updated block 8 renderings show more of the same
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Curbed LA has published new renderings of Related's San Pedro Apartments ("C" on the Block 8 site plan) under construction in Little Tokyo. The six-story structure, which is currently framing its second level on San Pedro Street just south of 2nd, will shape up similar to other newly constructed mid-rise apartment complexes in the neighborhood.
Architecture firm Thomas P. Cox Architects hopes that swatches of taupe gray and teal with punches of yellow will bring some visual intrigue to a design that looks like Hikari's trendier brother with a 717 Olympic-style hat.
Work on San Pedro Apartments should wrap next year.
Phase two of the Block 8 project, Matsu, set for the corner of 2nd and Los Angeles ("A" on the site plan"), will also contain six-stories of residential over retail. Enough though the new rendering shows a more contemporary, thoughtful structure, it looks like an early incarnation of Canvas LA.
According to recent reports, Avalon Communities plans to break ground on Matsu in mid-2008. Although the project is being designed to condominium specifications, the developer will offer the units as rentals when they open.
Block 8 Master Site Plan
Avalon’s Matsu Project
San Pedro Apartments Under Construction, Completion Set for 2009
San Pedro Apartments Under Construction, Completion Set for 2009
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13 comments
When will Matsu be done?
Isn’t this within a block of Little Tokyo lofts?
Very nice, but if L.A. wants to change there skyline they have to build higher than 6 stories.
Frankly I could care less about changing the L.A skyline. A city is not only about tall buildings - it’s about the energy on the street. Right now downtown needs to fill in its empty lots with activity, whether it be in the form of skyscrapers or not. I like tall buildings as much as the next person, but if there’s nothing going on at the street level, they become only ornamental.
Unfortunately a city without a skyline would not atract attention from a tourist or anyone else.
Most European cities don’t have skylines to speak of, yet make great tourist destinations. I love LA’s skyline, but we need fewer Bonaventure Hotels and more medium-density buildings with ground-floor retail. Again, that goes back to having a walkable environment which is what people experience up close.
Agreed - Sebas I think your view of what makes a city attractive or interesting is short sighted. As previously mentioned, a walkable environment with areas that can discovered on foot are ultimately what make a city both livable for residents and accessible to tourists. Too many American cities, especially in the sunbelt have downtowns with shiny buildings, but little to show for them at street level. Tourists will not be impressed by huge skyscrapers if the streets below are deserted and there’s nothing to do.
You are right on that. Don’t get me wrong that I’m all for tall buildings, I think as well that a great city needs to have activities and atractions to attract a person. I just happen to have a passion for skyscrappers and to me a low density building is not as attractive as seing a massive skyscrapper., but I do think we should add a twist to L.A., and redevelop more historic buildings along with some new ones giving the same look, I’m also tired of all the mirror buildings, that’s sooo 90’s.
I hope some developers read our opinions.
I support a walking environment and medium-to-high density development in downtown LA. But this project is really uninspiring. I understand the sky-rocketing development cost and the tight credit environment, but giving its location, I am expecting something at least more contextual. Creative design not necessarily have to be expensive. I like what M. Maltzan did in skid row. It is really sad to see that housing project in skid row is more thoughtful and creative than a private residential development.
Yep - the main problem with downtown L.A, is that little of it is accessible from the street - much of it is hidden away in the bowels of giant office buildings.
Now take a look at a part of L.A that does work for pedestrians - the 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica - always crowded with people just walking around. Why is that - because it’s like a real city - where people can walk to things, and interact.
The problem with building tall in Los Angeles is airspace rights. Basically they are a tradable commodity, think pollution credits, that are in limited supply.
“Now take a look at a part of L.A that does work for pedestrians - the 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica”
I disagree. Santa Monica has little pedestrian life, so they closed off a street to imitate a mall. Everyone drives there and drives out. They have shitty public transit, and hardly anyone uses what they do have.
Downtown is the best pedestrian and transit environment in SoCal. It just needs more after hours activity. This project has ground floor retail, which will help. The Savoy and nearby buildings were built without retail. Big mistake.
^^^
Preach it, man.. sure, the Promenade might seem like a ped-friendly environment, but all one has to do is look down one of the adjacent alleys..What’s there? Parking garages, and about 8 of them within 2 blocks of the Promenade at last count. Downtown has a huge advantage of being near Metro Rail lines NOW, and not maybe in 10 years? If we really want to set Downtown on fire, every new project(this means you, G.H. Palmer) MUST have ground-floor retail. Even with the recent”recession”, Downtown will enjoy heavy investment in the coming years just for the simple fact that it is the only place in LA where the rail and light-rail lines practically all converge. And with 2 opening in 2 years or less, Downtown will continue its success for a long time, as long as Metro continues its process of opening a busway or rail line an average of every 3 years. Ground-floor retail breathes life into cities, and the more of it, the better.
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