The Metropolis Environmental Impact Report is out. There will be 4 towers, with the tallest two at 620 feet. The first two "shorter" towers will be built fist. I have extracted and posted the images from the entire EIR below.

You can read the entire thing here:
http://www.crala.org:80/internet-site/Projects/CBD/metropolis_final_eir.cfm


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_012_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_016_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_018_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_019_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_020_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_021_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_023_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_026_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_027_I.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_028_I.jpg

Nice! About time we got new renderings and info for this project. It looks rather dense, contrary to my previous opinion. Though I wish there would be a continuous stretch of retail along all the sides of the buildings to promote a more pedestrian friendly environment.

Excellent..... Finally one of my Fav's project Downtown will come alive.... Woohoo!!!!!!! :banana:

Shouldn't this thread be sticky and moved to the Development area?

LASF will probably move it. Though I don't think this thread should be a sticky.

Why not?

Though this project is a center/plaza, I'm glad that it's not an office park. It will generate some much needed public space for Downtown LA.

Why not?

Because we have enough sticky threads and they are all for regional development news.

This thing has been on the books since the early 90s!

Right, no sticky would be needed....

This thing has been on the books since the early 90s!


^^ Wait.... are you saying this is not accurate info?

So..

30 foot sidewalk with extensive landscaping, sidewalk cafes and vendors, First floor retail, advertising, public parks and greenspace, and an extension of the LA Live entertainment district!


Tower 1 - 350 Feet
Tower 2 - 500 Feet
Tower 3 - 620 Feet
Tower 4 - 620 Feet

Completion in 2020

Couldnt find a start date in the EIR.

Once again, Great job Vicecityguy, thanks a lot!

No Ferney, this has been a project that has been proposed for a long time, and because of the downuurn in the economy in the early 90's it died, but its now back and these are the new renders and will move forward as such.

What a relief......

So 2020 is the completion date for 4 towers. Seems like a long time for something under 100 floors, don't you think?

This is the original 1991 rendering:

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2005/07/384345.jpg

Hey guys. Long time reader first time poster. I feel like I know all of you. In any case....what's up with these buildings? They look very colorful. A bit to much red it seems and so out of place. Is that going to be the final color?:baaa:

It's about freakin' time this project moves forward! It's been too damn long!!

Thanks for coming through with new renderings once again vicecityguy!!!

I really like how the new 'Metropolis' will incoporate electronic advertising boards, retail and restaurants. I can see it really helping bolster the blocks around LA Live and make it feel morelike an entertainment district than an outdoor mall. I've always felt that whole 10 block radius around LA Live has the the potential some day become the LA Live Entertainment District..something akin to San Diego's Gaslamp District but on a bigger level and much more visually spectacular.

:banana: :banana:

Hey guys. Long time reader first time poster. I feel like I know all of you. In any case....what's up with these buildings? They look very colorful. A bit to much red it seems and so out of place. Is that going to be the final color?:baaa:

^^
Well its about time you joined us BuildingFrenzy!!! Go introduce yourself in the newbie section and tell us a little about yourself :lol: I'm sure there are many more lurkers out there..LOL

Regarding that old rendering of Metropolis you mean? Well, its colorful because it is a post-modern design which was popular during the late 80's and early 90's. The new Metropolis will not incoporate those colors, I'm pretty sure.

Nice! About time we got new renderings and info for this project. It looks rather dense, contrary to my previous opinion. Though I wish there would be a continuous stretch of retail along all the sides of the buildings to promote a more pedestrian friendly environment.

Well..considering that the west side of Metropolis is the 110, I don't think that retail all around would work. Unless they turn the slow lane into a In N Out drive thru....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/rpulido/Metropolis/Metropolis_SEIR_Complete_Page_012_I.jpg

^ Looking at that picture, it makes me realize how big the LA Live district can be. All of those 2 and 3 story motels and whatever else is there NEED TO BE DESTROYED!! Put a cluster of 15-30 story buildings that incorporate both LA Live and Metropolis: Open plazas, retail, lights and sound.

On another note, I would love to see Hotel Figueroa use LED lights instead of paint.

i think i just peed alittle...


but damn... 12 years for some 60 stories?

^ Not undheard. Cal Plaza 1 was complete in 1984. Cal Plaza 2 was finished in 1992.

no, the first phase wont take 12 years to build, the whole project. they probably will start and finish the first to towers by 2010, then start on phase 3 on 2011 and finish 2015 and start on the office later. 2020 is the worst case scenario, they can start sooner if the market warrants and if the developers want to. they can build the whole thing at the same time if they wanted. if you remember LA Live, the timeline was something along the lines of 2017 2018 but obviously it was moved up and built quicker.

I wouldn't rule out that the entire Metropolis project will be finished in 2012. I'm guessing that the timeline will be this:

The first 2 towers will probably start in the fall and will be complete in the summer or fall of 2009, tower 3 will start in 2008 and finish in 2011, and tower 4 will start in 2009 and finish in 2012.

^ That sounds about right...

Hopefully they don't decide to minimize the project because of construction cost. Oh God No!!!

I'm just glad the the project is moving again... it has been on the works for about 20 years.

From a weird point of view, it's kind of good that the project is built with the timeline extending for so long, that way at least dt LA will have construction activity for a preety long time.

yeah and hopfully after the residential boom comes the office boom

sweet... there are gona be so many cranes its gona be like a forest downtown!

2020??? Whats up with that? Thats farther away than the Grand Ave completion date!! Why so long?

^ That's only an estimate for the four towers.

Finally! I wish one of the towers was slightly taller then the rest, but overall not too bad could of been worst.

I think its height is exellent. Downtown has this sudden change of carwashes, mom and pop stores, etc, to 777 Tower and TCW Center. There needs to be a 'bridge' between these two kinds of enviroments and Metropolis does that just right. It creates something balanced.

http://gruenassociates.com/images_news/images_cp/metropolis1.jpg

I was just about to post that here...

^ Well I guess I beat you to it. :)

Come on Metropolis... Let's break ground already!!!!

Too many proposals, not enough BUILDING!!!!! :)

Ok seriously..bumping up a thread with bullshit like this is not going to make any news on the status of ANY project pop up any faster. Westsidelife bumps old threads with news and updates.

Think about that.

... seriously! for a minute I actually thought groundbreaking was coming this week and we had a final render of the four towers. My heart was raising and my palms were sweaty and then I see it's all BS! What a disappointment "Thanks Staples Guy"... :ohno: Your a big help!!!!

I'm looking online for a website for this project, and it's damn impossible with such a general name. Does anyone have the link or is there even a website for this? I was looking for new information and I found nada.

Metropolis

Located one block north of L.A. Live on a site bounded by the 110 freeway, James M. Wood Boulevard and Eighth and Francisco streets in South Park, the approximately $1 billion project has been in the works for more than a decade. Los Angeles-based IDS bought the Metropolis project in 2005. The CRA has approved the effort and the developer expects to break ground by the first quarter of 2008. The first phase of the project will be on a 1.83-acre site and include 360 condominiums in a 33-story tower. The second phase will create a 42-story tower with 388 condominiums. The third phase would add a 480-room hotel along with 88 residential units, and the final phase would produce a 32-story office tower. No timing has been announced for the final three phases. Metropolis will include 46,000 square feet of retail, to be spaced out between all four phases, and a five-level above-grade parking structure. Gruen Associates and Arquitectonica are working on the design plans. - Los Angeles Downtown News

Forgot all about this.

so will this project get rid of that ugly tire store and car wash across from la live?

No..this is the site of Metropolis.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2084722337_84912b2216.jpg?v=0

blast:ohno:

From SSP (regarding the status of Metropolis):

We are in contact with the project manager of Metropolis at IDS. According to his last email on Dec 20th:

"we do not have any construction time lines that we are ready to publicly disclose until we've set an actual ground breaking date. As you know, too many developers announce dates that are later missed and they loose credibility. We prefer to work quietly and 'go public' with hard information when there is news to report."

I wouldn't be surprised if the year when this grundbreaks contains 5 digits...:ohno:

It does not seem to me that the residential market is that bad, and it's not like it's not going to pick up in a few months, that's what always gets me, developers are more "afraid" to build in Los Angeles, than other citys.

The fear is understandable. The market is bad in the whole country, so they are expecting that it will have to go to LA eventually.

I wouldn't be surprised if the year when this grundbreaks contains 5 digits...:ohno:

I doubt it. The world may not be around by then so they will have to groundbreak ASAP.

Any updates with this project?

^ When we know, you'll know.

Developer IDS Real Estate Group has secured capital funding and expects to break ground on a long-planned, multi-phase, mixed-use project by the end of the year. The mega-development a block north of L.A. Live, on a site bounded by the 110 Freeway, James M. Wood Boulevard and Eighth and Francisco streets, is estimated to cost more than $1 billion. The first phase, estimated to take three years to build, would include 351 condominiums in a 33-story tower on 1.83 acres; the second phase would create 388 condos in a 42-story tower; a third phase would add a 480-room hotel and 88 residential units; and the final phase would create a 42-story office tower. Additionally, 46,000 square feet of retail would be spaced out between the phases, and each phase would include a five-level parking structure. The entire development is projected to be complete by 2020. Gruen Associates is the executive architect on the project and Arquitectonica is the design architect.

That'll fill up a prominant gap.

By prominant you mean gigantic.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/2500284485_860f2aeca9_b.jpg
hridaybala

...and each phase would include a five-level parking structure.

:ohno: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

I need somewhere to park my hummer westy :)

Im pretty sure the parking structures are going to be similar to 'Hanover's'. Which in my opinion gives the building more height...which in the end adds to the skyline.

Erm..you can have a tall building without a parking structure. What is wrong with building underground parking lots? LA Live did it. Concerto did it. Market Lofts did it. Why can't other projects?

I recall reading that the parking garages will be covered with wrap-around lofts so, residences will cover the appearance of the garage from the outside so it wont be visible, sounds good to me.

I need somewhere to park my hummer westy :)

Erm, that's a total of 20 levels of parking. Wayyy too much.

I recall reading that the parking garages will be covered with wrap-around lofts so, residences will cover the appearance of the garage from the outside so it wont be visible, sounds good to me.

Yikes! What a concept...so, when someone in the garage accidently steps on the gas instead of the brake, they'll shoot past you while you're brushing your teeth before they launch off your balcony! Awesome! There's a movie sequence in there!

Erm..you can have a tall building without a parking structure. What is wrong with building underground parking lots? LA Live did it. Concerto did it. Market Lofts did it. Why can't other projects?

True. Although Im pretty sure building underground structures are a lot more expensive which will require more funding and not all buildings are lucky enough. In the end, Im not behind this projet and can only accept the final renders which in this case I hope the structure gets covered with nice glass or hiuge billboards :)

Again with the billboard fetish. Do you want the area around LA Live to look like Dundas Square in Toronto? I want to see something a bit edgy but not crazy.

http://screenmedia.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/tolife.jpg

dundas square reminds me too much of hollywood and highland. i dont think la live or the south park area for that matter will be anything like dundas or h&h. ginza is realistically what were trying to aim for. were getting there...
http://i25.tinypic.com/35mfhic.jpg

^^ Thats what Im thinking

dundas square is completely different from times square.
http://i30.tinypic.com/16gd1j5.jpg

^^ That always looks so much bigger on television :)

I'm all for the crazy look! Crazier = Better = More Exciting!! I want to see a billboard orgy with chaotic explosions of light all over the people around L.A. Live.

A lot of you are going to kill me for saying this, but if we end up with anything that looks like Dundas Square I might as well break out the dynamite right now. :-/

^ I'll help you set the charges.

Too many billboards can make anythinng look extremely tacky.

what would establish LA Live is if it took certain components from dunbas and times square and mixed them with an LA component, then it could really distinguish this place. the la component I dont know what that could be.

ill be behind the blast shields when soup lights up the joint :)

Can we have more LED's and less billboards?

Metropolis is a complex facing the 110 through downtown. I had a vision. The 110 through downtown would have towers on both sides. It would be a sight to behold around the world because you would have this freeway, busy as it is, with buildings rising along it's boundaries. The traffic would crawl or stop altogether, not because it is especially busy or it's rush, but because the towers have the L.E.D. displays running up and down the exteriors! Remember that L. A. was going to erect a more illogically conceived version directly over the Harbor Freeway in the 80's, so I think this would be a more organic display over time. :)

I would be pretty pissed if someone was driving 45 on the freeway just to look at the signs.

Well since the 110 is always in gridlock people can have nice things to look at while sitting in their SUVs

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2860461781_19d9d9c640_o.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2861289512_8293b15cc2_o.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2860461819_375d053138_o.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2860461747_baa098cefd_o.jpg
From Flickr, by lacurbed

I don't get it. Explain yourself, this isn't jeopardy...or is it.

What is scaled back weenie version of the Metropolis project for $100 million Alex?

^ That's only the first phase.

Again with the billboard fetish. Do you want the area around LA Live to look like Dundas Square in Toronto? I want to see something a bit edgy but not crazy.

http://screenmedia.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/tolife.jpg

That looks amazing

nice suitable design, yet horrible placement and design configuration of the parking structure and its adaption to the street, then again it's an off-ramp so theres not really much you can do I guess.

noone is gonna walk from the freeway to the parking structure unless there is another immigration strike (please don't get into it). the parking is fine between the freeway and building since you're not supposed to walk there anyway. looks great for phase 1 in my opinion and i'm already excited about the infill of this bland area.

So, when is this damn thing gonna break ground?

I was going to say a whole lot, but I'll just settle for less :)

So, when is this damn thing gonna break ground?

2020, and if they're lucky, 2019

The economy is in such bad shape right now, I doubt we'll see this or any new project break ground anytime soon.

That looks amazing
http://screenmedia.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/tolife.jpg
That's hideous!

^^^Seriously! It's tasteless and tacky.

^^ no way! I think it looks awesome!! I feel like dipping a big mac in a coke now.

That's pretty Asian.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/met4.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/angelenicmet1.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/met2.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/FROMLOSANGELES/met3.jpg

Flickr: angelenic

^^ that building looks....pathetic.

It's only the first phase though, right?

The parking between it and the freeway in unbelievably ugly.
The tower is modest.

yaaaaaawwwwn. It seems absurd to think they would build anything in the current economic climate. I am sure these current buildings are going to go for a fraction of what they had hoped. It's all so sad! I would think if you were going to build, you would try something a bit more distinctive to stand apart from the Evo's and these other mid rise towers.

But you have to admit: It sure is nice to have the elevated parking right up against the freeway! http://easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-mad-smileys-374.gif (http://easyfreesmileys.com/)

yaaaaaawwwwn. It seems absurd to think they would build anything in the current economic climate. I am sure these current buildings are going to go for a fraction of what they had hoped. It's all so sad! I would think if you were going to build, you would try something a bit more distinctive to stand apart from the Evo's and these other mid rise towers.


Like this?

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1772769.ece

Update from downtown news:

METROPOLIS

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

Downtown News has its list out again. This kind of project, with the condominium towers and the office tower- it just won't fly IMO. . Take the CityCenter Project here in Vegas: All of the respective towers, some condo and some hotel, were all worked on at the same time for a completion date that all would share- or come close to sharing. The wisdom was, there was no way anyone would buy into a residential tower that was going to have future construction taking place all around it. Originally with CityCenter, there were to be seperate phases but in a landmark decision they decided to build concurrently, eliminating the worry over selling the residences. (Of course, there was a need to coordinate the various construction cranes and their respective radii, insuring that they wouldn't collide with each other, but this was overcome.) . This is the reason Metropolis won't be built- unless they eliminate the phasing and build all at once.

Wow; a blast from the past.

Sounds kind of vague, but it is a prime location if the convention business starts to move to DT and other pre-recession trends start up.

Seems like a few of these places are making noise lately (Park 5th).

^^ I agree, but if it's true, I hope they consider a better design.

Downtown News has its list out again. This kind of project, with the condominium towers and the office tower- it just won't fly IMO. . Take the CityCenter Project here in Vegas: All of the respective towers, some condo and some hotel, were all worked on at the same time for a completion date that all would share- or come close to sharing. The wisdom was, there was no way anyone would buy into a residential tower that was going to have future construction taking place all around it. Originally with CityCenter, there were to be seperate phases but in a landmark decision they decided to build concurrently, eliminating the worry over selling the residences. (Of course, there was a need to coordinate the various construction cranes and their respective radii, insuring that they wouldn't collide with each other, but this was overcome.) . This is the reason Metropolis won't be built- unless they eliminate the phasing and build all at once.

I heard/read about that concern. I dunno if it would be such a huge concern here in L.A. for potential residents. Las vegas has a different vibe, and there's a crane up somewhere all the time, isn't there?

There are cranes up on the 700 foot plus whatever the fuck it is (I'm a bit tipsy) that are just sitting there waiting for funding. That's it. I'll see if I can give you a picture Monday.

There are cranes up on the 700 foot plus whatever the fuck it is (I'm a bit tipsy) that are just sitting there waiting for funding. That's it. I'll see if I can give you a picture Monday.

Que Bien! thanks Milque.

I don't trust people who don't drink. So cheers :cheers: lol

Here it is as of today: Fountainebleau 68 Stories 730 feet 2.9 Billion So close ... . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/HPIM4243-2.jpg . MILQUETOAST SSC

How long have they been there.

About a year. There are a few projects in Vegas that have just halted construction.

Echelon
http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/Echelon%20080714a.jpg

Octavious (Done outside, empty inside)
http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images_2/DSC05617.jpg

St. Regis
http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/St%20Regis%20rendering%201.jpg

Sure Metropolis has been proposed for over 20 years but I'd rather it remain a parking lot than have it halted midway through construction.

I thought that would NEVER happen, Vegas stop constructing.

Something like Octavius would be an interesting counterpoint for City Hall in DT. Maybe it could replace some less interesting buildings.

Something like Octavius would be an interesting counterpoint for City Hall in DT. Maybe it could replace some less interesting buildings.

Really? I think it looks a little tacky...

Something like Octavius would be an interesting counterpoint for City Hall in DT. Maybe it could replace some less interesting buildings.

Absolutely not.

Something like Octavius would be an interesting counterpoint for City Hall in DT. Maybe it could replace some less interesting buildings.

I just lost the little respect I had for you! :lol:

poor choice of language on my part. What I meant was something more interesting than the county buildings and with a bit of deco or moderne. I did not say, or mean, something exactly like Octavius, which is obviously more LV than anywhere else. But the idea of columns and verticals could work with City Hall.

City Hall needs the 101 capped and Grand Park spilling out in front of it.

How would legislaters get to their offices? They'd shoot by like shit through a goose .... that might not be a bad thing...

Is this another dead project?!

I thought someone had news about this.

But anyway, even though there hasn't been news on Metropolis (which isn't surprising since it's been proposed since the 80's), that large parking lot is only going to get more and more valuable with Farmers Field and LA Live's slow creep to the north. Metropolis or some other large scale project WILL be built to help tie in LA Live with the main downtown cluster.

Is this project dead?

Not dead exactly, more like zombies. Every once in a while they get up and stagger arround moaning and looking for money, then fall back onto the ground.

Not dead exactly, more like zombies. Every once in a while they get up and stagger arround moaning and looking for money, then fall back onto the ground.


Kinda like this thread?

Nice :master:

Various projects have been proposed on the Metropolis site since 1991 and none have come to fruition. The site will remain empty for years to come.

Actually, Metropolis has been proposed for the Metropolis site. Just different versions of it.

Metropolis lives!

http://retailtrafficmag.com/markets/southwest/los_angeles_08012011/

http://retailtrafficmag.com/markets/southwest/Metro_web.jpg

Dubbed Metropolis, the multi-phase project is tentatively designed to consist of up to 300,000 square feet of retail, 836 residential units and 480 hotel rooms.

IDS has received approvals for the project and is targeting 2012 for ground breaking and an opening in 2014. “The hotel has become critical because of AEG’s plan for the convention center, which would have a huge impact on tourism and hospitality demand,” Spillane says. In particular, IDS is looking to integrate larger box formats into its project, adding that Metropolis could accommodate six to eight big boxes ranging from 15,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet.

And before anyone has a heart attack about how this rendering looks like Metropolis got dramatically shortened, the plan calls for around 800 residential units and 480 hotel rooms. Look at it like this. The Ritz has 224 condo units and the JW Marriott (floors 4 through 21) has 879 rooms.

Great news!! :cheers:

not bad, not bad

:okay:

FAIL METROPOLIS SITE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY MID SIZED PLOP . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%203/Fullscreencapture7302011121248AM.jpg . This is a poor man's Hollywood and Highland at best ... . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%203/Fullscreencapture7302011121308AM.jpg . .. sucking up some prime real estate Downtown ... . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%203/Fullscreencapture7302011122032AM.jpg . ... causing me to wonder what could have been. COLLARMELE PARTNERS . Reminds me of the crap they pulled in Century City back in the early eighties .. huh? Huh? FAIL! . http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%203/Fullscreencapture7302011123715AM.jpg

Is this THE Metropolis site?

I'm with Milque on this...not enamored with the fortress-like design and the stubby little towers at all, considering that is prime real estate right there. Very disappointed! Reminds me of the Visconti/Medicii apartment buildings, only without the faux Tuscan, cheesy exterior. :ohno:

Oh well, my only hope is that Figueroa or LA Central revived again with the momentum building behind the AEG proposed Farmer's Field.

ech, looks like stripmall with its hair done up.

I must just be totally out of touch. I am not a big fan of skyscrapers, but this is one of about 5 areas where they should be mandatory. Instead everyone is falling over themselves to put in low-rise convention centers, football stadiums and shopping malls.

Anybody ever hear of the suburbs? That's where this stuff goes. Low-rise, streetkillers, connect to nothing, sparsely used.

This would be marginal in Costa Mesa. Not even in the running in LA.

You people do realize that the design calls for 800 some odd rooms right? And if that's the final design so what? It's important that something like this gets built in THIS area because it'll be a huge link between LA Live, 7th+Fig and the rest of downtown. And look at this (rather old) picture.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn89/Viewpark/olyfig.jpg

Look at all the lots that are prime for development. Do any of you really know about development? Propping skyscrapers and nothing but them is not how you make a thriving downtown. Not at all. You need things that have a flowing effect. Plus this will create a very dense feel to that area when and if skyscrapers are proposed adjacent to Metropolis. You really need to think about how a project will affect the area before saying FAIL or some other bullshit.

first, they can add way more NON-luxury units. downtown already has an overabundance of rich units anyway.

i might not have minded the height at first, but there isn'y THAT much of a population downtown to make the retail worth it. that new retail is going to give the whole neighborhood a hard time in business unless there's enough affordable housing to bring more people downtown.

at least another 10,000 people need to show up for all these businesses to succeed their first year without closing down. don't forget that a city-target is coming to town, so that raises the demand for residents even higher... not to mention the other retail coming along with that project.

get rid of the luxury amenities for housing (pool, plants, gym (unless it's all open to outsiders and they're charged)) and add another 400 residential units, or keep the amenities and add 1000 affordable/market-rate units.

i don't mind so much that it's not tall, but this looks pathetic. 20+ years to come up with this.

I'm with soup on this. There are more plots available for other things.

When you say Downtown right now, it just means a pure CBD with just boring office skyscrapers. We need something like this to put some live into the boring business district.

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan for skyscrapers, but we are not even certain if the Wilshire Grand office tower will be going up. What if there's another bust like during the 90s?

It's not too bad. Perhaps they should tear down the salvation army right next to it and build something there.

It is better than a parking lot. I'll take it.

Well, I saw the site and looked at their speil stating how many people were going to require this project as they move downtown, but I don't just call FAIL willy nilly, Soups! I have seen this for what it is and hath proclaimed it "sucky." Croyboy said it best: This real estate was allowed to mature 20 years FOR THIS? . One thing I've learned about being here on SSC is that I can see pictures of well developed skylines occuring in comparitively tiny cities all over the world and I've never even heard of these places before! Green lighting construction here in Los Angeles has gotten to be a huge problem for a city that used to build and create big things and it's getting out of hand. . Tear down the Holiday Inn and build this crap there- this ... gutless thing that bumps up against the freeway like a child designed it! It doesn't belong there. Actually, I don't want this anywhere near LA LIVE!

From 2010:


http://www.urbika.com/imgs/projects/large/455_metropolis.jpg

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

So, assuming the condos are reduced in size for 100 extra rentals (unlikely given the chances of a condo-conversion when the mortgage market returns) and the office tower is abandoned (likelier) and replaced with apartments or the hotel is chopped in half and reconfigured over that office floorplate, you'd still have substantially higher towers coming off the retail base than in that PLACEHOLDER design.

The thing to remember about all those 'luxury' apartments is that rentals are the only way to get ANY resy financed by the banks. So it's less to do with any kind of pressing demand for rentals at this location than getting the financing to develop the retail base and hotel. It all fits together and it won't happen without rentals.

I'm with soup on this. There are more plots available for other things.

When you say Downtown right now, it just means a pure CBD with just boring office skyscrapers. We need something like this to put some live into the boring business district.

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan for skyscrapers, but we are not even certain if the Wilshire Grand office tower will be going up. What if there's another bust like during the 90s?

I doubt that LA will see another bust like it did in the 80's and early 90's. Remember that from 1988 to 1992, DTLA built the US Bank Tower, 777 Tower, Fig @ Wilshire, Gas Company Tower, Cal Plaza 2, TCW Building, and a few others.

And this video on Youtube has apparently been floating around since December. Makes me more excited about Metropolis because it's going to have a lot of what DTLA needs.

_SvGZ29AqR8

Interestingly, more high-rise is being proposed for Hollywood and CC than for DT (the football stadium, convention center, Broad, Metropolis; even the Wilshire Grand is only 1 high-rise committed to this decade). I am only talking about proposals that seem to have some activity. We can complain about this but it seems there isn't much demand for highrise even in the CBD and entertainment districts.

In all fairness to the developers, they can't be excited about building anything highrise or upscale next to a football stadium. And ditto for the upscale retailers. Since the big boxes Metropolis is talking about don't seem that big, are we talking about TJ Maxx and urban Walmart's to go with Target? Or is there enough support for the nicer stores (Nike, Urban Outfitter, etc.).

So Metropolis is supplying more glue to hold Downtown LA together. We're seeing more and more of a retail foundation being pulled together here to make dwntwn actually work and not just be a novelty neighborhood. Perhaps this would have been better in the interior of downtown but this is where they bought the land.

The current design is an exercise in mediocrity. Maybe it's better than the existing parking lot, but does it contribute to the urban fabric, or just use up prime real estate that might someday have been used for something better? - I dunno

^^ Yea well theres not much you can do when you are abutted against a freeway on almost 2 sides (including 9th St offramp) and a minor street (Francisco St.) I mean yea if someone had raw creativity they could make something but these days seeme kinda lacking in many circles, either way I like the project I just wish there was a way to possibly build the retail out then allow the towers to come over time as the market improves?? the retail is definitely gonna take the area to a whole new level, maybe the bigger boxes should try to aim @ LA Central's retail areas.

I agree with soup and klam. This is exactly what downtown needs, especially in this area. I think the stores will be a combination of everything good. There's a place called Festival Walk in Hong Kong that I used to live near too. It had a grocery store and had all the amenities that a normal mall would have. 7 stories and a great place to be.

For those complaining about height, great urban centers still look great without tall buildings. Look at Shinjuku, akihabara or anywhere in Tokyo. Most of the building dont even reach past 6 stories, but there are a lot of them.

^^ I don't really mind the height, even though as a skyscraper fan I would prefer something taller. It's just that the buildings look so...bleh. I'm sure the place can function just fine as a retail destination. But it would be nice to have a classier neighbor for LA Live.

Or they don't built this one and turn the side into a park...that would be nice too

Edit: double

Over time there has been a sense of "settling" for less and being satisfied with that prospect in Los Angeles. There has been the sense that civic planners, over time, have failed at providing a well considered master plan for downtown. Or the city as a whole for that matter, where one can find the kinds of construction that makes one wince. The expanded footprints, the compromise of stucco. . And we have settled for it. . Well, I was boppin' around downtown and Century City taking pictures when most of you were quite young, if existant at all! I saw in a few short years' time an emergence of a skyline where there was none before. Most will complain of the boxy attitude of those structures but the Fire Department is "solely" in charge of that. Regardless, these developments were exciting to see. . Now, with the possible exception of the Koreans, we have almost nothing to look forward to in major construction, even at a time when construction materials are at their cheapest. I know the economy is severely lacking now, but other areas aren't waiting around ......... why are we? . Now, we have a supreme compromise on a plot of land that cost about 50 million dollars years ago; a plot that sat empty for years ... waiting ... and we're about to get that project that we will regret. The kind of project that we know we will complain about. A companion piece to Staples Center and LA LIVE that will hang around for decades. And, judging by the design of it, it will age poorly. . Isn't it ironic- that a Los Angeles firm hires a Miami design house, Collarmele, when Miami's Brickell Citicentre will be 4+ million square feet? . Do you hear laughter, Villaraigosa? Time to wake up.

To imply just because LA is using a Miami based firm that the firm is being somehow subversive and hiding the best designs only for Miami is ludicrous. I suppose towers would have been better but my attention is on the necessary retail this will bring downtown so that towers have a reason to be built in the future.

It does look seriously downmarket in design. I guess the good news is that it is tucked away out of sight. I had sort of assumed that that parcel was only good for highrise but maybe downmarket retail would work in the absence of demand for highrise.

It'll be interesting to see how rentals go.

I agree with soup and klam. This is exactly what downtown needs, especially in this area. I think the stores will be a combination of everything good. There's a place called Festival Walk in Hong Kong that I used to live near too. It had a grocery store and had all the amenities that a normal mall would have. 7 stories and a great place to be.


For my years living in Los Angeles, I haven't been able to find an indoor shopping center that can match Festival Walk in Hong Kong.

The closest one is Westfield Santa Anita, but it is still miles away from HK indoor shopping malls.

For my years living in Los Angeles, I haven't been able to find an indoor shopping center that can match Festival Walk in Hong Kong.

The closest one is Westfield Santa Anita, but it is still miles away from HK indoor shopping malls.

Reminds me a little of the Dubai Mall, but I can tell you that it is the gold standard, not this space in Hong Kong (and I love HK btw). LA needs a modern mall like one of these but am not sure if that part of downtown is the right place for it. For one thing I don't think the space is big enough.

To imply just because LA is using a Miami based firm that the firm is being somehow subversive and hiding the best designs only for Miami is ludicrous. I suppose towers would have been better but my attention is on the necessary retail this will bring downtown so that towers have a reason to be built in the future. "Retail" is not why towers are built. "Bigtime Business" is why towers are built. And bigtime business surrounds itself with the trappings of bigtime business- if only to impress its clientele to maybe .... create more business! The location is why this parcel cost 50+ million dollars. So bigtime business could situate there! NOT THIS! . By the way, the more I Google "Brickell" the angrier I get! Try it! :) Try it and you'll see why I think it's ironic.

Well I was thinking more along the lines of retail supporting residential towers not business offices.

Well, Klams, that's nice but this location is kind of tucked away from the major corridor of Figueroa and not really conducive to through traffic. Good question, though- Who will return to Downtown first: The businesses or the residents?

Well..you need people in order to have business.

Anyway, Metropolis circa 1990.

http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2011.07_metropolis1990.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/08/awkward_1990_metropolis_rendering_see_las_future_at_ad.php

^^ I don't mind circa 80s po-mo - in fact I'd prefer the original proposal over the latest one. The original seems to have a better sense of purpose. I also like the interplay of square and circle motifs, and the playful yet balanced color scheme.

^^ I don't mind circa 80s po-mo - in fact I'd prefer the original proposal over the latest one. The original seems to have a better sense of purpose. I also like the interplay of square and circle motifs, and the playful yet balanced color scheme.

I'm a huge fan of 80's post modernism but I'm glad that THIS Metropolis didn't get built. THe plaza is facing the freeway, the towers are horribly colored and not attractive in the least.

I think I'll go for door number 3.

I'm a huge fan of 80's post modernism but I'm glad that THIS Metropolis didn't get built. THe plaza is facing the freeway, the towers are horribly colored and not attractive in the least.

^^ I understand what you're saying, though I don't mind the towers as much. If the plaza was facing the freeway that would not be good, but I suppose facing downdown back in the 80s wasn't that attractive a prospect either.

In terms of the color scheme, Graves looks to be following the style of his Portland Public Services Building, which was well thought of at the time:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CijcaA9yq58/ShtNfuGLREI/AAAAAAAACU0/R17tDkoWMjc/s400/Michael+Graves+portland-blg.jpg

While I don't much care for Graves' brand of post-modernism, I love the work that KPF did back in those days. Their competition entry for the Bank of the Southwest Tower in Houston is one of my top two unbuilt skyscraper designs.

I think I'll go for door number 3.

:lol::lol:

^^ I understand what you're saying, though I don't mind the towers as much. If the plaza was facing the freeway that would not be good, but I suppose facing downdown back in the 80s wasn't that attractive a prospect either.

In terms of the color scheme, Graves looks to be following the style of his Portland Public Services Building, which was well thought of at the time:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CijcaA9yq58/ShtNfuGLREI/AAAAAAAACU0/R17tDkoWMjc/s400/Michael+Graves+portland-blg.jpg

While I don't much care for Graves' brand of post-modernism, I love the work that KPF did back in those days. Their competition entry for the Bank of the Southwest Tower in Houston is one of my top two unbuilt skyscraper designs.

Graves designed the Portland Building? Blah. Though I wouldn't mind seeing something like this in WeHo. WeHo does 80's post modernism (read: lots of pink and pastels) really well.

from curbed, it looks like the Metropolis developer is now looking for indie shops, which means he may be having trouble with big boxes. This would be a REALLY good sign if true because it implies he can pull in people from the rest of DT and the surrounding areas rather than hoping to attract conventioneers.

Not my field of expertise, but I would think the national brands would rather pay more and be more centrally located in DT (Olive, Hill, Bway).

This on again off again project appears to be dead again. Take a look at this article from this mornings LA Times. Buried as part of a different lead was this last section.

Downtown L.A. site is for sale

A vast parcel of empty land in downtown Los Angeles — just east of the Harbor Freeway and eyed by developers for years — has hit the market and could command as much as $140 million from a buyer.

It was intended for one of the biggest, most dramatic proposed developments of the 1980s commercial real estate boom. Known as Metropolis, the 6.3-acre tract lies between the thriving Staples Center-L.A. Live entertainment complex and the downtown financial district.

Currently used as a parking lot, the property already has the city's preliminary approval for construction of 1.65 million square feet of hotels, multifamily housing, offices and stores.

The parcel was assembled in the late 1980s by developers who promised a "city within a city" on the block bordered by the Harbor Freeway and Francisco, 8th and 9th streets.

Famed New York architect Michael Graves won an international design competition and created an elaborate — but inward looking — design for Metropolis in his signature post-modern style, said Patrick Spillane, president of IDS Real Estate Group.

It never came to pass. Spillane's Los Angeles company and a pension fund bought the property in 2005 with the intention of building a 33-story condominium tower, but the housing downturn a few years later scotched those plans, he said.

No price for the property has been set, but downtown land recently traded for nearly $500 a square foot, which could translate to as much as $140 million for the Metropolis land.

Urban planning tastes have changed since Graves envisioned Metropolis as a cluster of towers surrounding a central courtyard. Developers now would probably try to extend the burgeoning entertainment and hotel district north of L.A. Live into the space, said real estate broker Laurie Lustig-Bower of CBRE Group Inc., who represents the sellers.

Along with development, it might become a pedestrian-oriented corridor connecting the downtown office district with the recreation and convention center, she said. "Developers have the chance to literally brand the downtown skyline with this site."

I'm not sure that's a bad thing. The proposal IDS had for the site was pretty underwhelming.

http://brighamyen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1.jpg

Given the high price for the land, it's going to take some deep pockets to buy the property. It's entitled for five towers and has a very prominent location in terms of the downtown skyline. Hopefully we get something of high quality.

If the price is too high, the lot might be broken up and sold off separately.

. . . YAYY!!

the fact that its for sale is a good thing. lots of interest from what im hearing.

i wouldnt be shocked if a big time developer bought this and built 4 or 5 distinctive hotels / residential towers. The location is primo... its time for something huge

Let's collectively turn towards the Chinese or Koreans and see what they got.

I'm not sure that's a bad thing. The proposal IDS had for the site was pretty underwhelming.

http://brighamyen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1.jpg

Given the high price for the land, it's going to take some deep pockets to buy the property. It's entitled for five towers and has a very prominent location in terms of the downtown skyline. Hopefully we get something of high quality.

This isnt really so bad looking, just a tad shorter than what the location demands.

I'm surprised that no one posted these here yet.

http://i.imgur.com/g57PM0g.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SixgiZe.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eQBfG4y.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/j0iKbH2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5DckZth.jpg

So is that actually happening? I was under the impression that this project was dead

^^ The land is for sale.

https://www.cbremarketplace.com/Metropolis/

Parcel B tower would be an incredible addition to the DTLA skyline! But those drive ways between the buildings totally kills the continuity for pedestrians. It gives off that same fortressy vibe that the Bonaventure Hotel currently does. The IDS proposal at least would've done a better job making the pedestrian experience tolerable. Hopefully, these aren't the final renderings.

Parcel B tower would be an incredible addition to the DTLA skyline! But those drive ways between the buildings totally kills the continuity for pedestrians. It gives off that same fortressy vibe that the Bonaventure Hotel currently does. The IDS proposal at least would've done a better job making the pedestrian experience tolerable. Hopefully, these aren't the final renderings.

These aren't even official renderings. They're mock-ups being used by the broker to show potential buyers what the property is entitled for.

I'm not even sure anything is happening here except that the owner is trying to unload it.