Steven Sharp WELCOME HOME

The recent approval of the Millenium Hollywood project, which will put 39 and 35 story high rise buildings on the surface parking lots adjacent to the Capitol Records Tower, has understandably stirred many emotions. Neighbors have raised hell over the potential affects on traffic. NIMBYs in the hills have complained that they may lose their view of the 1956 Welton Becket masterpiece. Personally, I do not think it’s the city’s responsibility to preserve the views from mansions in the Hollywood Hills.

Here’s an interesting small development, per the LA City Planning Department: 138 Culver Blvd.; Westchester-Playa Del Rey A mixed-use project containing 72 residential units, including 8 very low income units, above 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space not to exceed more than 5,000 sq. ft. of restaurant uses. An off menu Density Bonus incentive to allow a height increase of 11 ft. above the permitted 45-ft. height limitation in height district Sounds like they’re shooting for 4-5 floors.

One of the more controversial mega-developments in Los Angeles at the moment is Westfield’s proposal to build a massive mixed-use complex at Warner Center. Adjacent to the Westfield Topanga shopping mall, the project is appropriately named the Village at Westfield Topanga. This is the same development that recently raised eyebrows when the LA City Council voted unanimously to forfeit 42% of the tax revenue created by the project over the next 25 years.

According to plans filed earlier this month with the LA City Planning Department, more apartments are coming to Vermont Avenue at its intersection with James M. Wood (almost spitting distance from the busy Wilshire/Vermont Station). Here is what we know so far: 2855 W JAMES M WOOD BLVD NEW MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT WITH 187 RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND 18,000 SF. GROUND RETAIL ON THE NORTH SITE, AND A MIXED-USE BUILDING WITH 224 UNITS AND 25,800 SF.

In order to meet Federal ADA standards, Metro has started the process of implementing larger fonts into their next train monitors. The new format is much easier to read for those with vision impairments, and feature a countdown as opposed to listing the time for the next scheduled train.

Although Los Angeles’ economy is still struggling to regain what was lost during the recession, the city’s real estate market has been on a sharp upward trend over the past year. With housing prices climbing, developers are beginning to think “condo,” rather than “rental.“ One example comes from Wiseman Development, in the form of a 4-story, 25-unit condo building at 7260 Hawthorn Avenue in Hollywood. Documents submitted to the Department of City Planning indicate that locally based Killefer Flammang Architects are responsible for the project’s design.

Yesterday, GlobeSt.com reported that La Brea Regency, LLC had secured financing for the construction of a mixed-use development at the southeastern corner of La Brea and Hawthorn Avenues. The five-story La Brea Regency Lofts will contain 56 residential units above 9,000 square feet of ground level commercial space. The building shall be served by a three-level, subterranean garage with 124 parking stalls. A quick check of the Department of Building and Safety’s records indicates that construction permits were issued for the project back in August.

Related California’s revised plan for Phase I of the Grand Avenue Project was soundly rejected last month, but other parts of the slow moving mega development are still pressing forward. Kitty-corner to the Phase I site, Parcels M and L have two landscape shifting projects under construction. Work on the Arquitectonica designed Parcel M Tower, which broke ground in January, has now progressed to the lucky 13th floor. When completed in late 2014, the $120 million development will contain 271 apartments and 5,000 square feet of commercial space within 19-stories.

Lately, we’ve seen a lot of plans emerging for residential developments in the area to the southwest of Hollywood and Highland. Now, lets take a look at an upcoming development located north of Hollywood Boulevard: 1840 N Highland Avenue A new six-story, 118-unit multi-family residential building with approximately 166,000 square feet of floor area and 216 parking spaces on a 57,810 square foot site that is currently a surface parking lot and vacant.

Passengers on Metro’s Orange Line buses are undoubtedly familiar with their claustrophobia inducing conditions. While fighting for scarce leg and elbow room, many have asked “why the hell isn’t this thing a train?“ Fear not, San Fernando Valley denizens: Tom LaBonge understands your plight. The 4th District Councilman introduced a motion over the summer that would put the City of Los Angeles on the record as supporting the repeal of SB 211, the legislation passed by the State Senate in 1991 which prohibits light rail on the Orange Line’s right-of-way.