I get out to LA usually 2 to 3 times a year.  I've started to spend more time downtown.  While I was there this past week, these photos are actually from an April visit.  I have about 2000 photos to upload, so expect some more threads of Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Venice.

 

 

I could only wish midwest cities had as much downtown historical architecture.  Most of DTLA maintains contiguous dense city blocks of old buildings with few parking lots and urban renewal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, I'm so glad there's a downtown LA thread! I just spent my whole day there today, and I think it's a really interesting place, with so much potential, but I really don't think DTLA will ever be much of a vibrant center that people want it to be.  Here's why:

 

1) The old historic core is absolutely beautiful, but the buildings are large.  Because they're so big, it makes it really hard to convert them to modern uses in large numbers.  Cincy has a similar problem with re-habbing OTR.

 

2) Dpwntown LA is really made up of distinct areas, and they aren't very well connected, and neither of them are vibrant by themselves.  The financial district is really busy (athouh sterile) during the work week, but virtually deserted on weekends and at night. The South Park/LA Live area is busy during events, but doesn't have much integration with the rest of DT.

 

3) Little Tokyo/El Pueblo/Chinatown all do their own thing on the periphery, but aren't very well integrated with other districts.

 

4) Downtown LA is surrounded by pretty undesirable areas, and therefore kind of feels like an island.  To the East you have Boyle Hts and East LA, West- Macarther Park, South- USC area is a brightspot, but it's sphere of influence is limited in South LA, and North- Chavez Ravine etc.

 

Great picures, btw

Muy Blade Runner-esque in spots.

 

Fascinating.

One of Los Angeles' biggest potential strengths is the fact the downtown feels like a grander Oakland with historic structures and random arcades.  Mucho potential there.

Man that looks awesome.  I wouldn't change a thing about it.

Nice job, thanks!  I'm really loving restaurant row on 7th and the Old Bank District these days.  The improvements just keep churning along.

The comida salvadorena sign really makes me want some papusas.....  damnit.....

 

I've never been to LA, but I definitely had no idea they had that many historic buildings!

I get out to LA usually 2 to 3 times a year.  I've started to spend more time downtown.  While I was there this past week, these photos are actually from an April visit.  I have about 2000 photos to upload, so expect some more threads of Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Venice.

 

 

I could only wish midwest cities had as much downtown historical architecture.  Most of DTLA maintains contiguous dense city blocks of old buildings with few parking lots and urban renewal.

 

Stalker!

Wow! Beautiful.

Wow, I'm so glad there's a downtown LA thread! I just spent my whole day there today, and I think it's a really interesting place, with so much potential, but I really don't think DTLA will ever be much of a vibrant center that people want it to be.  Here's why:

 

1) The old historic core is absolutely beautiful, but the buildings are large.  Because they're so big, it makes it really hard to convert them to modern uses in large numbers.  Cincy has a similar problem with re-habbing OTR.

 

2) Dpwntown LA is really made up of distinct areas, and they aren't very well connected, and neither of them are vibrant by themselves.  The financial district is really busy (athouh sterile) during the work week, but virtually deserted on weekends and at night. The South Park/LA Live area is busy during events, but doesn't have much integration with the rest of DT.

 

3) Little Tokyo/El Pueblo/Chinatown all do their own thing on the periphery, but aren't very well integrated with other districts.

 

4) Downtown LA is surrounded by pretty undesirable areas, and therefore kind of feels like an island.  To the East you have Boyle Hts and East LA, West- Macarther Park, South- USC area is a brightspot, but it's sphere of influence is limited in South LA, and North- Chavez Ravine etc.

 

Great picures, btw

 

Point 3/4 are valid, but I'm not sure I would put MacArthur Park in there.  Its a interesting area with potential, especially since it's a former gay stronghold (before the boys migrated to Silver Lake/Echo Park).  I've been to a party in 1100 Wilsher Bldg. and it seems to be coming along.

 

USC is gritty but at least there is some capital improvement with the rail line on exposition.  Although it will be a million years before it reaches Westwood/Rancho Park.

^Eh, maybe Macarthur Park is coming along, but it is still really, really ghetto.  Take a walk down Alvarado or actually through the park, and you'll see it's pretty rough.  I think it actually looks third world in some areas (selling fruit, peanuts, nic nacks on the sidewalk, etc).  I guess my main point was that the wealth and nice areas in LA are not close to DT.  If the Westside was right next to DT, I would say there is potential for a massive turn around.  However, I think DT will always function as sort of a niche market.

^Eh, maybe Macarthur Park is coming along, but it is still really, really ghetto.  Take a walk down Alvarado or actually through the park, and you'll see it's pretty rough.  I think it actually looks third world in some areas (selling fruit, peanuts, nic nacks on the sidewalk, etc).  I guess my main point was that the wealth and nice areas in LA are not close to DT.  If the Westside was right next to DT, I would say there is potential for a massive turn around.  However, I think DT will always function as sort of a niche market.

 

I was just there.  We walked through the park.  It's a bunch of mexicans playing soccer and families on one side and people walking around the lake on the other side. 

 

GRANTED....some Cholo did ask me if I needed a fake ID and social security card.  If you need a new "identity" it's the place to go.  It has it's plusses. ;)

 

It's a latin neighborhood and to those residents from Mexico, El Savador and Honduras (the accents I could pick up) it's natural.  To the current residents it's home.  Go over and try a bacon wrappred chorizo with Jalepeno's and chilli's and dont be an uptight gringo!  If my 9-10 year old Neice and Nephew aren't scared, why are you?  I will say this, I wouldn't go there alone at night.

 

I the 80's that park was full of male/female prosititues and was coke /drug central.  LA's Traxx (it might have been the "hot box") was in this area. If you think it's ghetto now, you dont know what ghetto is.

 

It's like Hough in Cleveland, what was once a prominient Jewish Neighborhood, is almost completely ethnic today.

 

 

Yeah, it's more immigrant Chicano today than it was in the 90's.  McArthur used to be much worse.  Let me put it like this; that Yoshinoya was like the Ritchie's on Linn before the immigrants "cleaned it up" a bit.

I was in LA a couple years ago, and I imagine 1970's Prospect Avenue in Cleveland felt like Broadway in downtown LA, except with mostly smaller buildings.  All those signs, so ridiculous...

^Eh, maybe Macarthur Park is coming along, but it is still really, really ghetto. Take a walk down Alvarado or actually through the park, and you'll see it's pretty rough. I think it actually looks third world in some areas (selling fruit, peanuts, nic nacks on the sidewalk, etc). I guess my main point was that the wealth and nice areas in LA are not close to DT. If the Westside was right next to DT, I would say there is potential for a massive turn around. However, I think DT will always function as sort of a niche market.

 

I was just there. We walked through the park.   It's a bunch of mexicans playing soccer and families on one side and people walking around the lake on the other side.

 

GRANTED....some Cholo did ask me if I needed a fake ID and social security card. If you need a new "identity" it's the place to go. It has it's plusses. ;)

 

It's a latin neighborhood and to those residents from Mexico, El Savador and Honduras (the accents I could pick up) it's natural. To the current residents it's home. Go over and try a bacon wrappred chorizo with Jalepeno's and chilli's and dont be an uptight gringo! If my 9-10 year old Neice and Nephew aren't scared, why are you? I will say this, I wouldn't go there alone at night.

 

I the 80's that park was full of male/female prosititues and was coke /drug central. LA's Traxx (it might have been the "hot box") was in this area. If you think it's ghetto now, you dont know what ghetto is.

 

It's like Hough in Cleveland, what was once a prominient Jewish Neighborhood, is almost completely ethnic today.

 

 

 

Oh, trust, I know all about those fake I.D.'s....lol

 

It still is a pretty lawless place.  The cops drive through the grass directly through large groups of people, to break up any potential altercations.  There are still open drug deals, and there are still a lot of gang problems and violence in and around the park.  I took a class on Los Angeles gangs and had to interview an ex gang member (El Salvodorian), and he said the park in the late 80s was 100 times worse than it is now, which I totally believe.  The point I was trying to make is that the area is not a place that outsiders want to live or visit, and that harms DTLA's potential a bit.  Although, one thing that could be the saving grace of DT and MacArthur Park is the subway extension to the westside.  If you give direct rail access from DT to the real premier areas of LA, it could definitely make a huge difference.

I knew there were some historic buildings in downtown LA, but this was a very pleasant surprise!

Great architecture and great sidewalk presence with those buildings, despite the large scale of many of them. There are numerous opportunities for pedestrians to interact with them. Few blank walls. Few bunkers. Nice and messy.

 

Take note, Cleveland Clinic!!!

^Eh, maybe Macarthur Park is coming along, but it is still really, really ghetto.  Take a walk down Alvarado or actually through the park, and you'll see it's pretty rough.  I think it actually looks third world in some areas (selling fruit, peanuts, nic nacks on the sidewalk, etc).  I guess my main point was that the wealth and nice areas in LA are not close to DT.  If the Westside was right next to DT, I would say there is potential for a massive turn around.  However, I think DT will always function as sort of a niche market.

 

I was just there.  We walked through the park.  It's a bunch of mexicans playing soccer and families on one side and people walking around the lake on the other side. 

 

GRANTED....some Cholo did ask me if I needed a fake ID and social security card.  If you need a new "identity" it's the place to go.  It has it's plusses. ;)

 

It's a latin neighborhood and to those residents from Mexico, El Savador and Honduras (the accents I could pick up) it's natural.  To the current residents it's home.  Go over and try a bacon wrappred chorizo with Jalepeno's and chilli's and dont be an uptight gringo!  If my 9-10 year old Neice and Nephew aren't scared, why are you?  I will say this, I wouldn't go there alone at night.

 

I the 80's that park was full of male/female prosititues and was coke /drug central.  LA's Traxx (it might have been the "hot box") was in this area. If you think it's ghetto now, you dont know what ghetto is.

 

It's like Hough in Cleveland, what was once a prominient Jewish Neighborhood, is almost completely ethnic today.

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/71/72/c2/macarthur-park.jpg[/img]

 

Oh, trust, I know all about those fake I.D.'s....lol

 

It still is a pretty lawless place.  The cops drive through the grass directly through large groups of people, to break up any potential altercations.  There are still open drug deals, and there are still a lot of gang problems and violence in and around the park.  I took a class on Los Angeles gangs and had to interview an ex gang member (El Salvodorian), and he said the park in the late 80s was 100 times worse than it is now, which I totally believe.  The point I was trying to make is that the area is not a place that outsiders want to live or visit, and that harms DTLA's potential a bit. Although, one thing that could be the saving grace of DT and MacArthur Park is the subway extension to the westside.  If you give direct rail access from DT to the real premier areas of LA, it could definitely make a huge difference.

 

So what makes MacAuthur park different than say Washington Square park or Roosevelt/Chrisie St Park in NYC; Franklin Park or McPherson Sq in DC; FRanklin Square in Philly, where all kinds of open drug deals go down?  Why do you think a person or "outsider" as you say would not want to visit the area?  I did,  I rarely go downtown, I wanted to check the area out.

 

Wow!

Some superb architecture.

^Eh, maybe Macarthur Park is coming along, but it is still really, really ghetto. Take a walk down Alvarado or actually through the park, and you'll see it's pretty rough. I think it actually looks third world in some areas (selling fruit, peanuts, nic nacks on the sidewalk, etc). I guess my main point was that the wealth and nice areas in LA are not close to DT. If the Westside was right next to DT, I would say there is potential for a massive turn around. However, I think DT will always function as sort of a niche market.

 

I was just there. We walked through the park.   It's a bunch of mexicans playing soccer and families on one side and people walking around the lake on the other side.

 

GRANTED....some Cholo did ask me if I needed a fake ID and social security card. If you need a new "identity" it's the place to go. It has it's plusses. ;)

 

It's a latin neighborhood and to those residents from Mexico, El Savador and Honduras (the accents I could pick up) it's natural. To the current residents it's home. Go over and try a bacon wrappred chorizo with Jalepeno's and chilli's and dont be an uptight gringo! If my 9-10 year old Neice and Nephew aren't scared, why are you? I will say this, I wouldn't go there alone at night.

 

I the 80's that park was full of male/female prosititues and was coke /drug central. LA's Traxx (it might have been the "hot box") was in this area. If you think it's ghetto now, you dont know what ghetto is.

 

It's like Hough in Cleveland, what was once a prominient Jewish Neighborhood, is almost completely ethnic today.

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/71/72/c2/macarthur-park.jpg[/img]

 

Oh, trust, I know all about those fake I.D.'s....lol

 

It still is a pretty lawless place. The cops drive through the grass directly through large groups of people, to break up any potential altercations. There are still open drug deals, and there are still a lot of gang problems and violence in and around the park. I took a class on Los Angeles gangs and had to interview an ex gang member (El Salvodorian), and he said the park in the late 80s was 100 times worse than it is now, which I totally believe. The point I was trying to make is that the area is not a place that outsiders want to live or visit, and that harms DTLA's potential a bit. Although, one thing that could be the saving grace of DT and MacArthur Park is the subway extension to the westside. If you give direct rail access from DT to the real premier areas of LA, it could definitely make a huge difference.

 

So what makes MacAuthur park different than say Washington Square park or Roosevelt/Chrisie St Park in NYC; Franklin Park or McPherson Sq in DC; FRanklin Square in Philly, where all kinds of open drug deals go down? Why do you think a person or "outsider" as you say would not want to visit the area? I did, I rarely go downtown, I wanted to check the area out.

 

It's all about CONTEXT (this has been my point the whole time about dtla). McPherson Square and Washington Square Park are in relatively nice and stable parts of the city that would otherwise still recieve visitors and workers.  MacArthur Park is in the middle of pretty shitty areas, not near anything that your typical tourist, or even local would want to go to. 

It's all about CONTEXT (this has been my point the whole time about dtla). McPherson Square and Washington Square Park are in relatively nice and stable parts of the city that would otherwise still recieve visitors and workers.  MacArthur Park is in the middle of pretty sh!tty areas, not near anything that your typical tourist, or even local would want to go to. 

 

You answered exactly how I know you would.  McPherson and Washington Square are in "relatively nice and stable parts of the city"  You think so?  And what were those areas like say 5 years ago?  10 years ago?  15 years ago? Shitty neighborhoods.  Where not even locals wanted to hangout.  Hell today you can still get a prostitute at McPherson or Lafayette parks or various areas along 14/15 streets.  Washington Square is full of male prostitutes and drug dealers selling to NYU students.  That are between 6 Avenue and B'way and 8th and Bleeker was a hell whole.  The middle village was like middle hell.

 

So again, why can't Westlake change?  It's no worse than any other urban park.

^You've been once.  Are you really an expert on MacArthur Park?  McPherson Square is in Downtown DC, right off K St.  There have always been business workers there keeping the area stable at least during the weekdays.  Maybe McArthur Park can change, and I hope it does, but if it was to come back, it would have to be part of a massive turn around for that part of LA.  Echo Park is more of an apt comparison to McPherson Square, I think, and it definitely is experiencing a rebirth.

^You've been once.  Are you really an expert on MacArthur Park?  McPherson Square is in Downtown DC, right off K St.  There have always been business workers there keeping the area stable at least during the weekdays.  Maybe McArthur Park can change, and I hope it does, but if it was to come back, it would have to be part of a massive turn around for that part of LA.  Echo Park is more of an apt comparison to McPherson Square, I think, and it definitely is experiencing a rebirth.

 

Serious question, how old are you? 

 

I've been to MP Once?  Edale, what makes you think I've only been to the area once? 

Not what I was expecting and that's a good thing. What's the downtown population anyway?

"I've been to MP Once?  Edale, what makes you think I've only been to the area once? "

 

I did, I rarely go downtown, I wanted to check the area out.

"I've been to MP Once?  Edale, what makes you think I've only been to the area once? "

 

I did,  I rarely go downtown, I wanted to check the area out.

 

"rarely" and "once" are two different things.  Also I love how you ignored my other question.

 

As I also stated I remember when there was a club in the area.  I spoke about spefic things that I have witnessed in many years of traveling to LA and have gotten more familar with the city now that I a house there.

 

I'll ask again, how old are you?

Never realized Downtown LA was like that.  I was in LA four years ago but I think we went through the downtown only once.  A lot of those buildings are pretty amazing.

Awesome photo shoot.  I've never been to the old parts of DTLA but had sort of gathered it was awesome like this.  It's totally got the west coast pre-war seedy thing going on- even reminds me parts of Portland and SF.

"I've been to MP Once? Edale, what makes you think I've only been to the area once? "

 

I did, I rarely go downtown, I wanted to check the area out.

 

"rarely" and "once" are two different things. Also I love how you ignored my other question.

 

As I also stated I remember when there was a club in the area. I spoke about spefic things that I have witnessed in many years of traveling to LA and have gotten more familar with the city now that I a house there.

 

I'll ask again, how old are you?

 

I'm in my 20's and I live about 5 minutes from the area.  You 'rarely' visit yet are somehow an expert on MacArthur Park.  I don't know why you need to know my age, but in doing so you have totally veered the conversation more off topic then it was. 

 

What's your real name? If you need to know irrelevant minutia about me, then I should be able to expect the same right?

The reason I asked your age is to understand comments you made.  You're  in your 20's, so I highly do you personally witness what the close in  city parks in DC, Phily, Cleveland, NYC, Miami / Miami Beach, etc 20  years ago.

 

This comment specifically

 

It's all about CONTEXT (this has been  my point the whole time about dtla). McPherson Square and Washington  Square Park are in relatively nice and stable parts of the city that  would otherwise still recieve visitors and workers.  MacArthur Park is  in the middle of pretty sh!tty areas, not near anything that your  typical tourist, or even local would want to go to.

 

Being in your 20's (I think you said your attending USC or school in LA), I highly doubt you personally witnessed what Washington Square, Morningside or Thompson Square in NYC; McPherson, Franklin or Lafayette Park in DC, If you went to Franklin or Lafayette Park (today there is a homeless camp in the middle of DC); Rittenhouse or Washington Sq in Philly; Piedmont Park in ATL; Miami Beach, etc looked like 20 Years ago.  In my opinion those places were worse than MP is today.  I don't feel its a totally a bad area, but then again I'm Latin and it looks like something I would see in El Salvador, Honduras or somewhere in South America. 

 

It's possible that, because now it's  an ethnic neighborhood, up against an area that has seen some redevelopment with high-rises, it may seem intimidating to non minorities. In 10/15 years that area could be totally different.  If some America's worst urban parks can turn around I think there is hope for the Westlake area and MacArthur Park.  Hell Donna Summer even made a song about the park, when it was a gay ghetto.

 

Thats why I asked you age, to get a better understanding of your answer.

wow what a surprise.  im liking this la.  now i want to go!!!

wow what a surprise.  im liking this la.  now i want to go!!!

 

Oh Lawd.  Cartwheel police be on the alert!

wow what a surprise.  im liking this la.  now i want to go!!!

 

Oh Lawd.  Cartwheel police be on the alert!

 

haha.  i need to make it to cleveland soon too...

wow what a surprise.  im liking this la.  now i want to go!!!

 

Oh Lawd.  Cartwheel police be on the alert!

 

haha.  i need to make it to cleveland soon too...

 

Be sure to bring your GREECE posse! 

wow what a surprise.  im liking this la.  now i want to go!!!

 

Oh Lawd.  Cartwheel police be on the alert!

 

haha.  i need to make it to cleveland soon too...

 

Be sure to bring your GREECE posse! 

 

i've moved on.  looking to make nice with the above 35 crowd.  :wink:

wow what a surprise.  im liking this la.  now i want to go!!!

 

Oh Lawd.  Cartwheel police be on the alert!

 

haha.  i need to make it to cleveland soon too...

 

Be sure to bring your GREECE posse! 

 

i've moved on.  looking to make nice with the above 35 crowd.  ;)

 

Aww you take back their gay cards, huh?  LOL