop Spas.

The Most:

CHINATOWN CENTRAL PLAZA Jazz Club, Dim Sum, Hanfu, Peking Duck, Chinese New Year’s, Culture Festivals.

The Most:

The Most:

LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER Think: Expos, Network, AirPort, Media Pass.

LA LIBRARY Think: Tranquility, Historic Building, Field Trip, Courtyard Dining, Millions of Text, Research, Illuminati.

GIN LIN WAY Think: Red Lanterns, Neon, Vintage Chinese Architecture, Jazz Clubs1938.

The Almost:

The Almost:

The Almost:

METROPOLIS Think: Panoramic Views, New Skyline, Sky Pools, Dogparks, Exquisite Dining, Boutique Hotel, Cabanas.

110/105/10/5 FWY Intersection Think: Car Radio, Traffic, MapQuest, Windshield, Congestion, Bumpers, CHP, Road rage.

Year of the Dog Think: Loyalty. Careful Observation. Plenty of new restaurants, art shows, and a new year of cultural festivities.

top food picks

top food picks

top food picks

HILL GRILL WOODEN SPOON TESTA

STOCKING FRAME PUBLIC SCHOOL SHEKARCHI

PHO 87 SPRING STREET BBQ ONIBORU

UNION STATION Think: Subway, Maps, Train Station.

The Most:

CITY HALL Think: City Council, Committee Meetings, City Planning, Ceremonies, Observation Deck, The Mayor Beacon, Projected Light Displays.

The Almost:

Polyphonoptic Tower Think: Kinetic Sculpture, Music, Lights, Synchronization, Water, Flood, Faulty to Fixed.

top food picks CIENTO LINDO IMPERIAL WESTERN JUSTICE TAVERN

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

little tokyo

arts district

LITTLE TOKYO is the heart of the largest Japanese-American population in America. With over 3500 welcoming residents, and hundreds of shops Little Tokyo sees its fair share of tourism in DTLA.

ARTS DISTRICT is DTLA’s perfect mix of fine art galleries, creative loft style living, organic eating, and BEER, hosting the most eclectic mix of indie artisan showcases and micro-brewing companies in all of Los Angeles.

The Absolute Most:

The Absolute Most:

OLD JAPANESE UNION CHURCH Think: 1922, East Coast Players, LAArtCore, World Class Theater, 30+ Years.

The Most:

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM Think: Tradition, Exhibits, WW2, Sculpture, History, Extraordinary Origami.

The Almost:

The Metro Regional Connector Think: All of Downtown’s Districts Connected allowing passengers to transfer to Blue, Expo, Red and Purple Lines, bypassing Union Station.

top food picks PRIME PIZZA SAKE DOJO REDBIRD

HAUSER & WIRTH Think: Globe Mills Complex, Art World, Manuela Restaurant, Art Exhibits, Installations.

The Most:

historic core

ZINC CAFE MANUELA BESTIA

fashion district

The HISTORIC CORE is revitalized with new bike lanes, parklettes, community gardens, outdoor concerts, artisan pop-ups, and 2 of the most highly anticipated self-guided art tours in the country.

Where SKID ROW meets the INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, with community leaders and entrepreneurs willing to solve the problems of an area known for having the argest homeless population in the country.

The FASHION DISTRICT is a stitched oasis where fashion designers, wholesalers, market weeks, retailed fashion wares, accessories, textiles, and shoppers collide.

The Absolute Most:

The Absolute Most:

The Absolute Most:

NIGHT ON BROADWAY Think: Outdoor concert, 12 Historic Theaters, Live Performances, Food Trucks, Crepes, Huge Crowds.

ANGEL CITY BREWERY The Most: Think: IPA, Beer Tasting, DOWNTOWN ARTWALK Local Entertainment, Think: Creativity, NightKaraoke, Comedy Night, time Celebration, GallerNew Mini-Festivals, Indie ies, Artists, Entertainment, Art Shows.

Street Vendors, Interactive Exhibits, Bar The Almost: Crawl.

Institute of Contemporary Art The Almost: Think: Museum, BRINGING BACK 12,700Sqft., Industrial BROADWAY Building, 32-Year-Old Art Think: Street Car, Historic Institution. Architecture Theater, Wedding Bouby wHY, Public Programtiques, Parklettes, ming, Retail Stores.

Night On Broadway

top food picks

the skidz

13

top food picks CLAYTON’S HOCK + HOOF MRS. FISH

SMORGASBURG Think: Alameda Marketplace, 10,000 Visitors, Indie Artisan, Sunday, Food, Music, Vintage, Wellness, Donuts.

CALIFORNIA MARKET CTR Think: Designers. ShowCase, Market Week, Fashion, Accessories, Textiles, Fashion Run Way.

The Most:

The Most:

LAMP/Union Rescue Mission/SkidRow Housing Trust Think: Non Profit, Giving, Public Service, Fundraising, Art Events.

SANTEE ALLEY Think: Bargains, SwapMeet, Bizarre, Street Dogs, Wigs, Wholesale Purses, Immitation Perfume.

The Almost:

The Almost:

TheROW Think: 1.3 million Sqft,.

Multi-Use Complex, Residents, Shopping, Restaurants, Local Entertainment, Creative Office Spaces.

BIGGER! BETTER! Wall Florist Market Think: Coral Forest, Farmer’s Market, Grilled Food, Aqua Frescas, Wholesale Flowers.

Saturdays.

top food picks

top food picks

SKID ROW COFFEE COMFORT LA YXTE CAFE

CILANTRO LIME LALAS PREUX & PROPER

THIS WEEK’s Top Event Picks

www.dtla-weekly.com

ADD EVENTS ONLINE - FREE!!!

thu 10 fri 11 sat 12 sun 13 mon 14 tue 15 wed 16

DOWNTOWN ARTWALK HISTORIC CORE 7:30 - 10PM

ODEZA

MICROSOFT THEATER SOUTH PARK 8PM

BRIDE WORLD LA CONVENTION CENTER SOUTH PARK 8PM

ROCK FOR RELIEF ACE HOTEL 8PM

$1 OYSTERS

PREUX & PROPER FASHION DISTRICT ALL DAY

$9 MOVIES REGAL CINEMAS @LA LIVE ALL DAY SOUTH PARK

HOLIDAY ON ICE PERSHING SQUARE HISTORIC CORE 7PM

KINGBON COMEDY

ANGELS CITY BREW ARTS DISTRICT 8PM

AMEN DUNES TERAGRAM BALLROOM MID WILSHIRE 8PM

LONG BEACH DUB ALLSTARS NOVO SOUTH PARK 8PM

HECHO EN LA

THE ROW WAREHOUSE DISTRICT 10AM

MOIST MONDAYS W/ DJ MOIST LA CITA BAR 9PM - 2AM HISTORIC CORE

NILE RODGERS GRAMMY MUSEUM 7PM

RICK TAUB JAZZ & BLUES

7TH GRAND FINANCIAL DISTRICT 9PM

DTLA WEEKLY PRESENTS...

To Be Or Not To Be?

LA STORIES

DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT THEATER OLD BANK DISTRICT 6PM

UNDER GROUND CHINATOWN GRANDSTAR JAZZ CLUB 9PM

BLUEFACE NOVO SOUTH PARK 10PM

SAMSKARA MATEO STREET ARTS DISTRICT 8PM

QUEEN KONG

PRECINCT HISTORIC CORE 8PM

HERBIE HANDCOCK WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL 7:30PM

DISGUISTING FOOD MUSEUM A+D MUSEUM 10AM

DTLA THEATER GUIDE 24 Street Theater 514 S Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 COMING SOON...

“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” SPRING 2019 Dorothy Chandler Pavilion 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 COMING SOON...

“CLEMENCY OF TITUS” MAR 2 EAST WEST PLAYERS 514 S Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 COMING SOON “MAN OF GOD” JAN 21 - FEB 24 LOS ANGELES THEATER CENTER 514 S Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 COMING SOON...

“DESERT RATS” JAN 5 - JAN 20 REDCAT 631 W 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 COMING SOON...

“Sharon Lockhart: Pine Flat” JAN 12 BOB BAKERS MARIONETTES 1345 W. 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90026 ON STAGE NOW...

“IMAGINATION LIVES HERE” JAN - MAY LA PHIL 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 COMING SOON...

“Turangalîla Symphony”” JAN 18 AHMANSON THEATER 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 COMING SOON...

“The Clemency Of Titus” MARCH 2019 LA OPERA COMING SOON...

“The Magic Dream” 631 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 JAN 2019 MARK TAPER FORUM 135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 ON STAGE NOW...

“LINDA VISTA” JAN 9 - FEB 14

HOW'S THE WEATHER? BY GREG GOULD

SERVICES

employment EXPERIENCED

WRITERS WANTED

EDITOR@DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

EVENT PHOTOS AVAILABLE -----EPPERSON MEDIA -------

VOL 11 NO 4 - JAN 10TH - JAN 16TH 2019/ DTLA-WEEKLY.COM

real estate LOOKING TO BUY OR LEASE A LOFT?

213-444-6182

CAROL THOMAS TAX PREPARATION 310-295-2215

CALL 888.505.6387

thu fri sat sun mon tue wed 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 66 66 63 65 63 61 62

15