This blog has moved to Twitter! Check out my twitter feed for the latest restaurant, retail, and cultural news in the neighborhood.

L.A. Live - Phase II

The first phase of L.A. Live (containing the Nokia Theatre and Plaza) opened to much fanfare last month. Anschutz Entertainment Group continues construction of the $2.5 billion entertainment district surrounding the Staples Center with Phases II and III.

Phase II (pictured below) will include the Club Nokia and ESPN Zone buildings, which will house ESPN’s new West Coast headquarters and studio, the Club Nokia performance venue, the Grammy Museum, Herbalife’s new office headquarters, The Conga Room, a bowling alley and several big-name restaurants. These buildings, with major frontage along Figueroa and Olympic, will open late next year. The entire 27-acre project is scheduled to wrap in 2010.

Clark Construction has construction webcams available here. Images are updated every 10-15 minutes and a time lapse feature is available from September 2006 to present.

Lots of additional L.A. Live construction photos here.
LA Live Phase I opening night photos here.

717 Olympic

Hanover Company recently unveiled its 26-story tower at Olympic and Figueroa, adjacent to L.A. Live. The project will contain 156 market-rate luxury apartments, a rooftop pool, fitness center, aqua lounge, internet cafe and other retail amenities. Interior construction is underway and move-ins are expected by Spring 2008.

Additional 717 Olympic construction photos here.

717 Ninth

Construction is progressing sluggishly on Meruelo Maddux’s 35-story condominium tower at 9th and Flower across from Ralphs. After breaking ground early this year, crews are currently framing the 7th floor and moving at a pace of one floor every 2-3 weeks. The project will contain 214 units, a ground-level restaurant and a dramatic glass curtain resembling a flowing wall of water. Completion is slated for summer of 2009.

Additional 717 Ninth construction photos here.

Evo

The South Group’s third addition to the “South Collection” is close to hitting its 23-floor peak and is expected to open in late summer of 2008. The 720,000-square-foot complex rising at 12th and Grand will include 311 condominium units, a terrace plaza with a lap pool and outdoor kitchen, and a viewing deck, outdoor fireplace and fitness center on the top level. Like its sister buildings Luma and Elleven, Evo is expected to earn a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Additional Evo construction photos here.

Concerto

Sonny Astani’s two-phased project at 9th and Figueroa is moving along with the construction of its subterranean parking. Phase I (to be completed by May 2009) will include a 30-story tower and mid-rise building containing 348 units and 27,500 square feet of retail. Phase II will bring a twin 30-story tower and should commence once the first phase is complete. Located in the central courtyard of the mixed-use complex will be a 2,500 square-foot park.

Additional Concerto construction photos here.

L.A. Central

The massive LA Live-adjacent development at 11th and Figueroa by New York-based Moinian Group should begin construction by the end of the year. A construction fence was erected around the entire block bounded by 11th, Figueroa, 12th and Flower (across from the Staples Center) in September, however, the surface lot is still being used as public event parking.

Current plans call for a 54-story and a 40-story tower which will contain residential condominiums, 223,000 square feet of retail space including restaurants, a health club, a high-end grocery store and 222-room boutique hotel. The project is expected to wrap in 2010.

Additional LA Central project site photos here.

For a complete list of projects in our scope, visit our Construction Coverage database.