Grading/Shoring Permits Issued for Palmer's Broadway Palace

Broadway Palace (Image: Loopnet)

One month after the massive blaze which destroyed half of the unfinished Da Vinci apartments, developer Geoff Palmer is preparing to begin work on yet another Downtown residential-retail complex.

Earlier this month, grading and shoring permits were issued by the Department of Building and Safety for the second half of Broadway Palace, a mixed-use development planned near the border between South Park and the Historic Core.  The project, located at 928 South Broadway, would create 439 studio, one-and-two bedroom apartments in a low-rise and mid-rise.  Plans call for a ten-story building along Broadway, lined with 35,000 square feet of street-level commercial space.  On the eastern side of the property fronting Main Street, the building would stand six stories tall above ground-floor live-work units.

The design of Broadway Palace forges a stark contrast to Palmer's other Central City developments, all of which feature Italian-Renaissance-themed architecture.  Instead, the building will feature a terra cotta brick facade tailored to resemble the appearances of nearby historic buildings.  The project's ten-story height is also informed by the Broadway Design Overlay, which seeks to maintain the neighborhood signature mid-rise street wall.

Lots of Activity at G.H. Palmer's Broadway/Olympic Site

Downtown stakeholders breathed a collective sigh of relief last February, when developer G.H. Palmer - he of freeway-adjacent, "fauxtalian," infamy - revealed more contextually appropriate plans for a mixed-use development near the Ace Hotel.  That historically-themed design will soon be put to the test, as the Beverly Hills-based developer has finally begun work on the the project known as Broadway Palace.  Crews are currently demolishing an existing building and surface parking lot at the southeast corner of Broadway and Olympic Boulevard, clearing the way for the first of the complex's two buildings.

The low-rise and mid-rise project, designed by Nelson/Boivin Architecture & Planning, calls for a cumulative 686 apartment units and over 50,000 square feet of ground-level commercial stalls.  The buildings, which will be clad in brick veneer, are to rise on opposite sides of Olympic Boulevard.  Planning documents indicate that the project may be linked together by a pedestrian bridge, an amenity which became a controversial issue for a different Palmer development earlier this year.

Keeping Up With Geoff Palmer's Latest Faux-talian Fortresses

The Lorenzo, seen from the intersection of 23rd and Flower Streets

Amongst the first developers to cash in on Downtown LA's 21st century residential boom, Geoff Palmer has lined the Central City's freeway ring with his Italian Renaissance themed apartment buildings.  True to form, his newest projects both overlook the 110, albeit in very different parts of the neighborhood.  The Lorenzo, which stands seven stories tall, occupies the majority of a city block bounded by Flower Street, Adams Boulevard, Grand Avenue and 23rd Street.  Sitting adjacent to the Expo Line's busy 23rd Street Station, the multi-phased development contains a total of 910 residential units and 34,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.  With furnished apartments and private shuttle service, the Lorenzo seeks to tap into the student housing market generated by nearby institutions such as FIDM and USC.  The building offers "resort-style," amenities, including a game room, basketball courts, four pools and a tanning salon (seriously?).   Say what you will about the architecture, but they haven't scrimped on perks.

Is G.H. Palmer Bringing More Residential to Temple Street?

1000 W. Temple Street

We may be in store for yet another Tuscan themed apartment building in City West.  The "Under Development," section of G.H. Palmer Associates' website was recently updated to include a 9.6 acre property at 1000 W. Temple Street.  The website currently provides no information on the number of units planned or a completion date.

Geoffrey Palmer has become one of the most prolific developers of residential units in Downtown Los Angeles over the past decade, but has received much criticism in the process.  In 2004, he plead no contest when charged with illegally demolishing a 19th century Victorian Home to make way for the Orsini apartments.  He successfully fought Los Angeles' affordable housing mandate in court between 2007 and 2009.  Other Downtown stakeholders have also shown wariness over the signature "Faux Italian," architecture of Palmer's developments.

On a lighter note, how much freeway adjacent land does Geoff Palmer plan to buy in Downtown LA?  By my count, this brings his running total to seven properties.

• Homebuilder Settles Lawsuit With City (LA Downtown News)
• Court Rules L.A. Inclusionary Housing Mandate Violates State Law (CP&DR)
• Geoff Palmer Planning Two Huge Broadway Buildings (LA Downtown News)

LA Trade Tech's New Construction Technology Building

LATTC's Construction Technology Building.  Image from HMC Architects.

Since I was summoned to the Hill Street Courthouse this morning for an exciting day of jury duty, I decided to use part of my lunch break to showcase some of the construction activity in the neighborhood.

As you can probably guess from the title of this entry, LA Trade Tech's Construction Technology Building is first on my list.  Designed by HMC Architects, the Construction Technology Building will be the largest facility on LATTC's campus, totaling 139,000 square feet.  Standing three stories, it is set to achieve LEED Gold certification.

A bird's eye view of the Construction Technology Building.  Solar panels line the rooftop, helping the building reach LEED Gold certification.

The Construction Technology Building on the right hand side works in architectural harmony with the existing Johnson Favaro designed buildings on the left hand side.  Red brick seems to be a prevailing theme here.  However, HMC's product does not have the same undulating facade as the Administration and Technology Classroom Buildings.

The Construction Technology Building, this time viewed from the southwest.

Completion of the Construction Technology Building is expected in Winter of 2015 based on a sign posted on-site.  However, it's difficult to say whether or not that timeline remains accurate since this is the current state of construction activity:

Besides a few trailers and maybe some preliminary grading, no signs of work thus far.

On the bright side, LATTC broke ground on the adjacent parking garage back in October 2012.  At least that part of the expansion has visible signs of life.

LATTC's new parking garage at 23rd and Grand.

Of course, it's not just educational institutions riding the wave of construction here.  Private investors are also getting in on the action.  For example, riders of the Expo Line have undoubtedly noticed the rise of Geoffrey Palmer's 913 apartment fortress next to the 23rd Street Station.

G.H. Palmer's "The Lorenzo."

On the other side of the LATTC campus, a six floor development consisting of retail, office and residential space is set to rise 233 W. Washington Blvd.

233 W Washington Blvd.  Goodbye Happy Meals...Hello mixed use development?

•  East Parking Structure Ground Breaking (LATTC)
• Six Stories of Office, Retail and Residential Space Coming to Washington Blvd. (Building Los Angeles)