7 minute read
5 Essential Rules for Totally Enjoying DTLA
5 ESSENTIAL RULES FOR TOTALLY ENJOYING DTLA
Welcome to the most walkable neighborhood in all of Los Angeles.
The Broad Museum
Brianna in front of Bunker Hill’s The Broad museum, which, when it opened in 2015, attracted 820,000 visitors in its inaugural year. DTLA-based Venia Collection. Vitis silk dress, $650
RULE NO. 1: WALK IT!
The phrase “Nobody walks in L.A.” is fast becoming dated. With a walk score of 95 (an increase of one point from the previous year), Downtown Los Angeles is a paradise for people who love experiencing a city on foot. People in DTLA can stroll to an average of 33 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in five minutes—a welcome thing in a metropolis designed around car culture. According to a 2015 survey, 22 percent of DTLA locals live and work here, and 62 percent of that group walk to work every day.
It’s a trend that’s sure to intensify. In the first nine months of 2017, Downtown saw a record 2,700 new apartments enter the market. Less than two decades ago—in 1999—the population of DTLA was just 18,700 people; it had more than tripled by 2016, hitting 65,185. New shops, restaurants, bars and art galleries pop up every week, inviting residents and visitors alike to hit the streets in search of the next great thing.
JAPANESE VILLAGE PLAZA
Brianna in Little Tokyo’s iconic shopping and dining center. Opened in 1984, it boasts 35 stores and restaurants. 335 E. 2nd St. // 213-617-1900 // japanesevillageplaza.net
RULE NO. 2: SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Buy local. Get eclectic.
Grand department stores—now long gone—graced Downtown decades ago. Today, a retail renaissance is animating the area, everywhere from Little Tokyo and theArts District to lively developmentsFIGat7th, The Row and The Bloc. DTLA is also a bargain hunter’s dream, with its fabric, flower and toy markets all waiting to be explored.
SNOWYA
Brianna samples the sweet treat store’s taiyaki matcha/milk swirl. Weller Court, 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., Ste. 103, Little Tokyo // 213-265-7637 // snowya.com
RULE NO. 3: EAT, DRINK, REPEAT
So many flavors, so little time.
The DTLA dining scene is so hot, it’s drawing chefs from all over, like Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm, David Chang of the Momofuku empire and James BeardAward-winning chef Jessica Largey (see page 90), who all have new restaurants opening here in 2018. It’s also a springboard for the latest Instagram worthy trends like taiyaki ice cream, traditional Japanese fish-shaped cakes served warm and stuffed with soft serve.
“1100 FEET” DRINK, Spire 73’s signature cocktail with Glenmorangie scotch, Benedictine, Lillet Blanc, Creole bitters and dried apricot.
The new lounge on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown at the Wilshire Grand Center is the highest open-air bar in the United States. 900 Wilshire Blvd., 73rd Fl., Financial District // 213-688-7777 // dtla.intercontinental.com
RULE NO. 4: GO UP HIGH
Enjoy a top-shelf drink or two on DTLA’s top floors.
Downtown’s ever-growing skyline isn’t just something to be admired from below. Catch an elevator to one of the neighborhood’s lofty bars, such as Spire 73 at Wilshire Grand Center; the BonaVista Lounge on the 34th floor of the Westin Bonaventure; rooftop bar Perch in the Historic Core; and Broken Shaker atop the new Freehand hotel.See page 102 & 104 for a look at other places to take in DTLA’s sweeping views.
TOY DISTRICT
Brianna hunts down finds in an alley off Winston Street between Los Angeles and Wall streets.
RULE NO. 5: BE AN EXPLORER!
Revelations await around every corner.
Perhaps no city in America has as many distinct neighborhoods in such close proximity as DTLA.So taking a 15-minute walk means that you never know what you will encounter, whether it’s an under-the-radar art gallery in Chinatown, an unexpected mural by a world-famous artist or a surprising alley in the Toy District that sells everything under the sun for kids’ parties, including piñatas.
GET IT NOW!
You can shop the looks from Brianna’s day exploring Downtown—and receive a special 10 percent discount on the Venia Collection and Kestan pieces she wears. Just enter the code “DTLABOOK” at online store checkout. Limited supply. Hurry!
Venia’s Vitis silk dress, $650
Venia's Raphanus silk top, $355
Kestan’s Aster ring in silver rhodium, $15
Kestan's Archway ring in silver rhodium, $15
Kestan's Lovell ring in sterling silver, $35
Kestan's Comet bracelet in silver rhodium, $30
Venia's Mendenhall silk top, price upon request*, and Viola tencel culottes, $298
Kestan's Lyra necklace in silver rhodium, $30
Venia's Jasminium fish-leather jacket, price upon request*; Raphanus silk top, $355; and Iris leather leggings, $900
Kestan's Kestrel necklace in silver rhodium, $25
Scan these QR codes with your standard iPhone camera or Android QR code reader app to visit their online stores. Get 10% OFF by using special discount code DTLABOOK at checkout.
VENIA COLLECTION veniacollection.com Based in DTLA, the line is produced with sustainable materials often using 3-D printing techniques.
KESTAN kestan.co The ethically sourced California company sells a chic mix of affordable dresses and jewelry.
Throughout the following pages, our model, Brianna Lopez, wears clothing by DTLA-based Venia Collection. Its designers—who keep their identity hidden, going by the names Eni and Nigma—use 3-D printing, sustainable materials and upcycled textiles to create their line. Brianna wears accessories by Kestan, a label with a commitment to ethical labor and environmental impact policies. Its flagship store is located in Costa Mesa, California, and they also sell at The Row’s Smorgasburg market. Styled by Chrstine Ko, hair & makeup by Lisa Lex.
