Better Downtown: Los Angeles or Detroit (compared, versus, moving, size)

[pwright1]

I'm glad both are improving everyday but DTLA is a cut above. Over 10x more dt residents with thousands of more units u/c. Better public transportation options, more restaurants and shopping options and growing. I do love the Detroit waterfront.

[Republic of Michigan]

Originally Posted by snuggah

funny, for me real cities have access to an ocean.

ah......detroit does have access to the atlantic ocean..(lake erie to lake ontario to st lawrence river to atlantic ocean) btw, international ships come to detroit

[Freshflakes757]

What a joke.

Like it or not, DTLA is extremely up and coming and will only be better over the next 15-20 years.

Detroit, as someone already pointed out frozen in time and economic depression will keep the downtown area frozen in time until the trend reverses itself.

[Caesarstl]

Originally Posted by Freshflakes757

What a joke.

Like it or not, DTLA is extremely up and coming and will only be better over the next 15-20 years.

Detroit, as someone already pointed out frozen in time and economic depression will keep the downtown area frozen in time until the trend reverses itself.

A bit insecure? I was just in LA at the end of May and its downtown still has quite a long way to go, maybe calm down a little with the complexes. Detroit is also putting quite a bit of work into its downtown despite its "frozen in time" status.

[Freshflakes757]

Originally Posted by Caesarstl

A bit insecure? I was just in LA at the end of May and its downtown still has quite a long way to go, maybe calm down a little with the complexes. Detroit is also putting quite a bit of work into its downtown despite its "frozen in time" status.

DTLA still has it's bad parts but com'on f-ing Detroit? Get real man.

[DistrictDirt]

LOL..this thread is a joke.

[Caesarstl]

Originally Posted by Freshflakes757

DTLA still has it's bad parts but com'on f-ing Detroit? Get real man.

I didn't make the thread or say anything about Detroit being better, I just think that with such a pathetic downtown (exaggerated 100x considering the size of LA) that you and others should tone down your superiority complexes... and "com'on," do you actually know anything about downtown Detroit?

[Freshflakes757]

Originally Posted by Caesarstl

I didn't make the thread or say anything about Detroit being better, I just think that with such a pathetic downtown (exaggerated 100x considering the size of LA) that you and others should tone down your superiority complexes... and "com'on," do you actually know anything about downtown Detroit?

As metioned there is a lot of hatred on these boards towards Los Angeles, and a total beatoff love affair with NYC. So it goes.

And yes, I'm familiar with Downtown Detroit. It's a s**thole. Superiority complex? I think not. Does Detroit have LA Live? Major bank buildings? A thriving textile industry? Excessive loft construction? A (real) metro system running through it? I think not.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by Caesarstl

I didn't make the thread or say anything about Detroit being better, I just think that with such a pathetic downtown (exaggerated 100x considering the size of LA) that you and others should tone down your superiority complexes... and "com'on," do you actually know anything about downtown Detroit?

Lets take stock, shall we?

We have a historic core with one of the most intact collections of gorgeous pre-war buildings in the nation:


Source: Modern Architecture and Historic Building Gallery


Source: Modern Architecture and Historic Building Gallery


Source: Modern Architecture and Historic Building Gallery

Now they're mostly lofts and home to 50-60k residents, with thousands more moving in each year as additional conversions take place.

We have the first and largest historic theater district in the country, with gems like these:


Source: Hunter DTLA | Flickr


Source: Stage & Cinema

We have the LA Live/Nokia Theater/Staples Center complex, which successfully revitalized the South Park section of DTLA and hosts events from the XGames to E3, countless concerts. Its also home to the Lakers and Kings, which you may have heard of.





Under construction, we have the Wilshire Grand, built with Korean investment and soon to be tallest building west of Chicago:


Source: Wikipedia


Source: Hunter DTLA | Flickr

We have Metropolis, a 4 tower project that just broke ground, made possible with a couple billion dollars of Chinese investment:


Source: Building LA

We have a Canadian developer that is finishing up one 33 story tower...


Source: Hunter DTLA | Flickr


Source: Hunter DTLA | Flickr

...and about to start on 4 more:


Source: Building LA

We have dozens of 5-7 story apartment buildings either under construction or in the pipeline, like this:


Source: Hunter DTLA | Flickr


Source: Hunter DTLA | Flickr


Source: SkyscraperPage


Source: SkyscraperPage


Source: SkyscraperPage


Source: SkyscraperPage

We have a pilot pedestrian streetscaping project widening the sidewalks of our main thoroughfare and narrowing the street:


Source: Hunter DTLA | Flickr

We have a metro rail system with 12 stations downtown, that connects the neighborhood to other nodes in SoCal like Culver City, Hollywood, Pasadena, Long Beach, and next year - Santa Monica.


Source: BlogDowntown


Kelbeen | SkyscraperPage

Under construction, we have the Regional Connector, a brand new subway that will give us 3 new downtown stations and eliminate transfers that riders currently have to make:



...a streetcar project in the works:


Source: BlogDowntown

We have some new cultural institutions under construction...


Source: SkyscraperPage

And some old cultural institutions that are still crowd pleasers:


Kelbeen | SkyscraperPage

We have low income and homeless housing projects that don't suck...


Kelbeen | SkyscraperPage


otisgsandersphoto.com


IDEASGN

...street art and street life:


DTLA FB Group

...markets:


Kelbeen | SkyscraperPage

...some brand new parks:


Source: BlogDowntown


Source: Curbed LA


Source: The Architects Newspaper


Source: The Architects Newspaper

...and others still under construction:


Source: Hargreaves Associates


Source: Hargreaves Associates

...and last but not least, one of the most gorgeous regional rail stations in the country:


Kelbeen | SkyscraperPage

That's just scratching the surface. So no, I wouldn't call it a superiority complex. Just confidence that we have a badass little downtown.

[2Easy]

Weird choice. I've been to downtown Detroit many times and IMO it's not anywhere close to DTLA's level. It doesn't come close to winning any of the categories listed. Especially regarding pedestrian activity and things to do.