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A Very Lucky 13
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| The courtyard of the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex. The City West development is one of the projects recognized in the sixth annual Downtowners of Distinction awards. Photo by Gary Leonard |
Los Angeles Downtown News Honors Notable Projects With Downtowners of Distinction Awards
by Jon Regardie
When looking back at 2006 in Downtown, the most striking thing is how many new projects and efforts debuted. The second most interesting aspect about the year may be that, while housing once again garnered the most attention from local, national and even international media, new residential complexes comprised only a portion of what arrived.
In fact, Downtown Los Angeles in 2006 witnessed the completion and debut of projects in virtually every category: luxury condominiums and low-income apartment complexes; upscale restaurants and grab-and-go eateries; big-budget museum shows and street-level arts endeavors; multi-million dollar office renovations and advances in law enforcement.
With so many accomplishments, it was not easy to select the winners of Los Angeles Downtown News' sixth annual Downtowners of Distinction awards. There were a plethora of projects, and behind each were dozens of people doing the dirty detail work to make them come alive. The difficulty lies in the challenge of naming the best of the best.
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, Downtown News will recognize 13 projects in as many Downtown districts at the Downtowners of Distinction awards ceremony. At the conclusion of the event, the Project of the Year will be announced.
Downtown News editorial staff selected the individual winners, while leaders from the various Downtown districts chose a Project of the Year from the finalists. The Project of the Year will be featured in next week's Downtown News.
This year honorees were selected in the Arts District, Bunker Hill, Central City East, Chinatown, City West, Fashion District, Figueroa Corridor, Financial District, Historic Core, Little Tokyo, Old Bank District, South Park and Union Station/El Pueblo. The recurring theme is that each affected more than just its borders, that every project made its neighborhood, and by extension all of Downtown, a better place for those who live, work and visit here.
Following, in alphabetical order by district, are details on the winning projects.
Arts District
Winner: Savoy
When original developer Trammell Crow Residential began building an apartment complex then known as the Alexan Savoy, there was little new residential in the Arts District. Intracorp. Los Angeles acquired the project for $114 million in January 2006 and set about a condominium transformation that has resulted in not just residents, but Arts District stakeholders truly invested in the long-term health of the community. The inhabitants of the 303 units now have a role in making their neighborhood blossom. And since Savoy opened at First and Alameda streets last winter, the community has done exactly that: The decision not to include ground-floor retail has helped integrate Savoy residents with surrounding neighborhoods, and consequently new businesses are already sprouting. Now, other developers are following Intracorp.'s lead. Savoy has planted a residential seed that is growing every day.
Bunker Hill
Winner: Los Angeles Opera
If one thing defines the class act that is L.A. Opera, it's how the company responded when its major summer production Grendel encountered technical difficulties that delayed its world premiere. Instead of downplaying the situation, the Opera team, including Chief Operating Officer Edgar Baitzel, reached out to subscribers, the media and the city and explained the problem and how they intended to fix it. Not only did they open Grendel, but they created a critically lauded hit. It was just one highlight in a year that included L.A. Opera's 20th anniversary season, and saw new Music Director James Conlon replace esteemed Kent Nagano. Along with staging high-profile productions such as La Traviata and Manon, L.A. Opera in 2006 positioned itself for the future: It announced the cast, the schedule and seed money for an unprecedented presentation of Wagner's Ring cycle. Don't be surprised if that gets L.A. Opera and its Artistic Director Plácido Domingo another Distinction award.
Central City East
Winner: LAPD's Crime Fighting Efforts
Many people will remember 2006 as the year people stopped accepting that Skid Row has to be the way it is, and a significant part of that change stems from Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Andy Smith, the most public face of the LAPD's stepped-up crime fighting effort. Smith was the one who in 2005 spoke up, loudly, when he saw Sheriff's Department deputies "dump" a homeless man on Skid Row. Last year, he was omnipresent in the effort to combat drug dealers, illegal vendors, prostitutes and others dragging down Central City East, and he has worked creatively with neighborhood prosecutor Dena Carreyn. But Smith, who was appointed by Police Chief William Bratton, has done more than just fight crime: Under his leadership, Central Division officers have become true partners in the Downtown turnaround, working with area businesses and residents to make the neighborhood safer and cleaner. The proof is in the statistics: Central Division crime is at its lowest level since 1944.
Chinatown
Winner: Work on the Los Angeles State Historic Park
In 2006 the California State Parks Department did something unlikely in Downtown: It got the concrete-clad community excited about a park. Twice. In September, the Department built upon the groundwork laid by artist Lauren Bon's "Not a Cornfield" project and opened an interim park on the land long known as the Cornfield. Suddenly, Downtowners and their families had a vast, grassy expanse upon which to escape the traffic and hubbub of the city. Additionally, the Department captured the imagination of international planners and architects with its design competition for a future permanent park on the 32-acre site. Major names responded, offering outside-the-box options, and the Department ultimately made a wise choice in selecting the team headed by San Francisco's Hargreaves Associates and including local architect Michael Maltzan. Now, the Department and Director Ruth Coleman have raised expectations about what a Downtown park can be.
City West
Winner: Miguel Contreras Learning Complex
With the $138 million Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, the LAUSD and architect Scott Johnson achieved what many thought impossible: They created a publicly funded facility that, thanks to its stunning design, serves students and the greater community. The 19-acre project on Crown Hill includes an array of amenities: athletic fields, an Olympic-sized pool, a pedestrian bridge over Third Street, expansive courtyards and, altogether, a magnificent environment for the 1,713 high school students. The academic campus is set in a U-shaped complex arranged around a courtyard and there are ample views of Downtown and the Hollywood Hills. Additionally, the school has helped relieve overcrowding at nearby Belmont High School, thus improving education from the day it opened in September. The LAUSD is building 160 schools, but it'll be hard to top this one.
Fashion District
Winner: Tiara Café
The Fashion District has long been known for its creative pursuits. In 2006, chef Fred Eric brought the clothing flair to the culinary world with his sparkling Tiara Café. The colorful space at 127 E. Ninth St. quickly established itself as the district's prime space to see and be seen, thanks to the pink walls, colorful murals and, of course, the organic meals. Eric, who has founded an array of buzzworthy eateries, has given Downtown a dining destination unlike any other, as he dishes up a healthy slate of options, many vegetarian and vegan, while still offering delectable diversions like a chocolate fountain. And proving that he understands the time crunch of the fashion world, Tiara Café includes a grab-and-go stand stocked with fresh sandwiches and salads. Expect other restaurateurs to once again follow Eric to a cool new neighborhood.
Figueroa Corridor
Winner: Galen Center
This district saw several significant projects in 2006, including the opening of Shammas Group's new auto dealerships. But nothing had a bigger impact on the neighborhood than the October debut of USC's $140 million Galen Center. The instant landmark at Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard is a state-of-the-art sports arena with an attractive brick façade and, inside, a huge window providing one of the best views you'll ever see of the Downtown skyline. This new home for the USC men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams seats more than 10,000 people and will bring not just new fans, but other high-profile events to Downtown. Even though it is only a single building, the Galen Center, designed by the Downtown office of architecture firm HNTB, brings the heart of Downtown and USC closer together.
Financial District
Winner: Upgrade of City National Plaza
Even if Jim Thomas had only placed chairs and tables outside of City National Plaza, he would have made a successful move for this key Financial District space. But Thomas Properties Group went much further on the complex at Fifth and Flower streets that it acquired in 2003 for $270 million: The company launched a $125 million renovation, and in 2006, the spectacular results were revealed. Along with enlivening the street-front space, office occupancy has increased from 20% to more than 70%, meaning there are hundreds of new workers to activate the community. There have also been improvements for the underground mall, now renamed 505 Flower. Today the once dark space includes bright new options like the second outpost of the Weiland Brewery. While the neighborhood saw several important projects in 2006, including the debut of residential development Library Court, Thomas' investment in City National Plaza made the biggest change in the neighborhood and will pay dividends for years to come.
Historic Core
Winner: Downtown Art Walk
When it began in September 2004, few people outside the gallery scene had high expectations for the Downtown Art Walk. But now, the event that occurs on the second Thursday of each month is a highlight on virtually every Downtowner's social calendar. The Art Walk regularly attracts more than 1,000 people to the Historic Core, and for several hours they stroll the streets and stop into dozens of commercial art galleries, museums and non-profit art venues, and frequently hit area restaurants and bars as well. In the process, they pump life into the community and prove that if you provide the right opportunity, people will come anywhere Downtown, even after dark. The Downtown Art Walk is now both a successful monthly event, and a promise of what Downtown could be every night of the week.
Little Tokyo
Winner: Japanese American National Museum's Shows
The Japanese American National Museum, an important player in Little Tokyo since it opened in 1992, reached new heights in 2006. Under the leadership of President and CEO Irene Hirano, JANM presented a trio of prominent exhibits that spoke to more than just those of Japanese descent: The retrospective of Isamu Noguchi, which opened in February; Kip Fullbeck's May show part asian; 100% hapa, which explored touchy issues of race and identity; and November's exhibit featuring photos of the Manzanar internment camp taken by Ansel Adams. Throughout the year the museum served its core audience while also educating and entertaining other Downtowners, and provided a reason for more people to visit Little Tokyo. The latter element also came into play with a summer outdoor concert series and a slate of public programs, from lectures to theater to family events. JANM has developed into a true Downtown jewel.
Old Bank District
Winner: New Street Level Retail Outlets
The Old Bank District would not be what it is today - a rising residential community - without brave souls who take risks that others scoffed at. First there was Tom Gilmore, who not only transformed old buildings into new housing, but opened Pete's Café. Now, a new wave of street level retailers are creating the kinds of options that turn a place with a few housing complexes into a living, breathing neighborhood. Recently entrepreneurs have written the business plans, raised the money and put in the exceedingly long hours to service area residents and those from beyond the community. Downtown has warmly welcomed Old Bank DVD, restaurant Blossom, clothing stores Stella Dottir and Push Emporium, and most recently, the bookshop Metropolis. And the Old Bank District Market has doubled its space. Together, they are turning Fourth and Main streets into a true Downtown destination.
South Park
Winner: Elleven
With L.A. Live well underway and at least a half dozen cranes in the district, it's obvious that South Park is the next major Downtown housing hub. However, Homer Williams, the head of developer South Group, realized that at least a half decade before most of the rest of the city, and got his team building an array of condominium structures. The first, the $65 million Elleven, opened in April at 11th Street and Grand Avenue - it was sold out by the time of its debut and brought inhabitants of 176 units into the area, creating a residential beachhead that is spurring a huge new wave of development. The 13-story Elleven also boasts something else that area inhabitants have long been clamoring for: South Park's first Starbucks (could a Pinkberry be far behind?). With more than 1,700 condominiums planned for the area over the next decade, South Group stands ready to change the face of its district.
Union Station/El Pueblo
Winner: California Endowment's New Headquarters
Not only did the California Endowment buck a trend by leaving the Valley for Downtown, it did so with style: The nonprofit's $80 million new headquarters is an attractive 6.5-acre campus that draws inspiration from California's natural resources - it includes river rocks in the landscaping and pavement from the Sierra Nevadas - and features a pacific interior courtyard. The design by Rios Clementi Hale Studios provides ample room for hundreds of workers and visitors to the Endowment and its Center for Healthy Communities. It's a wonderful new Downtown home for an organization that has dispensed more than $1.6 billion in grants since it was founded nearly a decade ago. But its gift to the community is that it enhances the eastern edge of Downtown.
Dig the Distinction Winners
Want a bigger, closer, more colorful look at the winners of the Downtowners of Distinction awards? This Wednesday, oversized posters of each of the 13 winners will go on display on the second level of the atrium at Wells Fargo Center on Bunker Hill. The exhibit, which will stay up for two weeks, is courtesy of Downtown-based Maguire Properties. Wells Fargo Center is at 330 S. Hope St.
Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.
page , 2/26/2007
© Los Angeles Downtown News. Reprinting items retrieved from the archives are for personal use only. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted without permission of the Los Angeles Downtown News. If you would like to re-distribute anything from the Los Angeles Downtown News Archives, please call our permissions department at (213) 481-1448.
In fact, Downtown Los Angeles in 2006 witnessed the completion and debut of projects in virtually every category: luxury condominiums and low-income apartment complexes; upscale restaurants and grab-and-go eateries; big-budget museum shows and street-level arts endeavors; multi-million dollar office renovations and advances in law enforcement.
With so many accomplishments, it was not easy to select the winners of Los Angeles Downtown News' sixth annual Downtowners of Distinction awards. There were a plethora of projects, and behind each were dozens of people doing the dirty detail work to make them come alive. The difficulty lies in the challenge of naming the best of the best.
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, Downtown News will recognize 13 projects in as many Downtown districts at the Downtowners of Distinction awards ceremony. At the conclusion of the event, the Project of the Year will be announced.
Downtown News editorial staff selected the individual winners, while leaders from the various Downtown districts chose a Project of the Year from the finalists. The Project of the Year will be featured in next week's Downtown News.
This year honorees were selected in the Arts District, Bunker Hill, Central City East, Chinatown, City West, Fashion District, Figueroa Corridor, Financial District, Historic Core, Little Tokyo, Old Bank District, South Park and Union Station/El Pueblo. The recurring theme is that each affected more than just its borders, that every project made its neighborhood, and by extension all of Downtown, a better place for those who live, work and visit here.
Following, in alphabetical order by district, are details on the winning projects.
Arts District
Winner: Savoy
When original developer Trammell Crow Residential began building an apartment complex then known as the Alexan Savoy, there was little new residential in the Arts District. Intracorp. Los Angeles acquired the project for $114 million in January 2006 and set about a condominium transformation that has resulted in not just residents, but Arts District stakeholders truly invested in the long-term health of the community. The inhabitants of the 303 units now have a role in making their neighborhood blossom. And since Savoy opened at First and Alameda streets last winter, the community has done exactly that: The decision not to include ground-floor retail has helped integrate Savoy residents with surrounding neighborhoods, and consequently new businesses are already sprouting. Now, other developers are following Intracorp.'s lead. Savoy has planted a residential seed that is growing every day.
Bunker Hill
Winner: Los Angeles Opera
If one thing defines the class act that is L.A. Opera, it's how the company responded when its major summer production Grendel encountered technical difficulties that delayed its world premiere. Instead of downplaying the situation, the Opera team, including Chief Operating Officer Edgar Baitzel, reached out to subscribers, the media and the city and explained the problem and how they intended to fix it. Not only did they open Grendel, but they created a critically lauded hit. It was just one highlight in a year that included L.A. Opera's 20th anniversary season, and saw new Music Director James Conlon replace esteemed Kent Nagano. Along with staging high-profile productions such as La Traviata and Manon, L.A. Opera in 2006 positioned itself for the future: It announced the cast, the schedule and seed money for an unprecedented presentation of Wagner's Ring cycle. Don't be surprised if that gets L.A. Opera and its Artistic Director Plácido Domingo another Distinction award.
Central City East
Winner: LAPD's Crime Fighting Efforts
Many people will remember 2006 as the year people stopped accepting that Skid Row has to be the way it is, and a significant part of that change stems from Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Andy Smith, the most public face of the LAPD's stepped-up crime fighting effort. Smith was the one who in 2005 spoke up, loudly, when he saw Sheriff's Department deputies "dump" a homeless man on Skid Row. Last year, he was omnipresent in the effort to combat drug dealers, illegal vendors, prostitutes and others dragging down Central City East, and he has worked creatively with neighborhood prosecutor Dena Carreyn. But Smith, who was appointed by Police Chief William Bratton, has done more than just fight crime: Under his leadership, Central Division officers have become true partners in the Downtown turnaround, working with area businesses and residents to make the neighborhood safer and cleaner. The proof is in the statistics: Central Division crime is at its lowest level since 1944.
Chinatown
Winner: Work on the Los Angeles State Historic Park
In 2006 the California State Parks Department did something unlikely in Downtown: It got the concrete-clad community excited about a park. Twice. In September, the Department built upon the groundwork laid by artist Lauren Bon's "Not a Cornfield" project and opened an interim park on the land long known as the Cornfield. Suddenly, Downtowners and their families had a vast, grassy expanse upon which to escape the traffic and hubbub of the city. Additionally, the Department captured the imagination of international planners and architects with its design competition for a future permanent park on the 32-acre site. Major names responded, offering outside-the-box options, and the Department ultimately made a wise choice in selecting the team headed by San Francisco's Hargreaves Associates and including local architect Michael Maltzan. Now, the Department and Director Ruth Coleman have raised expectations about what a Downtown park can be.
City West
Winner: Miguel Contreras Learning Complex
With the $138 million Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, the LAUSD and architect Scott Johnson achieved what many thought impossible: They created a publicly funded facility that, thanks to its stunning design, serves students and the greater community. The 19-acre project on Crown Hill includes an array of amenities: athletic fields, an Olympic-sized pool, a pedestrian bridge over Third Street, expansive courtyards and, altogether, a magnificent environment for the 1,713 high school students. The academic campus is set in a U-shaped complex arranged around a courtyard and there are ample views of Downtown and the Hollywood Hills. Additionally, the school has helped relieve overcrowding at nearby Belmont High School, thus improving education from the day it opened in September. The LAUSD is building 160 schools, but it'll be hard to top this one.
Fashion District
Winner: Tiara Café
The Fashion District has long been known for its creative pursuits. In 2006, chef Fred Eric brought the clothing flair to the culinary world with his sparkling Tiara Café. The colorful space at 127 E. Ninth St. quickly established itself as the district's prime space to see and be seen, thanks to the pink walls, colorful murals and, of course, the organic meals. Eric, who has founded an array of buzzworthy eateries, has given Downtown a dining destination unlike any other, as he dishes up a healthy slate of options, many vegetarian and vegan, while still offering delectable diversions like a chocolate fountain. And proving that he understands the time crunch of the fashion world, Tiara Café includes a grab-and-go stand stocked with fresh sandwiches and salads. Expect other restaurateurs to once again follow Eric to a cool new neighborhood.
Figueroa Corridor
Winner: Galen Center
This district saw several significant projects in 2006, including the opening of Shammas Group's new auto dealerships. But nothing had a bigger impact on the neighborhood than the October debut of USC's $140 million Galen Center. The instant landmark at Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard is a state-of-the-art sports arena with an attractive brick façade and, inside, a huge window providing one of the best views you'll ever see of the Downtown skyline. This new home for the USC men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams seats more than 10,000 people and will bring not just new fans, but other high-profile events to Downtown. Even though it is only a single building, the Galen Center, designed by the Downtown office of architecture firm HNTB, brings the heart of Downtown and USC closer together.
Financial District
Winner: Upgrade of City National Plaza
Even if Jim Thomas had only placed chairs and tables outside of City National Plaza, he would have made a successful move for this key Financial District space. But Thomas Properties Group went much further on the complex at Fifth and Flower streets that it acquired in 2003 for $270 million: The company launched a $125 million renovation, and in 2006, the spectacular results were revealed. Along with enlivening the street-front space, office occupancy has increased from 20% to more than 70%, meaning there are hundreds of new workers to activate the community. There have also been improvements for the underground mall, now renamed 505 Flower. Today the once dark space includes bright new options like the second outpost of the Weiland Brewery. While the neighborhood saw several important projects in 2006, including the debut of residential development Library Court, Thomas' investment in City National Plaza made the biggest change in the neighborhood and will pay dividends for years to come.
Historic Core
Winner: Downtown Art Walk
When it began in September 2004, few people outside the gallery scene had high expectations for the Downtown Art Walk. But now, the event that occurs on the second Thursday of each month is a highlight on virtually every Downtowner's social calendar. The Art Walk regularly attracts more than 1,000 people to the Historic Core, and for several hours they stroll the streets and stop into dozens of commercial art galleries, museums and non-profit art venues, and frequently hit area restaurants and bars as well. In the process, they pump life into the community and prove that if you provide the right opportunity, people will come anywhere Downtown, even after dark. The Downtown Art Walk is now both a successful monthly event, and a promise of what Downtown could be every night of the week.
Little Tokyo
Winner: Japanese American National Museum's Shows
The Japanese American National Museum, an important player in Little Tokyo since it opened in 1992, reached new heights in 2006. Under the leadership of President and CEO Irene Hirano, JANM presented a trio of prominent exhibits that spoke to more than just those of Japanese descent: The retrospective of Isamu Noguchi, which opened in February; Kip Fullbeck's May show part asian; 100% hapa, which explored touchy issues of race and identity; and November's exhibit featuring photos of the Manzanar internment camp taken by Ansel Adams. Throughout the year the museum served its core audience while also educating and entertaining other Downtowners, and provided a reason for more people to visit Little Tokyo. The latter element also came into play with a summer outdoor concert series and a slate of public programs, from lectures to theater to family events. JANM has developed into a true Downtown jewel.
Old Bank District
Winner: New Street Level Retail Outlets
The Old Bank District would not be what it is today - a rising residential community - without brave souls who take risks that others scoffed at. First there was Tom Gilmore, who not only transformed old buildings into new housing, but opened Pete's Café. Now, a new wave of street level retailers are creating the kinds of options that turn a place with a few housing complexes into a living, breathing neighborhood. Recently entrepreneurs have written the business plans, raised the money and put in the exceedingly long hours to service area residents and those from beyond the community. Downtown has warmly welcomed Old Bank DVD, restaurant Blossom, clothing stores Stella Dottir and Push Emporium, and most recently, the bookshop Metropolis. And the Old Bank District Market has doubled its space. Together, they are turning Fourth and Main streets into a true Downtown destination.
South Park
Winner: Elleven
With L.A. Live well underway and at least a half dozen cranes in the district, it's obvious that South Park is the next major Downtown housing hub. However, Homer Williams, the head of developer South Group, realized that at least a half decade before most of the rest of the city, and got his team building an array of condominium structures. The first, the $65 million Elleven, opened in April at 11th Street and Grand Avenue - it was sold out by the time of its debut and brought inhabitants of 176 units into the area, creating a residential beachhead that is spurring a huge new wave of development. The 13-story Elleven also boasts something else that area inhabitants have long been clamoring for: South Park's first Starbucks (could a Pinkberry be far behind?). With more than 1,700 condominiums planned for the area over the next decade, South Group stands ready to change the face of its district.
Union Station/El Pueblo
Winner: California Endowment's New Headquarters
Not only did the California Endowment buck a trend by leaving the Valley for Downtown, it did so with style: The nonprofit's $80 million new headquarters is an attractive 6.5-acre campus that draws inspiration from California's natural resources - it includes river rocks in the landscaping and pavement from the Sierra Nevadas - and features a pacific interior courtyard. The design by Rios Clementi Hale Studios provides ample room for hundreds of workers and visitors to the Endowment and its Center for Healthy Communities. It's a wonderful new Downtown home for an organization that has dispensed more than $1.6 billion in grants since it was founded nearly a decade ago. But its gift to the community is that it enhances the eastern edge of Downtown.
Dig the Distinction Winners
Want a bigger, closer, more colorful look at the winners of the Downtowners of Distinction awards? This Wednesday, oversized posters of each of the 13 winners will go on display on the second level of the atrium at Wells Fargo Center on Bunker Hill. The exhibit, which will stay up for two weeks, is courtesy of Downtown-based Maguire Properties. Wells Fargo Center is at 330 S. Hope St.
Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.
page , 2/26/2007
© Los Angeles Downtown News. Reprinting items retrieved from the archives are for personal use only. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted without permission of the Los Angeles Downtown News. If you would like to re-distribute anything from the Los Angeles Downtown News Archives, please call our permissions department at (213) 481-1448.
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