Location: 9th Street and Figueroa Street
Function: Mixed-Use | 624 Units | 23,000 SF Retail | One Acre Urban Park
Developer: Astani Enterprises (http://www.astanienterprises.com/)
Architect: DeStefano + Partners (http://www.destefanoandpartners.com/)
Completion: 2009

Concerto

The foundation has been poured and construction has resumed on developer Sonny Astani's three-tower project at Figueroa and Ninth streets. The 348-unit first phase of the South Park development, which had stalled as Astani sought funding, will include a 30-story tower and a seven-story loft building, and 27,500 square feet of retail. It is expected to be finished in May 2009. A second 30-story tower will break ground by July 2009. Altogether, the project will create 619 market-rate condominiums ranging from 750 to 2,325 square feet. The buildings will wrap around a courtyard holding a 2,510-square-foot park. - Los Angeles Downtown News

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h125/MBenzLover/Concerto-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h125/MBenzLover/Concerto.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2465300985_a57e26558d_o.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/AstaniTowers.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h125/MBenzLover/Concerto1.jpg

Finally we see some activity on this dirt lot.

in that last rendering...the bottom left reminds me a little of the proposed Gehry project across from WDCH

Whats going on with this one, i did not get to go by the hole last week, anyone got something.????

um... who the hell is that old man?

Whats going on with this one, i did not get to go by the hole last week, anyone got something.????


^ Last we heard the project was put on hold and some modifications were been done.... Go figure!

um... who the hell is that old man?

I don't know, but i'll bet he's Irish

um... who the hell is that old man?

The years of eating nothing but Lucky Charms has really taken it's toll on poor Lucky.

The years of eating nothing but Lucky Charms has really taken it's toll on poor Lucky.

HUH!!!!!!!

ooh cool building, I like.. I much rather prefer this (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=138416) for the site though

Seriously 300 and Ticon you guys need to change avatar's already....

^^ omg yes! I was thinking the same thing yesterday, I detest it when two people have the same avatar, it confuses me!!

^ Geez your a walking confused potato.... aren't you?

I guess

can we get back on topic here! are there any updates on this important project?







:ohno:

[QUOTE=godblessbotox;13100120]can we get back on topic here! are there any updates on this important project?





:gossip: and that's what I think about your comment....

Now we can back to topic: anyone?

The construction site has been dormant for months. I remember reading that one of the towers has been shelved.

^ Let's hope not and keep our fingers crossed that it continues as planned.

So it that another month with absolutely no progress?

So it that another month with absolutely no progress?

We should change the Headline to
~In Limbo~ instead of ~Under construction~:D

Does anyone know how much longer it would be to resume with Towers?

From blogdowntown:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1004/728526431_1e135850a6_o.jpg
Flickr: ericrichardson

There are signs of life today in the big hole that'll one day be the Concerto project at 9th and Figueroa. Aside from the occasional worker out to man the construction trailer, there's been no work on the site in eight months. Between Tuesday and today that has changed, as some new materials and machinery have shown up on site.

Though you can barely make it out in the thumbnail, the picture shows a square drawn out on the bottom of the hole with surveying equipment inside. Word is the project's crane should be going up within the next few weeks; it seems likely that this square marks out where it will rise.

Even though it's finally coming forward, it's one less tower right?

^ I think it's back to the original two tower proposal.

From Los Angeles Downtown News:

Concerto Gets Funds, Gets Going

News Brief

The long-stalled Concerto project at the corner of Figueroa and Ninth streets, which has sat as a large hole in the ground for more than six months, may soon see some construction activity. The developer, Sonny Astani of Astani Enterprises, announced last week that he has received a new $190 million loan from Corus Bank to finance the project. The previous loan fell through because of sub-prime lending problems, Astani said. Construction slowly started back up on July 4 and the first step will be to complete the 1,000-space subterranean parking lot, said Astani. If all goes well, the first phase of the project - a 30-story tower and a six-floor building - will be ready for occupancy by May 2009. Construction will then begin on the second phase of the project, another 30-story tower. Altogether, Concerto will have 624 residential units, 23,000 square feet of retail space and a one-acre urban park. The towers will have glass walls, a first for the area, as well as 10 1/2-foot ceilings, Astani said. "It will be an iconic building, and it has come with a huge price and complexity," said Astani. Expect to see a large crane on the site soon.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1287/742907621_6c0811cab9_o.jpg
Flickr: tjdesimone

EXCLUSIVE Last updated: July 9, 2007 08:18am
Astani Lands $190M Loan for Downtown Condos
By Bob Howard Email this story | Printer-friendly | Reprints

Concerto Condominiums(Read more on the debt and equity markets and the multifamily market .)
LOS ANGELES-Astani Enterprises Inc. of Beverly Hills has closed on a $190-million construction loan for the development firm's Concerto condominium towers in Downtown Los Angeles after switching lenders at the 11th hour because of concerns about one firm's subprime market problems. Sonny Astani, president of Astani Enterprises, tells GlobeSt.com that the firm was ready to fund the construction loan in January but canceled the nearly completed deal because of concerns that the lender's problems in its subprime division might interfere with funding of the loan.

Astani then started the loan approval process all over again with a new lender, Chicago-based Corus Bank, which is providing the $190-million construction loan for the first phase of the Concerto development. The Concerto is a 624-unit condominium project comprising two 30-story towers and a six-story building at Figueroa and Ninth streets.




Astani is well under way on construction of the project, which it began in May of 2006 with its own money. Astani tells GlobeSt.com that the firm initially thought that it would have to rely on its own funds only until January or February of this year, when it expected to close the loan with the original lender.
But after canceling the first loan and starting all over, the firm has funded the project construction out of its own pocket until the recent closing of the loan with Corus. Astani explains that the firm continued funding the construction itself to keep the Concerto project on schedule for its expected completion in May of 2009.

Concerto's condominiums will range from 1,100 sf to 2,500 sf and will consist of only one- and two-bedroom units. In addition to its twin towers and the six-story residential building, the Concerto will include a seven-story subterranean parking structure containing nearly 1,000 spaces, 23,000 sf of retail space, a pool, a spa and a one-acre park.

The $190-million construction loan from Corus is for the first phase of the project, which will include one of the 30-story towers, the six-story building and the parking structure. Construction of the second phase is expected to begin after the first phase is out of the ground and the parking is completed. "The first phase is very front-loaded, which is why this was such a complex deal," Astani says, explaining that the first phase includes all of the common areas, the parking, the pool and other facilities.

The Concerto development site is steps away from five million sf of class A office towers, Ralphs Market and the $2.5-billion L.A. Live project. In addition to Concerto, Astani Enterprises recently completed and sold out its 200-unit Vero condominiums in Downtown L.A. and has 1,800 units under development in Downtown, Koreatown and Hollywood.

http://www.globest.com/news/944_944/losangeles/162110-1.html

the crane is about 30 feet up!

Funny i passed by this morning around 7:45am and didn't see anything happening on the site. Excited to know there's a crane being assemble on the site...Woohoo!

Following DT development news is a rollercoaster of ups and downs... and it definately seems like we are in an up period!

Funny i passed by this morning around 7:45am and didn't see anything happening on the site. Excited to know there's a crane being assemble on the site...Woohoo!

I had to see for myself, so I dropped by today on lunch:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL144/5090918/13911382/265531470.jpg

^^ Were you able to snap a pix, with your handy dandy camera?

I completely missed it this morning while passing Fig. There's was like 50o commuters in todays 7:15am bus so I was distracted and gassy.

^^ Were you able to snap a pix, with your handy dandy camera?

I completely missed it this morning while passing Fig. There's was like 50o commuters in todays 7:15am bus so I was distracted and gassy.

I'm sure it's because it's not even to ground level yet, you should be able to see it by next week.

I'm sure it's because it's not even to ground level yet, you should be able to see it by next week.


You get an excellent view from inside the bus. Since it travels thru the right hand bus lane on Fig.

So are the 2 towers gonna still be built in phases or at the same time?

So are the 2 towers gonna still be built in phases or at the same time?

They will be staggered slightly, but they'll be u/c at the same time.

From SSP:


concerto crane
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1189/825216827_a28e9d3c0e_b.jpg

I updated the front page with the most recent photo update.

The crane for Concerto (or at least one of them) is being installed.


From blogdowntown:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/908105360_a5c9dd65af.jpg

^^ The tarp for Hanover has turned black?

Wasn't this project originally for two 27 story towers? Now there saying two 30 story. I like it. So both towers will be u/c at the same time. JRinSoCal where did you get that from? I just love the design of these tower I wish they were even taller.

Crane erected on site
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1255/933235727_2be7e97913_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1143/934087626_3d712cbf49_b.jpg

^^ I saw the crane yesterday morning and was relieve that this project is finally moving forward. hallelujah*

Finally!
:dance:

August 4, 2007

Concerto
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/1022692606_1b72331d49_b.jpg

Those are interesting! Keep going :banana:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/1238236786_15c96a9179_b.jpg
FridayinLA

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/7631/concerto200708251ul0.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7295/concerto200708252ow2.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9173/concerto200708253md3.jpg
Colemonkee

Love the business of construction!:)

finnally something is happening about time

That whole corner and whole area is going to be so awesome in the near future. Hanover, Concerto, LA Live, Market Lofts, 717 Ninth, and whatever CIM plans directly south and north of Concerto and 717 Ninth respectively.

September 22, 2007

Concerto development:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee6/laofanaheim/LosAngeles001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee6/laofanaheim/LosAngeles002.jpg

October 5, 2007

Concerto:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/2daIdaaMexicalienagosto015.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/2daIdaaMexicalienagosto013.jpg

I keep pinching myself, because it seems like a dream that this is finally getting built!

I keep pinching myself, because it seems like a dream that this is finally getting built!


^^ Drunk! :lol:

Quick question fellows: Are both towers going to be constructed at the same time or one tower at a time? My understanding is that their currently working on the small tower, 8 stories, correct? I seem not to be able to put the pieces together on this one. :nuts:

^ One tower (lining Fig) is under construction. From my understanding, they are working on tower 1 and the underground parking garage. When the parking garage is complete, then they'll start on tower 2 and the 8 story building. So even though both towers will be staggered a bit, they'll both be under construction at the same time.

October 21, 2007

Concerto, looks like the 1st level of the underground garage is complete on the Figueroa tower:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee6/laofanaheim/10-20-07/LosAngeles014.jpg

What I like most about this project is that the ceilings will be higher than other residential projects. Nice update.

November 3, 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/1849812680_8d659ee071_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/1849796558_9667055117_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

November 18, 2007

Concerto construction:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee6/laofanaheim/11-17-07/LosAngeles001.jpg

Concerto crane, with mid-Wilshire in the background:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee6/laofanaheim/11-17-07/LosAngeles009.jpg

Concerto crane again:
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee6/laofanaheim/11-17-07/LosAngeles016.jpg

November 24, 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/2061127364_5eaad93517_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2060392815_1105ab4d1c_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/downtown024.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/downtown023.jpg

More great pics!:)

Ground level already, great.....!!!

A few days ago i was over on the Charlotte thread, and looking at the Wacovia south tryon project, a 48 story office tower, being constructed in reinforced concrete, and i noted that there is almost 3/4 less rebar per column, now i know that there is not a issue with earthquakes out there, but still it looked scary to me..!

just thought i'd share that...........

They better get a move on if the first tower's to be completed in May 2009.

January 12, 2008

Concerto

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2188113683_9c6292c52d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2188117545_17d15a79a7_b.jpg

January 15, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2195557777_c6320786ed_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

February 2, 2008

CONCERTO

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/2238162674_9440cc211c_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2237371745_a4160867c6_b.jpg

Here's a new rendering of Concerto from that recent article in the LA Times...

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h125/MBenzLover/Concerto-1.jpg

Wow. It's pretty damn amazing that a surface lot can turn into such healthy density over a few years. When is the FIDM building supposed to start construction?

Wow. It's pretty damn amazing that a surface lot can turn into such healthy density over a few years. When is the FIDM building supposed to start construction?

Yes, it's filling out well, last i heard the FIDM tower was on hold, the slight angel on the long face of that tower really adds dimension to the block, i hope they keep that aspect when it finally goes up.

Taken on 2/4/08

Just thought everyone would find this shot interesting.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh30/TICONLA2/pix20080203/dtla032.jpg

February 10, 2008

Concerto
Not the best time of day to shoot this guy (in shadow), but you can see the third floor frame starting to go up.

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/1599/concerto20080210vx6.jpg

February 16, 2008

Concerto

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/1268/concerto20080216js1.jpg

after this 3rd level of parking finishes then we should see this building rise like 717 ninth.

February 23, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2289378741_e326d53cb0_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2109/2290274358_ea4459f32d_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

Is this still a two tower development?

Two 27 story towers and a 8 story building.

Bright Lights, Bigger and Better City

Astani LED Billboards Would Put a Positive Shine on Downtown

by Sam Hall Kaplan

The proposal for 14-story animated electronic signs on twin 30-story towers rising in Downtown has become an interesting measure of sorts for L.A.'s avowed embrace of a 21st-century Central City.

Some people look forward to the inventive signage, as I do, while others have trashed the prospect as intrusive and potentially offensive high-tech billboards.

The eye-catching display of light-emitting diodes, commonly referred to as LEDS, offers "a glimpse of the future, now," developer Sonny Astani told me. Astani is proposing the signage for two of his condominiums planned at Ninth and Figueroa streets, a multi-phase project known as The Concerto.

One of L.A.'s more enlightened developers, Astani is definitely from the "big city, bright lights" school of urban design, where lively street scenes are considered elemental to the hope for a more livable city. Good lighting helps too.

The LED-draped buildings certainly will lend the skyline, as viewed from the west and the 110 Freeway and beyond, a verve that I believe would be more expressive of an evolving Downtown Los Angeles than some of the indistinct structures molded in Portland now marking South Park. L.A. Live could use a sprightly neighbor.

Don't get me wrong. We definitely need those nondescript residential designs for their street-level sensibilities, and also for their modest massing providing the potential backgrounds for more adventurous endeavors, such as proposed by Astani Enterprises.

To work aesthetically, a skyline needs both the bland and the bedazzling. Therefore, you can look at, say, Frank Gehry's Disney Hall or Thom Mayne's Caltrans headquarters as striking iconic pieces of public art, separate from critical questions of whether they are user-friendly and work urbanistically.

The glittering electronic screens will also give icon status to Astani's two glass-encased towers, which are being designed by Doug Hanson of the architectural firm DeStefano Partners. The graphic artist for the signage is the venerable husband-and-wife firm of Sussman Prejza.

Already under construction are the first tower and a mixed-use seven-story loft building, which will contain a total of 348 spacious luxury units and 24,000 square feet of retail space, set off by two vest pocket parks and sliced by a pedestrian paseo connecting Figueroa and Flower streets. The complex is scheduled to be completed late next year, with the second tower of 281 condos arriving in fall 2010.

The rendering for the project reveals two fetching female forms that, when the sun goes down and the lights go on, can be expected to dance or cavort across the screens. More prosaic community announcements will also be sporadically seen.

Such LED signage is not a new concept, though it is constantly being refined and upgraded by succeeding generations of computer-savvy multimedia designers.

As one would expect, it is omnipresent in Las Vegas, where one of the flamboyant prototypes forms a canopy over a portion of a dated downtown street. There, exploding nightly, is a gaudy LED pageant of spiraling fireworks, screeching jets and fluttering American flags.

No such eye-popping, ear-splitting extravaganza is proposed here, Astani assures. All would be in good taste at Concerto, which he describes as a blending of art and design. As a testament, in addition to the female figures on the rendering, there is a plug for the L.A. Philharmonic.

The idea does not please everyone, of course. It is one thing to watch these kinds of images in the privacy of one's home on larger-than-life screens, and another in the public realm, where you don't have the option to turn off the appliance. Regulating signage, which in select locations can generate sizable advertising income for landowners, has long been the debated purview of local government.

Beyond taste there also are questions of how bright and obtrusive the lights should be and, if rigged for sound, how loud and potentially offensive.

Nevertheless, with hardly a murmur of protest, the City Council last fall approved several new flashing electronic signs for the L.A. Central hotel and condominium complex edging Nokia Plaza across from Staples Center.

What seems to have stirred the armchair commentators and critics most about the proposal for the Concerto were some remarks by Astani, who when seeking the project's approval was extensively quoted as being inspired by select scenes from the classic sci-fi film Blade Runner.

While he was referring to the technology itself, the critics instead harped on how, in the film, the technology painted a hellish view of a depressing Los Angeles bombarded by incessant airborne advertising. They argue that approving the proposal would just open the door to more overblown billboards and in-your-face promotions.

I, too, worry about the future of Los Angeles. But I also love the bright lights and engaging scenes of a spirited city, even if at times obnoxious.

My prejudice is deep-seated, having actually contributed to these electronic distractions as a neophyte news editor for The New York Times. Among my responsibilities nearly 50 years ago was writing the bursts of headlines that scrolled 24/7 across the face of the historic Times Square Tower in midtown Manhattan.

If I could have used images as well as words back then, I would have happily done so, in a New York minute. Now hopefully I will get to enjoy them in my adopted L.A.

Sam Hall Kaplan is the former design critic for the L.A. Times and an Emmy-award winning former reporter for Fox News.

February 26, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2295062140_b4c73def15_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

February 26, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2299654910_fd147fc446_b.jpg
From Flickr, by Surfacetowater

In a word, prrrrrrettty! And there's Muruelo's project there in the back! What an area :)

March 2, 2008

March 2, 2008

Forming the fourth floor already.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6753/concerto200803021ep1.jpg

Switch from rectangular to circular exterior columns at the 3rd floor.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9800/concerto200803022hp2.jpg

March 8, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2320782798_e1853056b5_b.jpg
Concerto

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2320782800_12702bf22e_b.jpg
Peeking over the fence @ Concerto

March 8, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2320068343_af28c03e2b_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

March 11, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2328908375_99eefd0400_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

^^ Are we seeing the second tower there?

no thats the last level of underground parking and then on top of that will be the 6 or 7 story loft building on the Flower street side, Building 3 will be where those construction trailers currently are across from 717 9th street.

I really like that way that area is going to look.

construction phase is So Ugly

^^ For sure, if you're a girl...:lol:
I think it's awesome, because you can see how building growing, how strong is, and you can see a whole skeleton and contruction of that building...:cheers:

March 14, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2334013398_3c11588225_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

^^ For sure, if you're a girl


Well said, my man :)

March 17, 2008

Concerto and Meurelo Tower

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4376/img1595sbx1.jpg
By k3d

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9795/img1596sqr5.jpg
By k3d

March 24, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/2359814682_3af1129524_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/124.jpg

^ Thanks for that photo update. Concerto isn't moving quite as fast as I'd like it to. Currently, it's operating at a pace of one floor every two weeks.

April 6, 2008

April 6, 2008

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3899/concerto200804062bi2.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5296/concerto200804064su7.jpg

Tower 2 will hopefully, eventually go in that pit on the right. As you can see, it's not actively under construction at the moment.

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/4238/concerto200804063el5.jpg

March 17, 2008

:banana:
Wow, Amazing!
The area is becoming to look much more dense. That area of downtown was hurrendous a few months ago and now its uncovering its true beauty.

They're chipping away at the blandness...

April 11, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2406218593_85de1f5783_b.jpg
From Flickr, by LA311

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2407051394_600f2b7022_b.jpg
From Flickr, by LA311

^^looks like they installed the stablizer to make a crane jump. cool

April 16, 2008

Concerto
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8994/img1758shc3.jpg

I wonder what they will do with that black glass building behind TCW. That thing has got to either get an upgrade or the ax sometime soon.

April 19, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2429118401_025e48a748_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

I was thought that this one will growing slower, I'm surprised...In a good way...:)

April 24, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2438926343_e1d646e051_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/2438929389_7e5cf61d86_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/2438931501_3ece1da905_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

9 stories now? Looking good. :cheers:

i believe they are picking up some steam with Concerto.

Looking at all these projects, i cant believe how much those few blocks have changed for the better in just the last 3 or 4 years. Evo, Luma, elleven, Market, Concerto, 717, Hanover, Ritz. Awesome. every time i go by there, i remember how i have parked at all those lots for Lakers and Kings games and how they are all gone now and it puts a smile on my face.

I'll be satisfied with Concerto (my favorite condo design) when they start on that second tower!

April 28, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2451298575_68d2e85843_b.jpg
From Flickr, by Wildbell

^^ great update. Gonna be a great view from there when Concerto and Meruelos' condos are done....and hotel figueroa looks great as usual.

May 4, 2008

May 4, 2008

10 floors up, 17 to go.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5752/concerto200805042xd6.jpg

Looking down 9th.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3956/concerto200805041ls4.jpg

The mid-rise on Flower is starting to take shape.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6100/concerto200805043aj1.jpg

This view will be drastically different in about 12 months.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3950/skyline20080504rm8.jpg

May 12, 2008
http://i31.tinypic.com/2mdjbxh.jpg
http://i25.tinypic.com/2ih1qpz.jpg

^ Nice, steady pace. About one floor per week.

Yo yo! Beatslim wi tha pics! Chicka chicka yowwww- propahhttp://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/superbad_movie_mclovin_with_hotie.jpgColumbia

:lol:
you weren't a normal child, were ya Milky?

So concerto is the building thats gonna have LED on the facade...now im hyped!

Fig Central will too, if they crawled out from under the rock they've dug under :)

if only Hanover and the rest of the l.a. live buildings would also have it. oh, the holiday inn too..i'm gonna do a rendering and see what they would look like...

Please do :)

May 14, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/2495432584_9d292bcdfd_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2495434814_fc95652dfa_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

May 18, 2008

Concerto
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4472/img1805ssh5.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8156/img1807sfq7.jpg

^^ Look at that prime real estate the Holiday Inn is squating on,.. and what the hell is on the building in the foreground?

concerto’s architectural distinction at street levelhttp://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/concerto_rendering.jpg

by Stephen Friday on May 18, 2008
Ever since developer Sonny Astani wowed the Downtown community with plans to adorn his twin tower mega-development with Blade Runner-caliber 14-story moving LED graphic panels, it has become the most memorable characteristic of the Concerto project.

Commonly seen renderings released by DeStefano + Partners show us two classy, but vaguely familiar, 30-story glass towers rising at 9th and Figueroa. Angular upper levels customize otherwise boxy designs, making for a nice addition to the Downtown skyline… but where’s the cachet?
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/concerto_rendering2.jpg

Look a little lower. The other part of phase one, a 6-story loft structure to front Flower Street on the southeast corner of the site, will boast some of Concerto’s most creative facade forms. Taking elements from the architect’s unbuilt Glass Tower (proposed for 11th and Grand), the smaller building will meet pedestrians with a simple, square glass wall embellished by a “melting” solid mass, skewed window arrangements and contrasting materials — a luring gateway to the development’s 2,500 square-foot interior park component.

If Astani’s vision for neo-noir cinematics doesn’t pan out, it’s good to see that Concerto will have some other design substance to fall back on.
angelenic

^^ Look at that prime real estate the Holiday Inn is squating on,.. and what the hell is on the building in the foreground?

Air conditioning units.

May 26, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2525709345_708e5dcd79_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2526530178_9e4bb088f5_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

May 30, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2538383464_36d89a7d3b_b.jpg
From Flickr, by LA311

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/2538383990_c33fbe1766_b.jpg
From Flickr, by LA311

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2537563191_1be1077d64_b.jpg
From Flickr, by LA311

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2537566127_c01962557f_b.jpg
From Flickr, by LA311

May 26, 2008

Concerto

I know someone already posted this view, but I couldn't resist. Concerto and 717 Ninth will make a significant impact from this vantage point. Now if they could only do something about the foreground...

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9990/concerto200805261cq7.jpg

caught it right in the middle of a crane jump :)

June 5, 2008

Concerto
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5677/img1936sst8.jpg

I freakin love this picture!!! how the blue neon lighting on 717 Olympic totally adds contrast against the overcast skies. Fingers crossed that buildings like 8th/hope, Park Tower, FIDM, Methodist Church Tower, Concerto II, 8th/Fig, and 755 Fig get built someday because this view will be priceless.

I forgot that Concerto will have LED screens. How awesome will that be to view them from the 110?

I forgot that Concerto will have LED screens. How awesome will that be to view them from the 110?

Is that certain?

Can the city vote to not allow them, or is it part of the LA live zoning?!

If concerto does do the bladerunner mega huge LED screens thing, I hope Astani displays something Artistic like Slow Dancing, which was exhibited at the music center last year.

http://www.slowdancingfilms.com/about.html
That would be amazing!

^ Refer to this post:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=18672630&postcount=78

its not really a "screen" because when it covers peoples windows on the building they will still be able to see through it. they wont see the animations from the inside though.

People WILL be able to see that from the Harbor and the east bound Santa Monica as well- if they try! The thing is, and these l.e.d. displays aren't supposed to run at peak output, is that if there is an obvious jump in the percentage of rear-endings or fender-benders or worse- then these displays may be thought about twice before installing them elsewhere. Especially where stupid humans just can't keep their eyes on the car ahead of them! We got lots of this on The Strip and it's hard to ignore them if you're driving but The Strip ain't the 110, and I've seen 16-wheelers hopping like bunny rabbits in my rearview mirror trying to avoid rear-ending me! My guess is that the displays on Concerto and Central will be toned down in brightness so that they can be more easily seen from the immediate vicinity and not the freeways :)

June 11, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2572524768_fc649b1f2b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2571712853_c9dbab354e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2572540232_995b0fd347_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2572565290_87f5c7457d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3117/2572569966_6e822974b6_b.jpg

Where's my second tower?

June 14th, 2008
http://i30.tinypic.com/34q0euf.jpg

Where's my second tower?


^ Oh keep your panties on just a bit longer..... It will soon come!!!

Fern Ferns! Boy, they come in off that hot sand and are so 'wowwed' by the city they loose all sense of restraint!

Fern Ferns! Boy, they come in off that hot sand and are so 'wowwed' by the city they loose all sense of restraint!


^ Interesting*

No, Fascinating!http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/zachary-quinto-spock-2.jpgheroestheseries

June 22, 2008

June 22, 2008

On a very hot and schweaty Sunday. 16 floors so far, so over halfway. With 717 Ninth in the background.

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5237/concerto200806222ic9.jpg

And with it's other neighbor from 9th Street.

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5008/concerto200806221lp0.jpg

June 26, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2615406626_eb23fa8143_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

11 more floors...

Heres an example of how the LED will work on Concerto when completed.
http://i26.tinypic.com/124zyhy.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/qyy0ko.jpg
http://i31.tinypic.com/2woaigz.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/14uf19w.jpg
Now imagine this, but 10 stories high.

Hardly any obstruction out the window! I could live with that! Now that can really get bright!

That'll be pretty cool. Think of all the traffic accidents and rubbernecking.
It's illegal to have any of that in Oregon because of those reasons :D

July 1, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2629745584_ff2cbf4ba9_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2628927655_62aa737e84_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2629751070_30b54f8a62_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2628889497_31c66aa9eb_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2628926271_532c67d21b_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

Those round columns are interesting! Are they more structurally sound this way or is it just aesthetics at play?

When all these buildings are completed I'm actually gonna miss all the cranes and construction activity downtown. Hopefully there'll be more cranes building new towers. I doubt we'll see too many though.

well, l.a. does need over 100,000 more residential units.

does anyone know if the second tower will rise? I know it was slated to be built after the first, but with the market the way it is, is there the possibility that it won't even get built?

LA needs more of those LED signs!

July 6, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2643738207_d88428314d.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2644566014_f9d1da743c.jpg?v=0

Spraying the concrete floors white! Still with the round columns. Jolly good show, Aqua :)

Haha milq you are now my favorite forumer, sorry Fernfernz

i wonder what's taking so long with the glass.

July 6, 2008

July 6, 2008

Note the steel columns up for the mid-rise.

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/267/concerto200807061gs2.jpg

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/3606/concerto200807062ix0.jpg

July 13, 2008

Concerto

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5853/concerto200807131hg6.jpg

July 13, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2666517507_05379e37b2_b.jpg
From Flickr, by DowntownCharlieBrown

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2667387264_c9e8e79244_o.jpg
From Flickr, by DowntownCharlieBrown

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2666526603_abbda9babd_b.jpg
From Flickr, by DowntownCharlieBrown

July 14, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2669641802_80c106894b_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

July 15, 2008

Concerto
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/3387/img0802je3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Concerto up to the 18th? Floor, about 9 to 10 more to go.
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5174/img0825vi3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nice...:banana:

If you look closely on the last pic, you can see the clamps (if that's what they're called) for the glass facade. Won't be long now until we see some skin.

July 19, 2008

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/2687458000_4d6c050301_b.jpg
From Flickr, by danparker276

You can clearly see the broken part of the tower starting.

July 23, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2696537771_c6a866394b_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2697355452_e36d2404ae_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2697357318_b4c4872b6d_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2697362170_43e0e01f61_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/2697364050_efaf07760b_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2696536401_550bed9134_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2697350364_7b80076f40_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

oh...why are the panels "cut" up like that? 45 degree angle?

July 23, 2008


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2697355452_e36d2404ae_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla
[/SIZE]

whoa!! that is some amazingly reflective glass! my 1st thought is that people will complaining about its' reflectivity. hopefully not. looks like that dark (almost black) panels really make the glass stand out. I am really loving this project now.

ooo que reflective

Black? Hmmm... But, DeStefano + Partners is known for producing high quality buildings. I'll reserve judgment.

I like black infinitely better than blue-green.

Wait, when is the second tower supposed to start again? Besides that, I'm really starting to loke the building!

the black might give this building a retro 80s look - could be bad

just have to wait and see

it looks like the black is actually supposed to be filled in with something else, like another panel over it or something

oh...why are the panels "cut" up like that? 45 degree angle?

That's the part of the tower where it 'breaks.' This portion of the tower is going to be bigger than the bottom portion.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2696813805_a72696651b_o.jpg

The ground floor looks to be interesting as well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/2696836333_b4892209e7_o.jpg

This project is so exciting! I really hope the second tower pans out.

^ Why wouldn't the second tower pan out?

^ Why wouldn't the second tower pan out?

I guess I'm just becoming pessimistic. I've just seen a lot of projects getting suspended lately.

^ The second tower won't even begin excavation until the first tower is finished in May 2009. Economists predict the economy will rebound by mid-2009 or so.

August 3, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2733189651_e18936aacb_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2734010308_02bfb0f705_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2733991234_bf73e294a7_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

I don't usually make posts in threads like this unless I have some actual news or to start a discussion, but wow, that glass looks nice. I can't wait to see this thing finished.

I really love Concerto's glass, and I really hate 717 9th's... So I'll call it even. haha.

I really never seen that type of glass before.
Looks energy-consuming :D

I really love those triangular patterns. The tower would look really boring without them.

The glass might look fantastic, i just hope it doesn't come off looking tacky.

Crazy...It will be crazy...

Nice glass! I'm glad it's not the same color as 717, adds some variety. These two towers when completed, with that glass, and those cool animated billboards... gonna be a nice sight.

It looks like a transformer...except it feeds on financing and the tears of skyscrapercity.com forumers.

August 10, 2008

Concerto

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8627/concerto200808102ge5.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1787/concerto200808105yn9.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8940/concerto200808101ig8.jpg

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/8211/concerto200808104ax0.jpg

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1249/concerto200808103zj7.jpg

the glass is just plain and clear right?

I wasnt expecting this building to be mostly black.

It's really, really turning out very nicely... I'm excited. Hopefully the "broken" portion near the top sees a materials change, to break up the visual plane even more.

why are they painting the concrete?

^^ Which are you talking about?

He is referring to the white-ish color on lower part of the building. I'm no expert but I wouldn't call it paint, probably fire proof coating? anyone?

August 13, 2008

Am I the only one who's not feeling the finish being applied to Concerto on the lower floors (so far)? I don't care for the silver reflective glass and even less for the dark gray or black perforated "cracked-ice" panels bordering each floor:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2760472823_d3f6bdaed4_o.jpg

Maybe it's too early to say for sure, but it looks kinda hideous as far as I'm concerned. Apologies on the image quality as it was snapped with my cell phone earlier today.

Quite contrary to ladowntowner on the other forum; I sort of feel like one of the very few people who actually like it.


at least it's not blue-green (gag).

It reminds me of a medical facility here. I'll wait until the project's finished :)

i'm hoping for a little more difference in window tone with the rest of the designed building. otherwise we're looking at the rebirth of the old exterior of the transamerica building

I'm having trouble understanding what the problem with black/charcoal/generally darker exteriors is. Other than conducting heat, of course. haha.

I was dt yesterday and saw it first hand. Looking good. The border has some abstract texture print on it to provide contrast.

Ill reserve judgment for now, the black facade REALLY surprised me. Just look at the renders can anyone say they expected this building to be black?

I thought that there were some older renders that had the black panels.

August 20, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2781210367_3b21b54642_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2781208583_a921779101_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

August 22, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2787154391_d4ddf3b71a_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2788010236_fb9bbb8d89_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2787171561_948e3f902d_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/2787169047_68ba7f63bd_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2787166545_d802112d33_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

August 22, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2788314057_0bb4574280.jpg?v=0

Great grab from the Harbor! I can see you took your eye off of traffic. I'm going to get that little doggie yet!

how much taller does concerto have to go?

^ Four more floors to go. :cheers:

seems so short compared to hanover in the renderings

August 26, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2800290319_0864644250_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

The facade just reminded me of the Seagram Building by Mies van der Rohe

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2317739504_ed88dddf77.jpg
flickr andrewhdriver

^ That's the first thing that came to mind when I first saw the glass!

^ Me too! and thats a good thing because that building is still a lychpin in the Architectural landscape of all time. So having a similar facade like that used here adds a sense of sophistication and distinction and departure from the blue glass, brown hues of stone looming in the vicinity.

August 30, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2812657624_406a61d11e_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2811807877_a54576e771_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2812655866_f6f19d6fb0_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2812654766_3094edcbce_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2812654200_25166cee61_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

^^ The cleanest construction I've ever seen :)

^^ I agree...

August 31, 2008

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/3718/concerto200808317ky7.jpg

The new "gateway" to downtown as you enter on 9th Street.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5759/concerto200808316yn0.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2951/concerto200808315fp8.jpg

Low-rise on Flower

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8381/concerto200808311vd7.jpg

This is the best execution of the ad space on the Figueroa Hotel that I've ever seen. I laugh every time I see it. Concerto on the right, with 717 Ninth behind.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3041/concerto200808313cu7.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7969/concerto200808312tk7.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3816/concerto200808314qd6.jpg

September 4, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2829222928_11371e81f2_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2829223486_2d2d56d9ae_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2829224008_1475a7cff2_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2828386851_5d4b4625d7_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2828387377_007165fc7e_b.jpg
From Flickr, by lofty construction

Love love love that glass. Can't wait until this building is fully clad.

^^ Just wait until they finish the street level facade its gonna be a eye catching unique clash if they go with the renderings of an orange color. What happening with the low rise structure isnt it suppose to have those funky looking windows?

mmm very reflecty

September 9, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2844415306_a355717897_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2844501750_6505dc8349_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

September 25, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2889557228_e4c162ce22_b.jpg
From Flickr, by Benjamin Page

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2888726395_fca19226b3_b.jpg
From Flickr, by Benjamin Page

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2888728883_1cb91863df_b.jpg
From Flickr, by Benjamin Page

http://www.webcor.com/auto_images/large/concertojulydetail1217281058.jpg

http://www.webcor.com/auto_images/large/concertojulyfromoffice1217281130.jpg

http://www.webcor.com/auto_images/large/concertoaugf1219767061.jpg

http://www.webcor.com/auto_images/large/concertoauge1219767033.jpg
All from www.webcor.com

^^ Are those a little bit old? :D
Still nice finds :D

this area is looking awesome with the hanover and concerto.

they're still gonna put in the giant screens, right?

^^ Are those a little bit old? :D
Still nice finds :D

Yeah, they are...Those pictures are actually from august update, but I was post them because we can see how Concerto looks on the floors where the workers works...:D

Saw this building in person a week or two ago and loved the exterior glass and material between. This building is definately going to be a looker... especially if it gets those ads.

Update for September...10/1/2008

From www.webcor.com (http://www.webcor.com)

SEPTEMBER 2008

"Currently, construction is on the 29th floor. The construction crane has had its final jump late last month. The exterior curtain wall is on level 9 and is scheduled to take about a floor a week for installation. Interior walls are currently framing on Level 26. MEP sub-consultants are installing on level 22."

How can they be on level 29 if the whole thing is only supposed to be 27 floors? Am I reading this wrong?

its 30 stories tall.

Wait... so there's 2 of them right?

October 1, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2905007867_7b451e9def_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/2907522401_3c58283443_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3203/2907520485_4df583d7d9_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2905858760_63e874776e_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

I wonder how the LED thing is suppose to work

Wait... so there's 2 of them right?

S'posed to be.

I want to do lines off this building.

I want to do lines off this building.

Hahahahahahahaha:lol:

October 28, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2981211731_683eb595e1_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

Starting to look good. Any other pictures of the other tower?

Is this really going to have those super billboard things?
Like from Blade Runner? or did that get tossed out?

^^ I have a feeling that it isn't lol

It's gonna be crazy...:nuts:

Is this really going to have those super billboard things?
Like from Blade Runner? or did that get tossed out?

Haven't heard anything saying that it wouldn't happen so all signs still point to yes. My hope is that it'll look similar to the giant LED screen in the lobby of the new Comcast Center in Philadelphia.


http://<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BO6ty5RfnrA&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BO6ty5RfnrA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Now imagine both towers with coordinating displays.

October 29, 2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2984092071_7b5f63b22d_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/2984093563_b40419590f_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2984093947_bed8d27dc9_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2984950674_0742f1bab1_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2984101795_ecf5f256d3_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2984101103_96699dfe22_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2984957432_bce46fe236_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2984102113_aa5c879215_b.jpg
From Flickr, by ericrichardson

Wish it was 300 feet taller so we could see it from all around LA :D