Urban Outfitters is apparently eyeing the historic 1917 Rialto Theatre on Broadway as a retail location (Photo: Google Maps)
A DTLA resident sends in some very exciting news regarding what could possibly be another sign of Broadway’s continued revitalization: Urban Outfitters.
Back in the day, Broadway used to be LA’s premier shopping high street with fashionable boutiques and grand department stores such as Bullock’s and May Co. Progressively over the decades, the most architecturally significant street in Southern California became a center of swap meets, check cashing centers, and other deep discount outlets. However, all the signs are pointing toward a brighter future for Broadway with the arrival of Ace Hotel, Umamicatessen, angelo:HOME, etc. And the momentum could continue strongly if Urban Outfitters decides to lease the space inside the historic Rialto Theatre, first reported by SCPR.
According to SCPR, a deal has not been signed yet, but the popular urban retailer is apparently looking at the 1917 historic theater space with serious intentions. If a deal is reached successfully, Urban Outfitters may have a strong enough pull, working in concert with all the other new aforementioned businesses along Broadway, to really start bringing in other large retailers. Topshop and Uniqlo anyone?
Could Broadway one day become Los Angeles’ most sought after location for retailers and restaurants alike?
I think Yes.
Could Broadway one day return to its original grandeur as LA’s premier shopping and entertainment destination? (Photo: LAPL)
This would be colossal.. This is bigger news than any restaurant right now. I really hope it happens.
Holy smokes. Broadway does have the best potential for a major retail-oriented area. It could house many many different types and levels of retail as consumers are accustomed to in a mall, but do so on a single, walkable street.
It’s very interesting now, with the push to revitalize these theatres as perfomance spaces… I wonder how this news will be received by those who hope to see them all brought back in that way. While more major retailers like this is undoubtedly good, can it clash with the politicians, conservationists or others who hope to see the theatres all brought back as… theatres? (As long as there’s one left over for me to operate as a performance venue, I’m good with some of them taking on other uses…)
The major question will be how to preserve and respect the history of the theatre building while transitioning it to another type of use.
Of all the theatres on Broadway this one makes the most sense for a use other than as a performance space. The interior here was almost completely removed after the Northridge earthquake; so aside from the exterior marquee there is nothing left to save, let alone use. The interior is basically 4 walls being held up by lots of bracing.
I also hope local government ( esp. Huizar & Bringing back broadway) aren’t short-sighted to not seize a golden opportunity as this and further create unnecessary roadblocks or extra red tape/ opposition against this. SO FLYING WHAT!! If we lose 1 out of 12 theaters to another use. As someone stated, the interior has been stripped so would it make sense to waste more unneeded money trying to recreate instead of putting it into another use as retail ( a well known brand at that) which could be a driving force behind creating the truly diverse & dynamic retail mix that DTLA as the face of the 2nd largest city in the U.S. deserves!
Agreed. Huizar et al should do whatever they need to for Urban Outfitters to take that space.
I’m not a praying man, but I’m going to say a little prayer for this. Somebody needs to start the retail boom down here and Urban Outfitters could be just the one, as long as city leaders don’t stand in the way. Hopefully and Apple store won’t be far behind.
This is exciting news. I wish there was some way to incorporate the old Rialto marquee and neon into the Urban Putfitters store . Nothing quite like the allure of a neon movie marquee for visual excitement.
Hope this happens. Urban Outfitters would be a great tenant for the theatre assuming the adaptive re-use of Grauman’s Rialto is done in a reversible way. Thanks largely to Steve Needleman, the east side of Broadway, between 8th & 9th, is the best block on the street. UO and the Delijani family’s recent announcement re the Tower add to the mix. The LA Historic Theatre Foundation (LAHTF) toured the Rialto a couple years ago. There are a few elements of the 1940′s Lobby remodel still there, but the interior is pretty much gone except for a few fragments of the Woollett murals commissioned by Grauman. The projection booth and a piece of the stage and proscenium are also there. The roof is supported by wood framing – ideal for UO. The LAHTF secured landmark designation for the marble sidewalk and Art Deco box office – both gone. There was not enough of the original interior to be considered in the designation. The marquee is landmarked and still there – waiting to add the UO name. Here’s hoping they have the good sense to leave the Rialto name on it.
My favorite store! Even though I work for American Apparel! This is very exciting! Yuuuuup!! We’re getting there!
Broadway is killing it!
Not just Bway but this new DTLA BOOM 2.0 will definitely allow DT to kill it for years to come. This is excellent news, totally made my week. Seems like every week the persistent question is always “What will happen in DTLA this week?”
Seriously colossal, as Hunter said. This would be awesome.
This is great! I love this store. This is far off, but one day, I would love to see a Saks Fifth Avenue either on Broadway or somewhere near L.A Live!.
Either way, it would be so awesome if it actually happened. Look out New York, L.A Broadway is coming back!
How about on 5th St? LOL
Omg, please please please.
This will definitely spearhead the retail renaissance in DTLA! This has to has to happen. Bring DTLA back to its day of glory!
Like Target DTLA, Urban Outfitter will be a game changer.
If you’re downtown and need a place to shop, check out Number A in Little Tokyo. Men’s and women’s boutique with a great selection for each. Not as huge as Urban, but definitely worth the visit (and independently owned & local). http://www.number-a.com
Num. A is a very cool shop indeed. There are few others in Little Tokyo too. Also Apolis in the Arts District. More expensive but high quality and a very good ethical mission.
I won’t spend a penny in an Urban Outfitters due to their egregious record of stealing t-shirt and jewelry designs from independent artists, but I hope they do right by the Rialto.
Thank you for bringing this up!
Urban Outfitters is a store whose time has come and gone. It’s like getting excited about a Wet Seal opening up.
It has been around forever. I used to go to the original store in Philly when I lived there in what seems like at least one lifetime ago. As they expanded they were dubbed “suburban outfitters”. But on the chain clothing front though, there’s not much else that sits in that market – the hipster/college demo I guess. While I used to shop there a lot, it’s been less as I get older. I’m still excited about it as it would be a great signpost and indicator for more retail downtown and I think would do well here.
Unfortunately, the Rialto is nearly entirely stripped of historic fabric, and is more or less cave-like on the interior, so its chances to become a performance venue are very limited.
Anything that gets developed on Broadway must conform with the Broadway Community Design Overlay and Secretary of the Interior Standards for historic districts. Meaning, if Urban Outfitters comes to Broadway, Urban Outfitters has to look like Broadway – Broadway will not look like Urban outfitters.
We’ve been providing info and assisting on a potential deal for several months. Everyone’s in talks but no deal yet. Might happen, might not. We’ll see what happens but as long as historic standards are respected and there is community support, we would welcome a neighborhood-serving use that would activate the long-dormant space and allow future generations to enjoy it again at long last. If this doesn’t work out, something will – Broadway is on the upswing and we’re not giving up!
This is so “Back to the Future” when Broadway from 4th street south to 9th was where LA went to shop, see a movie and be seen. Here’s to a return to the 1920′s downtown sans bad traffic — with the new trolley — combined with the modern style of 21st century retailing and culture. ONWARD DTLA!!.