How long do you think it'll take until Downtown Los Angeles is "solid"?

destroycreate · #1 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 3:56 PM**

What I mean by that is no more gaps in development, shoddy areas, or huge parking lots interrupting the walking experience. Do you think in the next 10 years we'll see DTLA something more like Downtown SF, with consistent development and vibrance? Or do you think it'll always be a somewhat so-so area?

JManc · #2 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 5:13 PM**

DTLA reminds me of downtown Houston. Lot's of potential and late to the party but showing signs of development. I was in LA and in downtown over the weekend and there was all kinds of construction.

dubu · #3 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 5:55 PM**

its Californian it wont take that long ha

Obadno · #4 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 6:26 PM**

I think LA's downtown is solid now compared to like 20 years ago.

All of the "newer" sunbelt cities suffer from the time they were built in this regard, Phoenix, Vegas, Dallas, Houston and they are all just getting their downtowns "fixed" because tastes and culture has changed about living in an urban environment.

LA Benefits because it has such a massive population, all of southern California is anchored by LA and that's like 22 million people.

Illithid Dude · #5 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 6:38 PM**

DTLA has 80k residents now. We solid.

LA21st · #6 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 7:12 PM**

It's somewhat solid due to the rapidly growing population. The Historic Core/Arts District/Little Tokyo/Chinatown areas give it upleg up than many other growing downtowns.

It's still a work in progress though. South Park alone has numerous 50-60 story proposals.

ThePhun1 · #7 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JManc

DTLA reminds me of downtown Houston. Lot's of potential and late to the party but showing signs of development. I was in LA and in downtown over the weekend and there was all kinds of construction.

You just commited a mortal sin. You can't compare LA to Houston in any way. Here comes the LA posters.

MonkeyRonin · #8 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:22 PM**

The historic core seems pretty solid to me - it's always had great bones, and the new construction is certainly helping. But the megablock CBD is still pretty bleak and hostile, and until the freeways are buried it'll never be a seamlessly integrated part of the urban fabric the way San Francisco's downtown is.

JManc · #9 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhun1

You just commited a mortal sin. You can't compare LA to Houston in any way. Here comes the LA posters.

Houston has better tacos. Ok...now I shall take my leave.

Quixote · #10 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:25 PM**

DTLA has come a long way in the last 20 years, but it hasn’t even scratched the surface when it comes to reaching its full potential. It will take several real estate boom cycles before it can compete with west of La Brea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

DTLA has 80k residents now. We solid.

I find this really hard to believe... 40,000 tops.

Obadno · #11 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

The historic core seems pretty solid to me - it's always had great bones, and the new construction is certainly helping. But the megablock CBD is still pretty bleak and hostile, and until the freeways are buried it'll never be a seamlessly integrated part of the urban fabric the way San Francisco's downtown is.

Eh, but several blocks of dead office buildings happens everywhere, even in Manhattan there are areas that turn into ghost towns (relatively speaking) after like 7pm

ThePhun1 · #12 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JManc

Houston has better tacos. Ok...now I shall take my leave.

Even as a Houston person I've got to disagree. There's no better place for authentic Mexican food than LA.

LA21st · #13 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhun1

You just commited a mortal sin. You can't compare LA to Houston in any way. Here comes the LA posters.

Eh, I think most people wouldn't agree with it.

LA21st · #14 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno

Eh, but several blocks of dead office buildings happens everywhere, even in Manhattan there are areas that turn into ghost towns (relatively speaking) after like 7pm

South Park and the Historic core has a mixed use of hotels, offices and resdiences though.

MonkeyRonin · #15 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno

Eh, but several blocks of dead office buildings happens everywhere, even in Manhattan there are areas that turn into ghost towns (relatively speaking) after like 7pm

Office ghost towns are one thing (and everyone's got em), but I'm talking about this stuff which, between the block-sized buildings, parking podiums, and poor street interaction is also a hostile urban form on top of that: https://goo.gl/maps/fePUTQu1RoA2

Obadno · #16 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 9:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

Office ghost towns are one thing (and everyone's got em), but I'm talking about this stuff which, between the block-sized buildings, parking podiums, and poor street interaction is also a hostile urban form on top of that: https://goo.gl/maps/fePUTQu1RoA2

I call that "car commercial" street

JManc · #17 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePhun1

Even as a Houston person I've got to disagree. There's no better place for authentic Mexican food than LA.

No regular ole taco. Not TexMex with all that bowel clogging cheese. Plus, I was just throwing shade on LA anyway..

Illithid Dude · #18 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quixote

I find this really hard to believe... 40,000 tops.

It's what the census says.

LosAngelesSportsFan · #19 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 10:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quixote

DTLA has come a long way in the last 20 years, but it hasn’t even scratched the surface when it comes to reaching its full potential. It will take several real estate boom cycles before it can compete with west of La Brea.

I find this really hard to believe... 40,000 tops.

As someone who has lived in DTLA for 10 years, its night and day compared to when i first moved here. Probably over a hundred new projects have been built since then and thats just the tip of the ice berg compared to whats coming up. Tons of new retail, restaurants and bars, so many different kinds of districts and an energy that is generally positive. The next steps are the infrastructure improvements that are coming and dealing with the homeless issue.

40,000? Easily over 65,000.

LosAngelesSportsFan · #20 Posted **Jun 7, 2018, 10:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

Office ghost towns are one thing (and everyone's got em), but I'm talking about this stuff which, between the block-sized buildings, parking podiums, and poor street interaction is also a hostile urban form on top of that: https://goo.gl/maps/fePUTQu1RoA2

Yup that area from Figueroa to Hope between 5th and 2nd needs a full on makeover in regards to pedestrian interaction.