Downtown Los Angeles

Hello!

Welcome to Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles is ever-changing and ever thriving. Once a ghost town after 5 pm with half-empty office buildings – a place where no one dared walk the streets at night (unless of course, you were up to no good) – Downtown Los Angeles (aka Downtown LA, aka DTLA) has experienced a resurgence in the last few years and is transforming into a world-class entertainment center, home to sports venues, award-winning restaurants and bars, hotels, art institutions, and nightlife.

The City is made up of several residential hubs, each with a unique personality, cultural and economic traits.

ITS ALL ABOUT LOCATION

Downtown LA Real Estate

Downtown LA is located in the central region of the County of Los Angeles. The heart of Downtown is surrounded by hard borders of 4 freeways: the Hollywood 101 freeway, the Pasadena 110 freeway, the 10 freeway, and the 5 freeway. There are some neighborhoods outside of this center however that are part of downtown as well, including Chinatown to the North, Historic El Pueblo, parts of the Arts District to the North East, and even parts of Boyle Heights to the East.

DTLA is laid out on a grid system, so getting around is fairly easy (not taking into account the one-way directional streets…but that’s for another topic) whether in a car, on a bike, or on foot. The eastern edge is also bordered by the channelized Los Angeles River.

Downtown LA Community

Downtown Los Angeles is made up of ten districts, with a couple of other smaller districts in the mix as well. They include the Arts District, Bunker Hill/Grand Avenue, Chinatown, Financial District, Civic Center, Fashion District, Historic Core, Jewelry District, Little Tokyo, Olvera Street at Historic El Pueblo, and the Wholesale District. Other notable hubs include Gallery Row, Flower District, and the Figueroa Corridor. Each neighborhood has a personality of its own, each unique and buzzing with activity.

The Historic Core was the center of the city before WWII and home to all the major financial institutions and banking centers during the time. During the 1950s it became the center of Latino entertainment and neighboring

theaters, such as the Million Dollar Theater, featured the biggest names in the Spanish entertainment world.

While many of the older buildings have stores that cater to Latino immigrants, storefronts are changing along with the fast-changing demographics. The area has quickly become a culinary destination with places like the Grand Central Market and Spring Arcade drawing crowds from across the region. The district boasts architectural gems which have been restored and beautifully kept.

Little Tokyo is one of the last Japantowns in the US and is home to many older Japanese residents as well as a recent influx of young families choosing the loft-style developments that have aggressively been built in the last few years. The area has over 100 authentic Japanese eateries, including bakeries and bars, and is a wonderful place to take a stroll with the family.

The Arts District is one of the largest districts along the eastern edge of downtown and is home to artists, bohemians, students, writers, filmmakers, and everything in between. From massive new residential developments catering to the design and architectural students to the gritty loft and warehouse spaces occupied by artists (which dub as underground party ragers by night) — to the 5-star restaurants with month-long waiting lists, the Arts District is undergoing an exciting transformation.

The Civic Center is possibly the place every single Angelo has visited at least once if you’ve ever been called to Jury Duty. It’s where most city courthouses, municipal services, and where City Hall is located. It is also where one of the city’s newest and largest parks is located and has become an outdoor destination for events all year round. The park, Grand Park, is a beautiful connector to the city’s music center and opera house located in upper Grand and other financial and art institutions on Bunker Hill.

The Financial District provides the downtown skyline with the tallest buildings and streets in the district bustle with workers every weekday. Recent years have seen many of the once empty office spaces converted into residential lofts and apartments.

With this reuse of buildings have come restaurants and bars at every corner. Pop into any of these hot spots after a long day in the office and expect to be among suit and ties, briefcases, and dirty martinis. Oh, and some of the best happy hours in the city.

South Park is home to LA Live, a music, and entertainment mecca if you will of the city. Once a shady area of downtown, today is a destination locally, regionally, and internationally.

Development has been full steam ahead in the past few years and residential towers can be seen going up every few months. A stroll in the area and you’ll see manicured lawns, clean sidewalks, and little-to-no graffiti…and as the district with the most expensive

Other districts include the Fashion, Flower, and Toy districts, which all flow into one another, and are the commercial and wholesale centers of the city. Whether you’re looking to sew your own prom dress, decorate a wedding bouquet, or load your van with toys for a children’s birthday party – these districts have got it all at unbeatable prices. Word to the wise: if you’re going on a weekend, brace yourself for the crowds. Once you realize you have no clue where you’ve parked your car, take a deep breath, indulge in the best bacon wrapped hotdog LA has to offer and entertain yourself in some good old people watching.

DTLA Art and Shopping

DTLA is quickly becoming a hot shopping destination with unique, one-of-a-kind shops that are anything but ordinary. From designer threads, vintage goods, and locally-made products, to culturally authentic products and even everyday brick-a-brack. There has been an explosion of higher-end boutiques sprinkled around the arts districts, South Park, and Spring Street areas, and some favorites include Acne Studios, Alchemy Works, Brigade, Tanner Leather, and the Well. Beware you can easily reach your credit card limit in any of these shops.

If you want a crash course in wholesale shopping, head to the Fashion District (aka ‘The Alleys’) and try your haggling skills with any of the vendors. It’s acceptable and fun to work a deal – no credit cards are required here, only cash guarantees you the best prices. If you’re on a budget, head to the Broadway corridor which is lined with mostly Latino-owned businesses selling everything from ranchero boots and quinceanera dresses, to big-screen TVs.

You won’t find traditional malls in downtown, rather shopping centers that have been revitalized with contemporary and new shops, providing a more enjoyable shopping experience.

7th and Fig Shopping Center is a perfect example of a renovated space that breathed life back into a once desolate, and scary, shopping mall. The introduction of City Target, H & M, Zara, Sports Chalet, and other shops has reinvigorated the area and today’s draws hundreds of people a day. The future Bloc development and outdoor mall, currently under construction, will do the same and will provide visitors and especially residents many more options for shopping, all just a short walk away.

The art scene has been growing in DTLA and the monthly Art Walk event is an awesome, gallery & rogue, in-your-face art experience. The center of the event is along Spring Street between 7th Street and 4th Street, but spreads onto adjacent streets and all around downtown. Whether you’re sipping wine at Colorlab Tierrasal Gallery or watching performance art on the street corner, the event is an outlet for artistic expression that thousands of people participate in every month.

Don’t miss an opportunity to check out The Last Bookstore – a cavernous and spectacularly multilevel bookstore which also houses art, sculptures made of books, and rarities.

DTLA Nightlife

Only a few years ago no one would dare enter downtown at night, much less come for entertainment. Today, any night of the week, and especially weekends, the streets are full of primarily young professionals and hipsters bar hoping, going to concerts and music venues, art exhibits, and indulging in local eateries. Letting out of the hockey game? A short walk leads you to the 7th Street corridor with tons of options to toast the LA Kings’ win.

If you want a more upscale dining experience, downtown has it. Options such as Bestia, Drago Centro, Café Pinot, and Redbird draw in foodies from around the country and the award-winning chefs make sure the experience is memorable.

If there is one signature drink that we’d name quintessential Downtown LA, it would be an Old Fashioned. Head to Cole’s or 7 Grand for the best Old Fashioned you’ve ever had. Once you’ve hit your third, you might want to shake your tail. The Exchange LA is an institution for dance music with DJs from around the world spinning until the wee hours of the morning. Or, for a Latin flavor head to the Mayan or the Conga Room where you’ll be stunned at the talent on the dance floor.

Downtown Los Angeles Architecture & Real Estate

There is a remarkable amount of history and many architectural styles represented in Downtown LA, including Beaux-Arts and Art Deco gems. In fact, many of the historic buildings have been converted into residential lofts and mixed uses.

Some of the most impressive buildings include the Biltmore Hotel, completed in 1923 in the Beaux-Arts style (tip: have a drink at the ‘Ghost Bar’ in the lobby, legend says it’s haunted, but then again what isn’t in downtown Los Angeles); The Bradbury Building constructed in 1893 as a Victorian office building with exposed elevators and skylight, a MUST see; The Million Dollar Theater constructed in 1917 by William Mulholland (yes of the street), and just one of the many theaters along Broadway that in its heyday was the location of megastar film premiers; Grand Central Market completed in 1917 is an open-air market; The Central Library completed in 1926 during the transition to Art Deco style and also has Mediterranean and Egyptian elements; and possibly one of the most famously restored structures the Eastern Columbia Building built in 1930 and known as the benchmark of deco buildings in LA and one of the great grand dames of Art Deco Streamline Modern in Los Angeles, characterized by its verticality and geometric flourishes adorning the facade.

Not only does Downtown LA boast some of the oldest and most significant buildings, but also contemporary architecture on the west coast, including the Walt Disney (Frank Gehry designed) Concert Hall, the Broad Museum designed by world-renown firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and the under-construction Wilshire Grand Tower.

Indeed, one could go on and on for days talking about the architecturally significant buildings that are housed within the 5.84 square miles of Downtown Los Angeles… But instead, you’ll just have to come to see for yourself. DTLA is once again, where it’s at!

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THE SHELHAMER GROUP | DRE: 01950995

Glenn Shelhamer is a licensed real estate broker DRE: 01950995 in the state of California and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. To reach The Shelhamer Real Estate Group’s office manage please call (310) 913-9477.