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Now that the first wave of residential development has had a chance to soak into Downtown’s western-most neighborhood, the area — sometimes referred to as the “Jersey” side of 110 Freeway — is seeing an uptick of spinoff investment from property owners and commercial developers looking to join the redevelopment efforts.

Proliferated by Wilshire Boulevard accessibility and proximity the Financial District, the blocks of City West from the Witmer to St. Paul are receiving “byproduct” improvements such as facade upgrades, retail openings and new office projects, even as several high-profile residential towers sit pending over market conditions.

Directly across from the new luxury residences of TENTEN Wilshire, a modest office structure at 1001 Wilshire recently completed an extensive face-lift, bringing a new color scheme and plans to lure a restaurant or cafe tenant to the ground level retail space.

Proposed for a narrow surface lot near 1100 Wilshire, West Edge Architects is designing a 60,000 square-foot mixed use complex called Civic Wilshire, slated to contain class A office space, a fine dining restaurant and corner cafe.

The project, being publicized as “a commercial addition to a succession of residential real estate developments within the booming Central City West district in Downtown Los Angeles,” should be completed by next year.

On the 1200 block of Wilshire, the Wells Fargo Bank office building is in the process of facade and signage repairs, while a nearby decades-old apartment building is greeting spring with a much-needed exterior rejuvenation.

Two parcels over at Witmer, an empty 7,000 square-foot corner lot was placed on the market for sale last week. The land, directly adjacent to Vero and across from the Parkside Tower site and proposed Good Samaritan medical office structure, could be seen by developers as a prime development site for small-scale residential.

Possibly the most unexpected changes are occurring one block south of Wilshire at the once run-faded Motel De Ville. While the motel stills caters to a seedy client�le, significant changes to the block with the Residences @ Bixel and Lucas One project announcements have prompted upgrades to the lodging facility.

A paint job and charming new retail space carved out of the street front space facing 7th have drastically improved the building’s appeal in the neighborhood. The space is now available for lease.

Residents, Rejoice

“New Jerseyans” patiently waiting for more resident amenities will need to hold on just a little longer. Signage welcoming Vero’s new retailers are going up, and a quadruple-debut of Subway, Mitaki Sushi, Wien Bakery and Yogurberry is finally expected in June.

Two new commercial businesses, one of which is most likely a Mexican food chain, will soon be announced for GLO, further cultivating the pedestrian life ignited by Starbucks in March.

Though no retail prospects exist at this time for 1100 Wilshire and TENTEN, Amidi Real Estate Group (developers behind TENTEN and 1027 Wilshire) will soon transform a triangular patch of land overlooking the 110 Freeway into a new dog park for the community.

The small green space will be located at the quiet intersection of Ingraham and Beaudry, an ideal location for area residents and their active pups.

New GLO retail to be announced soon.

Ingraham Street through City West.

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3. construction coverage: city west round two
4. conceptualizing a missing link to city west