Location: 11th Street and Figueroa Street
Function: Mixed-Use | 860 Units | 222 Hotel Rooms | 250,000 SF Retail
Developer: The Moinian Group (http://www.moiniangroup.com/)
Architect: RTKL Associates (http://www.rtkl.com/)
Completion: 2011

L.A. Central

The L.A. Live adjacent mega-development by New York-based Moinian Group, once termed Figueroa Central, has been re-tagged L.A. Central. Current plans call for a 54-story and a 40-story tower. The condominium complex, which still requires City Council approval, would include approximately 860 lofts, townhomes and penthouses. The development is priced at more than $700 million, according to Oskar Brecher, a Moinian representative. He said the project at Figueroa and 11th streets would also feature 223,000 square feet of retail space, including a high-end grocery store, restaurants and a health club, as well as a boutique hotel boasting 222 rooms. Rather than include on-site affordable housing, Moinian is setting aside funds for as many as 172 units of low-income housing elsewhere, Brecher said. - Los Angeles Downtown News

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l38/awherron/LACentral3.png

http://la.curbed.com/2007.07.finalcentral.jpg

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http://la.curbed.com/2007.08.central.jpg

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From SSP:

From the angelenic blog (http://www.angelenic.com/downtown-general/whole-foods-confirmed-for-la-central-project/) comes the posting of a new rendering for Monian's LA Central, along with the (almost) confirmation of the Whole Foods slated for that location.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h61/11jp/dtla/new_lacentral.jpg (http://www.angelenic.com/downtown-general/whole-foods-confirmed-for-la-central-project/)

I miss the diagonal swath that used to exist in the old Fig Central plan. (It suggested a potentially nice pedestrian concourse within the block.)

At any rate, a Whole Foods will be a more than welcome addition.

IS that like a ramp in the front or soemthing. I see the parking structure but can't make out what's in front of it.

Wassup with the trees on top of the parking structure. I like the towers but the rest, I don't know.

The plaza area is way too large in my opinion. It severely decreases the density of the project by wasting too much of the 4.6 acre site. I hope they put it to good use, and not make it something stupid, like a private recreation area for reesidents only or something. But then again, I guess anything, even poorly designed projects (if the plaza is put to bad use), is better than the 0 units per acre asphalt parking lot that used to be there.

Hard to tell from this rendering but the base does not look very inviting.

It's very hard to figure out*

So..according to a few people on SSP, a small portion of the parking has been broken up.

http://la.curbed.com/2007.07.finalcentral.jpg

Here's Your LA Central

Oh, happy days. Lovely renderings from a loyal reader:

"Here are renderings of the LA Central development that are going to the City Planning Commission today.... large mixed-use project...across the street from the Staples Center....860 condo units, 222 hotel rooms (a fancy schmancy boutique hotelier), sit-down and quick serve restaurants galore, several large and small retail spaces (with high hopes for a Mac store) and a supermarket (rhymes with schmole schoods). [ED: WHOLE FOODS!] It also has two paseos to chop up the large block and a big plaza with some cool landscape features along Figueroa. The first person to complain that it isn't pedestrian-oriented can eat it."

Yeah, go eat it, complainers! More fabulous picture love after the jump...

http://la.curbed.com/2007.08.central.jpg

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Source: Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/08/heres_your_la_c.php#more)

August 4, 2007

LA Central Site - I'm not sure what's going on here, but I don't think the towers are prepping for construction yet.
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From Los Angeles Downtown News:

Figueroa Central Moves Forward

News Brief

Another pair of high-end condo towers in South Park near the growing L.A. Live site moved forward last week. Figueroa Central, the proposed 860-condo project at 1101 S. Flower St., was approved by the city Planning Commission on Thursday, Aug. 9, with a significant height increase added. The $700 million development by New York-based Moinian Group will now include a 45-story high-rise and a 33-story tower. A substantial increase in floor area, more than 368,000 square feet, was also part of the approval. Figueroa Central will boast 222 hotel rooms and more than 223,000 square feet of retail space. The development is slated to include an upscale grocery store, a health club and multiple restaurants.

August 11, 2007

Well it looks like I have to issue a retraction. LA Central sure looks like it's headed to a groundbreaking very soon. They have temporary lighting on the property and they are building a construction fence out to the sidewalk on Figueroa and out to the street on 12th. That jibes with the renderings. Take a look...

Two pics from 12th street

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http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/Blueline_express/IMG_1085-res.jpg

Now two from Figueroa

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/Blueline_express/IMG_1092-res.jpg

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This one is blurry, but the sign says "Morley Construction Company" and they've locked some small earth moving equipment behind the fence that looks like it could be used for the asphalt excavation. Nothing as big as a front end loader. More like some bobcat type stuff.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u157/Blueline_express/IMG_1088-res.jpg

Pics by LosAngelesBeauty from SSP:

http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/9/8/16/f_IMG8795m_6999d20.jpg
http://img35.picoodle.com/img/img35/9/8/16/f_IMG8794m_212b4db.jpg

Anyone else think the Holiday Inn and The Figueroa got to go? Or am I just behind in stating the obvious?:bash:

Holiday inn has got to go. Fig stays.

yeah they need to trash that holiday inn. that building looks like the old tacky buildings in the downtown area of san bernardino.

yeah they need to trash that holiday inn. that building looks like the old tacky buildings in the downtown area of san bernardino.

So true about San Bernardino, and out with the Holiday Inn.

Holiday inn has got to go. Fig stays.

Why?

Can someone give a good reason as to why Holiday Inn should go?

^^ its a old cheap building that is not going to fit in the area i mean it will look good in the downtown of san bernardino but not in downtown LA.. thats like putting a old wore out holiday inn in the middle of times square. how would it look when LA live and the other buildings are complete? its goig to look out of place and tacky

Why?

Can someone give a good reason as to why Holiday Inn should go?
because a better and taller building can be built in the spot.
That Holiday Inn is for the old days it needs to catch up with the changing neighborhood.

And its a ugly building. Like Joey said, something better could be built there.

I always said the Holiday Inn was an eye soar. Knock it down and start again!

here here I agree that half ass renovation they did makes it look even more like an eyesore, it has no presence. Where is all the inspiration anymore? I have always wondered if it were possible to somehow add at least 20 more floors to the building, give it a modern looking glass and steel facade or just demolish it all together. Theres just too much potential being wasted it could have ground floor retail and LED signs like LA Live, another thing I always thought the ESPN zone building was gonna have an all glass wall on the Figueroa side, I guess not. it looks ugly all that wasted space.

here here I agree that half ass renovation they did makes it look even more like an eyesore, it has no presence. Where is all the inspiration anymore? I have always wondered if it were possible to somehow add at least 20 more floors to the building, give it a modern looking glass and steel facade or just demolish it all together. Theres just too much potential being wasted it could have ground floor retail and LED signs like LA Live, another thing I always thought the ESPN zone building was gonna have an all glass wall on the Figueroa side, I guess not. it looks ugly all that wasted space.

^^
Don't fret my friend! It's just a matter of time before that unsightly building gets bought out and demolished. Like you've mentioned, there's just too much potential for the land on which Holiday Inn currently occupies to be left the status quo.

Once the LA Live hotel and retail are complete, along with adjacent projects in the area, (like this one) i'm sure the current Holiday Inn will be replaced, if the Holiday Inn corp. owns the land, then by a larger Holiday Inn, It's not a bad thing to sit on prime real estate and wait for the oppertune moment to redevelop, and make some money (tho probably not alot of money, i'll bet with all thats going on around it, there are alot of out of town construction managment people staying there on a monthly basis.

LA Central to break ground in 3 weeks according to a meeting regarding dtla projects yesterday!

Have they started digging yet..!!!!!!!!!

Pic by ziggy331 on SSP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/ziggy331/LA/JuniorYear211.jpg

Have they started digging yet..!!!!!!!!!


... it's just a matter of time for your wish to come true! :banana:

The Fig Corridor is going to be very impressive and jaw dropping ones you pass Pico coming from SC....

Does anyone have any idea what are the plans for those parking lots across from the Convention Center on Fig between Pico/Venice?

Rode down Fig to USC the other day on the Flyaway and that stretch really needs some serious love! But since its soooo desolate and ugly that means their are enough vacant parcels to build upon, a good thing.

September 22, 2007

LA Central all fenced up
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updates?????

this thing should start any minute now, right?

^ Yup. :yes:

Any new info on this? The way LA Live is coming about with Nokia opening up tonight this would be an awesome addition to LA Live:banana:

Any new info on this? The way LA Live is coming about with Nokia opening up tonight this would be an awesome addition to LA Live:banana:



^ Geez! hold your panties... groundbreaking is coming soon!

LOL!

leave..Mr..Staples..Center..ALONE!!:no:

October 14, 2007

And yes NOTHING happening at LA Central yet...
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hey...this site connects directly to the metro stop, no? If so, I think they should design some sort of walk-way between l.a. live and the metro stop.

^ That's a part of the plant. At least, it was in the old version.

hey...this site connects directly to the metro stop, no? If so, I think they should design some sort of walk-way between l.a. live and the metro stop.

Maybe we can get an upgrade to that station since it will be getting a lot more traffic. It would be nice to have an elevated walkway from that station to LA Central, Staples Center, LA Live, and the Convention Center.

No elevated walkway, it's just going to take more people off the streets.

No elevated walkway, it's just going to take more people off the streets.

And what is wrong with that if people are still outside and going to stores?

It disengages the street and isolates whatever use the elevated walkway serves from its surroundings. The street is a focal point, and should be where the uses of not just one project but every building on the same street or street corner interact and synergize.

I think that with the huge volumes of traffic that the station will have after and before events, it will be necessary. Once LA Live & LA Central are done, the Convention Center is expanded, and more projects are done around that area, that little station will not be able to handle the crowds and I don't think that those sidewalks are big enough. Instead of a walkway, how about just pedestrian bridges that go over the streets so we don't add to the traffic?

sidewalks work better ^^

But crosswalks don't.

I see people in Times Square get along fine with sidewalks the same width as LA's and far more multitudes. Once we see people getting crushed for being too crowded we'll add the pedestrian bridges and elevated walkways.

But crosswalks don't.

Whats with you and ped. bridges LOL. Its not like a big mass of people are going to come over night.:nuts:

LA Live is not going to be "the Strip." Sidewalks will more than handle the number of patrons oggling at expensive shoes and tacky bejeweled cellphone covers.

I think it might be necessary to make the blue line grade-separated on flower st at least past Pico. The trains will be slowed down by all the additional traffic by both car and pedestrian. It will make the whole area a bit safer.

I see people in Times Square get along fine with sidewalks the same width as LA's and far more multitudes. Once we see people getting crushed for being too crowded we'll add the pedestrian bridges and elevated walkways.

The difference is that here all of the people will come at once. After and before shows and games.

We can at least all agree on putting the Blue Line below grade in that area?

My take is once LA Live and LA Central + the CC expansion are all completed i think an elevated walkway on Olympic and Fig and Chick and Fig would be pretty damn useful. I mean if all these things combined are expected to draw a lot of people then i think this would help to somewhat relieve those major intersections.

im sorry. i just got back from vegas yesterday and had an absolute blast. just seeing all the pedestrian traffic and ped bridges just made me think how LA Live could be(not saying itll be the strip or anything just a fun place to be in downtown la)

These elevated walkways located here at Sands, Flamingo and especially at Trop were needed badly because no one in a car could make any right turns and traffic came to a halt on the strip. That said, the actual corners where the elevated walkways are located are now short, ugly walls with dangerous looking wrought-iron on top. The corners are physically dead now. I hope you guys put more thought into it than Clark County did.:cheers:

November 3, 2007

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From Flickr, by fridayinla

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From Flickr, by fridayinla

I guess when they said groundbreaking in three weeks what they meant by groundbreaking was putting up a dumbass fence....

Never expect a project to break ground when they say they will.

Figured that out! (with the exception of LA Live).

CurbedLA is saying that the construction fence has been removed from this lot. Methinks this is going back to being a parking lot.

:( That sux.

This project is toast-or at least untill 2010 when L.a Live opens.

As I have been saying if it hasn't gotten off the ground yet, or set a Firm date look for that project to be no more - or at least untill the next building boom.

have a little faith. always raining on our parades.....

SHIT. What happened?

Kinda weird, considering the L. A. Times article in the Business section commending Portland's South Group for Elleven, Luma and Evo, as well as continued investment in another project- coincidently just to the south of L. A. Central. South Group=men! New York based Moinian Group=pussies! :)

what...? ^^

We're hearing this from the same site that said Park Fifth was in hot water, let's just look out for an official announcement.

^^Alluding to the atmosphere of development in the downtown region, the downturn not being that bad for construction, as well as the fourth quarter being slow. Still, Portland based South Group has worked on these projects within Downtown L. A., and, for whatever reason New York based Moinian has backed out. For reasons that aren't clear yet, I might add. The close proximity to the L. A. Live tower perhaps? pussies! South Group is developing a fourth project now. not pussies! Just something I read in the Times yesterday. You...do read, don't you? :)

We're hearing this from the same site that said Park Fifth was in hot water, let's just look out for an official announcement.

You know, that's true! :)

Since when does a portion of a fence coming down equals a cancelled building?

Look: The American Music Awards are Sunday. The LA Auto Show is this week. Parking will be a premium until at least the end of the month. It would only make sense to open up the LA Central lot to accomidate the mass of cars that will be in downtown from now until at least the first.

And again, until there is a OFFICAL ANNOUNCEMENT, never loose faith in a project (see Park Fifth).

^ Exactly. Some people on here have a tendency to jump the gun with their conclusions. It gets annoying sometimes.

I didn't comment on this because I didn't want to jump ship so quickly, but I couldn't think of a reason to take down the fence. However that explanation is great and I like it, everything is falling into place now.

the park fifth cancel talk is rubbish especially when there are already potential buyers. theres obviously some money to be made.

From SSP:

looks like the wall around fig central is back up

I'll of course need proof but if that's the case,



















































I told you so.

:baeh3:

At which point do we start questioning the source ?

I'm going to guess they just opened the parking lot up so they could use it for $40 a spot AMA parking. I don't blame them... that's some serious $$$

November 24, 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/2060377063_175016be0b_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2061162286_56ba43882d_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2060380757_182b9f61e6_b.jpg
From Flickr, by fridayinla

Well, as predicted they have been using the site for parking during the Auto Show (it was $25 / car on weekends) but since today, Sunday, is closing day the big test will come this week to see if the construction barricades go back up.

This should give us a good sign if things will be moving forward anytime soon.

$25????? And a $1.25 still isn't luring enough for most people? But I guess it would be self-defeating to get yourself all hyped about seeing cars while riding the Blue Line.

If LA live is even remotely as popular as it should be, LA central could make tons of money on

1) ground level retail
2) a hotel portion (1000 rooms is not enough for a convetion/entertainment district and holiday inn doesnt cut it!)
3) Live/work spaces (it is downtown and the business sector is improving)
4) Lifestyle rentals ala 1010 wilshire (this is an ideal location for it)
5) LASLTY, condos.

There are tons of ways to make money if LA live and the convention center are popular draws. the 1000 room hotel, and the rentals at Hanover tower are not enough units to meet the demand of this district. LA live wont be finished until 2010 anyhow. They can always open up as rentals and condo convert in the future.

I just don't see how la central can't make money of this deal over the long run.

I took the red line and the blue line to the car show..Saw the prices, best decision I made.

If LA live is even remotely as popular as it should be, LA central could make tons of money on

1) ground level retail
2) a hotel portion (1000 rooms is not enough for a convetion/entertainment district and holiday inn doesnt cut it!)
3) Live/work spaces (it is downtown and the business sector is improving)
4) Lifestyle rentals ala 1010 wilshire (this is an ideal location for it)
5) LASLTY, condos.

There are tons of ways to make money if LA live and the convention center are popular draws. the 1000 room hotel, and the rentals at Hanover tower are not enough units to meet the demand of this district. LA live wont be finished until 2010 anyhow. They can always open up as rentals and condo convert in the future.

I just don't see how la central can't make money of this deal over the long run.

This is where the purpose of this building really shines. If you took away all of the other features of L.A. Central and just made it a hotel, the importance of that one hotel alone could either make or break L.A. Live. L.A. Live just garnered 53 new conventions over the past year, but it doesn't mean shit if they're unable to accomodate and handle the attendees. We got the restaurants. We got the space. We got the entertainment. But none of that doesn't mean anything if we can't keep the people in one spot for the remainder of the convention.

As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be suprised if bigger conventions such as San Diego's Comic-Con (which brings San Diego tons of money from the 100,000+ attendees that go to this single event every year) are currently sizing up L.A. Live as a possible future location. Anyway though, you can never have enough hotels for stuff like this.

Let's face it.....everyone would like to come to LA instead of the Republican outpost of San Diego and Anaheim but the city has got to get its shit together. It's like the kid who finally gets up enough courage to tell his parents that he's gay and the parents response is, "We were wondering when you'd finally get around to telling us". Sorry folks, LA is obstinate, foolish and offbeat. It will always be a place of 50/50's, sometimes getting it right and sometimes getting it horribly wrong....I've accepted it as the DNA of the city. The reluctant metropolis, the city of quartz. It also has the false confidence that it got itself to be a world recognized metro economy in under 100 years only 3rd to Tokyo and New York, a claim that very few other metros around the world could make. In that it takes some chances or worst rests on its laurels while the prospective end result of such scares the shit out of the rest of us living in reality. I guess the concept of LA isn't about reality is it?

Too much great weather...:)

Let's face it.....everyone would like to come to LA instead of the Republican outpost of San Diego and Anaheim but the city has got to get its shit together. It's like the kid who finally gets up enough courage to tell his parents that he's gay and the parents response is, "We were wondering when you'd finally get around to telling us". Sorry folks, LA is obstinate, foolish and offbeat. It will always be a place of 50/50's, sometimes getting it right and sometimes getting it horribly wrong....I've accepted it as the DNA of the city. The reluctant metropolis, the city of quartz. It also has the false confidence that it got itself to be a world recognized metro economy in under 100 years only 3rd to Tokyo and New York, a claim that very few other metros around the world could make. In that it takes some chances or worst rests on its laurels while the prospective end result of such scares the shit out of the rest of us living in reality. I guess the concept of LA isn't about reality is it?

Even though LA has always had interesting people, a good economy, and some culture, it has never had a sense of place, thus never had civic pride. When people start having pride in their town, and identifying with their town, then this town will get its act together.

15 years ago, mid-wilshire sucked, ktown sucked, silverlake/los feliz had echo park spill over, hollywood was prostitute land, the 3rd st. promenade did not exist, venice was marred with crime, culver city was quiet, main st in santa monica was south central adjacent, leimert park was forgotten, the farmers market was in a forgotten land EAST of la cienega, W. third st was nothing to speak of, westwood village was still suffering from the gunshot heard around the county, and downtown had no staples, no disney hall, and brand new EMPTY office buildings. LA basically had huge Homes of the rich and famous, the sunset strip, beverly center, and rodeo drive. That's it!

This is memory still lasts a bit.
I think the pieces are coming together and if LA can ride this economic downturn then it will finally form a cohesive sense of place. It always had the money, now it is forming some political leadership and a strong sense of pride.

If we continue on this path, residents will start coming together to form a better city.

Call me crazy.............but id rather have this project actually come to fruition then park fifth.......

like if i had to choose between the two to approve and build it would definitely be LA central.

looks very nice

Call me crazy.............but id rather have this project actually come to fruition then park fifth.......

like if i had to choose between the two to approve and build it would definitely be LA central.

Nice thinking but I would rather see 2 towers going up in that little space Park Fifth occupies and let some other developer use LA Central's land wisely.

i agree we need more civic pride. We can start by refraining from bashing our city but rather promoting its strengths. It is time for angelenos to stand up and say "hey, that's my city don't talk shit about it." Civic Pride starts with balls. Go to new york and say you hate it, they will tell you to get the fuck out. In La you say the same thing and they will say "you're right, too much traffic." Everyone is responsible. Stand up and they will respect more.



Even though LA has always had interesting people, a good economy, and some culture, it has never had a sense of place, thus never had civic pride. When people start having pride in their town, and identifying with their town, then this town will get its act together.

15 years ago, mid-wilshire sucked, ktown sucked, silverlake/los feliz had echo park spill over, hollywood was prostitute land, the 3rd st. promenade did not exist, venice was marred with crime, culver city was quiet, main st in santa monica was south central adjacent, leimert park was forgotten, the farmers market was in a forgotten land EAST of la cienega, W. third st was nothing to speak of, westwood village was still suffering from the gunshot heard around the county, and downtown had no staples, no disney hall, and brand new EMPTY office buildings. LA basically had huge Homes of the rich and famous, the sunset strip, beverly center, and rodeo drive. That's it!

This is memory still lasts a bit.
I think the pieces are coming together and if LA can ride this economic downturn then it will finally form a cohesive sense of place. It always had the money, now it is forming some political leadership and a strong sense of pride.

If we continue on this path, residents will start coming together to form a better city.

i agree we need more civic pride. We can start by refraining from bashing our city but rather promoting its strengths. It is time for angelenos to stand up and say "hey, that's my city don't talk shit about it." Civic Pride starts with balls. Go to new york and say you hate it, they will tell you to get the fuck out. In La you say the same thing and they will say "you're right, too much traffic." Everyone is responsible. Stand up and they will respect more.

Pride does not mean ignoring the problems though. I remember I posted a thread a while back about a really fucked up thing I saw with cops arresting a taxi driver for no apparent reason. Anyways, the idea was to get people to help make a difference and write council members, not get pissed because there are actually negative things that happen in this city. Cheer the good, fix the bad don't push it aside.

Anyways, I do hope plans for LA Central follow through.

Even though LA has always had interesting people, a good economy, and some culture, it has never had a sense of place, thus never had civic pride. When people start having pride in their town, and identifying with their town, then this town will get its act together.

15 years ago, mid-wilshire sucked, ktown sucked, silverlake/los feliz had echo park spill over, hollywood was prostitute land, the 3rd st. promenade did not exist, venice was marred with crime, culver city was quiet, main st in santa monica was south central adjacent, leimert park was forgotten, the farmers market was in a forgotten land EAST of la cienega, W. third st was nothing to speak of, westwood village was still suffering from the gunshot heard around the county, and downtown had no staples, no disney hall, and brand new EMPTY office buildings. LA basically had huge Homes of the rich and famous, the sunset strip, beverly center, and rodeo drive. That's it!

This is memory still lasts a bit.
I think the pieces are coming together and if LA can ride this economic downturn then it will finally form a cohesive sense of place. It always had the money, now it is forming some political leadership and a strong sense of pride.

If we continue on this path, residents will start coming together to form a better city.

^^
Bravo jlrobe! :applause: Your optimism is truly refreshing!

If L.A. had more forward-thinking people like you, L.A. would be at the top of its game a long time ago.

For a very long time, this city was boggled down by race issues, culture, socio-economics, lack of vision from its leaders, etc. But things are starting to change. In today's Los Angeles, I sense a huge momentum shift towards a more pro-Angeleno identity. There's also a veritable paradigm shift in the attitudes of the people and how we are beginning to look at ourselves and how we live and travel in a once auto-centric, poly-centric city. IMO, there are few cities as dynamic, where the population/demographic shifts so dramatically in a short time period. Ravaged by race riots, landslides, earthquakes galore in the 90's, things were pretty much a mental blur in the psychological landscape of many Angelenos. Collectively Angelenos are finally healing and surmounting this city's psychological scars and moving on to the future. In a city that celebrates change, we are beginning to also celebrate our past as well. L.A. has everything but a bustling center, which most people would not believe we once had. Once Downtown LA becomes the true center of Los Angeles again, everything will be like butter. As you've already noted, in the short span of 15 years, L.A. has accomplished a lot more than most people give it credit for. Just to name a few -- Fifteen years ago Silverlake/Echo Park was pretty much gang-infested, there was no Getty Center, Walt Disney Hall, or California Science Center, and old Pasadena was just "old" and "decrepit".

And that's why I am fascinated by this city. What other city can survive a major riot, a major earthquake, fires, mudslides, a recession and an OJ trial and still be considered an Alpha City and rank 3rd in worldwide metro economy production? Only in LA.

And that's why I am fascinated by this city. What other city can survive a major riot, a major earthquake, fires, mudslides, a recession and an OJ trial and still be considered an Alpha City and rank 3rd in worldwide metro economy production? Only in LA.

Can you expound on the information concerning- 3rd in international economic output/production? What are the specifics? (I may use the information on another forum) I think people here would also like to know.:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_city

Well, as predicted they have been using the site for parking during the Auto Show (it was $25 / car on weekends) but since today, Sunday, is closing day the big test will come this week to see if the construction barricades go back up.

This should give us a good sign if things will be moving forward anytime soon.

Looks like they're keeping it as a parking lot for a little while.

Check these out... new renders of L.A. Central from the RTKL website (they also have new renders of L.A. Live as well, since I'll go post up since I have nothing better to do):

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l38/awherron/LACentral4.png

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l38/awherron/LACentral3.png

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l38/awherron/LACentral2.png

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l38/awherron/LACentral1.png

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l38/awherron/LACentral5.png

It looks like they've added a few more bells and whistles and the towers look a bit taller as well...

they need to go ahead and build this thing. i love it! hopefully those are all led ads

LED is extremly popular and efficient, but expensive I'm sure. I like the night shot renders of the lead tower, that's the one that needs to be built :)

but it so effective in that area between staples and nokia events thousands of people on a daily basis will see those ads so essentially theyll pay for itself......at least thats what i hope......

come on toast you should now this. i know youve been by planet hollywood in vegas and there huge LED's in front of the miracle mile shops.....

Oh, yeah! I haven't seen those as I am an average Vegas resident and don't see the strip too often, but the freeway billboards are all over and are impressive even during the day:)

VZN, there's one more rendering for LA Central on the RTKL website. Could you please post that one? Thanks.

^^ Yezzir...

If anything else, these new renderings just go to show everyone that the project has NOT gone south. But WTF is keeping it from groundbreaking though?

On another note, hopefully those are LED's... I'd like to see them implemented with L.A. Live.

Has anyone noticed lots of electronic billboards going up all over LA? I wonder if it's to try to modernize LA or what. The one I can think of right now is the exit off of the 90 Marina Freeway West to Culver Blvd. At the bottom is an electronic billboard. Why are they doing this.

I heard the city council recently allowed a company to set these up, because they were forced to take down existing billboards on Santa Monica Blvd for its redevelopment.

The L. A. times ran an article on the 18th (today) confirming in the article (on AV's pet projects and their funding) that L. A. Central was OK'd by the city council three weeks ago. They referred to the project in the article as Fig Central. Of course, the 100,000 dollars back in August didn't hurt:)

Any new news about LA Central?

This is the Latest from Los Angeles Downtown News... Groundbreaking expected in fall of this year but don't hold your breath.

L.A. CENTRAL

The approximately $1 billion, L.A. Live-adjacent project received city approvals in January. New York-based developer the Moinian Group is now in the process of securing funding, said the company's Oskar Brecher. Though Brecher said groundbreaking is expected by the fall, he would not reveal financial details. The development at Figueroa and 11th streets would include 53- and 37-story towers with a total of 860 studio, one- and two-bedroom condominiums averaging 1,000 square feet. The project would also include 250,000 square feet of retail space, including a high-end grocery store, restaurants and a health club, and a boutique hotel with 222 rooms. In lieu of including an affordable component, the developer is setting aside funds for up to 172 units of low-income housing to be built elsewhere. B9

This is the Latest from Los Angeles Downtown News... Groundbreaking expected in fall of this year but don't hold your breath.

I think this one will get off the ground BUT most likely will not happen unill 2009-2010. I also think that it will also be mostly funded by someone with a shit load of money who can wait for the market to turn in a couple of years and make a killing.

Most likely that invester will be foriegn and even more likely is that it will be tied to a country with all kinds of oil revenue. In another words another prince of _____ whatever. This one Will get of the ground because of it's proximity to L.A Live, especially once they see phase 2 open. That said , even in a shitty market that land will still be far to valuable to just have it sitting there. Any current investors if they are not already royal middle east will likely jump ship in the next couple of months and be replaced by my muslim brothers.

Hey, I'm new here. Any updates with this project. It seems like it's the second most important in South Park right behind LA Live.

Developers are verry hush-hush and on the Q T! If there were updates on anything going on you'd hear about it. From Westy!! Patience :)

The New York-based Moinian Group is still in the process of securing funding for the approximately $1 billion project adjacent to L.A. Live, said the company's Oskar Brecher. Still, he said, a groundbreaking is expected by the end of the year. The development at Figueroa and 11th streets would include 53- and 37-story towers with a total of 860 studio, one- and two-bedroom condominiums averaging 1,000 square feet. The project would also hold 250,000 square feet of retail space, including a high-end grocery store, restaurants, a health club, and a boutique hotel with 222 rooms. In lieu of including an affordable component, the developer would set aside funds for up to 172 units of low-income housing to be built elsewhere.

With the amenities across the street at LA Live (as well as within this project itself), this one should have no trouble attracting offers. I predict this and Park Fifth will be the next two to break ground.

^^yea it is still very possible that we may all get our Downtown Big 3: Park Fifth, Grand Ave, & LA Central. Did the shorter tower get downsized from 40 to 37 stories? someone should snatch up the plot(s)flanking the Holiday Inn and 8th/figueroa really soon as more momentum builds.

^ The Downtown News always screws up on the numbers.

That long strip is INDEED an LED screen. i forget the measurements but it is over 100 feet long

^^yea it is still very possible that we may all get our Downtown Big 3: Park Fifth, Grand Ave, & LA Central. Did the shorter tower get downsized from 40 to 37 stories? someone should snatch up the plot(s)flanking the Holiday Inn and 8th/figueroa really soon as more momentum builds.

There is no doubt that the big 3 will create loads and loads of development within their radius. LA Live mostly because it's surrounded by empty lots. It won't take long before LA Live creaps upward and onward.

And the LED panels on this thing will probably look like the ones on Planet Hollywood in Vegas. Which is fine because it's awesome.

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/planet-hollywood-glamor.jpg

^yup i mentioned that earlier in this thread. gonna look really cool

thanks for all the updates soup!

Yeah, Soup! You're all over the place today. What's funny is that I haven't worked on that side of town in over a year and I have yet to see the L.E.D. display on 'Planet'! I'll have to get over there.

i keep telling you to go over there dammit!

More on Downtown's Blade Runner Signs

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/200805led.jpg
No film conjures up the image of a diseased, dirty, crowded Downtown Los Angeles than the neo-noir Blade Runner. So when Downtown developer Sonny Astani announced plans for two Blade Runner-esque moving displays on the side of his mixed-use Concerto development back in January, heads turned, eyebrows furrowed and neighborhood councils fired up their angry-letter-writing skills. Put down those pens: Astani, who came to Los Angeles before the Iranian Revolution, fell in love with the film. Via the New York Times: "'I saw Blade Runner at a time when L.A. was feeling like that,' he said. 'I was feeling like that.'" The signs on the 9th and Fig development would only show slow-moving images at less intensity than normal digital screens, and art would be displayed 20% of the time.
Curbed LA

Astani is my new best friend http://easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-love-smileys-897.gif (http://easyfreesmileys.com/)

Astani is my new best friend http://easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-love-smileys-897.gif (http://easyfreesmileys.com/)

whoa there, someone's excited

but it is an awesome thing, i would love to see it (the sign)

Yeah, Soup! You're all over the place today. What's funny is that I haven't worked on that side of town in over a year and I have yet to see the L.E.D. display on 'Planet'! I'll have to get over there.

Planet Hollywood/New Aladdian/Old Aladdian is cursed. I'm sure that site will burn down or something.

But I seriously thing that LA Central might be a bit more important than LA Live.

edit

dude, I havent been to that hotel since 2002, me and a friend went up there had a room on 38th floor, killer ass view of Bellagio fountain, steak and lobster, non stop drinking rums and cokes, in the morning I had eggs benedict and hash browns and played slots for 20 mins, good memories!

SOOOOO, this thread died awhile ago, but RTKL and Moinian Group still shows it as a current project. Anybody have any news on LA Central? LA Times hasn't had a story on it since Aug 22, 2006.

Checked out Curbed LA and the most recent story I found was:
Figueroa Central (aka LA Central) Not Dead Yet
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, by jwilliams

Last night we attended a USC-sponsored event at City Hall discussing the state of Downtown in this terrible economy. Things remain iffy. Councilwoman Jan Perry (CD9) held out hope that the Grand Avenue project might actually move forward but is cautious, noting that if the project fails to go forward, the Downtown renaissance may be in jeopardy. Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Bud Ovrom brought along a rendering of the area around Staples Center, which included the under construction LA Live and the 54-story Ritz Carlton tower (now at 42 stories tall). Several of us noted the presence of the Moinian Group's Figueroa Central project. What ever happened to that thing? Glad we asked. Per City Council records, the 860-unit mixed-use project at the corner of 11th and Figueroa is stalled. "[D]ue to the current market situation, the Monion (sic) Group has been unable to secure Project financing and the development of the Project has been delayed." In addition, if it actually ever gets built, the Moinian group is planning to develop the project in two phases. No groundbreaking date or timeline was given.

holy crap i've never noticed this thread

I'm glad that this isn't dead yet...It looks amazing on the pic posted in LA Live Thread, and ot would be too awesome there across the Staples...

noting that if the project fails to go forward, the Downtown renaissance may be in jeopardy

Kinda scary to think that the renaissance of downtown could be put in jeopardy because of one project falling through. I would think downtown is more stable than that, even in this crappy recession. Time will tell I s'pose.

Anyoe know what this is? It's in LA Central's location.

http://paraclouding.net/WP/wp-content/themes/tma/images/uploads/vertedu-03.jpg

More pictures: http://paraclouding.com/WP/?p=1379

Probably other proposals

Horrible waste of space!

Anyoe know what this is? It's in LA Central's location.

http://paraclouding.net/WP/wp-content/themes/tma/images/uploads/vertedu-03.jpg

More pictures: http://paraclouding.com/WP/?p=1379


That looks like an arch students final project lol. Notice the .edu and also, just look at it. As an arch student myself, that has got to be one, especially since it is from paracloud (which mentioned that he was using the paraclouding program) and its filled with all the Rhino cliches. Pay attention to your sources lol, we cant have every arch students project as a proposed building or we'll have skyscraper threads for the moon.

Admit, though, that it *would* make a dramatic addition to the skyline. ; ]

^^ I agree it would LOL.

Ditch the park area to the north of the lot and use that for additional building space and it wouldn't be so bad, in a different part of downtown. LA Central was meant for that space!

I know this project is sorely needed, but the design is nothing special and the land use is terrible.

Some more grass downtown wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen.

I agree that the land should be better utilized, I think that with the current plans they couldve easily fit a 3rd building and extended the retail podium facing Figueroa out to the street instead of having such a large setback, which to me totally kills the "canyon effect". I think also they should try to squeeze 2 buildings onto the Holiday Inn plot (bounded by Figueroa, 11th, Flower & Olypmic) along with the Holiday Inn also being rebuilt to 40+ stories would be ideal.

Also has there been any talk to ever in the future add g/f retail to the Figueroa side of Staples? that would definitely continue the retail connectivity with LA Live along Figueroa.

Update from downtown news:

L.A. CENTRAL

There is no timeline for groundbreaking on a proposed $1 billion development at 11th and Figueroa streets, said Oskar Brecher of New York-based developer the Moinian Group. The company is still looking to secure a $700 million-plus construction loan, he said. Once the project does break ground, construction would likely take at least four years, said Brecher. The fully entitled mega-development, adjacent to L.A. Live, would include 860 market-rate studio, one- and two-bedroom condominiums, averaging 1,000 square feet, in 53- and 37-story towers. The development would also include 250,000 square feet of retail space, a grocery store, restaurants and a boutique hotel with 222 rooms. As part of the project, Moinian plans to set aside funds for the construction of 172 off-site, low-income housing units.

I'm surprise no one posted this over here, even though I know a lot of us read Blogdowntown as well it's nice to have the update as part of this string.


AEG and Moinian Group Spar Over $80-Million Parcel Next to Staples Center
By Eric Richardson
Published: Monday, September 14, 2009, at 02:57PM


A temporary injunction forbids developer The Moinian Group from running parking operations on the site of the proposed L.A. Central development.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — In the summer of 2006, New York-based developer Joseph Moinian bought a prime piece of land across the street from Staples Center for $80 million, intending to build a $1-billion hotel and residential project known as L.A. Central.

Three years later the site is gathering weeds, with even its use as a parking lot suspended while a dispute between Moinian and AEG works its way through the courts.

The fate of the project, and of the important site, is anything but clear.

The agreement for the $80-million land purchase was signed on May 12, 2006, by Ted Tanner of AEG and Joseph Moinian of the Moinian Group. The sale closed in August of that year. Planned for the four acre site was "L.A. Central," a project including two towers of 53 and 37 stories, 860 market-rate units, a 222 room hotel and 250,000 square feet of retail.

The project appeared ready to break ground in July of 2007, when construction fencing was erected and parking operations on the site were stopped.

Then, nothing.

After three months, pieces of the fence were pulled down and cars were again allowed to park on the site.

A Dispute Over Parking

While those parking on the site may not have noticed any difference, those 2007 events form the core of a lawsuit AEG's Arena Land Company filed on April 27.

Section 15.2.5 of the sale contract included a parking agreement that gave AEG, the seller, "a license to for either short-term parking by Seller's patrons in connection with Staples Center events or as a 'staging' area in connection with any of Seller's construction activities ... until Buyer commences any construction of or relating to Buyer's development of the Property." This license was provided "at no cost," save that AEG would be responsible to pay property taxes on the site.

When parking returned to the site in October 2007, it was run by an entity under the control of the Moinian Group, not AEG.

The complaint filed in Superior Court by AEG says that the company "made repeated requests to [Moinian Group] to return possession of the Property based on [Moinian's] wrongful termination of the License Agreement, all of which were ignored."

In a declaration filed on June 5, Moinian Director of Development Oskar Brecher disputed AEG's interpretation of the license agreement. "At no point during [purchase] negotiations did [AEG] ever insist that the Purchase and Sale Agreement or the Parking License Agreement could only be terminated when [Moinian] had reached certain benchmarks, such as obtaining construction financing or all building permits, and we never would have agreed to such a condition."

Judge David P. Yaffe didn't seem to buy that argument, issuing a preliminary injunction on June 24 that forbids Moinian from operating any parking operations on the site.

That could spell trouble for Moinian. In the same declaration, Brecher said that his firm is responsible for debt service of "approximately $495,000 per month." He also said that "should we lose the right to fund our debt through the use of revenue obtained from interim parking operations ... there is the possibility that we will go into default on our loan."

Moinian filed a counter-claim against AEG alleging that the deal was breached by AEG's failure to pay some property taxes on the site, but that claim was denied on August 26.

Other Legal Trouble

Complicating the situation is another lawsuit against Moinian filed by architecture firm RTKL. The company was contracted to provide design services for the L.A. Central project. It claims that it is still owed $3.6 million of that $14 million contract and is attempting to foreclose a lien on the property.

A hearing is scheduled for October 8 on RTKL's motion to compel the deposition of Moinian Group head Joseph Moinian.

The Future

Should Moinian be unable to make its debt payments or the RTKL suit lead to a foreclosure sale, it's unlikely that the property would sell for anywhere near what it did in 2006. The $80 million purchase price represented roughly $460 per square foot. While land sales have been sparse since the collapse of the real estate market, the City recently purchased a plot of land on Spring Street for roughly $170 per square foot.

The inability to get construction financing has doomed several high-profile Downtown projects. The $2-billion Grand Avenue Project has been delayed several times, and Houk Development's proposed $1.3-billion Park Fifth project is currently for sale.

AEG declined to comment on the lawsuit directly, but said that it still hopes to see the project developed. "We continue to support their plan for increased development of the site," said spokesman Michael Roth. "Their successful development of the project would be of tremendous long-term value to the community."

The company did say that parking for NBA games would be unaffected should the dispute drag into the upcoming season.

Calls to Brecher and to Moinian Group's law firm, Allen Matkins Leck Gamble & Mallory LLP, were not returned by the time this story was published.

Will this thing ever get built???

^ Would it be so bad if it didn't? I mean, such prime land deserves a lot more.

I guess I'm straight man again: A lot more? Such as...?

^ Would it be so bad if it didn't? I mean, such prime land deserves a lot more.

I agree. If we're gonna put something there we have to do this right the first time.

I'm not too excited about this particular project anymore. So if we're gonna put something there let it be something that we're not gonna hate 20 years from now.

Cool!!! Let's restart the activity on this thread! What do you think this project should include and not include? How do you think it should look? What type of retail should it have? Etc.

not a plaza. la live already has one and it's uninviting. unless it's something major on a corner where people can see most of it. not in the middle of a block without a crosswalk.

probably a project taller than 53 stories perhaps. still could do with two towers, but not twins or look-alikes. it needs lots of big screens. (CONCERTO!!)

i'm actually more concerned with moving pico station underground and north one block. right in the middle of a potentially great district. from there, great access transit portals integrated into the lot's project development.

They really do need to do something with Pico Station. It's completely uninviting and doesn't encourage people to use public transit to get to LA Live and so forth. I really hate how you have to cross the tracks twice if you're coming from Staples Center, and I'm not even going to go into how squished it feels. The Hollywood/Vine Station is a good example in how it should be rebuilt. They should also rename it so that it blends more into the surrounding area. (South Park Station, LA Sports & Ent. District Station, etc.)

If the lawsuit holds up and Moinian is forced to dell, how about AEG buying it back and building ground level retail with studios above it instead of on Olympic the way they have in Times Square? I don't want the area to turn into Times Square West, but I like the idea of ground level retail with offices and studios overlooking the area.

I think we should get pretty close to Times Sq. West or Picadilly. A subway opening right onto a lit markee or sign would be good (ala Hollywood/Vine opening to the Pantages). But no Target ads or hokey bill-board. Digital with motion and with the city maintaining right to approve displays.

LA Live is cold so I would look for some warmer materials (brick, stone), trees, outdoor dining. Modern can be made inviting but LA Live has not fully succeeded.

How about high rises with an "H" sort of shape, which allows ground level space for outdoor or covered dining, concerts, small shows.

Bridges or arches strike me as also being in keeping with the high-rise and expansive look of the area. Running Fig underground for 2 blocks would be expensive but very desirable.

BTW if someone has pictures of Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, this would be an interesting approach; a large series of plazas with indoor and outdoor areas, huge subway terminal opening in the middle, etc. Of course, Potsdamer is a huge area but something similar is do-able.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/album%202/Potsdamer_Platzmm.gif

yes, ive been there and i think thats a great model for the LA Live area. open, exciting, inviting, green, nice architecture.

Thanks; super picture. The fan-like thing is the Sony Center, which is several high-rises around a court, which is largely open around the sides but covered on top. To the right the open areas are the subway station and main intersection. Other smaller plazas, some indoor, some outdoor, branch out around it. Buildings are in colorful glass, metal, stone. Shows what you can do with a few billion. If anyone has a view of the inside of the Sony Center or the view from around the subway station, those give a sense for the look on the ground. I guess I should learn how to post pictures.

(BTW, in the upper left corner are the symphony building and the art musuem, so this is a serious tourist and entertainment area).

You also need some central authority because large areas are held for open space, which would annoy the developers who own land in LA. One way of counteracting this is to take Fig underground for a couple of blocks and make that area the trees/plantings open area of the plaza or a better defined subway station right in the middle.

We just need something with far better land use and a far better design.

I'd rather 300 million of my tax dollars to go towards the extension or construction of a brand new line that can get poor and working class people to and from their jobs(like myself). Not so your squeamish asses don't have to look both ways and cross over embedded tracks on your way to fill the coffers of a mega corporate conglomerate. Ooooweee! Look at Berlin!!! We need to build our transit network first and use and encourage folks to use the shit we got already instead of engaging in this soft urban attitude that can't walk over embedded tracks, can't stand to see a homeless person and who run around obsessed with who won the last Pritzker while sipping on a latte.

Oddly I agree. But I assume that by "better design" WSL means more effective use of space and money (I certainly do) not more dramatic or "over the top". Transit is very important but given that there are going to be huge changes in that few blocks, better to do it right than to have more congestion, failed businesses and unworkable connections.

^^ a great example of what happenned to parts of hollywood during red line construction.

So let's talk about better connections and higher usage through lowering the minimum parking requirements henceforth with these huge developments that I think we will continue to see around our nascent rail system. Why not include clauses that if your development is within 1/4 mile of a rail stop that you must fund wholly or partially pedestrian, bicycle and auto traffic mitigations to and from your traffic generating conglomerate? If these businesses are going to recieve tax breaks because we are betting on a game of strategic symbiosis (I give you a tax break and your presence then works for the greater good/goal of a lively area), I get that. But why not foster a deeper relationship with these corp who are obviously planning on staying for awhile. I'm defitnetly not a fan of "privatizing" but why not encourage AEG to invest in the nearby Pico Blue Line station through perhaps not taking on the large task of undergrounding the station but at least upgrade the pedestrian experience of walking from the train and to your development to basically throw money at you? Invest in the station and we'll even go so far as to rename it the Pico/Chick Hearn/LA Live station.

Conceptually, I can get behind eliminating parking spaces. The practical aspects are what concerns me. For example we could insist that the Liebeskind building in South Park have no parking spaces (this is an upscale condo tower with retail near LA Live). Who would like to write a letter to the city and to the developer proposing this, strongly encouraging them to comply and then keeping us updated on the developer's and the city's responses? My guess is that it would affect the economic viability of the project but there's only one way to find out. If the reaction is not too bad we can extend it to all developments.

Same for builders around transit stops. Let's put a series of transit and quality of life related taxes around anyone who wants to put in a business anywhere near certain transit stops. We can then see how development around these stops compares with those without such taxes. Or do we have to do all transit stops? Then we pretty much put a tax on building in every part of DT.

You are basically talking about "naming rights" to the city? You pay for it, you get to name it? This one is very difficult to support even theoretically. I am already disgusted by the level of this on sports. The "AEG Corner of Pico and Figueroa"? The "Depends Adult Undergarment Station at Pershing Square"? I likewise oppose "branding opportunities" proposed as a means of funding the Hollywood and DT "101 cap parks".

Ok so let's drop the naming rights which I included to only sweeten the pot. Now we're back to a strong central civic gov't that has an equally strong long range plan for downtown where pedestrianism is encouraged while car usage is discouraged. We'll just eradicate minimum parking requirements and place a cap on parking availability downtown.

In that case I drop the sarcasm.

Much as I like the idea of car-free DT I just don't think that developers are going to buy the idea. I would actually be interested in finding out what their reactions would be and how the economics of a tower with no parking would work. I assume that prices would drop more than the cost saving of eliminating the parking levels.

My approach would probably be to make some streets car-free DT, with adquate off-street parking to make it easy for people to get out of their cars. Over time, the number of car-free streets would expand or fees raised once there are sufficient people living DT and sufficient lines up and running.

I am very hesitant to rely solely on mass transit, or any one method of transportation.

L.A. Central Faces Foreclosure
$1 Billion Project Was Envisioned as Retail Counterpart to L.A. Live
by Anna Scott, Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009 4:22 PM PST

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES – The South Park site slated for the $1 billion L.A. Central mega-development, envisioned as a complementary retail partner for L.A. Live, is facing foreclosure.

Wachovia Bank this month initiated foreclosure proceedings on the current parking lot at 11th and Figueroa streets, according to documents filed with the L.A. County Recorder’s office and obtained by Los Angeles Downtown News, after property owner Fig Central Fee Owner, LLC (operated by New York-based developer The Moinian Group) failed to make several payments to the bank. The developer owes Wachovia approximately $45.6 million, according to a default notice dated Nov. 2. Wachovia’s original loan, according to the same notice, totaled $55 million.

The Moinian Group’s director of development, Oskar Brecher, said today that the company is in talks with Wachovia about the property’s fate, and “pending the outcome of the discussions, there is nothing to announce.”

The Moinian Group purchased the L.A. Central site from L.A. Live developer the Anschutz Entertainment Group for $80 million in 2006. The developer received entitlement to build 53- and 37-story towers housing 860 condominiums, plus 250,000 square feet of retail space, a grocery store, restaurants and a boutique hotel with 222 rooms.

Ever since the project’s conception, Moinian officials have described it as the residential and retail counterpart to the 27-acre L.A. Live sports and entertainment complex.

An AEG spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

^^ I actually don't feel bad about this.

Let's think this through before we put anything on such prime, pristine property.

I hope the property goes back to AEG. I'm sure they can do something nice with it.

SMG: good point. In a way this is good since there is now time to rethink what should be going on in an area that is rapidly becoming the center of activity for DT. The interaction of open space, retail and transit could be a defining view of LA or it could be a jumble that doesn’t work economically or aesthetically.

I would like to see more open space and greenery; routing Fig under an open plaza. Interesting overhangs or other eye-catching constructions at a 15 to 20 story level; architecture that picks up deco or other DT themes; more stone mixed in with the metal and glass; transit that moves you straight to plazas and sidewalks. Isn’t that what city designers and architects are for?

And for all of those people complaining about crossing the street when getting off the rail line, maybe the city could require whoever builds there to put a bridge in?

This is great news in my mind. Nothing to mourn about.

No tear here either. Let someone else take a stab at it now.

And for all of those people complaining about crossing the street when getting off the rail line, maybe the city could require whoever builds there to put a bridge in?

No bridges. I actually like that street for some reason. Once something else is built across from LA Live it won't be an issue.

Bridges seperate pedestrians too much from street-level activity. All you need is a good development on that site with wide sidewalks. Then people wouldrather walk at street level than take a bridge across.

I haven't seen it in like... 2 months already!

are there any recent pics of what would have beem the LA Central Site??

I can help with that.

Imagine a parking lot.

Now imagine that parking lot with a fence around it.

lol, hope that helps.

Heyyyyy, videogames ventures forth from the IE and deals his op! (You need an avatar and a location if you're gonna be in the big city.)

You are probably the first person to understand what my name means...oh the joys of middle school (I'm in college now). If there were any good pictures on google of the IE and wanted to exert the effort to get it and then put it on my SSC profile, I would.

But I don't.

I like the anonymity, I still lurk, I just like to make myself known when there can be comic relief....like your face, jk jk

I can help with that.

Imagine a parking lot.

Now imagine that parking lot with a fence around it.

lol, hope that helps.


HAHAHA!! wow thats an ugly site lol thanks :)

Not as ugly as Milque's face but yeah, pretty ugly, jk jk, just had to get one last in. People can't even park there for Laker game, so when people use the term 'useless parking lot', they actually mean it.

But seriously Milque, people around you should DOUBLE BAG.

Ouch! Heyyyy, that's twice! Why don't you and Chewsif go down and check out the cement trucks at West Baseline Road and South Arrowhead Ave? I hear they're about to put in a fresh gutter! Bring your notepads and disposable cams, now :) . (Actually can't fault these guys- they're pretty loyal to their cause)

^^ "double bag" ... hmmpf ...

Do you know what double bag means?

If you do then this is for those that don't.

Double bagging means that I should wear a bag on my head, in case the bag on yours falls off, so I don't have to see your face, lol.

Its all in playful fun milque, i'm sure people are enjoying this. And I was down at West Baseline the other day, the new gutter is looking pretty good.

Back to the topic at hand, hows the parking lot looking these days?

About as good as that gutter :)

Can we just about call this project dead now? It was Moinian's project and with it being foreclosed on, someone else will buy it and the odds are 10000000/1 that they keep this project. Something will go up there, but it will almost assuredly be nothing like the current plan. Hopefully it includes plenty of retail though because South Park needs it.

New Life for L.A. Central: Moinian Extends Financing, Parking Returns (http://blogdowntown.com/2010/03/5205-new-life-for-la-central-moinian-extends-financing)

After nine months fenced off and vacant, an $80 million piece of land across the street from Staples Center has been buzzing with life this week. Parking operations returned to the site over the weekend, and crews have been busy working to clear weeds, trim landscaping and patch cracked asphalt.

The four-acre site, to be developed into a project known as "L.A. Central," has spent the last two years embroiled in lawsuits, but property owner Moinian Group said today that it has extended the project's financing. That will allow it to move forward on what may end up to be a scaled-back version of the development.

"This is a major step forward in ultimately developing the site," said Oskar Brecher, Moinian's director of development. The property occupies the entire block bounded by Figueroa, 11th, Flower and 12th streets.

Original plans called for two towers 53 and 37 stories, 860 market-rate units, a 222 room hotel and 250,000 square feet of retail. While the firm is working to extend those entitlements, what gets built will "straddle between the very ambitious project we had designed for the site and what the current possibilities happen to be," Brecher said.

In November, Wachovia declared Moinian to be in default on a $55 million loan it had given the company for the property. More recently it filed a lawsuit against founder Joseph Moinian and developer Henry Shahery, claiming that the two were liable for the amount under a personal guaranty they had signed.

That suit was withdrawn last week, and Brecher said that Moinian has "extended the financing on the property for several years."

The site was fenced off in June of 2009 after an injunction was issued forbidding Moinian from operating parking. AEG, who sold Moinian the property in 2006, had filed a suit claiming that the sale agreement gave it the exclusive right to parking operation. That case has now been settled.

"We have an agreement with AEG to jointly operate the parking on the property," Brecher said. "That, I think, is in everybody's interest. Now we have worked it out so that we're both happy."

Still unresolved are several smaller cases related to services provided in project design and entitlement. One of those was filed by architecture firm RTKL, who alleges that it is owed $3.6 million on a $14 million design contract. That case is scheduled to go to trial in April, but settlement talks are underway.

"We made some progress, but we need to come to an understanding all around," Brecher said. "It's not entirely clear right now whether we can do that without being adversarial."

Park 5th, Grand Ave, L. A. Central, etc.

I feel like I'm in a zombie movie. There are noises and vague stirrings in the cemetary but I'm not sure if anything is actually alive. Mostly dead bodies staggering around trying to figure out where there is blood to drink.

its back on?

Park 5th, Grand Ave, L. A. Central, etc.

I feel like I'm in a zombie movie. There are noises and vague stirrings in the cemetary but I'm not sure if anything is actually alive. Mostly dead bodies staggering around trying to figure out where there is blood to drink.

:lol: good analogy. :lol:

Can this project die already?

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



sorry for reviving this thread, but I have a large rendering of the project. Sorry for the bad pixelation, but I got it from a PDF file. I'm using the Figueroa Central site for my Senior Thesis, and I found this while researching. Would anyone else have more renderings of this?

SOUPS?

sorry for reviving this thread, but I have a large rendering of the project. Sorry for the bad pixelation, but I got it from a PDF file. I'm using the Figueroa Central site for my Senior Thesis, and I found this while researching. Would anyone else have more renderings of this?

I would! Can you just post the link you got them from, though? Thanks.

I would! Can you just post the link you got them from, though? Thanks.
it was in RTKL's website...page 17 of the PDF brochure

http://www.rtkl.com/Publications/docs/rtkl_meeting_the_market.pdf

it was in RTKL's website...page 17 of the PDF brochure

http://www.rtkl.com/Publications/docs/rtkl_meeting_the_market.pdf

Thanks! Interesting that they refer to one of the towers as the 'W Residences'...

i really want this project to be built. I hope we hear something positive in the very near future since there is so much action near this lot.

i really want this project to be built. I hope we hear something positive in the very near future since there is so much action near this lot.

It's arguably the most important parcel to downtown right now. We need a seamless transition from Staples/convention center to the Blue Line to the modern lofts and historical buildings of South Park and finally over to the Fashion District. As soon as your train surfaces from underground and you get off at the Pico stop, you should not be greeted with a view of Staples Center across a large parking lot, but rather a sense of density filled with apartments/condos/retail/restaurants.

It's arguably the most important parcel to downtown right now. We need a seamless transition from Staples/convention center to the Blue Line to the modern lofts and historical buildings of South Park and finally over to the Fashion District. As soon as your train surfaces from underground and you get off at the Pico stop, you should not be greeted with a view of Staples Center across a large parking lot, but rather a sense of density filled with apartments/condos/retail/restaurants.

A really good point, especially for visitors. I have seen tourists get excited about seeing Staples and shouting out "Lakers" when they see it. But having an urban environment rather than parking lots has to create a better impression.

Both good posts. i would like to add that the retail portion of this project will also be a major game changer for downtown. This will bring in known names and will really complete the initial vision of LA Live / LA Central. i also like the open plaza area fronting Figueroa.

If this project were ever to get revived, it would most definitely be shrunk if anything. Worse case scenario, one tower, but would at the very least still be 30+ floors. Whatever the case, I'd welcome it with open arms. Just as long as it doesn't turn into a whole block of a small 7 floor apartment complex. I want retail along Figueroa right across the street from LA Live. Farmers Field will need something like this to kill time before and after games. When you get off of the Pico station, you honestly have to walk past parking lots to get to LA live. Once the stadium is underway, that will be unacceptable. More people will be using the station in order to get to the stadium for the games, and that will bring demand to the area, thus giving reason for this to be built. I'm sure by the time we achieve a team and everything is in motion, dozens of projects in the area will be revisited.

Nice looking building.

If this project were ever to get revived, it would most definitely be shrunk if anything. Worse case scenario, one tower, but would at the very least still be 30+ floors. Whatever the case, I'd welcome it with open arms. Just as long as it doesn't turn into a whole block of a small 7 floor apartment complex. I want retail along Figueroa right across the street from LA Live. Farmers Field will need something like this to kill time before and after games. When you get off of the Pico station, you honestly have to walk past parking lots to get to LA live. Once the stadium is underway, that will be unacceptable. More people will be using the station in order to get to the stadium for the games, and that will bring demand to the area, thus giving reason for this to be built. I'm sure by the time we achieve a team and everything is in motion, dozens of projects in the area will be revisited.

A mid-upper market hotel like a W Hotel would work best at that site, along with a retail/entertainment base. Not everyone can afford the Ritz and the Wilshire Grand won't be replaced for how long?? Time to build a quickie 50-60 story hotel to soak up the traffic.

A mid-upper market hotel like a W Hotel would work best at that site, along with a retail/entertainment base. Not everyone can afford the Ritz and the Wilshire Grand won't be replaced for how long?? Time to build a quickie 50-60 story hotel to soak up the traffic.

Actually, I prefer the 2 tower format. I've been saying for a while that W should look at downtown for a hotel/residences. I would love to see a 50 story W Hotel and a 30 story residential tower. LA Central needs to happen.