Growth & Development

Grand Opening for Upper Playground and The Last Laugh

By Dave Bullock — June 03, 2008
4 Comments

Classic Car

Famous tattoo artist and painter Mister Cartoon along with the Bay Area based urban fashion store Upper Playground had their grand opening on Saturday, May 31st, in a sprawling new location on 6th street between Main and Los Angeles. Hopefully the good turnout on their first day will continue and their business will thrive. I took the long trek down the elevator...


City West's Garland Building More Than Meets the Eye

By Eric Richardson — May 28, 2008
3 Comments

Garland Building

While waiting for existing tenant leases in Figueroa Plaza to expire, three city departments will be extending their leases in the Garland Building, a City West office building that's got a little more going on than one sees at first glance. Located just west of the 110 freeway at 1200 W. 7th street, the Garland Building is a bit like an iceberg. It contains...


Hayward Facade Work Looks to Enliven 6th & Spring Retail

By Eric Richardson — May 28, 2008
16 Comments

Hayward Hotel Retail Renovations

The ground floor retail space in the Hayward Hotel at 6th & Spring is getting a major rehab, part of owner Pacific Investments' efforts to upgrade the building's presence in the Historic Core. Worn awnings are giving way to ceiling-high windows and a modern feel. The effect, even in its current, unfinished form is a more open feel to the sidewalk and the...


Vocational Center Another Victim of 1960's Uglification Movement

By Eric Richardson — May 27, 2008
10 Comments

Friedman Occupational Center

The Abram Friedman Occupational Center at 1646 S. Olive is an odd looking building. Built in 1927, the imposing height-limit structure is completely lacking in the seemingly important category of windows. Turns out it wasn't always this way. Like too many buildings Downtown, the Friedman Occupational Center was once a perfectly normal looking structure....


Views Highlight South Park's Changing Personality

By Eric Richardson — May 26, 2008

Juxtaposition

Nowhere is the changing nature of South Park more evident than at the corner of James M. Wood Blvd. and Francisco street. Located on the corner there is the Salvation Army's regional headquarters, a cluster of old buildings hugging the one-way street. Looming in the background is the rising steel for L.A. Live's skyscraper hotel, soon to be a symbol of what...


Tuesday: Talk Internet Marketing with Bloggers and Businesses

By Eric Richardson — May 23, 2008
1 Comment

Tuesday evening, May 27th, the VEDC's Historic Downtown Retail Project is hosting an Internet marketing workshop for Downtown businesses. The event, located at the Central Library, is intended to help businesses understand how best to get the word out to Downtowners about what they've got going on. Ed and I will be waving the blogdowntown flag and talking about...


Maguire Leadership Change Brings Downtown Move

By Eric Richardson — May 20, 2008

Downtown Skyline

The weekend saw a major leadership change for the company that owns many of Downtown's most iconic skyscrapers. Maguire Properties' founder Robert F. Maguire, III, was replaced as President and CEO by Nelson Rising. The company built and owns eight towers Downtown. Buried in a Times profile of Rising that runs today is news of a Downtown relocation. While...


ImaginAsian Sale Listing Seems an About-Face by Developer

By Eric Richardson — May 16, 2008
16 Comments

IMGP6892.JPG

Earlier this week Curbed noticed that the ImaginAsian Center was listed on Loopnet, a real estate sales site. The theatre, which opened in late 2007, is listed for $5.7 million. Cinema Properties Group developed the site, bringing ImaginAsian in to operate. In statements to Curbed and later the Downtown News, broker Sandy Bleifer said that a turn-around sale...


Downtown's Happy Days

By Ed Fuentes — May 16, 2008
12 Comments

Order Up

Johnny Rockets held a Grand Opening full of fanfare and fries this morning. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took some time to have a burger, fries and a chocolate shake before getting behind the counter to break in the grill. He may not be as fast as the more experienced burger masters of Johnny Rockets, but he didn't delay the ribbon cutting with Jan Perry, actress...


Pilates Plus Opens its doors in the Eastern Columbia

By Jeannine Denholm — May 15, 2008
4 Comments

Pilates Plus

Downtown's first pilates studio featuring machines quietly opened last week in the Eastern Columbia building. The studio space is sleek and modern, with a bit of an industrial edge. The combination makes it the perfect place for Pilates Plus Downtown L.A.'s bootcamp style program.