wilshire vermont project to become urban junction
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Koreatown’s new Wilshire Vermont Station project is slowly starting to fill in its critical commercial component, and will soon offer a mixed bag of familiar and independent retailers. This collection of nearly 20 new businesses will revive a long-forlorn corner of Wilshire Center and should become an asset to the surrounding communities (including Downtown).
Nine West is the only ground-level tenant gearing up for a grand opening. Washington Mutual has its signage in place, but the other spaces, including those along Wilshire Boulevard, have received minimal interior work.
The center of activity will be along the metro station’s colorful new “gateway”, or main plaza, which opens to the intersection of Wilshire and Vermont. What might now look like a “huge, romance-less” city square is poised to become a bustling and lively pedestrian experience. Subway riders pouring out of the Red/Purple Line station, street vendors, shoppers, cafe-goers, over 1,000 on-site residents and a new middle school under-construction next door will all contribute to a confluence of urban energy.
While we’re big fans of this massive transit-oriented development, we have a couple critical observations. The most obvious on everyone’s mind, what the hell is strung across the plaza area? Not only does it look like dirty laundry dangling from clotheslines, but it reminds me of those tacky used-car dealership pennant streamers.
Ironically, these hideous decorations were installed after Christopher Hawthorne of the L.A. Times’ reference to the development as a carnival attraction. In that regard, I couldn’t agree more. Let’s all hope these aren’t permanent installations.
Secondly, where are the pedestrian benches? I understand the plaza design is to funnel people from the subway to street, but some want to linger and enjoy the urban space. I’m expecting Coffee Bean and a couple of the other eateries to offer sidewalk tables, but non-patrons will need seating options. There’s still work left to do here, but the potential is great.
Wilshire Vermont Station’s complete retail list:
90010 Fashions
Coffee Bean
Cold Stone’s Creamery
GameStop
Great Steak & Potato Company
Juice It Up!
iL.A. Optometry
Metro Nail Salon
Nine West
Palace Beauty Supplies
Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill
Shiloh Shoes & Accessories
T-Mobile
UPS Store
Wasabi Japanese Restaurant
Washington Mutual Bank
and… a convenience mart!
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9 comments
This place screams for some kind of hang out retail establishment, like a bookstore. I like the idea of those ‘laundry lines’. They create a comfortable ceiling in a really tall space. But yeah, the implementation is tacky. Strings of lights perhaps?
Those look like Tibetan prayer flags to me, except for the long streamers. Maybe it’s a temporary installation. I agree those don’t fit at all with that plaza, although they do kind of match that odd piece of art on the corners facing the Wilshire/Vermont intersection.
My commute takes me through this plaza every weekday, so I remember that these streamers were put up a couple months back for some exclusive party. That very night and for the next week, we had some high winds and the flags wrapped around themselves. They’ve been looking worse and worse since, so I can’t help but hope they take them down soon. Nevertheless, I certainly agree about the need for some sort of ceiling.
I’m excited about these businesses and hoping it really brings more people into the square. It’s pretty closed off from street noise, so “sidewalk” tables and benches should take advantage of this potential haven. It certainly would be good to see some proper seats wrapping around some or all of the large planters. People have been sitting on the ledges of the planters themselves, but I’m sure customers would appreciate seats.
WOW! I haven’t been to this station in months. Looks like I seriously need to make a return. Looks like this may be the closest (and easiest) GameStop for me too. :)
I live in the Wilshire Vermont Station apts and the streamers were for our grand opening party about a month ago and I believe (and hope)they will be coming down shortly!
The UPS Store is so convenient, just got my mail box in place - makes it easier for me to pick up my mail before heading to work.
As for the atmosphere, hanging lights would look nice at night, heck they should put a water fountain in the middle, just a thought.
I would like to comment on Wilshire Vermont Station.
I had, without a doubt, the worst living experience there. I was actually the first tenant to move into the building. Immediately, I realized all of the amenities that were promised weren’t available. The secure parking didn’t exist. Anyone could park in the garage and take the elevator up to the floors. The parking gate didn’t work until the 9th month of a 12 month lease! There were also several apartments that served as brothels for Korean prostitutes on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The prostitutes from the building are regularly picked up on Shatto alongside the building. The 2nd floor smelled of marijuana constantly. There is also a nightclub across the street that you can hear the bass from every weekend. All of these things the leasing office was aware of.
Finally, the management there is not customer friendly at all. Rarely, do they call you back if you have a complaint. STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! For the cost it’s just not worth it.
Anyone else care to comment on Darnell’s post? I’m thinking about moving here and I could use a dissenting opinion to make my final decision!!!
My daughter just moved in to the Wilshire..?? We are from Indiana, and she will be attending school in L.A.,… Some of these comments make me verry uneasy. I hope things have cleared up since Darnelle’s comments… My daughter said they are verry nice. As for the price, it was included in her school tuition.. Guess we shall see…
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