dream-awakener

reimaginning downtown los angeles

since more and more people are moving to los angeles, there are many new plans to make more room for people. one of the many areas that are experiencing re-development is the downtown area.

many are somewhat surprised when they come to los angeles and don't find an impressive skyline. and though it is the fourth "tallest city" in the u.s. behind nyc, chicago and houston, the skyline is much more scattered, due to the fact that los angeles is a multi-centered city.

what's more, the downtown area in many ways isn't often considered a center in many respects, even though there is a lot of history there and some awesome sites to see and places to experience. most angeleons choose to spend their time at venice beach, in hollywood, on sunset strip, at the grove, or hanging around santa monica, to name a few alternative choices.

but all of that will be changing. for it seems as if the downtown area will come more alive over the next decade. plans have been approved as of May 2005 for a 1.8 billion grand avenue project that will take place over the next 10 years starting dec. 2006. this project will include 2,000 new residential units with over 400 of them being affordable for low-income families, 1 million square feet of office space, a 400 room hotel, a 600,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space, and a 16 acre park connecting city hall to other new buildings like disney concert hall and catherdral of angels. within these new buildings there will be a number of new high-rises.

according to emporis, the world's largest resource on tall buildings, says that la currently has 456 high-rise buildings, with 22 more proposed for the entire city,(a number of highrises outside of the downtown area), 7 under construction, 7 under reconstruction, 4 new ones being approved.

the los angeles downtown news reports that "four south park high-rise towers totally nearly 1,200 condominiums are expected to be approved by the community redevelopment agency this thursday, signaling the most significant surge in a group-up construction trend set to transform the once-sleepy district."

one of the "iconic" centerpieces to the new development in downtown will be a 40-50 story tower designed by frank gehry, the same designer of the recent disney concert hall.

in la beginnings, nothing was built taller than city hall, the building code only allowed buildings to rise to 12 stories. but in time, technology developed to the point that they could build high-rises in a city which is located in an earthquake zone 4. it looks as if los angeles is going to put that technology to full use over the next 10 years to build upward and make some room for all of the new people moving here.

posted by J.R. Woodward @ 3:49 AM