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The Downtown blogger annual tradition continues today with angelenic’s “Broadway Photo Tour 2007” - a photographic tour of every structure (no matter how ugly) on Broadway between 2nd and 9th.

The project began two years ago when Jim Winstead of trainedmonkey cataloged the historic strip in his “On Broadway 2005.” Just under a year ago, Eric Richardson of blogdowntown followed suit with his own pictorial trek.

Since we thought this was a useful deed, we couldn’t let the year end without another go-around, especially since 2007 has marked some significant changes. Adaptive reuse projects, facade cleanings, retail tenant changes and new street lighting are adding up to a massive revitalization effort of our city’s most treasured strip of architecture masterpieces.

What started as a fun day out with a camera for Jim has turned into a important documentation resource of Broadway’s changing face.

A “renaissance,” you say? Well, some aren’t convinced. An article from this week’s Downtown News interviewing Broadway theater owner Michael Delijani, quotes a pessimistic view from Tom Gilmore:

“We sold the Palace Theatre [to Delijani] primarily because I realized that without sustained effort on the part of the city government and sacrifice by the local business and property owners, Broadway had no chance of being revitalized, and I didn’t see that happening. I haven’t changed my opinion.”

We think our photographs tell a different story, but we’ll let you decide for yourself. So you can make an informed judgment, we decided to assemble an aerial mash-up of all revitalization efforts happening on Broadway between 2nd and 9th. (Click for a full view.)

We color-coded the “efforts” as follows: green=complete, yellow=under-way, blue=proposed. Notice that every block contains at least one project.

A few Broadway success stories:

Elden Hotel

Before in 2005 (pictured left), photo courtesy of Jim Winstead. After renovation in 2007 (pictured right). Notice the new street lighting.

The Chapman

Before in 2005 (pictured left), photo courtesy of Jim Winstead. After adaptive reuse in 2007 (pictured right).

Palace Theater

Before in 2005 (pictured left), photo courtesy of Jim Winstead. After a facade cleaning in 2007 (pictured right). Notice the newly uncovered “Orpheum” sign above the marquee.

Previous Broadway Coverage:

-“Broadway West?” The WSJ Weighs In
-Downtown Old vs. New: The Broadway Exchange Building
-Downtown Old vs. New: The Judson Rives Building
-Metropolitan Lofts Conversions Quietly Progressing
-Los Angeles Theatre Getting a Restaurant
-Palace Theatre Gets Its Act Together
-Top Twelve Conversions We Want To See