You’re not imagining it: there are a lot of developments simultaneously happening in our very own backyard. In fact, the boom in Downtown LA’s mixed-use developments early in the year has led to the erection of 36 active construction cranes (compared to New York City’s 18 and San Francisco’s 26), according to a survey conducted in January 2018.
And without any intentions on slowing down in the foreseeable future, residents and visitors alike can expect the city’s skyline and atmosphere to change as new additions are completed. But which ones are already finished and which are still under construction? What will you find in these nice, new buildings? And where is the closest parking? Here, we take a look at some of the notable developments that are making a difference in DTLA.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS NOW OPEN
Hotel Figueroa
The much-anticipated reopening of this hotel happened back in February, but the Downtown community is still abuzz about this transformation. Shuttered down in 2015 for the remodel, the once dimly lit, Moroccan-styled dwelling now boasts tall ceilings, modern décor, and abundant natural light. It is also home to two restaurants and four bars, including some of the hottest places in DTLA, Brevaand Bar Alta. Whether you’re going for a staycation or just a nice night out for dinner and drinks, be sure to check out this amazing renovation. Convenient parking is on 832 S. Francisco St.
Circa Apartments
Looking to make DTLA your new home? Then look no further than the newly-built Circa Apartments in South Park. This dual-towered residence building is within walking distance to L.A. Live, Staples Center, and the L.A. Convention Center, and can accommodate multiple retail stores and restaurants in its 7-story podium, making it the optimal choice for those looking for “city living”. Though the shiny glass façade makes for a striking feature, the new building is best known for the large SF LED Screens on its exterior that add more color, action, and life into the vibrant area. You’ll be in awe of it all, so park at 1302 W. Pico Blvd. to experience it for yourself.
Mrs. Fish
There are some genuine, uniquely Los Angeles places sprinkled throughout Downtown, but none more memorable than Mrs. Fish. Best known for its namesake, 55,000-gallon aquarium centerpiece, it was formerly a bar home to live music, industrial atmosphere, and contrasting furniture. Since its opening last month, Mrs. Fish has traded in its former nightclub interior to make way for a lighter, softer, and more appropriate design. Patrons can now enjoy a Japanese-inspired establishment complete with a sushi bar, Japanese whisky menu, and artwork from Japanese artists. If you’ve met the old Mrs. Fish, you certainly won’t recognize this one. See what it’s all about and park at 504 S. Hill St.
CONSTRUCTION COMING SOON TO DOWNTOWN LA
Tower Theater
Sitting on the corner of 8thand Broadway lies an opulent but forgotten building: The Tower Theater. It was the first L.A. theater to premiere a “talkie” (a movie with sound) and one of the first buildings in Los Angeles to have air conditioning. Now, it’ll be the first of many catalysts in revitalizing the area, in association with City Councilman Jose Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative, as it recently attracted the interest of Apple. The tech giant plans on revamping this building to not just be a flagship retail store, but also a hub for programs, classes, and other events that help consumers maximize their use and knowledge on all-things Apple. Although plans for the renovation are still at the very early stages, this addition is definitely one of the most highly anticipated in the coming years. In the meantime, you can see its beautiful exterior and other surrounding establishments by parking at 826 S. Broadway.
Sixth Street Bridge
When asked to think of an iconic Downtown LA structure, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? City Hall? Walt Disney Concert Hall? The Bradbury Building? How about the Sixth Street Viaduct? This renowned bridge that connects the Arts District to Boyle Heights has been featured on numerous different media, including Grease, Anchorman, Lost, Cagney and Lacey, and Pharrell’s “Happy” music video, just to name a few. This infrastructure is being rebuilt to combat a rare chemical reaction causing the cement supports to deteriorate and to retrofit it for earthquakes. The new design, “The Ribbon of Light” by Michael Maltzman, will feature a distinct design, safer access for pedestrians and cyclists, and parks that line the L.A. River. Although this project isn’t slated to be finished until 2020, you can see its progress by driving down a few blocks from our 350 E. 2ndSt. in Sho Tokyo.
Oceanwide Plaza
One of the largest and most ambitious projects to ever come to DTLA is the Oceanwide Plaza, a three-building development that will replace a 4.6-acre parking lot across Staples Center to contain the city’s first Park Hyatt Hotel, luxury residency, and 100,000 square-ft. of open-air retail space. There are also plans to include an outdoor sky park, a running track suspended above the city, and a 700-ft. LED ribbon, making it a wide-ranging living experience. The developers recently announced that they have just finished topping off the building in May and is set to open in 2019.
MUCH MORE TO COME
We’ll continue to take inventory of the developments around Downtown, so be sure to check back on our articles! But while there are a lot of construction projects to look forward to in DTLA, there are plenty of great places that are already here—visit our Locations page to find the closest parking for your next visit!
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