A proposed $2 billion megaproject would expand the footprint of the ongoing reinvention of Downtown Los Angeles and its surrounding neighborhoods.
"An Arts District cold-storage plant dating to the 1890s would be replaced with housing, offices, a hotel and shops in a proposal unveiled Thursday by Denver developers," reports Roger Vincent. "With a price tag between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, the complex would rank among the largest L.A. commercial real estate developments in recent memory."
The article presents the massive development proposal as evidence that developers are pushing ahead with the ongoing renaissance of Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods—despite lingering questions about the effect of the pandemic on office work in the central business district.
The developer, Continuum Partners, would add ten new buildings including a residential skyscraper at Central Avenue and 4th Street on the edge of the quickly redeveloping Arts District neighborhood to the east of Downtown Los Angeles. According to Vincent, the "historically industrial neighborhood dotted with art galleries, apartments and buzzy restaurants […] has become increasingly attractive to tech and entertainment companies including Apple TV, Sony and Warner Music."
The four-acre Fourth & Central project would require the relocation of Los Angeles Cold Storage Co. (the deal is a partnership between Continuum and Los Angeles Cold Storage), despite the ongoing strength of the cold storage business in Los Angeles. In Los Angeles Cold Storage's place, the development would add "572 condominiums and 949 apartments, with 216 units set aside for residents with low incomes paying reduced rent," according to Vincent. A hotel and office space tailored to creative industries would also be included. More details on the proposed development are included in the source article.
FULL STORY: A $2-billion mega-project could reshape the Arts District
Los Angeles Arts District Residents Resisting Plans for More Density
The Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles has seen plenty of chic newcomers in recent years—high-end cafes, restaurants, and expensive lofts. But a recently revealed plan that would allow new, dense construction has sparked controversy.
Gentrification Pushes Artists out of LA's Arts District
The arts district in downtown Los Angeles is transforming its industrial buildings into trendy boutiques, restaurants and hotels. The concern is that gentrification will drive out low-paid artists who can no longer afford to live there.
Skyline-Shifting Development Approved in Los Angeles
The Downtown Los Angeles-adjacent neighborhood of Echo Park is set to get its first towers—including one new building reaching 49 stories.
New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition
Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.
Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City
In cities big and small, the tide is turning against sprawling parking lots, car-centric development, and minimum parking mandates.
Friday Eye Candy: 20 AI-Generated Cityscapes
AI-generated images are creating new landscapes and cityscapes, capable of inspiring awe or fear.
Biden Designates a New National Monument in West Texas
The Castner Range National Monument in West Texas is the second of two new national monuments announced by President Joe Biden this week.
Study: Autonomous Cars Won’t Solve the Parking Problem
In hyper-dense cities where incentives to reduce car use and eliminate parking are already high, mass adoption of AVs won’t significantly reduce parking demand.
Proposed Pool Would Make an Olympic-Sized Play Area in the San Francisco Bay
The San Francisco Bay is usually an undesirable place to swim, except for a hearty few. A development proposal seeking assistance at the state level would add a pool to the Bay’s waters to make the idea of going for a swim more appealing.
Princeton Planning
City of College Park
Houston-Galveston Area Council
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
