Downtown Los angeles (2009, condos, credit)

[jerodam12]

will downtown L.A. ever get any more skyscapers that's bigger and denser then the current library tower? Also will downtown L.A. size increase with building after building of skyscapers like new york city and chicago?

[King0fthehill]

Some photos and commentary from me:

prettyugly.: Downtown Los Angeles

The tallest building LA is getting is the Ritz Carlton, and its probably the tallest building we're getting for some time. BTW, skyscrapers aren't everything -- look at the European cities and their monotony of 2-5 story buildings, and look at how vibrant they are. Or for a more local example: Portland, Oregon. Many skyscrapers are monolithic structures with 0 life or zest after 5:00pm.

[Bunjee]

Is there any new street excitement around the Coca Cola building downtown? That's probably my favorite building in LA besides the Ennis House (BTW, any word on whether tours will be allowed there again?). I suppose I could take a wander...

[JakeInSoCal]

Why should it. We have earthquakes & all that resistance stuff is BS. You can't build bunch of "quake resistance" skyscrapers & expect them to last. The rolling surface waves of quakes tears structures apart.

[missionhome]

In this uncertain economy, it is unlikely that a tower not already approved or in construction would get built. Even Chicago and New York City are seeing a slow with some tower construction due to builders not being able to secure the investments and credit needed on a multi million dollar tower. Chicago's huge Spire Tower is one example of a project that is slowed down because of the economy.

[motoman]

I remember reading somewhere that downtown LA hasn't had a new skyscraper in something like 20-30 years. Much of the new construction that was underway before the economy tanked was either halted or scrapped altogether. The new construction only worked economically with the assumption that prices could be maintained at unsustainable rates or higher. The Ritz Carlton is an anomaly catering to the ultra-wealthy. It will mostly be second, third, or fourth homes for people you and I will never come across. It will do little to spur any activity in downtown LA because the people buying those places will rarely be there. And those that will be staying at the Ritz Carlton hotel will not be hanging out at LA Live having a beer.

[fortune-tellers]

Originally Posted by jerodam12

will downtown L.A. ever get any more skyscapers that's bigger and denser then the current library tower? Also will downtown L.A. size increase with building after building of skyscapers like new york city and chicago?

A very powerful earthquake is imminent!
That earthquake is long over due!

[missionhome]

Two new sky scrapers made the cover of the Los Angeles Times today. One will be 60 stories tall and the other 40 stories tall. They will be on the site of the current Wilshire Grand Hotel and the firm building it is South Korean and owns Korean Air. They said they have the money (haha, we'll wait and see). It will be a mix of hotel, condos, office space, and retail. They think they will finish by 2014 (again, we'll see about that).

South Korean firm unveils plans to put its stamp on L.A. skyline - Los Angeles Times

[cmw2133]

Originally Posted by motoman

I remember reading somewhere that downtown LA hasn't had a new skyscraper in something like 20-30 years. Much of the new construction that was underway before the economy tanked was either halted or scrapped altogether. The new construction only worked economically with the assumption that prices could be maintained at unsustainable rates or higher. The Ritz Carlton is an anomaly catering to the ultra-wealthy. It will mostly be second, third, or fourth homes for people you and I will never come across. It will do little to spur any activity in downtown LA because the people buying those places will rarely be there. And those that will be staying at the Ritz Carlton hotel will not be hanging out at LA Live having a beer.

There's a new development that is supposed to be going up where the Wilshire Grand hotel is. Looks like it'll be about as tall as the US Bank tower.

Curbed LA: Billion Dollar Wilshire Grand Hotel/Office Project Rendered

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by motoman

I remember reading somewhere that downtown LA hasn't had a new skyscraper in something like 20-30 years. Much of the new construction that was underway before the economy tanked was either halted or scrapped altogether. The new construction only worked economically with the assumption that prices could be maintained at unsustainable rates or higher. The Ritz Carlton is an anomaly catering to the ultra-wealthy. It will mostly be second, third, or fourth homes for people you and I will never come across. It will do little to spur any activity in downtown LA because the people buying those places will rarely be there. And those that will be staying at the Ritz Carlton hotel will not be hanging out at LA Live having a beer.

Interesting observation. To add to that, the last building over 500 feet in height (Two California Plaza) was completed in 1992 and the tallest building in LA at 1018 feet (US Bank Tower [Library Tower]) was completed in 1989.