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At least they never had to tear down a skyscraper in LA like they did in Philly. One Meridian Place was a 500ft tower across the street from City Hall in the Heart of Philadelphia. After a terrible fire, which killed 3 fire fighters, the building sat vacant partially destroyed for 8 years before being dismantled. Outside of the buildings destroyed in 9/11 it is still the tallest building destroyed by fire in the US. It was a black eye to the city and a reminder of how far it had fallen. Though these days, The Ritz Residence tower is there:
That is really interesting. On the bright side the new building looks cool mixed in with all those historic highrises. Our Historic Core has a (maybe even two?) planned modern highrise that hopefully will looks something like that - although I think the building that is planned is in a block of buildings, and not a stand-alone highrise like that one appears to be.
The building that burned down in LA was not particularly well liked. It was actually the victim of arson. The developer that was building it is notorious for building fortresses, but at the same time he was one of the first major developers to take chances around DTLA (though he hadn't broken the freeway barrier until this project). Only half the project burned down, the other half will open on schedule I think - and I believe the plan is to rebuild the monstrosity.
LA has lost a few large buildings to the Northridge earthquake, but nothing that was very tall.
That is really interesting. On the bright side the new building looks cool mixed in with all those historic highrises. Our Historic Core has a (maybe even two?) planned modern highrise that hopefully will looks something like that - although I think the building that is planned is in a block of buildings, and not a stand-alone highrise like that one appears to be.
The building that burned down in LA was not particularly well liked. It was actually the victim of arson. The developer that was building it is notorious for building fortresses, but at the same time he was one of the first major developers to take chances around DTLA (though he hadn't broken the freeway barrier until this project). Only half the project burned down, the other half will open on schedule I think - and I believe the plan is to rebuild the monstrosity.
LA has lost a few large buildings to the Northridge earthquake, but nothing that was very tall.
Crazy someone would intentionally cause that much damage. I also really like the way the new modern glass towers look with the old style. Though just from pictures, DTLA looks like it has some awesome stuff going.
A lot has changed since this thread was created in 2010. All the cities listed have up and coming downtowns, however, Orlando's downtown has really made major strides in the past decade. Not only is Orlando one of the fastest growing metros in the country with a population close to hitting 3 million, but these developments in downtown have really thrust Orlando to a much higher level and stature:
Downtown Los Angeles is definitely up and coming. New parks, cultural amenities, apts, condos, offices, hotels, national and international retail along with many independent stores, tons of new restaurants have come. The Regional Connector will really improve public transportation downtown along with the opening of the Expo Line extension the beach. Adaptable Reuse Ordinance has really taken effect with tons of old, abandoned and historic buildings being renovated throughout downtown. Buildings that sat empty for decades have come to life. DTLA is the most dramatically improved imo.
Detroit is really making good progress with its DT. I think a lot of people will be very surprised in a few years, lots of major historic skyscraper renovations currently underway and many new residential, commercial and entertainment developments also underway or proposed, not to mention the ongoing developement of its amazing Riverwalk and M1 rail line along Woodward Ave.
Detroit is really making good progress with its DT. I think a lot of people will be very surprised in a few years, lots of major historic skyscraper renovations currently underway and many new residential, commercial and entertainment developments also underway or proposed, not to mention the ongoing developement of its amazing Riverwalk and M1 rail line along Woodward Ave.
At streetlevel things are still coming together in terms of pedestrian life and vibrancy. I don't know what Detroit was like in the past decades but Downtown Detroit is probably more bustling now at streetlevel than it has been in a few decades, from my understandings.
As an added bonus, here's the spectacularly built-up and ever encompassing core of Chicago (by American standards);
And the biggest project which would connect the CBD to the Stockyards, basically expanding downtown to twice its size, Panther Island, which is currently under construction.
Just thought I'd mention Ft. Worth since no one else was or was going to. Carry on.
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