New Signs on Old Main Street

I’m glad you raised the issue of whether this is a good or bad thing - (most blogs would have gone on forever about it being one or the other). I too am on the fence. I completely agree that it adds the latest chapter in telling the story of a building, for better or worse. While I actually like signage a lot, I only like the signage that I think is good or has character, therefore, extremely subjective. Probably all in all, I’d rather see some expression of what our lives are culturally today in 2008, then have a manicured and pristine environment. Ironic enough - tonight, I was helping the PE Lofts Owner think of a signage scheme for PE on LA street for future tenants - TOUGH task - have you seen the LA st elevation?

That elevation of the PE Building has concrete slabs covering the openings where Red Car trolleys used to enter the building on an elevated platform.

I would suggest painting trompe l’oeil (is that the spelling?) trolley cars coming out of archways where the cars used to run. A nice nod to the building’s past. I would love that as a resident of the place.

Hothouse Productions and RZO Management are owned by the same guy and occupy the 3rd floor of that building, 2500 sq ft. I met the owner late one night while Jim and I were walking Wonton. He said that he came downtown “because no one’s here” - which should be news to CSI NY, Magical Elves, and any number of production companies that have been conducting business downtown for a number of years now. He said he’s from New York, that he used to work for ICM and specializes in “packaging”.

I often wondered why no one took that big scissor lift out for a joyride, it seemed like it was just sitting up and begging for it.

it would look better if the new signs were purposely made to look weathered. that would look cool

“He said that he came downtown ‘because no one’s here’ ”

That’s news to me too. No one? Or maybe he means only Hollywood people?

he meant hollywood people, but even with that distinction he’s a little behind the times.

As many reading and posting here already know, I have often wondered out loud why the entertainment industry did not invest in Downtown real estate long ago to protect the availability of the locations they insist are so vital to their industry. I think I know the answer but it remains a question worth asking every time the industry cries at having to cope with a residential Historic Core.

As for the signs, I would get more a kick out of a contrast of mediums – an old faded painted sign next to a contemporary video screen. But that’s the post-structuralist in me. Otherwise, it is good to see some fresh paint as it gives some sense of how vivid the old sign must have been at one time.

i think he said they actually have 7500 sqft. it’s the whole third floor of that building, with the management company up front, and the production facilities in back.

i hope they remembered to pull permits for those signs.

Permits? Not likely, considering that painted signs are illegal in Los Angeles. Not like that stops anyone.

The entire building is filling up with media people and photographers. Another ‘sign’ of the rebirth of Main Street. I’m also working with several theater companies on seeing if a couple 99 seat theaters can be built on the ground and basement levels.

The guy who runs the place was fired from his last job in NYC. He loves to not tell people that. Behind the times, that's for sure. Love these idiots who open a "business" that ends up folding within months. I guess that's LA for you tho.