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Location: That star on your map in the middle of the East Coast, DMV
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Originally Posted by 2Easy
I think that a significant similarity being discussed between LA Live and Times Square is the downtown "light district" aspect of each. Add in that the developers initially boosted the project as "Times Square West", which it definitely is not.
And while I agree that overall Times Square isn't a good comparison for LA, I'm not sure those two examples are any better. Isn't Atlantic Station a mall? The "LA Sports and Entertainment District" of which LA Live is part of, is made up of multiple properties surrounding Staples.
Also the "light district" portion of that district will grow significantly over the next couple of years as a few high rise buildings with enormous light displays are currently under construction.
With the exception of the "Sports" part of it, the others have some comparisons to LA Live, although neither has any exact comparison.
Atlantic Station does have shopping and a couple box stores, but it is not an indoor shopping mall no. There is a small street grid, with walk up stores, residences, bars, restaurants, movie theater etc. It's also a part of the midtown core.
National Harbor outside of DC has grown into a beast of its own providing even more than that. You have over 3,000 hotel rooms, convention centers, MGM Grand Casino their company's most profitable outside of Las Vegas, riverfront location, shops, bars, restaurants, Tanger Outlets in a separate and isolated part outside the immediate waterfront. TopGolf is opening there in a few years, and still rapidly growing. Not to mention other shops and restaurants on the waterfront. There have also been talks of a new Redskins stadium in that area which would solidify the sports aspect of it as well.
Poor choice of comparison. LA Live is an entertainment complex with a sports arena, movie theater, restaurants, hotels, etc. It isn't really a tourist attraction per say (besides Staples Center) and is always full of locals whenever I go. It also lacks the national/international recognition of Times Square.
IMO a much better/fair comparison to Times Square is the central area of Hollywood boulevard. It's a major tourist destination with a large national/international recognition that also contains many of the same gimmicky/gaudy features found in Times Square. Not to mention it is shunned/despised by most locals who don't live or work there, much like Times Square.
I agree. When I went to Hollywood blvd and saw nothing but other tourists and people in costumes walking around I immediately thought "oh no I'm one of those people! This is the LA version of tacky tourists in Times Square!
I agree. When I went to Hollywood blvd and saw nothing but other tourists and people in costumes walking around I immediately thought "oh no I'm one of those people! This is the LA version of tacky tourists in Times Square!
Whenever I go on vacation now, I try to make sure I'm not doing the equivalent of that lol.
I find that not all cities cities have their Midtown Manhattan though, Philly's Center City seems to actually have local flavor and locals do go there to hang out.
I went to LA Live a couple times in 2016. It was absolute crickets. Even the movie theater was dead, like four people for the Superman vs. Batman movie. Once was during the workday lunch...a small fraction of the restaurant seats seemed to be filled.
People don't go to these new entertainment districts. Certainly not the mobs they seem to have expected. Every one I can think of has problems.
LA Live will have several new buildings around it pretty soon, which should increase the trickle of people. Otherwise it'll continue to be all about events.
Whenever I go on vacation now, I try to make sure I'm not doing the equivalent of that lol.
I find that not all cities cities have their Midtown Manhattan though, Philly's Center City seems to actually have local flavor and locals do go there to hang out.
Yeah, most people I know generally try to avoid Midtown at all costs. Sometimes it depends where you live though. It's easier for someone that lives downtown or in Brooklyn, but not as easy for people in Queens or The Bronx. Hell's Kitchen and Koreatown are really the only parts of Midtown North of the 30s that I ever go to. I really think Hudson Yards is going to a part of Midtown I would love to hang out in, with the vessel and culture Shed and everything, but I feel like it will quickly become overly touristy. Like what happened to the high line after a few years of it being opened. When areas become too overly touristy like that they generally become ruined for locals.
What makes Center City Philly more bearable is that it's not completely flooded with tourists 24/7. They definitely do get tourists, but not an overly extreme amount or concentration.
Interesting this thread started in 2009. LA Live was thought to be the "Times Square" of LA. It is a gathering point for events with all the giant screen TVs. LED billboards on buildings. But the two are very different.
LA Live is a complex (and nearby) with many hotels like Ritz Carlton, JW Marriott, Courtyard Marriott. Hotel Figueroa, Indigo hotel, Luxe Hotel, and soon Grand Hyatt. Largely upscale hotels.
Restaurants are generally middle to upper range restaurants within the LA Live complex like Yardhouse, Katsuya, Wolfgang Puck. Nothing cheap or super expensive. Several other restaurants within hotels.
There is a large multiplex cinema, bowling alley, Grammy Museum, a nightclub.
Also the the large Microsoft Theater which host many concerts and big events
Staples Center with its sports teams that play like Mens Lakers, Clippers, Womens Sparks, Hockey La Kings, as well as huge indoor concerts like Bieber, Taylor Swift, Adele and events like the GRammy Awards.
LA Convention Center with its numerous conventions.
LA Live is constantly in use. Mostly in the late afternoon evening when most of the sports or other events are on. People go there to have dinner, then attend an event, or maybe have a late dinner, drink after. During the day it is mostly empty. It is far the most of the main commerical districts for office workers to come to eat. While there are many locals living nearby, most dont come during the day. Maybe a night to see a movie or have dinner but Downtown has so many places to eat/drink that there are options.
Across the street are several developments that will add more residences and Grand Hyatt plus a small mall area with retail shops and many restaurants. So it will attract more people looking for more options to dine/drink. These buildings will have large LED displays that will advertise things.
Hollywood Blvd esp near Hollywood/Highland is the main touristy part of LA. Many billboards, some with LED displays. costume characters, souvenir shops, people in costume, dance/music acts for money and hoards of tourists. This is more like Times Square than LA Live.
LA Live is more comparable to Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta or the National Harbor just outside DC, than it is to Times Square. I see no comparability here other than to say one is in NY vs LA.
If anywhere in Atlanta is somewhat comparable to LA Live, it's the Phillips Arena/CNN Center area by Centennial Park.
Which area do you like better? Why? Compare and contrast the two
I lived near LA for year, and I don't even know what LA live is...so definitely Times Square...
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