A Closer Look at the Skyline Altering Metropolis

Later this week, the DLANC Planning and Land Use Committee is scheduled to take a close look at details of the Greenland Group's plans for Metropolis.  The first stage of the $1 billion project, which quietly began site preparation last week, will create 350 hotel rooms and 308 condominium units in towers of 19 and 38 stories.  Buildings will surround a ground-level automobile courtyard, lined by more than 7,000 square feet of pedestrian-oriented retail space.  Both towers would sit atop a seven-floor parking garage, featuring five above-ground levels.

The more ambitious second phase of the development calls for two additional high-rise towers, oriented towards the northern end of the 6.3-acre project site.  Buildings would rise to heights of 58 and 40 stories, containing a cumulative 1,250 condominiums and 67,000 square feet of retail space.  The larger structure, peaking 647 feet above street level, would narrowly edge out the Onni Group's proposed tower at 820 Olive Street for the title of Los Angeles' tallest residential building.

Check Out the Specs for Metropolis Phase II

Image credit: Gensler via Kilograph

Although likely years away from the start of construction, the Shanghai-based Greenland Group is already working on plans for the second half of their ambitious Metropolis development.  According to a memo released by CRA/LA earlier this month, phase two of the $1 billion project tentatively calls for two high-rise towers that would comprise over 1.4 million square feet of floor area.  The first structure, an approximately 50-story tower, would stand flush with Francisco Street and consist of 510 condominium dwellings above a parking podium.  The second building, standing roughly 60 stories, would abut the corner of 8th and Francisco Streets with 740 condominiums and 67,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.  Both towers would be located directly across the street from an allegedly "sexy, mixed-use," parking structure, currently under construction next to the CTBC Bank Tower.

Phase one, revealed in a February groundbreaking ceremony, will reportedly start excavation and shoring work later this month.  Consisting of two additional towers, the first stage of Metropolis will create 310 residential units, more than 6,000 square feet of pedestrian oriented retail, and up to 350 hotel rooms.  A 19-story hotel tower, to be located at the corner of Francisco Street and James M. Wood Boulevard, will rise 271 feet above a retail and parking podium.  Although official reports have yet to specify an operator, earlier documents produced by the LA City Council point to the Hotel Indigo brand.  A 38-story residential building, set towards the eastern side of the property, will stand 442 feet tall.

Greenland Group Gets Serious about Metropolis

The Metropolis site, seen from the intersection of James M Wood Boulevard and Francisco Street.

When the Shanghai based Greenland Group announced their intent to purchase the long delayed Metropolis development in June 2013, many details from the press release were muddled in the Mandarin-to-English translation.  IDS Realty quickly stepped in to put the kibosh on the rumored sales price of $1 billion, but all parties involved have remained adamant that the project would be going vertical as soon as possible.  It appears that the Chinese developer remains true to its word, with the project's first buildings set to be a 19-story hotel at 899 Francisco Street and a 38-story apartment tower next door at 889 Francisco.  According to permits filed with LADBS, the hotel's guest rooms would rise above a four-story podium containing event, retail and restaurant space.  The residential building would contain 290 units, stacked atop a four-story parking garage.  Both towers would also feature two levels of subterranean parking.

Curbed LA recently caused a stir when they provided renderings of two Gensler-designed Metropolis towers via structural engineering firm Saiful Bouquet.  Although those renderings have been verified as outdated, they do hint at the the intended scope of the project.  While perhaps not as grand in scale as some of the Greenland Group's developments across the Pacific, the first phase of Metropolis will still make a noticeable impact on the Downtown skyline.  On the other hand, Gensler has their work cut out for them at ground level.  Isolated from the activity of LA Live and sandwiched between the 110 freeway and series of parking garages, the Metropolis site does not easily lend itself towards pedestrian activity.  That doesn't bode well for the effort to transform Francisco Street into Downtown LA's wannabe French Quarter.

• Property Activity Report (LADBS)
• Are These the Latest Renderings for Downtown's Re-Jumpstarted Metropolis Megaproject? (Curbed LA)
• Metropolis Rendered in the LA Skyline (Building Los Angeles)

Watch Metropolis Reshape the Downtown Skyline

Your eyes do not deceive you: the surface parking lot at the corner of 9th and Francisco Streets is no more.  With a $39 million taxpayer subsidy in hand, Shanghai's Greenland Real Estate Group has officially commenced work on the first half of the long-awaited Metropolis development.  A skeleton crew quietly kicked off on the $1 billion project yesterday morning, stripping asphalt from the phase one site.  The dirt lot seen above will eventually birth high-rise towers of 19 and 38 stories, creating 350 hotel rooms and 308 condominium units above street-level retail space.  San Francisco-based Webcor Builders, general contractor for the Metropolis development, has fortunately installed a construction camera directly across 9th Street.  Take your progress updates every fifteen minutes in glorious HD.

The Greenland Group is currently in the planning stages for a more grandiose phase two of the project, which would create larger buildings near the intersection of 8th and Francisco Streets.  Gensler-designed plans filed with the city call for a total of 1,250 condominium units and 67,000 feet of commercial space.  An updated rendering of Metropolis from brokerage firm Douglas Elliman portrays the second phase with two additional towers, featuring glass exteriors and sloping roof lines (see below).

Metropolis Scheduled to Break Ground on Valentines Day

The Greenland Group raised more than a few eyebrows when they boldly proclaimed that they'd break ground on the long awaited Metropolis development before the end of 2013.  Turns out that they might not have been that far off.  According to a document from the city's Chief Legislative Analyst, the Chinese developer plans to start shoring and grading work for phase one of Metropolis on February 14.  Phase one will emerge at the intersection of Francisco Street and James M Wood Boulevard, consisting of two high-rise structures above a pedestrian plaza.  The first tower, a 350-room Hotel Indigo, will rise approximately 19-stories.  Guest rooms will stand above a podium structure containing food and beverage outlets, meeting space, recreational amenities, and street level retail.  Records from LADBS indicate that the second tower is intended to rise 38-stories, containing 290 residential units above a parking podium.  Phase two, which has no scheduled groundbreaking date, will consist of three two towers with a "mix of residential and commercial uses."

Unfortunately, not all is not well on Metropolis' 6.3 acre parking lot.  The Greenland Group claims that the project's hotel component is facing an $82-92 million finance gap, and requests assistance from the city to make up for the deficit.  In years past, Los Angeles has granted tax rebates to both the J.W. Marriott and the Wilshire Grand for this purpose.  While the city will conduct its own analysis of Greenland's project before making a decision, representatives of the Convention Center have already indicated a willingness to provide financial incentives to get 4,000 new hotel rooms by 2020.  In other words, it seems likely that the Greenland Group will get their tax break.  In the meantime, get your popcorn ready and keep your eyes peeled for construction equipment come Valentines Day.  Or go spend time with your loved ones...whatever.  Either way, Downtown's long delayed mega-project will finally get shovels in the ground.

• Economic Development Incentives for the Metropolis Hotel Project (LA City)
• Greenland Group Gets Serious About Metropolis (Building Los Angeles)

Metropolis Rendered in the LA Skyline

Images from Kilograph

When IDS Realty put the long stalled Metropolis development on the market earlier this year, they commissioned a series of renderings showing the approximate size and scope of the project's full build out.  The 6.3 acre site is entitled for a total of 1.65 million square feet of hotel, residential, office and retail uses divided between five towers.  The completed development would include roughly 400,000 square feet of office space and up to 1,676 hotel rooms.  Entitlements also allow for some of those hotel rooms to be replaced with as many as 555 residential units.  The towers could stand as tall as 456-feet above grade.

Viewed from across the 110 freeway.  Image from Kilograph

As reported by the LA Times, IDS recently entered into discussions with Chinese based Greenland Holdings Group about a potential purchase of the site.  The exact price of the land was unclear, but a press release from Greenland indicated that the project could cost up to $1 billion to complete.  With entitlements already in place, construction would begin relatively soon after completion of the deal.

The Metropolis project is critical to the proposed "Avenue of the Angels," which seeks to transform Francisco Street into a active pedestrian corridor linking the Financial District to the Sports and Entertainment District.  Developer AEG envisions a similar atmosphere to that of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, book ended by the Wilshire Grand Tower in the north and LA Live in the south.

Artists concept of the "Avenue of the Angels."  Image from Metropolis.

• Metropolis (Official Website)
• Downtown LA 'Metropolis' Deal Under Negotiation (Los Angeles Times)
• Plans for "LA's French Quarter" Between South Park and FiDi (Curbed LA)

Work Ramping up on South Park Megaprojects

Image: Oceanwide Real Estate Group via the Los Angeles Times

In what amounts to an excellent Christmas for Downtown boosters, work will soon begin on multiple new high-rise buildings in the South Park neighborhood.

Earlier in December, Oceanwide Real Estate Group started clearing the large surface parking lot at 1101 Flower Street, future site of Fig Central.  Now, after much speculation, the Los Angeles Times reports that the long-stalled mixed-use complex is on track for an early 2015 groundbreaking date.

The $1-billion development will feature a trio of skyline-altering towers designed by architecture firm RTKL.  The largest of the buildings - a 49-story edifice at the corner of Flower and 11th Streets - will rise 677 feet above street level, making it slightly taller than the nearby Ritz Carlton Hotel & Residences.  In total, the three towers will comprise 504 condominiums and a five-star, 183-room hotel.

Fig Central was originally conceived as the retail complement to the nearby restaurants and entertainment venues of the LA Live complex.  The retooled proposal from the Oceanwide Group places a similar emphasis on shopping, with approximately 200,000 square feet of stores and restaurants planned for the development

The project as a whole is expected to cater to an affluent clientele, with plans calling for an array of luxurious amenities.  In addition to a variety of high-end stores, the proposed hotel will feature multiple event spaces and a "celebrity chef restaurant."  DTLA Rising reports that Fig Central may also include the first American outpost of the ultra posh Cavalli Club.

Los Angeles High Rise Development Rundown

As we emerge from the global economic recession, Los Angeles is seeing a flurry of new and revived proposals for high rise construction throughout the city.  Here is a partial list of the high rises proposed and under construction throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, in more or less decreasing order of height.


Wilshire Grand Tower
 

Image from AC Martin

First up is the granddaddy of all skyscraper proposals in Los Angeles: Korean Air's Wilshire Grand Tower.  Rising to 1,100 feet from the intersection of Figueroa and Wilshire, the 73 story mixed-use tower will become the tallest building in the United States outside of New York and Chicago when completed in 2016.  The building will consist of a 900 room four star hotel sitting above 400,000 square feet of creative office space.  The Wilshire Grand will feature a 70th floor hotel lobby complete with a public observation deck and roof top pool (!).  Artistic LED lighting will feature prominently in both the base of the tower and the crown.  Above ground demolition of the 15 floor hotel which previously occupied the site is complete as of June.  Following excavation, the three day concrete pour for the new building's foundation is scheduled for December of 2013 (20 feet thick over an area the size of a football field).

www.wilshiregrandcenter.com


Fig Central

Image from Fig Central and RTKL Architects

Originally envisioned as the retail component of AEG's LA Live development, Fig Central seemed on the cusp of construction back in 2007 before the floor fell out from under the real estate market.  The northern tower, entitled for a combination of hotel and residential use, will rise 575 feet and over 50 stories.  The southern tower, intended for multi-family residential use, is entitled for 455 feet and 37 stories.  At ground level, the most striking component of the project are the LED screens stretching the entire block of Figueroa from 11th to 12th street, armed and ready to bombard pedestrians with some good, old fashioned commercialism.   The Moinian Group, current owners of the land, opted to put the project up for sale earlier this year in order to focus on New York real estate.  The sales process is expected to be complete by Fall, with offers reportedly in the $180 million range.  Assuming the purchaser intends to start work as soon as possible, construction could begin in the first half of 2014.

figcentral.la/index.html


Century City Center

Image from Johnson Fain

Intended to rise 37 floors and 570 feet, JMB Realty's Century City Center is one of the very few active ground up office buildings proposed in Los Angeles.  Local architect Johnson Fain is responsible for the design, which is fitting as he is also the architect behind neighbors SunAmerica Center and Constellation Place.  The building will stand next to the future Century City Purple Line station at Constellation and Avenue of the Stars, which has brought the proposal into the fold of the ongoing controversy about the subway route under Beverly Hills High School.  The tower has also been subjected to opposition from a "neighborhood," group that is clearly run by rival landlord JP Morgan Chase.

www.centurycitycenter.com










Century Plaza Residential Towers


Image from New Century Plaza

The Century Plaza Residential Towers have been embroiled in their fair share of controversy.  The initial plans called for demolition of the adjacent hotel, designed by famed World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki.  However, as preservationists rushed to save the hotel from the wrecking ball, a compromise plan was envisioned in which the existing hotel and the new towers would share the property. The twin 46 story buildings have been designed to mimic the triangular footprints of the landmark Century Plaza Office Towers across the street (who doesn't love symmetry?).  The property will eventually be served by a portal to the future Century City subway station.  Construction is slated to start in 2014.

www.newcenturyplaza.com


One Broadway Plaza

Image from One Broadway Plaza

It's a little far off the beaten path (where's Santa Ana again?), but One Broadway Plaza is pegged to bring 491 feet of boxy, glassy office space over 37 stories to the OC.  This tower was supposed to be completed back in 2008, but then the financial collapse brought real estate development to a virtual standstill.  The building has been marketed as Orange County's tallest building, which makes sense since there isn't much competition for that title.  It will stand out like a sore thumb in Santa Ana's low rise skyline, but it's probably about time Orange County starts building upward rather than outward.  The tower is said to be in the construction phase as of 2013, but who has time to go all the way out to Santa Ana to check?

www.onebroadwayplaza.com












Century City Mall Residential Tower

The Westfield Group originally proposed this project in 2006 as part of a broader expansion effort for the Westfield Century City Mall.  Plans for the 39 story, 282 unit residential tower with a ground floor Bloomingdales were revived in 2012, with the hope of completion by 2018.  Construction of the parking structure for the building has already commenced.  The mid-century office building which currently stands on the site for the new residential tower is soon to be vacated, with demolition expected to commence in 2014.















Metropolis

Image from CBRE Marketplace

The undisputed king of stalled developments in Los Angeles.  Metropolis was first proposed almost 25 years ago as a Michael Graves designed office tower complex.  In the ensuing decades, the proposal was revived multiple times with some combination of office, residential and hotel uses.  The most recent proposal called for an underwhelming mid-rise fortress focusing on retail and hotel uses.  Luckily, current owner IDS Real Estate has opted to scuttle their plans and sell the property in light of the much improved real estate market.  It should be noted that the rendering shown above is not in fact a proposal, but merely a mock up designed to show what the full entitlements for the property allow.  To no surprise, the property has drawn a great deal of interest from prospective developers.

CBRE Marketplace - Metropolis

Residences at St. Vibiana



Design by Nadel Architects

Proposed by local developer Tom Gilmore prior to the recession, the 461 foot residential tower was set to rise over 41 stories on the surface parking lot adjacent to the St. Vibiana Cathedral (former home of the Los Angeles Archdiocese).  Long assumed to be a dead proposal, the project unexpectedly came back to life earlier this year.  As reported by the LA Downtown News, Gilmore is in advanced talks to sell the land and its entitlements.  The design and scope of the project may change quite a bit depending on the intentions of the as of yet unknown buyer.














10000 Santa Monica Blvd

Image from Handel Architects

Here's a Century City proposal that really went through the wringer.  In its first incarnation, 10000 Santa Monica was a paper-thin 45 story tower dubbed "the Green Blade," by its French (st)architect Jean Nouvel.  When the economy tanked, that plan tanked with it.  The land was eventually purchased at a bargain bin price by Miami based developer Crescent Heights, who envisioned a 39 story/460 foot/282 condo tower designed by Handel Architects.  Crescent Heights has very quietly started started prepping the currently empty lot for construction as of late June 2013.  Construction and site grading permits seem to be nearing finalization with the Department of Building and Safety, so we may get an official groundbreaking notice soon.

10000smblvd.com










SB Omega

Historic Core landlord Barry Shy (of SB Properties fame) has long harbored ambitions to build his first ground-up residential project at the corner of 6th and Main in Downtown.  Current plans call for a 350 unit residential tower rising 40 floors, with a five level podium devoted to a 1,200 (!) spot parking garage.  Shy has recently informed the LA Downtown News that he is looking to break ground within the next 8-12 months.

LA Downtown News - 7/22/13


Grand Avenue Project

Image from Blogdowntown

I was initially unsure of where to place this, but eventually settled on right here.  "The Grand," is one of the most infamous stalled developments in Los Angeles.  Original plans for a 50 story Frank Gehry designed tower across from his iconic Disney Hall have been killed by the passage of time and inhospitable market conditions.  Current plans for Parcel A (the tinker toy parking garage seen on the right) call for a 430 unit apartment tower at 1st/Grand with a 250 key/50 condo tower at 2nd/Olive.  Groundbreaking is not expected until 2015 at the earliest.  At least we have Grand Park and the Broad Museum to tide us through for now, right?





888 Hope St.

This tower was long assumed to be a pie-in-the-sky until recently, when the CIM Group submitted plans to Department of Building and Safety for a 33 floor residential tower in conjunction with a six floor parking garage at the corner of 9th and Hope.  The original plans called for a 492 foot tall building with 42 stories and ground floor retail, but it remains to be seen if the new proposal has a different architect.  Fingers crossed for the original plans, because this design is a real beauty.

9th and Hope

City Market LA

Image from City Market of Los Angeles

In January 2013, the owners of the century old produce market in eastern Downtown LA known as "City Market," announced dramatic re-development plans.  When completed, the 10 acre campus on San Pedro street is intended to contain a higher learning institute focused on the fashion industry, in addition to residential, retail, office and hotel uses.  The EIR specifies that the tallest building in the development would stand at a maximum of 38 stories, rising 435 feet above street level.  Don't hold your breath in anticipation though: a full build out of the site could take up to 20 years to finish.

www.citymarketla2.com


The Gayley at Wilshire

Image from Gayley at Wilshire

Designed by the venerable Robert A.M. Stern, who sought to create a tower in the mold of New York's Flatiron Building, the four star hotel tower is intended to stand 427 feet tall over 29 stories.  Demolition of the video relic rental store which previously occupied the site was completed in 2011.  However, construction will not start until developer Kambiz Hekmat is able to negotiate a sweetheart deal with the city over bed taxes.  In the meantime, perhaps we could find a new name for the building that won't make every middle schooler in Los Angeles laugh?

www.wilshiregayley.com/index.html












Olympic Blvd and Grand Ave

This corner lot was the site where two very tall residential towers known as the City House and the Olympic were once intended to rise.  Alas, the recession aborted those projects that likely never stood a chance.  However, in the midst of Downtown's hotel and residential construction boom, other developers have taken an interest in this parcel.  According to blogger/downtown Los Angeles expert Brigham Yen, Hilton is in the process of purchasing the lot with the intention of building a high-rise hotel.  According to Yen, the parcel is entitled for a building up to 33 floors tall with 25,000 square feet of retail space.  Should be interesting to see where this one goes.



888 Olive

Rendering from the Onni Group

Standing 33 stories and 375 feet tall, 888 Olive is a hunk of glassy urbanity that looks like it was ripped straight out of 21st century Vancouver.  Probably because it was.  The Onni Group are the developers of this tower, and they are unsurprisingly based out of Canada.  Look for 888 Olive to bring substantial ground floor retail and 283 new apartments to the market when complete.  In very related news, Onni intends to give this building some tall neighbors in the near future.  They are in the early planning stages for four additional residential towers in Downtown LA.  Two on the parking lot at 1212 Flower, one on Hope Street, and another on the parking lot just north of 888 Olive.  Thank you, Canada!












Hollywood Palladium Towers
 

Design by Natoma Architects

Here's a recent development that wasn't all that surprising.  When Crescent Heights (of 10000 Santa Monica Blvd) purchased the Hollywood Palladium back in 2012, observers instantly predicted that the parking lots adjacent to the historic concert venue would go condo.  As of July 2013, suspicions proved correct as Crescent Heights announced plans for twin mixed-use towers.  The towers are intended to contain residential units, hotel space and ground floor retail.  No word on the exact height or number of floors yet.

Downtown Car Wash Site

 
This is a mysterious proposal that has provided little in the way of details.  We do know that the odd shaped parcel directly across from LA Live was for sale at a price of $25 million.  After speaking to employees of the existing business, it does appear that the sale has gone through.  Back in 2012, it appeared that bidders were thinking big for the site, as one of the potential buyers had already drawn up plans for a 476,000 square foot mixed-use tower.  That amount of square footage on such an odd shaped piece of land could result in a fairly tall building.

The Vermont

Image from Jerde Placemaking

Standing atop a monstrous seven story parking podium, the Vermont Towers check in at 29 floors/307 feet and 23 floors/247 feet.  In spite of its copious (and unsubtle) parking accommodations, the Vermont brings another 464 apartments to Koreatown, already the most densely populated neighborhood in Los Angeles.  Both towers have topped out and cladding is quickly making its way up the structures.  The building is set to begin occupancy in 2014.


Hollywood/Gower Tower

Image from Hanover Co.

The eyesore of a parking lot remains at the corner of Hollywood and Gower while Hanover tries to steer this project through the NIMBY gauntlet of Hollywood.  The 20 story, 270 foot project intended to create 150 apartments, but was stopped cold in its tracks one year ago when a judge ruled that the public was not granted enough time to review the environmental impact report.  Hollywood/Gower has yet to make a peep since then.







8th and Hope

Originally proposed by the CIM Group under the absurd moniker of "iHope," this project was yet another development stalled by the global recession.  Luckily, Atlanta based Wood Partners purchased the land and revived the project in 2012.  Construction of the four story parking podium is near the finish line as of my writing this entry.  At completion, the building is set to rise 260 feet over 22 floors, creating 290 apartments and more ground floor retail for the growing Downtown LA community.

altabywood.wordpress.com 











Sunset Gordon

Image from CIM Group

I gave the CIM Group grief for trying to name a building like an Apple product.  But just to show I'm not biased, I'll give them credit for reviving this project.  Built on the former site of the mediocre Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant, construction now has this building around the halfway point to its full 260 feet/23 floors.  When finished, it will be a truly mixed-use structure.  300 apartments above, 40,000 square feet of office space in the middle, 14,000 feet of retail on the ground, and way too much parking below.  Earlier plans also called for a pocket park to go in the back of the lot on Gordon, but I'm not sure if that's still on the table.

Sunset Gordon


Columbia Square

Image from Kilroy Realty

When I saw the fences go up for the adaptive re-use portion of this project, I literally had to pinch myself.  After watching this project stall and and then downsize multiple times over several years, it's unreal that Columbia Square is finally underway.  The original proposal called for a 40 story residential/hotel tower accompanied by a 14 floor office building.  When that didn't pan it, it transformed into a 28 floor residential tower and a 17 floor office building.  And now we have the end result, as proposed by LA based Kilroy Realty: a 22 floor residential tower with 200 apartments.  It is accompanied by 330,000 square feet of office space (in low rise structures rather than a tower) and 33,000 square feet of retail space.  As I previously stated, the adaptive re-use portion of this project is well underway, renovating the handsome 1938 CBS Studio complex.  Ground up construction of the new office and residential space is scheduled to begin in early 2014.

Columbia Square


Courtyard Marriott and Residence Inn

Image from GBD Architects

First announced in 2011, the 23 story hotel tower is currently rising 243 feet above part of the LA Sports and Entertainment District's Olympic North site.  When open in June of 2014, the GBD designed building will boast 393 hotel rooms split between Marriott's Courtyard and Residence Inn brands.  The building topped out in late June, with exterior work substantially complete up to the 20th floor at the time of my writing.  Now if only we could get some more tall neighbors on the surrounding surface parking lots, but more on that soon.

www.gbdarchitects.com/portfolio-item/la-marriott/


Renaissance Hotel

Image from LA Times

More on that very soon.  Right now, in fact.  Back in March, Portland based developer Williams & Dame announced plans for a 450 room hotel right next door to the Courtyard/Residence Inn  that they are currently building at Olympic and Francisco street.  No word yet on the design or a specific height for the Renaissance Hotel (just "more than 20 stories").  This project does have a larger number of hotel rooms and a more expensive budget than its next-door neighbor, so perhaps we can expect something taller.  Not too much taller though, since the Olympic North site has a 350 foot height limit.





Ocean Avenue Project

Image from Gehry Partners

Architecture enthusiasts in Los Angeles were understandably pumped when Worthe Real Estate Group announced that a 244 foot, 22 story tower designed by starchitect/crumpled paper ball enthusiast Frank Gehry was coming to Downtown Santa Monica.  The building would contain 22 condos, a 125 key hotel, ground floor retail, plus 460 underground parking spaces.  Oh, and a freaking art museum.  The project has a lot NIMBY hurdles to overcome in development averse Santa Monica, but hopefully a stellar design and a famous name can help bring this building to reality.

oceanavenueproject.com


Fairmont Miramar Redevelopment

Image from HKS Architects

Just up the street from the Ocean Avenue Project is another game changing development for Santa Monica: the recently proposed reinvention of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel.  At 261 feet stretched over 21 floors, this tower would become Santa Monica's second tallest building (with the top spot belonging to neighboring 100 Wilshire).  The plan includes 280 hotel rooms and 160 condo units, along with all of the expected accommodations of a hotel.  The proposal has unsurprisingly been met with plenty of NIMBY outcry over evil things like the tower's height and the increased population density.  HKS has described the architectural style of the building as "Art Deco."  Not sure that I agree with that, but I'm just a layman observer.

www.miramarplan.com


4th and Broadway Tower

Veteran Downtown developer Izek Shomof announced in February that he's bringing a 400 unit residential tower to the corner of 4th and Broadway, taking the place of a dilapidated one story commercial structure.  No word on the exact height of the building, but Shomof is on the record stating that he's going for at least 22 stories.  The one downside to this project is that it forced the popular Electric Dusk drive in movie theater to relocate.  Unfortunately, Electric Dusk has chosen to set up shop at the City Market of LA, a site destined for an even more ambitious development.


916 Hill Street

Barry Shy recently announced plans for a 20 to 21 story residential tower containing 250 apartments at 916 Hill street in Downtown Los Angeles, directly behind the under-construction Ace Hotel.  The address is currently improved as a surface parking lot, offering scenic views of blank walls on the back sides of commercial buildings.  Shy has yet to release architectural designs or any further specifics on the property, but my expectations are tempered based on his er..."mixed," reputation.

LA Downtown News - 7/22/13


Olympic and Broadway Tower

Did somebody say "Barry Shy?"  Yes, even more from the notorious Historic Core landlord.  In conjunction with his plans for 916 Hill, Shy also announced high rise intentions for the corner of Olympic and Broadway.  The plans seem to call for an odd shaped building, described by the LA Downtown News as "ris[ing] to about 13 stories along Broadway and about 20 stories along Olympic Boulevard." The tower will bring 250 apartments to Broadway, with the adaptive re-use of the adjacent 13 story commercial building bringing an extra 150.  This provides yet another example of developers angling for a chance to bring back Broadway after the approval of the Downtown Streetcar.  Since this site (if I'm not mistaken) falls under the Broadway Design Guidelines, I am cautiously optimistic in for an attractive design that fits in well with the context of its older neighbors.  Much like what occurred with infamous faux-talian apartment developer G. H. Palmer's proposal across the street.

LA Downtown News - 7/22/13


(W)rapper

Image from Eric Owen Moss Architects

Save your toilet paper come Halloween time: this tower comes pre-TP'd.  While only 12 stories tall, this tower is designed to rise 230 feet with (very) high ceilings.  This proposal dates back to the mid 90's, but was revived by developer Samitaur in light of the Expo Line to Culver City.  The site of the proposed tower is next door to the La Cienega/Jefferson station.  Architect Eric Owen Moss' website strangely refers to the building's location as "South Central Los Angeles."  Apparently South Central has expanded to the Culver City/Los Angeles border.  Geographic location aside, this one may take a while to get sticks in the ground.

ericowenmoss.com/project/jefferson-tower-2




Los Angeles Federal Courthouse

Earlier this week, we spotted construction equipment appearing on the site of the long-stalled Federal Couthouse at 1st and Broadway.  Despite the its squat appearance, the 11 story structure will likely rise more than 200 feet high.  While it is nice to see the long vacant site finally developed, it's impossible not to feel saddened knowing that this is what we could have had.  We can probably thank Central Valley Congressman Jeff Denham for the less spectacular design choice, as the GSA likely felt pressure to avoid a flash design as the Congressman called for the project to be killed entirely.

SOM New United States Courthouse - Los Angeles


Grand Avenue Parcel M Tower

Image from Large Architecture

Who said the Grand Avenue project was stalled?  Well, for the most part it is.  But developer Related California finally broke ground on the first residential phase of the project earlier this year, the 19 floor/215 foot tall Parcel M tower.  This project represents a substantial downsizing from the original proposal (two 35 story residential towers).  The tower will connect to the also under-construction Broad Museum with a pedestrian plaza which may potentially have a direct link to the future 2nd/Hill subway station.

www.largearch.com/work/parcel-m


Museum Square Office Building

Image from Jerde Placemakers

Developer J.H. Snyder announced plans for a 13 story, 207 foot tall office building on a surface parking lot within his existing Museum Square complex back in June.  Jerde Placemakers are the architectural firm responsible for the building, and thankfully have not included a massive parking podium as they did in their other collaboration with Snyder (The Vermont).  Snyder hopes to begin construction within one year on a building that will offer scenic views of LACMA, Hancock Park, and the La Brea tarpits.  Interesting enough, Snyder also states that the existing Museum Square office complex has no vacancy.  If only every other office building in this city were so lucky.








West Hollywood Depot Redevelopment

Image from Gruen Associates

Citizens of West Hollywood were caught off guard back in February, when the Cohen Brothers (developers, not the directors) announced a partnership with Metro to develop the West Hollywood Bus Depot/Sheriff's station.  We can expect a 10.9 acre complex consisting of office, retail, residential and hotel space with at least two high rises.  West Hollywood, like all too many cities in Los Angeles County, is extremely hostile to development.  In this case, the NIMBYs may actually have a point.  Perhaps Metro can give them the Santa Monica Blvd. subway that they so desire to make up for it?





 Sunset Bronson Tower

Image from Gensler

Hollywood's Sunset Bronson Studios has planned a large expansion for years and recently completed the revised environmental impact report for a 14 story, 200 foot tall office building on the eastern edge of their property.  The glassy, colorful tower will look spectacular from the 101, but interacts poorly with the street.  No access points from Sunset or Van Ness: the front door is inside the studio campus.  Wonderful architecture, terrible urban design.


Wyndham Santa Monica

Image from Jerde Placemakers

Back out to the quaint little beach community of Santa Monica we go.  When Felcor Lodging Trust purchased the eyesore that is the former Santa Monica Holiday Inn, they must have been thinking "blow it up."  How could they not?  The current building fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.  With a prime location sandwiched in between the future Expo Line terminus and the Santa Monica Pier, Felcor started thinking big.  Specifically, a three building development with a 15 floor, 195 foot tower.  As always, it is tough to build anything big in Santa Monica, so this proposal has a tough path forward.


Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion

Image from HOK Architects

Last I checked, this 11 story/182 foot tower was pegged to open this summer.  As of a couple months back, exterior work appeared to be mostly complete.  The glassy facade is a stark contrast to the much more dated architecture composing the rest of the Cedars campus.  I suppose if you do happen to get sick, you might as well go to a pretty hospital, right?

Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Science Pavilion


The Wetherly

Image from Genton Property Group

This 12 story proposal near the Beverly Hills/Los Angeles border has all of the permits in place to start construction, although work had not yet commenced earlier this month.  Currently, the developers are embroiled in a feud with the Four Season Hotel located across the street from the construction site.  Apparently, the Wetherly has license to use the name "Four Seasons Residences," which the hotel feels will do harm to its business.  Seems rational, right?  I mean, we can all remember that time we were going to stay at the Four Seasons on vacation, then saw a building across the street and decided to buy a $3 million condo instead.

The Wetherly





Emerson College

Image from Morphosis

Last on this list, but certainly not least from an architectural standpoint, is Emerson College's new digs on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood.  Calling it a high rise is a little bit of a stretch, as it only stands at 10 floors and 132 feet according to its EIR.  Nonetheless, the Thom Mayne designed mixed-use structure is one of the most interesting pieces of architecture to hit Los Angeles in years.  Construction is nearing the finish line, with steel beams now topping off the concrete skeleton and.  Much of the exterior work is already complete.  The finished product will include instructional space, housing for students and faculty, room for a small restaurant at ground level, and 16,000 feet of open space.

morphopedia.com/projects/emerson-college-los-angeles-center 

New York-Based Hotelier Setting Up Shop Near Staples

Staples Center and its surrounding environs.

Representatives of the Wilshire Grand development ended months of speculation earlier today, announcing that Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts will operate the 73-story tower's 900-room luxury inn.  Surprisingly, that's not the only hotel buzz emanating from Downtown Los Angeles at the moment.

According to an interview with HOTELS Magazine, New York-based Hampshire Hotels Management is planning to open a new location in close vicinity to Staples Center and LA Live.  CEO Eric Danziger states that the company is considering either the Time Hotel or another 3-star brand for their South Park outpost.  The as-of-yet undisclosed location would be their second in Los Angeles, following the upcoming Dream Hollywood Hotel.

One potential home could be the $1 billion Metropolis development, which will feature a 350-room hotel at the intersection of 9th and Francisco Streets.  Although city documents had previously pointed to IHG's Hotel Indigo as the likely operator of the 19-story tower, developer Greenland USA has yet to give official word.  Other proposed developments from Mack Urban and the Oceanwide Group also call for substantial hotel components, but have yet to announce operators.

• HOTELS Interview: Danziger's Dreams for Hampshire (HOTELS Magazine)