Downtown Los Angeles Real Estate

213.321.5040

Listed with Jung-Ah Kim

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Downtown Los Angeles Lofts for Sale - Textile Building - $174,900.

I haven't seen this new listing in the Textile building at 8th St and Maple other than on the MLS, but when I saw it there, I had to put it on the blog! I do plan on seeing it in person this week.

If you're not in need of a big space, or an extensive kitchen, this bright corner unit is certainly worth seeing! Notice the walls of large windows! The efficient space has polished concrete floors and a separate sleeping area.

The Textile building (built in 1925 as Lloyd & Casler's Textile Center Building) was designed by architect W. Douglas Lee. It's a gorgeous brick building with prominence in the neighborhood.

I believe this is a good deal for a space with such great light and outlook. If you want to take a look, contact me. 213.321.5040

Corner unit with abundant natural light

Textile Building, work/live units, 315 E 8th @ Maple, Los Angeles

polished concrete floors. Large windows

Russell Hill

213.321.5040

Listed with Andrew Rhoda & Danny Mahelka

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Lofts For Sale in Downtown Los Angeles

There were six loft/condo sales in downtown LA for the week of 7/15 - 7/21/11.

Promenade West, 1/1, $270,000.
Mura, 1/1, $200,000.
Luma, 1/1, $330,000.
Tokyo Villa, 1/1, $218,000.
Mura, 2/2, $470,000.
Bartlett Lofts, 1/1, $106,000.

Source: CLAW

Pan American Lofts, 3rd and Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles

Friday, July 22, 2011

BloomFest LA - Arts District Downtown LA

BloomFestLA is tomorrow, Saturday, 23 July, 2011. If you're local, or are curious about the downtown scene, be sure to go. There will be art, food trucks, music and beer! Also, be sure to check out the work/live lofts at 940 E 2nd St. We'll be selling soon!

BloomfestLA. Image courtesy of BloomfestLA.com

Downtown Los Angeles Lofts for Sale - The SkyLoft - $550,000.

I previewed this great loft in SkyLoft at 8th and Grand yesterday. It's a great space with lots of natural light, views (from the 15th floor), two very spacious bathrooms and a more than ample kitchen. The space is a true loft space in that there are no walls separating the sleeping quarters, but it's not "true loft" in the fact that all surfaces are finished. Nicely so, I might add. The floors are maple. Space is over 1300sf with two bedrooms and 2 baths. The master space has a huge master closet!

The location at 8th and Grand is close to the Ralph's Grocery Store and lots of restaurant choices and not too far from 7 Fig where the new Target will go in after the current renovations are complete. This location is also quite close to the office skyscrapers, so it might be an ideal location for many.

If you're looking for an historical building, SkyLoft isn't right for you, but if you're looking for a loft space in a more modern building that's finished nicely, you should consider looking at this one! Contact me for showings! 213.321.5040

Russell Hill

213.321.5040

Listed with Peter Yoo

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Civic Park Construction Under Way

Construction of Civic Park, the first phase of the Grand Avenue Project, is well under way. The city was smart in stipulating that Related Cos, the developers of the project, prepay for the park. As you can see in the photos, it looks like a couple of the planned stages (shade structures?) are going up, one on the east end of the park, near City Hall; the other up the hill nearer the Music Center.

Plazas, a dog run and lawns are also included in the design by Rios Clementi Hale Studios

This will be a great asset for all of Los Angeles, but I imagine we downtown residents will enjoy it most!

Between Spring St and Broadway.

I'd like to see more green space created across downtown, from big parks like this one, to smaller "pocket parks", such as the planned Spring Street Park to be located between the Eldorado Lofts and the Rowan Lofts. Groundbreaking is set for August. Some of the pocket parks could be much smaller and less elaborate than the planned Spring Street Park. The South Park neighborhood could use a large scale park like Civic Park. Maybe city officials could make this a stipulation for the proposed new stadium?

Civic Park will extend from Music Center at Grand Ave down
the hill to City Hall on Spring St

From the Music Center. Stage area under construction?

Monday, July 18, 2011

Would you dare to live downtown? YES!

Sunday's LA Times Op-Ed (Op-Art) page had this article about the pros and cons of living downtown.

First, I think it's amazing that downtown is getting this attention. It means people have opinions about living downtown, good and bad.

As a happy downtown resident, I'm probably a little biased, but I think the pro article is a more honest assessment of how it is to live downtown. Joan admits that it's not perfect, but she points out that a lot of progress has been made over the years. And, for her, one of the best parts is she has helped develop the community and has strong ties to the community.

It is my hope that the downtown population is at a critical mass and that we will continue to see more people deciding to move downtown and thus continue to see more retail, restaurant and service choices and further improvements to the infrastructure and amenities downtown.

Illustration by Joseph Daniel Fiedler

Regardless of our successes - future and past, downtown living won't be everyone's cup of tea. As more and more people discover us, through articles like this one, or through a friend, or through blogs, the more likely we are to continue to grow and experience a downtown that is a more desirable place to live.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Lofts for Sale in Downtown Los Angeles

There were 8 loft or condo sales in downtown LA from July 8 thru 14, 2011.

Savoy, 1/1, $218,000.

Elleven, 1/1, $369,000.

Eastern Columbia, 1/1, $350,000.

Little Tokyo Lofts, 0/1, $181,000.

Savoy, 3/2, $320,000.

Luma, 1/1, $447,000.

Toy Factory, 1/1, $350,000.

Savoy, 2/2, $323,000.

Source: CLAW

Ritz Carlton Residences

Russell Hill

213.321.5040

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The History of Spring St. downtown Los Angeles

I attended a presentation last night in the atrium of The Douglas Lofts. It was about more than the title suggests; Greg Fisher, who lectured and presented the slideshow, provided great history of the founding of the City of Los Angeles, and of course, Spring Street's part in the growth and development of Los Angeles. The most fascinating thing I learned (or realized) is that Angelenos have never had a problem tearing down beautiful buildings! All in the goal of progress, I assume.

Spring and 3rd Sts., ca 1920. Of the four buildings, only the Douglas still
stands. Photo source: Los Angeles Public Library

I think we have changed. It's such a treasure to have the historic buildings we do have (like The Douglas, The Eldorado, Pan American, Rowan, etc, etc.). Let's hope our days of demolishing significant buildings is over. Let's hope, too, that there are developers who have an interest in rebuilding our urban core with interesting and architecturally significant buildings to replace some of the fine structures that were lost and where in many cases now only surface parking lots exist.

Drinks were provided by Buzz Wine Beer Shop. Food by Two Bits Market.

Art Walk - Downtown Los Angeles - is tonight!

It's Art Walk again! This month, Grand Central Market is staying open until 9pm! Be sure to check out Chimu for Peruvian food and listen to live music. There will be lots of other nearby events to enjoy, including food trucks and ART!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Lofts for Sale in Downtown Los Angeles

There were seven loft/condo sales in the first week in July. Details are below.

420 S San Pedro St., #313, Little Tokyo Lofts, 0/1, $151,000.
746 S Los Angeles St, #402, Santee Village, 1/1, $175,000.
257 S Spring St, #3L, Douglas Lofts, 0/1, $189,000.
312 West 5th St., #702, Shybarry Grand, 1/1, $200,000.
253 S Braodway, #207, Pan American Lofts, 1/1, $262,500.
253 S Broadway, #308, Pan American Lofts, 1/1, $282,500.
801 S Grand Ave., #2003, Sky Loft, 2/2, $470,000.

Median Sales Price: $200K, avg price per SF: $268.63

Downtown LA is dog friendly!

Russell Hill

213.321.5040

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Downtown Los Angeles Loft for Sale - The Mercantile Lofts

Once rentals, The Mercantile Lofts are now listed for sale! The units facing Main St. have huge windows and are the best feature of this building, in my opinion.

Many of the units are quite large and can be configured to meet a owner's particular needs. Current prices range from $295K for 629sf to $595K for 1,861sf

The location is good, just blocks from lots of restaurants, bars, entertainment and culture!

Contact me to see any of the available units. 213.321.5040

The Mercantile Lofts, 620 S Main St., Los Angeles

Russell Hill

213.321.5040

Listed by: Joe Reichling

Monday, July 4, 2011

Buzz Wine Beer Shop in Downtown Los Angeles Now Open!

buzz wine beer shop is now open in downtown LA in the Rowan Lofts building at the corner of 5th and Spring Streets. I visited the store this morning for the first time since their opening eight days ago. I was greeted by Matt who was very good at explaining the store and all the cool and unique services. Two services that we loft dwellers might like the most are delivery and wine storage. Check with Matt, or any helpful employee, for details.

buzz offers a very good selection. I bought three Roses that I've never seen before. The South African Rose ( '09 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose) that I've opened is quite delicious. Prices are decent too, I might add.

If you're a downtown resident, be sure to visit buzz. If you're looking to move downtown, buzz wine beer shop might be a good indication of downtown's desirability.

buzz is open seven days a week, 11am to 2am! And, they deliver!

buzz wine beer shop, 460 S Spring St., #C, LA, CA

2009 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose, South Africa

Russell Hill

213.321.5040