Comparing A Manhattan Landmark With L.A.'s Grand Avenue Project

"Wedged between Lincoln Center and the theater district, Columbus Circle had long been known as an urban landmark...The 'mini-city' boasts some of New York's most expensive restaurants as well as luxury condos, a five-star hotel, a Whole Foods Market and, soon, a museum â€" all within a few blocks...a visit to Manhattan makes it clear that despite some similarities, replicating the upscale atmosphere and vibrant pedestrian life of Columbus Circle is going to be a challenge..."

"In Columbus Circle, the upscale businesses are sustained both by residents who live nearby and workers at the center's namesake company, media titan Time Warner. Though Grand Avenue will have some office space in its third phase, most of the high-rise units are set aside for hotel rooms, condos and low-income affordable housing..."

"Architect Jeffrey Inaba...says comparing the two projects underscores an inherent contradiction in L.A.'s effort to bring urban vitality to downtown... The ironic thing would be that [Los Angeles], a city that is largely suburban, aspiring to have its first urban destination, would be copying an urban city that has a suburban destination.'"

"Laurie Olin, a landscape designer who redesigned Columbus Circle as part of the Related project, will try his hand at Grand Avenue. Early designs show rooftop pools, garden space and trees planted at angles hanging down from upper stories."