Monthly Archives: September 2011

Therapy Boutique Coming Soon to Old Pasadena

Posted on September 30, 2011 by | 13 Comments

Therapy is relocating from Paseo Colorado to Holly St in Old Pasadena

The upscale and trendy women’s boutique, Therapy, that was one of the first tenants at the then-new Paseo Colorado about ten years ago, is relocating into a new space in Old Pasadena. Therapy joins a list of other retailers that have left Paseo Colorado for Old Pasadena including Sephora and MAC. The new location for Therapy, on the corner of Holly and Raymond in the Raymond Renaissance condo building, is currently being built out and should be ready before the end of October.

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Posted in fashion, retail

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LAPD Headquarters Community Grounds Clean Up Tomorrow (First Saturday of the Month)

Posted on September 30, 2011 by | 3 Comments

(Click to enlarge) Feel good knowing you're contributing to the community by helping out tomorrow at the LAPD grounds clean up day

We had a great discussion in the comments/feedback section last month from the Downtown LA community regarding the monthly community-organized clean up of the LAPD headquarters grounds. Many are just fed up with how the City of LA has poorly handled the upkeep of one of our newest civic additions, which ironically, actually helped in the downtown revitalization efforts by adding much needed green space for residents in the area.

One frustrated commenter, Clark, opined:

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Posted in community involvement, downtown los angeles, events

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Did You Know? One Wilshire in Downtown LA is the Telecommunications Hub of the West Coast

Posted on September 28, 2011 by | 5 Comments

One Wilshire in Downtown LA is apparently the "single most important point of connectivity in the Western United States"

I thought this was interesting. Not a lot of people know this but Downtown LA happens to be the telecommunications hub of the entire West Coast. One building says it all and that’s the One Wilshire tower located at the very beginning (or end, however you look at it) of Wilshire Blvd. Here is more info about One Wilshire from Carrier Hotels:

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Posted in downtown los angeles, education

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Next Up: Urban Renaissance for Chinatown LA

Posted on September 27, 2011 by | 5 Comments

Chinatown was largely left behind during the last decade in LA's urban renaissance, but that may be changing in the near future with a slew of new projects either under construction or waiting in the pipeline

Part of LA’s true historical gems lie to the north of the 101 freeway. Unfortunately, when the 101 freeway was built–with its trench-like chasm slicing through and forming a deep scar in the landscape–it mercilessly destroyed the urban connection between the LA Civic Center and the oldest historic heart of Downtown LA, which includes El Pueblo, Union Station, and Chinatown.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, economic development, mixed-use development

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Brigade Boutique’s Debut Sets New Direction in Downtown LA Retail

Posted on September 26, 2011 by | 5 Comments

Brigade opened yesterday and marks a milestone in Downtown LA's urban revitalization

Like I said before, yesterday was a milestone in Downtown LA’s continued renaissance as Brigade clothing boutique broke the trend of exclusive restaurant openings along 7th Street, which is now known as Downtown LA’s burgeoning Restaurant Row. Up until now, most new businesses that have opened along 7th Street have been related to food (i.e., Bottega Louie, Mas Malo, freshii, citybilly, etc.), but Brigade is the first to bring fashionable clothing to the mix and hopefully won’t be the last.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, fashion, retail

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Brigham Yen Readers Invited to Brigade Exclusive Sneak Peek this Sunday in Downtown LA

Posted on September 23, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Brigade is going to be an amazing addition to Downtown LA’s growing retail scene. We have the restaurants already, but now we’re getting the retail shopping. Brigade is a high fashion boutique selling clothing for both women and men (mens line may be added at a future date) and it’s been under active build out for several months and the finishing results are just beautiful (as you can see in the image invitation below). In fact, Brigade is ready for its “close up” this weekend as the owner, Kuo Yang, prepares for a sneak peek of his exciting concept store this Sunday to his friends and family.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, events, fashion, retail

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Trader Joe’s Snubs Downtown LA: “Not in 3-Year Plan”

Posted on September 23, 2011 by | 24 Comments

No Trader Joe's for Downtown LA for now...

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but after getting in touch with several employees at Trader Joe’s involved with corporate operations asking about Trader Joe’s opening in Downtown LA in the near future, I was directed to their customer relations where I was told that Trader Joe’s won’t be opening up in Downtown LA anytime soon. In fact, I was told specifically that it wasn’t in their company’s 3-year expansion plan. No explanation given. Thank you.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, economic development

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Uniqlo (Japan) and TopShop (UK) Coming to LA by 2012?

Posted on September 22, 2011 by | 7 Comments

Uniqlo's largest global flagship store at 89,000 SF is under construction on 5th Ave in New York with plans to open on October 14, 2011

TopShop in SoHo has been the only store in the country since 2009 until last week when the second location opened up in Chicago

Some exciting news on the fashion retail front! Last week as I was in New York I learned that both Uniqlo (from Japan) and TopShop (from UK) are definitely planning on moving out to LA sometime in the near future. Possibly as early as next year in 2012. I spoke to the manager of each store (both are in SoHo) to confirm the status of their expansion plans.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, fashion, retail

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CityBilly (Modern American Comfort Food with an “LA Twist”) Opens on Restaurant Row in Downtown LA

Posted on September 22, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Modern American comfort food, citybilly, opens on 7th Street in Downtown LA

A new restaurant concept that’s “modern American comfort food” is opening this weekend on Restaurant Row on 7th Street in Downtown LA called “citybilly,” which replaces the former Pasta Primavera that closed several months ago. The owner of citybilly, Grace Beck, had taken over Pasta Primavera about 3 years ago, but decided to go with this new concept (instead of Italian) because she wanted to delve into a cuisine she was passionate about.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, food, restaurants

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Ideas for Downtown LA: What Can Urban Los Angeles Learn from New York City?

Posted on September 21, 2011 by | 16 Comments

What can urban Los Angeles learn from New York?

I just got back from a week in New York. It was my third time there this year, so I am definitely getting the hang of it. Every time I’m in Manhattan, I am inspired by the urban landscape (the walkability, the parks, the subway system, etc.) and just how well the city is interconnected, and as a result, it’s superior functionality. I also always seem to find myself falling in love again and again with the architecture of historic New York dating back to the early 1800s to the most modern skyscrapers in Midtown.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, economic development, Ideas for Downtown LA, mass transportation, mixed-use development, pedestrian oriented, public spaces, smart growth

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