Industriel, after a long wait, finally opens this week at Sixth and Grand in the Financial District
The sign went up in October of 2011, and after almost a year and half since Industriel was first announced that it would replace Carl’s Jr at 6th and Grand in the Financial District, it is now finally nearing the finish line as the new French restaurant prepares for its grand opening tomorrow on Friday.
The 24-story City National Bank Tower (aka 606 S Olive) at Pershing Square recently added new landscaping around the tower's base
Serendipity greeted me last week when I walked by the City National Bank Tower at Pershing Square (aka 606 S Olive). I was pleasantly surprised to see new landscaping surrounding the base of the tower leading to the building’s lobby entrance. What remained as large empty pits once probably used for landscaping many years ago are now filled in again with fresh soil, new irrigation, and a variety of plants giving this intersection at Sixth and Olive a rejuvenated appearance. The landscaping went in about 3 weeks ago according to the security guard I spoke to onsite.
Mike's Deli is now open on First Street near San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo
Back in early March, a reader sent in a tip to watch for a new deli shop from the Crenshaw District, called Mike’s Deli, that was opening along First Street in the Little Tokyo and Civic Center area. Now, Mike’s Deli has been open for a little longer than a month and has added another eatery to a growing neighborhood in Little Tokyo. Already, it seems like Yelp reviewers have embraced the new location with 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Urban Noodle is looking for a new location and Bar Ama will replace it (including an expansion)
April 28th was the last day of business for the Old Bank District’s Urban Noodle restaurant. A letter posted on the outside of the now-closed restaurant from the Urban Noodle management states that another location is in the works. At the same time, another restaurant called Bar Amá will replace Urban Noodle.
Me and Bill talk about Downtown LA's new direction and bright future (Photo: The Bill Show)
This week, I had the pleasure of joining Bill Mahoney on his talk radio show, The Bill Show, which is broadcasted to 50,000 listeners a week. Bill, who has worked with Howard Stern and Adam Carolla, invited me to his radio studio to talk about Downtown LA. Quite simply, Bill and I discuss what makes Downtown LA cool.
I talk about the evolution of Downtown LA from the past to the present and what the future looks like for LA’s urban center. Some topics include what developers like Astani are planning to build, the role of “mom and pop” businesses in the Historic Core, Walmart in Chinatown, and the popular DTLA artwalk held every month.
Click to listen
Posted in art and culture, community involvement, downtown los angeles, economic development, mass transportation, mixed-use development, pedestrian oriented, public spaces, smart growth
Tagged bill mahoney, talk radio downtown la, talk radio transit planning, talk radio urban planning, talk radio urban redevelopment, the bill show
A rendering of a new boutique hotel (converted from an SRO) planned for South Park near the LA Convention Center (Photo: The Primrose Group)
Many are excited about the potential NFL stadium and convention center expansion proposed for South Park. Momentum has been slowly but steadily growing over the last several years and the groundbreaking of a new Marriott Courtyard and Residence Inn by LA Live has rekindled the interest in hotel development in Downtown LA. Now, another new boutique hotel is planned for South Park that will add to that momentum in the burgeoning entertainment district.
The popular Papi's Pizzeria is opening a second location at 5th and Main in the Historic Core
Papi’s Pizza is gaining quite the fan base lately (4.5 out of 5 on Yelp). The pizzeria just opened earlier this year at the newly remodeled Huntington Apartments at 8th and Main but has already become one of the most popular spots to grab a pizza downtown. Although I have not tried it myself, many downtown residents have informed me that it just might be one of the best pizzerias in LA. (I have promised to grab a slice the next time I’m craving pizza.)
The "Coming Soon" sign was installed earlier this week announcing the arrival of Ross Dress for Less on Broadway
Earlier this week, Ross Dress for Less installed two large banner signs announcing “Coming Soon” on the front of the historic Woolworth Building on Broadway. Back in January 2012, Ross made retail news when they leased out 39,000 square feet of space in the historic Woolworth Building (built in 1920).
The Brockman Lofts is a beautiful 12-story Beaux Arts tower at 7th/Grand
In early April, we found out that Simpson Housing Group successfully purchased The Brockman and decided to lease the units out as luxury rentals. The beautiful historic building (built in 1917) had initially been planned for condos for sale, but obviously the downturn in the economy forced many developers to switch to rentals.
Over the weekend, the new Mo-Chica sign was installed over the restaurant's front entrance
Early Saturday evening when the celebration for the new Expo Line was wrapping up, the very long-awaited Mo-Chica Peruvian restaurant on 7th Street finally showed another sign that it was closer to finally opening.
