high security cost at bridge housing sites Page 7
union station’s big birthday bash Page 15
APRIL 29, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #17
Fire Station Accommodations Arts District Firehouse Gets Boutique Hotel Treatment See Page 8
SPECIAL SECTION
Dustin Lancaster of Eastside Establishment helped transform the vacant Engine Co. No. 17 into the Firehouse Hotel.
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photos by Gary Leonard
STAYCATION OPTIONS See Pages 11-14
THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. SINCE 1972
2 DOWNTOWN NEWS
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AROUND TOWN
Asian Pacific Film Festival Returns
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he Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, a nine-day celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander cinema, is returning for the 35th year, with a host of screenings at Downtown venues. Starting Thursday, May 2, and continuing through May 10, the lineup includes screenings at Regal L.A. Live, the Aratani Theatre, the Downtown Independent and the Japanese American National Museum. Highlights include a screening of the festival’s centerpiece films Go Back to China and Ms. Purple at the Aratani Theatre on Saturday at 5 and 8 p.m., respectively, and A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem, from Chinese director Yu Gu, screening at the Downtown Independent on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The festival includes features, documentaries and short films and tickets start at $15. More information and a schedule are at festival.vconline.org/2019.
Continental Building to Become a Hotel
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he Continental Building, one of Downtown Los Angeles’ first high-rise structures, as well as the first old building to be turned
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into modern housing as part of the Downtown adaptive reuse craze, will become a hotel. Documents filed last week with the Department of City Planning detail plans to convert the 12-story building at 408 S. Spring St. into a 140-room boutique hotel. In October, Continental DTLA, an LLC affiliated with the Chicago-based hotel and restaurant group Rebel Hospitality, purchased the building from developer Tom Gilmore. The filings also call for the creation of a ground floor bar and restaurant, dining on a mezzanine, and event and banquet space on the second floor. There would also be a penthouse restaurant, a bar on the 12th floor, as well as a rooftop bar and restaurant. No plans have been announced for what would happen with current tenants, and no budget or timeline for the conversion have been revealed. Rebel Hospitality did not return calls for comment by press time.
Prices Set for Park Fifth and Trademark DTLA
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ricing and floor plan information have been revealed for a pair of residential buildings opening near Pershing Square. This month, property manager Greystar released information for developer MacFarlane Partners’ 24-story Park Fifth (at 427 W. Fifth St.) and its adjacent sister project, the seven-story Trademark DTLA (at 437 S. Hill St.). At Park Fifth, a 491-square-foot studio will go for $2,440, and a one-bedroom with 618 square feet of space starts at $2,995. Rents at the smaller building are slightly less expensive; a
APRIL 29, 2019
468-square-foot studio begins at $2,080 and the smallest one-bedroom, measuring 564 square feet, is priced at $2,320. Collectively, the two Financial District buildings will add 660 new apartments to Downtown Los Angeles. Both buildings are scheduled to open this summer. Full prices and plans are at parkfifthtower.com and trademarkdtla.com.
City West High-Rise Planned
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24-story building could go up on Second Street just west of the 110 Freeway. This month, plans were submitted to the Department of City Planning for a high-rise at 1264 W. Second St. A series of one-story commercial and industrial buildings would be replaced by a structure holding 355 residential units. The application was submitted by Ashai Design, a Beverly Hills-based planning and architecture company. The developer is hoping to secure incentives that would allow for greater density and reduced parking in exchange for setting aside some units for affordable housing (the exact number of those residences is not clear). No budget or timeline for the project has been disclosed.
Free Fun at L.A. Live
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ate spring and summer is the quietest time at L.A. Live, as the off-season for the Lakers, Clippers and Kings means no big pre- and post-game crowds hitting restaurants and bars. Given that reality, Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns
L.A. Live, is organizing three big free events on Friday nights. The first Friday Night Block Party will take place this week, on May 3, and will feature more than 20 pop-up shops, street performers and live art. The upcoming event will include live painting with six local artists, and some L.A. Live restaurants will have $5 food and drink specials. A second Block Party takes place May 10, and then on May 31, the complex become a country music hub, complete with line dancing, at an event dubbed Round Up. All festivities run from 6-11 p.m. More information is at lalive.com/popup.
Colburn School Partners With Streaming Service
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he work of musicians at Downtown’s Colburn School can now be heard online alongside nearly 1 million other classical music recordings. The Grand Avenue conservatory, academy and school has partnered with Primephonic, a classical music streaming service, to offer dedicated classical music playlists featuring recordings from some of the school’s students, faculty and alumni. The initial playlist includes works from composer John Adams and L.A. Phil Music Director Gustavo Dudamel working with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and is available at primephonic.com/colburn. The service requires a subscription fee of up to $14.99 per month, but the Bunker Hill institution is offering a threemonth free trial for people who sign up with the code Colburn.
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APRIL 29, 2019
TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD
Change Is Coming to the Fashion District
A
few weeks ago, developer Holland Partner Group celebrated the opening of its Grace on Spring and Griffin on Spring housing complexes. The two 24-story buildings at Eighth and Spring streets created a total of 575 apartments. The project is by far the biggest residential play in the Fashion District in decades. But if the kind of change and development momentum that has hit other Downtown Los Angeles neighborhoods is a precedent, then additional large projects will soon follow. Stakeholders in the neighborhood, long home to tens of thousands of jobs in the apparel industry, should brace for a shift in the very fabric of the community. We say this because we have seen other Downtown neighborhoods flip into residential hubs seemingly overnight. The most recent salient example is the Arts District, where street parking has become nearly impossible to find and once-empty sidewalks now teem with weekend life in the wake of the arrival of thousands of housing units. Before that, districts such as the Historic Core and South Park went from being dead after dark to buzzing, nearly 24-hour locales following a wave of construction. While the early Downtown housing projects were frequently adaptive reuse efforts that turned defunct office buildings into apartments, more often these days we are seeing the rise of new steel and glass towers. That is also the case in the Fashion District. In 2015 developer Capital Foresight established a residential beachhead with the 77-unit Garment Lofts on Eighth Street, and the next year the same developer opened the nearby 96-apartment Max Lofts. Now comes the groundup Grace and Griffin towers and a roster of modern amenities such as pools and dog runs. The Holland Partner project is almost three times as big as both of the Capital Foresight buildings combined, and other housing developers will pay close attention to how quickly the market-rate Grace and Griffin fill up. Investors have a follow-the-leader mindset when they see profit potential. Other neighborhood indicators also prefigure a change. Brookfield, one of the biggest landowners in Downtown, last November announced a $170 million overhaul of the California Market Center, with plans to offer creative office space and retail. The massive three-building complex that opened in 1962 will still hold some of its traditional fashion showrooms where designers meet with store buyers, but the coming work will likely draw tenants with the type of young employees we have seen arrive in the Arts District and Historic Core. When those populations move in, housing tends to follow. This is not to say that the apparel trade will flee the Fashion District. Other showroom buildings, related businesses and the presence of the design college FIDM form a healthy base for the industry. The community will continue to serve as a regional jobs hub for a long time. Still, even after nearly two decades of intense investment in Downtown, a vast jobs-housing imbalance remains, and when new apartment complexes get approximately $4 a square foot from renters, developers will keep building. Leaders in the Fashion District should be aware of what the future may bring.
Coliseum Court of Honor
Mayor Tom Bradley • Plaque Dedication
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Regarding the column “The Stumbling, Tumbling Trojan Nation,” about the series of scandals at USC, by Jon Regardie
COMMENTS
Regarding the article “Service Extended for Downtown DASH Buses,” by Sean P. Thomas This is fantastic news! I live on the DASH B line, I’m always up on Grand Avenue and at the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA, and I am always stuck getting home. The evening options without the DASH are horrendous. In winter it’s either a walk in the dark to a distant bus at Pershing Square, or the 7th Street/Metro Center station, and both are really sketchy stations. Recently instead I called for an Uber and got re-routed between drivers for 40 minutes because I wasn’t a big enough fare. The weekend bus will be great because there are so many street closures in that area for events or marches, and the drivers know this better than passenger car drivers do. Thank you LADOT. I know the B route will be used a lot by locals. There are also a lot of seniors who rely on this bus. —Marta Woodhull Finally! This should have happened years ago. —Ed Baney This is awesome. Good job DASH. This is much cleaner and cheaper than the regular Metro bus lines. —Rene Guzman EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITERS: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre
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After this pay-to-play at USC, I wonder if a) the administration and staff will become more rigid and b) parents who follow proper enrollment procedures will unite to expect accountability. Hopefully incoming President Carol Folt will be minding the store and setting traps for the mice. —Jan Atkins Regarding the article “Public Meeting for Huge Angels Landing Project,” by Nicholas Slayton The previous design would have been much better — 88 stories! But nooooo. —Travis Deal
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APRIL 29, 2019
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Downtown Needs More LAPD Foot Beats Local Residents Have the Power to Demand Additional City Services By Sara Hernandez love DTLA. Since the year 2000, my neighbors and I have witnessed our neighborhood grow from 18,000 to more than 75,000 residents, adding immensely to our ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. We have SRO hotels, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, market-rate buildings and luxury condos side by side.
I
GUEST OPINION We are the diverse mixed-income neighborhood that city planners talk about in their community plans. When you talk to people who have lived here for a while, there is a palpable sense of ownership in making DTLA the best it can be. This neighborhood is awesome, but the frenetic growth and community building comes with some real challenges. We have seen a rise in violent crime while LAPD deployment in DTLA has decreased. Within the past five years, Downtown’s population has increased over 28%, and with it has come a 56% increase in crime as well as a 57% increase in “calls for service.” In 2018, Central Division (which patrols Downtown) recorded 7,442 Part 1 crimes (the designation for violent and property crimes), up from 6,963 the previous year. In recent years we’ve all seen the shocking stories: an elderly neighbor savagely beaten, homeless individuals killed while they sleep, a local business owner pushed into traffic, resulting in life-threatening injuries. These incidents may be outliers, but the fact of the matter is, while population, crime and calls for service have gone up, LAPD Central Division deployment has gone down in the past five years. This is not just an issue of public safety; this is
about the equitable distribution of city services. This situation prompted my neighbors and I to form DTLA Strong, a community organizing group that gives residents in Downtown a voice. For too long, the City has assumed that they do not need to invest city services in Downtown. That needs to change. Our first initiative has been to get more community-minded LAPD foot beats on our streets to address public safety.
EIGHT OFFICERS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CENTRAL FOOT BEAT UNIT. WHEN YOU THINK OF IT, 20 FOOT BEAT OFFICERS FOR A COMMUNITY OF 75,000 RESIDENTS AND MORE THAN 500,000 WORKERS IS REALLY NOT A HUGE ASK. The solution is not necessarily just about adding more police, it’s advocating for how our police interact with our neighborhood, how they work with us and how they build trust. In our urban environment, we walk everywhere: our places of work, stores, restaurants, public transportation and entertainment. In pedestrian-centric neighborhoods, officers should be out of their patrol cars and walking with us. This isn’t a novel concept as most major metropolitan cities have foot beats to account for the unique challenges of their
DOWNTOWN NEWS 5
dense, urban environments. And a shout-out to Central Division, as they are already strong advocates for community policing. Right now, the Central Division foot beat unit consists of two sergeants and 12 police officers. The problem is, there are not enough of them, and the ones we have are not a separate dedicated workforce — they are often pulled to cover special and citywide events. Those 12 officers are roughly divided two to a community in the following areas: Chinatown/Little Tokyo, Arts District, Financial District, Historic Core, Fashion District and South Park. (Skid Row has its own separate program.) DTLA Strong is advocating for an additional eight officers to be added to the Central foot beat unit and who can be deployed strategically by Central Division leadership. When you think of it, 20 foot beat officers for a community of 75,000 residents and more than 500,000 workers is really not a huge ask. In order to make this ask a reality, we need Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City Council to make public safety in Downtown a priority — that comes through allocating more funds for foot beats in DTLA in the 2019-20 fiscal year budget, which is being considered now. Over the years, DTLA has become a regional hub for business, tourism, nightlife, civic life and transportation, yet the budget for the city services and public safety resources that we all deserve has not caught up. Again, while this is a matter of equity in city services, City Hall and its politicians will not act unless residents and, more importantly, voters, demand it. Join us by signing our petition at dtlastrong.com and speaking out in favor of more foot beats for DTLA at the City Council budget hearing on Tuesday, May 2, at 9 a.m. in City Hall. We need a strong turnout of local friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. The movement begins right here. So from one lover of DTLA to another, please get involved in your community. Sara Hernandez is a practicing attorney and co-founder of DTLA Strong. She’s a 10-year resident of DTLA with her husband Keith. They’re expecting their first DTLA baby boy in August.
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APRIL 29, 2019
L.A.’s Next Epic Education Battle Power Players Take Sides and Pick Strange Bedfellows As a LAUSD Parcel Tax Vote Approaches
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The momentum created during the six-day teachers’ strike in January has spurred local education, labor and political leaders to hold a special election for a new parcel tax on June 4. Although Measure EE would raise about $500 million a year for the LAUSD, local business groups are forcefully opposing it.
By Jon Regardie he sides are being drawn. Past enemies are forging unlikely alliances. The outcome of the battle will impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. “Game of Thrones”? Yeah, that too, but I’m pretty sure the HBO series is pretend. In-
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THE REGARDIE REPORT stead, I’m looking local, as some of Los Angeles’ savviest and most cutthroat power players are girding for a fight over the funding of public education. It may lack the worldwide audience you get with premium cable, but the conflict between what one could term the Education Alliance and the Business Brigade makes the Winterfell Partnership vs. the Night King’s Army look like a group of fourth graders having a Nerf fight. Forget spears tipped with dragon glass and swords made of Valerian steel. Cast aside the giants wielding clubs and the relentless undead skeletal warriors on relentless undead skeletal horses. In this case the weapons are real world — we’re talking six-figure checks, along with vicious and maybe occasionally truthful spin campaigns. The battle is over Measure EE, a parcel tax that seeks to raise up to $500 million a year to benefit the cash-strapped Los Angeles Unified School District, and it has divided parties that normally play nicely together. As a June 4 special election approaches, the rhetoric will ratchet up and spending will be ginormous. I shudder to think how many trees will be murdered for the cascade of glossy mailers. As the consultants are hired, the in-house polls conducted and the advertising campaigns wheeled out, nothing will be left to chance. Every political chit ever pocketed will be called in as the leaders of the warring factions warn their supporters against sitting this one out or trying to straddle the fence. Almost anyone with a checkbook and a record of past political donations will be conscripted.
How will this end? That’s like trying to guess which “Games of Thrones” characters will die before the final season finishes. About the only thing certain is that, after the polls close and the votes are counted, bodies will litter the ground, and the leaders of the losing side will suffer the consequences. Post-Strike Strategy For those who have been paying only moderate attention, Measure EE is a parcel tax that, if passed, will charge people 16 cents for every square foot of indoor property they own. The cash will help cover a financial shortfall at the LAUSD, where revenues are going down and expenses, partly because of pension and healthcare payments, are going up. Leaders including Superintendent Austin Beutner are (rightfully) complaining that Sacramento doesn’t send enough money out to school districts, and they’ll be lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom and the legislature to change the spending formula to benefit the 500,000 K-12 LAUSD students. But they also need buy-in from the local populace. The Los Angeles business community likes EE about as much as most people like chicken pox. The business bigwigs might have given grudging support to the measure if the funding mechanism was a flat tax where all property owners pay the same amount, no matter the size of the parcel. However, the per-square-foot calculus, which means a big hit for some building owners, is a no-go. Deep-pocketed groups such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, the L.A. County Business Federation and the Coalition of Really Rich Jerks (I made one of those up) have already begun to fight. The early June timing is both odd and 100% intentional. It stems from the six-day January teachers’ strike, when 30,000 red-bedecked educators and supportive parents marched in the rain and chanted and rang Continued on page 10
APRIL 29, 2019
DOWNTOWN NEWS 7
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
High Security Costs Tied to Bridge Housing Patrols City to Spend More Than $1.1 Million a Year in Police Overtime for Security Near Downtown Shelter
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el of resources for the lifespan of the project. But again, our goal is not to shortchange the program. When there’s extra police presence around the site, it’s creating a common deterrent for everyone in that neighborhood.” Volunteer Assignment Officers who patrol the special enforcement zone volunteer for the post, which is in addition to their regular work, according to Commander Dominic Choi, the LAPD’s homeless coordinator. There are two-officer teams that each work 12-hour shifts, accounting for the non-stop coverage. Choi said the LAPD is utilizing existing resources and officers, rather than having to Continued on page 20
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“Now in Your Neighborhood”
In Loving Memory
ed LAPD statistics in stating that crime within the El Pueblo special enforcement zone has decreased by 60%. The patrols at El Pueblo operate 24 hours a day and are separate from other LAPD units working in and around the area. They also are unaffiliated with the on-site safety officers at El Puente. The facility has private, non-LAPD security funded through its regular budget. Garcetti’s office is aware of the high overtime costs and is examining ways to tweak patrols and the price tag going forward, Miller said at the City Hall briefing. “We want to make sure that the level of services is right-sized,” Miller said. “We know we don’t expect to necessarily have that lev-
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Convenience
photo by Gary Leonard, sign photo by Nicholas Slayton
As part of the A Bridge Home program, the city set up “special enforcement zones” around temporary housing sites, with increased police patrols and cleanings. Those LAPD patrols cost more than $94,000 each month.
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That money comes in the form of overtime pay for LAPD officers patrolling the area. Multiplied over 12 months, that would amount to more than $1.13 million a year for each location. That cost could go up as the bridge housing program expands. More than 20 similar shelters are ultimately expected to open, and each will have an enforcement zone with fulltime security. That price tag is separate from the regular operation cost at the shelters. El Puente was slated to cost $2.4 million in the first year, and $1.3 million each additional year. The El Pueblo enforcement zone area is bounded by Broadway, Alameda and Arcadia streets and Cesar Chavez Avenue. The stepped-up security efforts in the zone began a month after El Puente opened. The measures are having a noticeable impact. During the day, sidewalks are notably devoid of tents compared to streets that are just outside the zone. At a media briefing at City Hall at the start of this month on the status of bridge housing projects and other homelessness issues, Deputy Mayor for City Homelessness Initiatives Christina Miller cit-
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By Nicholas Slayton hen Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the A Bridge Home initiative last spring, the plan was to set up temporary shelter and services facilities for homeless individuals in all 15 council districts. The program, initially budgeted at $20 million, envisioned the facilities each operating for three years, helping put men and women who once slept on the streets on the path to permanent supportive housing. The first facility, dubbed El Puente, opened in September on a City-owned parking lot at 711 N. Alameda St., bringing 45 beds and on-site hygiene facilities and case workers to the plot near Olvera Street. As part of Garcetti’s program, neighborhoods where the sites open also become “special enforcement zones,” with increased cleanings and LAPD patrols. That includes enforcing the ban on tents being erected on sidewalks from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. That comes with a cost. A February report from the City Administrative Officer revealed that security around the first two A Bridge Home facilities — at El Puente and in Hollywood — is scheduled to cost an average of $94,286 per month for each site.
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APRIL 29, 2019
New Life for an Old Firehouse The Arts District’s Engine Co. No. 17 Is Reborn as a Nine-Room Boutique Hotel
photo by Gary Leonard
Engine Co. No. 17 at 710 S. Santa Fe Ave. opened as a fire house in 1927. The LAFD left the building in 1980, and on April 15 it was reborn as a boutique hotel with nine rooms.
By Nicholas Slayton n 1927, the two-story Engine Co. No. 17 opened on Santa Fe Avenue. It served the Los Angeles Fire Department for more than 50 years until the LAFD moved out in 1980. This month, the 92-year-old edifice began a new phase, as a hotel with only nine rooms and an already buzzworthy restaurant and bar. The Firehouse Hotel comes from An Eastside Establishment, the hospitality group behind the similar-sized Hotel Covell in Los Feliz and the Chinatown wine bar Oriel. Developed in partnership with the Los Angeles-based development firm Creative Space, check-ins at the hotel at 710 S. Santa Fe Ave. began on Monday, April 15. An Eastside Establishment head Dustin Lancaster said the historic building appealed to him, as does the increasing activity along Seventh Street and Santa Fe Avenue — he quickly rattled off Warner Music Group moving in to the refurbished Ford Factory Building across the street, plus the upcoming Soho House and restaurants such as Everson Royce Bar and Guerilla Tacos. “It’s one of those buildings I had seen over a decade ago. It’s been a bunch of pop-up spaces over the years. I said, ‘Let’s figure out how to make it work as a hotel,’” he said. Engine Real Estate, an investment firm that owns numerous properties in Los Angeles, announced plans to turn the former firehouse into a hotel in 2017. Once An Eastside Establishment and Creative Space came on board, Sally Breer of ETC.etera, a Glendale-based
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design firm, was hired to remodel the aged structure. Lancaster stressed that almost every element of the firehouse was preserved, barring a few changes for structural improvements. The interior is a different story. The former garage for fire trucks is now a lobby with a 15-foot ceiling. The old red doors facing Santa Fe Avenue can be opened during the day, adding a breezy nature. The bar and restaurant sit behind the lobby. The rooms are all uniquely decorated and are named for the colors of the rainbow, plus black and white. Some are more blunt than others: The Yellow Room features some walls and nooks painted a warm, sunset-evoking tone, with similarly hued furniture. The Red Room has more subtle touches such as red lining on a canopy above the bed. Rooms measure approximately 400 square feet and have 12-foot ceilings. The windows create a spacious, airy atmosphere. Rates start at $295 a night, with larger suites such as the White Room going for $595. “Sally and I speak the same language on design. It’s a lot of custom pieces and custom furniture, from Los Angeles-based artists,” Lancaster said during a recent tour of the hotel. “As for the rooms, they’re designed for, say, a onenight stay, but all have refrigerators and kitchenettes, so you can stay longer. Our model is more like an Airbnb meets a hotel.” The rates fit amid those charged for boutique hotel rooms in Downtown, according to Bruce Baltin, managing director with brokerage firm CBRE’s hotel
photo by Gary Leonard
The Firehouse Hotel comes from An Eastside Establishment and Creative Space. An Eastside Establishment head Dustin Lancaster said the focus is on uniquely designed rooms and a strong food and beverage program.
advisory division. He noted that some recent boutique additions, including the NoMad Los Angeles and the Freehand on Olive Street, charge similar rates, but are much larger in size and the number of rooms. The only boutique of a similar size is the 14-room Tuck Hotel at 820 S. Spring St. Eating and Drinking The project includes a long bar with a marble counter in the back of the building, and curving, pipe-like light fixtures overhead, plus an outdoor patio and fire pits. The centerpiece of the Fire-
APRIL 29, 2019
DOWNTOWN NEWS 9
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
house Hotel is its covered outdoor restaurant on the north side of the building. The kitchen serving New American fare is overseen by chef Ashley Abodeely, previously with the NoMad on Seventh and Olive streets. There’s also a private dining space that can seat 30 people. Lancaster said that the hotel, including the restaurant, will employ approximately 50 people. Although amenities are limited — there is no gym or spa — Baltin said the Firehouse Hotel has a strong advantage in its location. He pointed to all of the activity and new restaurants along Seventh Street, as well as the influx of workers at Warner Music Group. He said the hotel could lure visiting artists or business executives. Lancaster said that is a target market. “The hotel is for people with a little more discerning taste, who are looking for highly designed rooms. You’re getting that, not just a bed and a shower,” Lancaster said. The Firehouse Hotel arrives at a time when there are few hotel options in the Arts District. But that will change. Hotelier Grupo Habita is working with Creative Space to build a 66-room establishment at Fourth and Alameda Streets, though the project is still in the planning phase. Other hotels are planned as part of mixed-use endeavors such as SunCal’s 6AM development at 1211 Wholesale St. and the Arts District Center at 445 S. Colyton St. Baltin said that the Firehouse Hotel has an advantage by reaching the market ahead of others. Lancaster acknowledged that while the Firehouse Hotel cannot compete with some of the larger boutique hotels in Downtown, its small size and location, plus its ability to allow for extended stays, will make it the right fit for certain visitors. nicholas@downtownnews.com
More Details for Morrison Hotel Project With New Buildings, 450 Hotel Rooms and 135 Residential Units Could Break Ground Next Year By Nicholas Slayton ore details have been revealed for the transformation of an aged South Park building that had a cameo in rock ‘n’ roll history. An initial study in advance of the full environmental impact report has been released for developer the Relevant Group’s plans for the Morrison Hotel. The 1914 edifice at 1220 S. Hope St. gained fame after appearing on the cover of the rock band The Doors’ 1970 album Morrison Hotel. Relevant previously announced plans to refurbish the four-story building and create hotel rooms and residential units in both an expansion and a fully new tower. Plans call for demolishing three commercial structures on the site while preserving the hotel itself. No budget has been revealed. According to the documents, the goal is to break ground next year and complete the project in 2023. Relevant did not respond to requests for comment. The new renderings and details include updates on the size of the structures and the individual components. Now there are plans for a total of 450 hotel rooms, plus 135 residential units. The new structure attached to the existing Morrison Hotel will stand 14 stories, while Relevant has revealed that the other construction will be 27 floors. Architecture firm Steinberg Hart is designing the new additions, which would utilize dark glass and steel on the taller building, in contrast with the concrete and stone of the original structure. The 27-story structure would hold all of the residential units,
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Relevant Group plans to preserve the existing Morrison Hotel in South Park, while adding a 14-story expansion and an adjacent 27-story tower.
image courtesy Steinberg Hart
while hotel rooms would be split between all three buildings. The updated designs show multiple landscaped decks, including pools on the roof. The project would have three levels of below-grade parking with a total of 215 stalls. The Morrison Hotel most recently served as a single-room occupancy building, but is now vacant. The public comment period for the project opened on April 12 and runs through May 13. Comments can be submitted through the website of the Department of City Planning. nicholas@downtownnews.com
95TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MAY 8TH
SHORT STACK OF PANCAKES FOR:
95¢
(dine in only) • Live Mariachi Band • Local Media Broadcasting on Location* • During the morning hours, Mayor Riordan and his wife Elizabeth will be on hand to help serve patrons. * Media attendance tentative to scheduling.
tion Celebra3pm! Ends at
If there is a line out the door don’t despair, a little patience and you’ll soon be there! 877 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 213-972-9279 • pantrycafe.com
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ELECTION BATTLE, 6 cowbells at rallies, capturing national attention, including for the union United Teachers Los Angeles. While LAUSD and union brass always knew that some sort of public tax is needed to help pay for district salaries, class-size reductions and more, the walkout had a catalytic effect. After it was resolved, Beutner, UTLA and Mayor Eric Garcetti, who played peacemaker during the strike, recognized that the honeymoon of widespread support might be short. They decided the best tactic was to carpe diem and schedule a special election, rather than wait for a regularly scheduled vote. They picked June 4, the final Tuesday before the end of the LAUSD year. Nothing happens by accident. Big Bucks If regular voter turnout in Los Angeles is paltry, then participation in special elections can be downright anemic. The pro-EE team is banking that with enough money and momentum, they can get sufficient people to the polls to eclipse the two-thirds majority required to pass a tax. This is where UTLA’s membership base and its army of supporters and organizers will be vital. The union has already dropped $500,000 on the Yes on EE campaign (according to documents filed with the City Ethics Commission). An additional $300,000 came from SEIU Local 99, a union that represents tens of thousands of other LAUSD employees. What makes things really interesting is the unlikely bedfellows. During the strike Beutner and UTLA head Alex Caputo-Pearl tangled like the cloaked figures in the “Spy vs. Spy” comics. Now they need each other. Caputo-Pearl and the union were particularly venomous during the strike, lambasting Beutner and pillorying Eli Broad, the philanthropist who is a noted supporter of charter schools. But Broad, an ally of Beutner, this month donated $250,000 to the Yes on EE cause, and I didn’t see any union complaints. Another $500,000 came from Steve Ballmer, the
Clippers owner who is also a friend of Beutner. In other words, some of L.A.’s most affluent and influential business leaders are on one side of the divide, where they are partnering with the unions, while the other side holds the business lobbying groups. That team is also ready to fight, as Realtors organizations have ponied up more than $200,000, which I write because it’s fun to use “pony” as a verb. Another $200,000 has come from committees affiliated with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The business groups are sharpening their swords and perfecting their message. The L.A. Area Chamber, under new leader Maria Salinas, has been sending out missives; a March 27 mailing warned, “Measure EE will place a significant tax burden on property owners and renters, who are already facing an affordability crisis.” By the by, over a month before election day, more than $2.5 million has already been raised. The final few weeks of an initiative campaign is usually when the big cash comes. The Mayor Effect The most interesting player in the battle is Garcetti, and if you work the “Game of Thrones” theme, he’d be the impassioned Jon Snow, leading the troops into the fight (this would turn either Beutner or Caputo-Pearl into Daenerys Targaryen, aka the Mother of Dragons, so I admit maybe I haven’t fully thought this part through). Garcetti lobbied hard for EE in his State of the City speech on April 17, and he’s clearly willing to expend political capital on the effort. This is curious for a few reasons, including that, for about the first five years of his mayoralty, Garcetti seemed oblivious to the fact that Los Angeles has a school district. I know he’d reject the assertion that he ignored education, but publicly he was very quiet, including when LAUSD was picking a superintendent; past mayors involved themselves much more heavily in education matters. Garcetti has traditionally been able to rally both business and labor leaders to causes of mutual benefit, including efforts to pass measures in support of mass transit and rais-
APRIL 29, 2019
photo by Jon Regardie
LAUSD Supt. Austin Beutner was the target of intense criticism from United Teachers Los Angeles during the strike, but now he is working with the union to get Measure EE passed.
ing funds to address homelessness. So the fact that business leaders are combatting him forcefully is striking. Most observers would expect a behind-the-scenes agreement so that even if the business groups do not embrace Measure EE, they’d agree not to fight it. But that’s not happening. This is where the business sector has an angle. Although the Yes on EE campaign has a lot of teachers and others who will be inspired to vote, the squad fighting the measure only needs to get just over one of every three people to say no. Normally finishing with 34% of the ballot is a colossal loss. Here it would mean a resounding victory. A lot will happen between now and election day. More money will roll in. The chasm between the mayor and the business community will widen. Someone might even remember to mention the students. regardie@downtownnews.com.
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DTLA STAYCATION Getting Away Without Going Away Downtown Is Full of Options for the Perfect Staycation
The downside of traveling is getting where you’re going. While everyone loves taking a vacation, dealing with crowded airports and lugging heavy suitcases usually means aggravation rather than relaxation. If the getaway is only for a night or a weekend, there’s barely time for enjoyment before you have to come back, and deal with the same travel hassle. Thus the rise of the Staycation, and in Southern California, there’s no better destination than Downtown Los Angeles. The development boom has led to a collection of stellar hotels, from historic classics to new chain brands with familiar and luxurious touches to a battery of funky boutique establishments. Those who drive, take public transit or use ride share don’t have to worry about valet or parking fees. Once in Downtown, there is no shortage of things to do. The museum roster is expansive, from The Broad to the Japanese American National Museum to the Grammy Museum and beyond. There are theaters (for movies and plays), parks, night clubs, a roster of events, tours and more. Of course, the restaurant scene is booming, with standout options serving Italian, Mexican, Asian, Middle Eastern fare and more. No matter what hotel you choose, there’s a bevy of options within walking distance. The choice is yours. You can go somewhere and deal with the stress of getting there, or take a short drive and enjoy all Downtown has to offer.
DIVERSE PLATES FOR UNIQUE TASTES Located across from L.A. Live and Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, Nixo is the rooftop lounge that takes dining seriously. Enjoy specialty cocktails and shared plates while taking in live entertainment each weekend this summer.
N I X O P AT I O L O U N G E | 1 0 2 0 S O U T H F I G U E R O A S T R E E T | L U X E C I T Y C E N T E R . C O M | 2 N D F L O O R
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APRIL 29, 2019
DTLA STAYCATION
Convenience, Location and Style
Millennium Biltmore Hotel Has Two Ways to Treat Her Right
The Kawada Hotel Is Ideal for Both Leisure and Business Travelers
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he landmark Millennium Biltmore in Downtown Los Angeles offers two splendid ways to celebrate extraordinary moms this Mother’s Day. The “Celebrate Super Moms” Continental brunch buffet is available from 11 a.m.3 p.m. in the opulent Crystal Ballroom, also known as the “Birthplace of Oscar.” Highlights include breakfast stations (omelets made to order, freshly pressed waffles), a chilled antipasti station, salad station, seafood selections (poached prawns, crab legs, ahi tuna poke, smoked salmon, marinated mussels and clams, bay scallops), carving stations (roast prime rib, brown sugar-basted bone-in ham, Cajun-rubbed free range turkey breast), chafers (grilled salmon, braised lamb shank, baked Japanese egg-
plant), an Asian cuisine station, a kids’ buffet, and, to end things in a sweet way, a gourmet dessert display. The price is $75 per person including free-flowing champagne. It is half-price for children (ages 5-11) and free for kids 4 and under. Reservations are required at (213) 612-1562. The Biltmore Afternoon Tea will be served in the famed Rendezvous Court from 2-5 p.m. Tea service includes an assortment of sandwiches, scones and pastries to nibble on, along with a pot of fine-blended custom tea. Pricing for the Sunday Afternoon Tea is $65 (Traditional) and $80 (Royal) per person. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is at 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1011 or millenniumhotels.com.
FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
Celebrate Mom in an Opulent Way
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xperience Los Angeles at the newly renovated Kawada Hotel, a boutique property in the heart of Downtown and just steps away from the best attractions in Los Angeles. The stylish rooms were designed with busy guests in mind, and they are ideal for both leisure and business travelers. Conveniences available in each room include personal climate control, a mini refrigerator, a microwave and a coffee maker. The Kawada Hotel is close to the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the famous Grand Central Market and Pershing Square. Its proximity to Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, Chinatown and Downtown’s Arts District allows guests to spend more time explor-
ing and sightseeing. The hotel’s Cherry Pick Cafe and Juice Bar offers freshly brewed organic coffees, fresh juices and daily baked goods, along with a variety of breakfast options such as delicious croissant sandwiches and omelets. Lunch items include mouthwatering rotisserie chicken and personalized pizzas, not to mention an array of sandwiches and salads. The newly opened Hill Street Bar and Restaurant is an American grill known for its eclectic specialty cocktail menu — be sure to stop in for Happy Hour. Serving a wide variety of delicious items including sandwiches, burgers, flatbreads, salads, pasta and steaks, Hill Street has something for everyone. The Kawada Hotel is at 200 S. Hill St., (213) 621-4455 or kawadahotel.com.
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APRIL 29, 2019
DOWNTOWN NEWS 13
DTLA STAYCATION
Welcome to the Playfully Professional Side of Life
A New Way to Get Around Downtown FROM OUR ADVERTISERS
The Luxe Hotel Offers Four-Diamond Hospitality In the Center of It All
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t Luxe City Center Hotel, you’re in the heart of Downtown L.A. The South Park hotel is just steps away from Staples Center and L.A. Live, and within walking distance of dining, shopping, entertainment, attractions and more. But you don’t have to leave the hotel grounds to have a good time. NIXO Patio Lounge is stylish, sleek and extremely comfortable. Enjoy this urban eatery featuring small plates, specialty cocktails and unbeatable ambiance. NIXO features live entertain-
ment and some of the finest views of Downtown available anywhere Make a weekend out of it and wake up the next morning to our delicious breakfast buffet or have your morning favorites delivered to your room. Feeling guilty about leaving the dog at home? Don’t. The Luxe City Center Hotel is dog-friendly and offers personalized doggie packages for your furry family member. The Luxe City Center Hotel is at 1020 S. Figueroa St., (213) 748-1291 or luxecitycenter.com.
Hilary Norton, Executive Director, FASTLinkDTLA
FASTlinkDTLA Offers $2 Rides Anywhere in Downtown
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photo by Gary Leonard
ASTLinkDTLA, Downtown’s Transportation Management Organization (TMO), has a mission to help everyone experience what makes DTLA exciting and vibrant — but without getting stuck in traffic! FASTLinkDTLA gives local workers and residents many ways to travel DTLA affordably and safely, especially in the evenings. One option is FlexLA, professionally driven Mercedes-Benz micro-transit vehicles that operate on-demand. They takes riders anywhere in DTLA including Union Station for only $2 per rider from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. every day. The free FlexLA app, which can be downloaded at fastlinkdtla.com, also guides people to transit such as LADOT DASH and Metrolink trains, and will soon include Metro
rail and bus routes. Another option is ButterFli, which provides wheelchair accessible vehicles and assisted rides, also for only $2 per ride every day, 24 hours a day. Book rides at (855) 267-2FLI. FASTLinkDTLA’s partners include Metro, LADOT and Metrolink, the Central City Association (CCA) and the Downtown Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Best of all, FASTLinkDTLA is working with dedicated DTLA leaders to create an innovative network of transit, pedestrian and vehicle options to reduce traffic and make DTLA the best place to live, work, visit, stay and play! For additional information email hilary@fastlinkdtla or explore fastlinkdtla.org.
OUR BIG
2-GOOD-2-PASS-UP special offer 2 Guests stay 2 Nights 2 Breakfasts each morning @ Cherry Pick Café 2 Beverages or Cocktails* (at the new Hill Street Bar & Restaurant)
ONLY $222
**
Offer valid April 29-May 31, 2019
Free-Flowing Champagne, Brunch Buffet & A Joyful Time
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 11:00am-3:00pm Iconic Crystal Ballroom | $75 per person* Limited seating. Advance reservations required: +1.213.605.6166 | 213.612.1562 biltmore.us@millenniumhotels.com *Ages 5-11 receive 50% discount. Ages 4 and under eat FREE. Subject to tax and gratuity. 506 South Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA90071
10% OFF
Bookable on kawadahotel.com Promo code: DTLA or call 213.621.4455 200 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 The Kawada Hotel – Experience the Arts & Culture of DTLA ** Plus 16% tax for two nights. Subject to availability. * Cocktails apply to patrons 21 and over. Restaurants not open on Sunday.
14 DOWNTOWN NEWS
APRIL 29, 2019
DTLA STAYCATION
21 Downtown Staycation Options Whether You Want a Luxury Chain Hotel or a Funky Boutique, the Central City Has You Covered
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he first thing one has to do when planning a staycation is figure out where to stay. Fortunately, there are dozens of options in Downtown Los Angeles. To help make sense of all the choices and find the perfect place for you, consult the list below
ACE HOTEL
929 S. Broadway acehotel.com/losangeles, (213) 623-3233 Rooms: 182, Suites: 1 Details: The 1927 United Artists building houses this boutique hotspot. Each room comes with a turntable and small collection of vinyl records, and minimalist furnishings. The private meeting and event rooms are adorned with a mix of Golden Age Hollywood glam and 1970s Los Angeles punk rock.
COURTYARD LOS ANGELES L.A. LIVE
901 W. Olympic Blvd. courtyardlalive.com, (213) 443-9200 Rooms: 120, Suites: 56 Details: Located inside a dual Marriott hotel tower near L.A. Live, this modern 174-room facility shares space with the Residence Inn. It features a rooftop pool and deck, a conference room and fitness center.
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN
120 S. Los Angeles St. doubletreeladowntown.com, (800) 222-8733 Rooms: 434, Suites: 20 Details: Asian-fusion style marks this elegant hotel in the heart of Little Tokyo. The rooms feature a contemporary design with deluxe bedding. There is also a beautiful half-acre rooftop Japanese garden replete with winding paths, a waterfall and mini bridges. Check out Justice Urban Tavern.
FREEHAND HOTEL
416 W. Eighth St. freehandhotels.com/los-angeles, (213) 612-0021 Rooms: 226 Details: One of Downtown L.A.’s newest hotels is also perhaps its most unique. The Freehand offers 167 traditional rooms along with 59 hostel-style shared rooms with up to eight beds — an affordable alternative for open-minded travelers.
HOTEL FIGUEROA
939 S. Figueroa St. hotelfigueroa.com, (866) 734-6018 Rooms: 268, Suites: 63 Details: The iconic Downtown hotel reopened in 2018, having ditched its Moroccan aesthetics for a modern take on Spanish Colonial design. The revamped hotel includes multiple eating and drinking spaces, from the Basque food of Breva and the lobby’s Bar Figueroa to the outdoor Veranda eatery and Rick’s, a poolside bar.
HOTEL INDIGO
899 Francisco St. hotelindigola.com, (213) 232-8800
Rooms: 347, Suites: 3 Details: Opened in 2017, Hotel Indigo offers 350 rooms in a modern facility across the street from L.A. Live. There is easy access to the Grammy Museum, Staples Center and the Convention Center.
INTERCONTINENTAL LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN
900 Wilshire Blvd. dtla.intercontinental.com, (213) 688-7777 Rooms: 780, Suites: 109 Details: The InterContinental is the heart of the $1.2 billion Wilshire Grand Center, the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi River. The rooms are luxurious, the views are expansive, and there’s a bevy of amenities, including the city’s highest rooftop bar, Spire 73.
JW MARRIOTT HOTEL
900 W. Olympic Blvd. lalivemarriott.com, (888) 832-9136 Rooms: 805, Suites: 73 Details: Boasting more than 800 guest rooms (occupying floors four through 21), the Marriott hotel puts visitors in the heart of the action — the Convention Center, L.A. Live, nightclubs and even a bowling alley are just steps away.
KAWADA HOTEL
200 S. Hill St. kawadahotel.com, (800) 752-9232 Rooms: 116 Details: Located in the Civic Center, this budget-and family-friendly hotel offers comfortable rooms with flatscreen TVs, full kitchenette, high-speed Internet and on-site laundry room. It’s close to Grand Central Market.
L.A. GRAND HOTEL DOWNTOWN
333 S. Figueroa St. thelahotel.com, (213) 617-1133 Rooms: 400, Suites: 69 Details: This hotel is central to Downtown’s most popular destinations, and features 400 guest rooms and 69 suites. Don’t miss the beautiful heated pool and top-notch business center.
LOS ANGELES ATHLETIC CLUB
431 W. Seventh St. laac.com (800) 421-8777 or (213) 625-2211 Rooms: 72, Suites: 9 Details: This historic athletic and social club offers 72 deluxe rooms including nine highend themed suites (Bruin, Trojan, beach and yacht, among them). The rooms feature large tiled bathrooms, plush robes, luxurious linens and flat screens. Guests can take advantage of the club’s athletic facilities.
LUXE CITY CENTER HOTEL
1020 S. Figueroa St. luxecitycenter.com, (888) 336-3745 Rooms: 178, Suites: 16 Details: Situated across from Staples Center and L.A. Live, this upscale hotel is an urban oasis with a business center, spa and fit-
Kyoto Gardens at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown.
ness suite. The stylish outdoor lounge is ideal for cocktails with a view of the city. It’s also dog-friendly facility.
MAYFAIR HOTEL
1256 W. Seventh St. mayfairla.com, (213) 662-1200 Rooms: 294, Suites: 5 Details: This City West hotel just completed a full overhaul, turning the aging building into a thoroughly modern space. The interior lobby has been restored with a minimalist design and multiple bars. There is a rotating selection of art in the lobby and even a recording room for podcasts
MILLENNIUM BILTMORE HOTEL
506 S. Grand Ave. millenniumhotels.com, (800) 245-8673 Rooms: 683, Suites: 55 Details: Guests are surrounded by the history at the hotel built in 1923. The decor boasts hand-painted frescoes, sparkling chandeliers and elegant furnishings. Amenities include a Roman-style indoor swimming pool, health club, ballrooms, restaurants and the vintage Gallery Bar.
MIYAKO HOTEL LOS ANGELES
328 E. First St. miyakoinn.com, (800) 228-6596 Rooms: 173, Suites: 1 Details: Located in the heart of Little Tokyo, this hotel features contemporary decor with traditional Japanese touches. Amenities include a health spa and sauna, a small business center, restaurant and karaoke bar.
NOMAD LOS ANGELES
649 S. Olive St. thenomadhotel.com/los-angeles, (213) 358-0000 Rooms: 214, Suites: 31 Details: The Sydell Group’s revamp of the historic Giannani Place building offers a lush, Italian-inspired hotel experience in the heart of Downtown. The 241-room property includes multiple drinking spots and a corner cafe. Try the rooftop pool and bar.
O HOTEL
819 S. Flower St. ohotelgroup.com, (213) 623-9904 Rooms: 67, Suites: 14
Details: Beyond the frosted glass doors you’ll find a minimalist lobby that feels very New York with dark wood, dim light and a welcoming fireplace. This modern boutique spot was converted out of a 1920s building, but the rooms boast a sleek design. It also houses a trendy restaurant and bar, and a full-service spa.
OMNI LOS ANGELES HOTEL AT CALIFORNIA PLAZA
251 S. Olive St. omnilosangeles.com, (800) 843-6664 Rooms: 453, Suites: 46 Details: Perched atop Bunker Hill, guests have easy access to MOCA, Disney Hall, The Broad, the Music Center and more. Rooms are comfortable and modern, with all the necessary business amenities. There is also a heated outdoor lap pool.
RITZ-CARLTON AT L.A. LIVE
900 W. Olympic Blvd. ritzcarlton.com, (213) 743-8800 Rooms: 123, Suites: 13 Details: Check in is on the 23rd floor of this 54-story luxury hotel with 123 five-diamond rooms. Amenities include a lounge, rooftop pool and bar, stunning views of the city and, of course, the Ritz’s trademark service. There is also a full-service spa and the restaurant WP 24.
THE STANDARD DOWNTOWN L.A.
550 S. Flower St. standardhotels.com, (213) 892-8080 Rooms: 207, Suites: 21 Details: This mid-century landmark was converted into a bold, bright boutique hotel with plenty of eye candy and modern design details. There are platform beds, open bathrooms and quirky art. Amenities include the destination rooftop lounge with infinity pool.
TUCK HOTEL
820 S. Spring St. tuckhotel.com, (213) 947-3815 Rooms: 14 Details: Less is more at the boutique Tuck Hotel, which offers artfully designed rooms with personal service in a historic, bustling neighborhood. The Tuck Hotel opened in late 2016, and what it lacks in spacious facilities it makes up for with charm and intimate flair.
APRIL 29, 2019
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photo cour tesy M
etro A
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CALENDAR
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
, t i s n a r T f o s e d a c e Eight D One Big Party
The celebration includes performances from Latin dance band Buyepongo, jazz and blues act the California Feetwarmers, and jazz musician Phil Ranelin (pictured).
By Nicholas Slayton n May 1939, Los Angeles marked the opening of its new transit hub. A celebration for the debut of Union Station drew around half a million people. This was particularly impressive given that only about 1 million people lived in the city at the time. This week, the owners of the station at 800 N. Alameda St. are throwing an 80th birthday party, and everyone is invited. On Friday-Saturday, May 3-4, Metro Art, the cultural and programming arm of the transit agency, is hosting a free, two-day event that will fill the entire transit complex with live music, performances, art, games and more. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority acquired Union Station in 2011. While its main role is as a transit hub, with an estimated 75,000 bus, train and regional rail riders passing through every day, Metro Art also offers a lively year-round schedule of exhibitions, concerts and events. Admission is usually free. Heidi Zeller, senior manager for cultural programming with Metro Art, said that for the 80th birthday party, her team wanted to go big with a larger-than-usual lineup. They chose artists who are “evocative” of Los Angeles, Zeller said. “There’s a little something for everyone. We wanted to celebrate the station. This is a big milestone,” Zeller said. The festivities start on Friday at 1 p.m., with big band jazz from the New Recessionaries and Downtown blues and jazz stalwarts the California Feetwarmers performing in the waiting room. A model train exhibition will also be set up. On Saturday the proceedings starts at 10 a.m. The south patio will host DJs spinning all day, including KCRW’s Raul Campos. The north patio will have activities and performances for kids and families. That includes dancer Elizabeth Yochim, who has a dance performance work called “Angel Bird.” She dresses in an all-white out-
Union Station Turns 80 With Two Days of Live Music, Performance and Activities
Union Station opened on Alameda Street in May 1939. A free two-day celebration for its 80th birthday will take place throughout the historic transit hub on Friday-Saturday, May 3-4.
photo courtesy Los Angeles Public Library
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fit with long bird wings and engages with people and gives them written prompts of things to try, from mirroring her movements to play-like activities. Yochim, who spent a few years living in Downtown, said performing in the celebration is a dream come true, and that her piece works best in lively urban centers. “I work in a lot of historic places, and the history of people that came through Union Station, who walked through that grand hall, hoping for dreams in the entertainment industry, it’s vast,” Yochim said. “It’s an epicenter. I’m very interested in that collective memory.” Rise of a Landmark Union Station’s history began in 1933, when three railroad companies commissioned its construction. The station, located near El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument and Olvera Street, was built on Los Angeles’ original Chinatown. The project displaced the local Chinese population, and Chinatown moved west to its current home. The station opened in 1939 and is sometimes referred to as the “last of the great train stations.” Designed by John and Donald Parkinson, it is celebrated for a design that includes Art Deco, Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival elements. According to Union Station’s history page, the price tag was a reported $11 million. In 1980 the station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Zeller said that Union Station’s unique architectural components forced Metro Art to
be creative with the birthday party. It is tailoring performers and events to the individual rooms and spaces. “We were thinking of the north patio for the children’s programming; it has a more contained space, this grassy area with trees and fountains, so we’re bringing in acts to complement that,” Zeller said. “Meanwhile the Ticketing Concourse has tall ceilings, it’s very grand. You can’t just have a teeny tiny band. They get lost in the space.” From 3-9 p.m. on Saturday, the Ticketing Concourse will hold music from Latin dance band Buyepongo, ska group Western Standard, and Phil Ranelin’s sextet. Ranelin, a stalwart of the jazz world who has played everything from avant-garde tracks to Afro-Latin compositions, said that when he first arrived in Los Angeles in the 1970s, he discovered the station and was impressed by its design. Ranelin is also turning 80 in May, and remains just as impressed with the landmark. “They don’t build things like that anymore. It’s gorgeous,” Ranelin said. “After I moved to Los Angeles, I found out it was kind of a tourist attraction, and I can understand why that is.” Also on the Bill There is a long lineup of other highlights for the two-day party. Ken Pratt, deputy executive officer of Union Station Operations and Management, said shirts commemorating the event will be sold at shops in the station, and that there will be specials on food and drink at establishments including the Imperial Western Beer Co., the eatery
and bar in the former Fred Harvey Restaurant space. There will also be information tables from community groups such as the Southern California Transit Advocates, which will have information on regional rail expansion, and a battery of food trucks will park outside of the station on Saturday. The south patio will also host a marketplace of arts and crafts from local companies including Angel City Press. Still, the building itself is a draw for people including Pratt. He described the design as “iconic” and one of the symbols of the city. He added that it is still full of people from around the world who arrive in Los Angeles. “It’s flat-out important as a transit facility,” Pratt said. Zeller said that one of Metro Art’s goals over the years has been to keep the station in the public consciousness, using it to draw people to Downtown even if they aren’t traveling or commuting. To that effect, it has hosted activities including a donut festival, and a few months ago dozens of 1980s video games were placed in its Ticketing Concourse, with free play for everyone. The birthday party takes things further, and presents an opportunity for people to have fun in the present while celebrating part of Los Angeles’ past. Union Station’s 80th anniversary celebration runs Friday-Saturday, May 3-4, at Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla. com. nicholas@downtownnews.com
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Restaurant Buzz The Food Bowl Is Back, Some Departures and New Additions
“It is hard to describe what makes a composer’s voice authentic. But you know it when you hear it. Nico Muhly has a voice, a Muhly sound.” —The New York Times
photo courtesy Le Grand
Le Grand, which specializes in Mediterranean seafood, opened last week in the former home of TomGeorge at Seventh Street and Grand Avenue.
By Sean P. Thomas Landmark Departs: One of Downtown Los Angeles’ landmark restaurants is no more. Café Pinot, which for 25 years occupied a high-profile spot at the Los Angeles Central Library’s Maguire Gardens, had its final day of service on Friday, April 26. A statement from operator Patina Restaurant Group did not specify a reason for why the establishment was shut down, instead remarking in part that, “we are grateful to the many guests and team members who created more than two decades of memories there.” The statement added that there are currently no plans for the space. Chefs Joachim Splichal and Octavio Becerra opened the Fifth Street restaurant with the inviting patio in 1995, and it quickly became a favorite of Downtown’s lunch and brunch crowd, as well as a popular spot for weddings and a variety of private and corporate events. Specializing in Cal-French cuisine, the restaurant was lauded for its rotisserie jidori chicken. The Los Angeles Times first reported the news of the closure. Patina Group continue to operate Downtown restaurants including Patina, Kendall’s Brasserie and Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse.
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Bowling for DTLA: Los Angeles is full of food festivals. Even the El Segundo-based Los Angeles Times is in on the action, as this week it launches the fourth installment of its L.A. Food Bowl. The kickoff event is at the Million Dollar Theater on Tuesday, April 30. Dubbed Mesamérica L.A., it’s a symposium between Mexican chef Enrique Olvera and L.A. Times Food Editor Peter Meehan. The event, in honor of Los Angeles and Mexico City’s 50-year status as sister cities, will include videos, songs and a discussions about art, architecture, identity and the meaning of tacos. It will be followed by DFiesta at Grand Central Market and La Cita bar, where there will be collaborations between some of the Food Bowl’s featured chefs, along with cocktails and entertainment. Another Downtown highlight is Night Market. Taking place May 8-12 at Grand Park, it will include food vendors, musical performances and art installations. A full list of events and ticket information is online. More information at lafoodbowl.com.
Seventh Street Switch: There’s been a big Downtown restaurant swap. TomGeorge, which specialized in international cuisine, closed on April 12, but the space at Seventh Street and Grand Avenue didn’t remain empty for long. Le Grand, a new Mediterranean-inspired eatery, debuted in the location on Thursday, April 25. The project comes from brothers Alex (executive chef) and Chris Manos (chef de cuisine), who sharpened their knives at a collection of well-known Los Angeles restaurants. The menu focuses on seafood, with dishes including Maine lobster bucatini with saffron bisque and confit tomatoes, and Ora King Salmon with parsnips and black trumpet soubise. The restaurant also features an extensive wine list. Le Grand is open daily from 5 p.m.-midnight. Lunch and brunch service will follow. At 707 S. Grand Ave., (323) 303-2535 or legrand-restaurant.com That’s a Wrap: TomGeorge isn’t the only notable Downtown restaurant calling it quits. Chego, chef Roy Choi’s quaint but acclaimed rice bowl establishment, is wrapping up service in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza on Tuesday, April 30, according to a post on Chego’s Twitter account. Chego moved to the often-overlooked complex in 2013, ushering in a trend of inventive chefs heading to the aged Broadway facility. “When we arrived at Far East Plaza, it was us and the OG stores with everyone closed at night expect us. It felt right for us,” Choi wrote in an Instagram post. “Now that the plaza and the town have grown, I think it’s time for us to move on. I am so happy for all the businesses that came in, especially our neighbors in the plaza, and the residual effect in revenue it had on the original shops before them.” Where Chego will move remains unknown, but some of the popular dishes on its menu will be available at Choi’s Kogi Taqueira in Palms. Leaving 727 N. Broadway. Restaurant Turnover: Make it a third departed Downtown restaurant. Takasan Japanese Rice Bowl at Seventh Street and Broadway served its last meal on April 12, a little over Continued on page 19
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photo courtesy Eden Espinosa
Ace Hotel 929 S. Broadway or acehotel.com/losangeles. May 4-5: Two nights of socially conscious hardcore with Rise Against. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E.S. Onizuka St. Suite 301, (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. April 22: Ian Roller and Friends. April 23: Katalyst. April 24: Fabiano Do Nascimento. April 25: Dean Mucetti and Rhythm Real. April 26-27: Chris Dave and the Drumshedz. April 28: Pedro Martin has a new CD and a show to go with it. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. April 29: Hat Trickers really seem to like masks. Continued on page 18
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There’s nothing quite like Lucha VaVoom. A combination of traditional Mexican lucha libre, burlesque and stand-up comedy, the longstanding promotion has become a staple of the Downtown calendar, offering holiday-themed events at the Mayan Theatre. This week, Lucha VaVoom returns for three Cinco De Mayan shows. Taking place on Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, the evenings begin at 7 p.m. and will feature fun and colorful characters including Dirty Sanchez, the Crazy Chickens and the team of Matt Classic and Matt Classic Jr. Pro Tip: When the security guards say move, you move. At 1038 S. Hill St. or luchavavoom.com.
ROCK, POP & JAZZ
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photo courtesy Natural History Museum
When you think cocktails and loud music, you normally don’t think of museums. The Natural History Museum is changing that with the return of its First Fridays event this week. This season’s theme is “Forces of Nature,” and that manifests on May 3 with a gathering focusing on floods. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the lineup includes a 6:30 p.m. discussion, cheekily titled “H2-Uh-Oh,” with UCLA climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain and USC historian William Deverell; journalist Patt Morrison will moderate the talk. The evening will feature musical performances from Broncho at 8 p.m. and Lauren Ruth Ward (pictured here) at 9:15 p.m., and the night’s DJs are Novena Carmel and Michelle Pesce. At 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org.
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When it comes to underground hip-hop legends, one doesn’t have to look much further than Tech N9Ne. At this point, the rapper and co-founder of the independent label Strange Music is about as lauded as they come. He has collaborated with everyone from Eminem to Lil Wayne, forging a strong following for his ferocious cadence and rhyme scheme. Tech N9Ne drops in at The Novo on Monday, April 29, for a special $10 show, part of his It Goes Up Tour. Doors open at 7 p.m., and Krizz Kaliko, Dax, Mayday and UBI will join him. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com.
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If you’ve caught Falsettos at the Ahmanson Theatre, then you saw Eden Espinosa steal the show with her hilarious Act One song “I’m Breaking Free.” The Ahmanson is dark on Monday, April 29, but Espinosa is not taking the evening off. Instead, she’s heading to the Teragram Ballroom in City West for an intimate solo performance. Serving as an album release party for her second disc, Revelations, the concert will turn away from the grand theatrics of Broadway musicals, and instead showcase Espinosa’s moody and sultry contemporary pop sounds. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance will begin at 8 p.m. Singer/Songwriter Izzi Ray will open. At 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com.
photo courtesy Adrenaline PR
THURSDAY, MAY 2 “How Does Community Conflict Turn Into Genocide?” at Zocalo Public Square The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 111 N. Central Ave. or zocalopublicsquare.org. 7:30 p.m.: Historian Omer Bartov, winner of the Zocalo Book Prize for his tome on genocide, discusses how situations can spiral into mass killings. FRIDAY, MAY 3 Union Station’s 80th Birthday Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.org. 11 a.m.: Enjoy live music, performance art, model trains and activities for the whole family at a two-day celebration of L.A.’s transit hub. See story on page 15. First Fridays Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 W. Exposition Blvd. or nhmla.org. 5 p.m.: Enjoy discussions on massive floods, plus live music from Broncho, Lauren Ruth Ward and DJs. Lucha VaVoom: Cinco de Mayan The Mayan Theater, 1038 S. Hill St. or luchavavoom.com. 8 p.m.: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo the only way the gods intended: with masked luchadors brawling, burlesque dancers seducing, and all manner of crazy happenings. There will be repeat shows on Saturday and Sunday. SATURDAY, MAY 4 The Rock ‘n’ Roll Flea Market The Regent, 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com. 11 a.m.: Go on, buy that used The Strokes shirt. Show how hip you are.
THE DON'T MISS LIST
The Los Angeles Master Chorale is placing a spotlight on impactful film and opera choruses on two evenings this week at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Under the baton of Artistic Director Grant Gershon, and featuring 12-year-old singer Angelito Garcia, the lineup will hold renditions of 17 songs found in popular film and opera scores, including “The Last Jedi” from Star Wars: The Last Jedi, “Ice Dance” from Edward Scissorshands and the “Bell Chorus” from the Italian opera Pagliacci. The performances featuring more than 100 voices singing in unison are at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, and 7 p.m. on Sunday. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or lamasterchorale.org.
Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.
photo by Tao Ruspoli/Marie Noorbergen
EVENTS
BY SEAN P. THOMAS
CALENDAR LISTINGS
DOWNTOWN NEWS 17
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SAN ANTONIO WINERY EVENT CALENDAR
Wine Tastings, Wine Festivals, Wine Tours & More at our Los Angeles Winery Location. MAY 19, SUNDAY • 11am to 2pm • $65
Soulful Sunday Brunch Prepared by Cheryl Lindsay from Taste with Grace Catering. Menu to include: Eggs, Southern Fried Chicken, Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, Southern Style Cheesy Grits, Collard Greens, Corn Muffins, Sweet Treats. Stella Rosa Prosecco, Stella Rosa Orange Moscato, Sparkling Wine and Mimosas. Menu subject to change.
JUNE 23, SUNDAY • 1 to 4pm • $55
Tri-Tip Oak BBQ We invite you and your friends to enjoy this lively afternoon event with us! Along with refreshing wine and beer offerings, we will be serving Santa Maria style BBQ tri-tip, teriyaki chicken, sausages, veggies, and all the fixings. Additionally, live music will be played throughout the event. We hope to see you for this festive June afternoon!
JULY 21, SUNDAY • 1 to 3pm • $70
Wine & Sushi Pairing Although sushi is most often served with Sake, our awardwinning wines make a delicious and exceptional pairing. We invite you to enjoy an afternoon with us while eating sushi prepared by Master Chefs. Together we will explore the art of wine and food pairing, while tantalizing the taste buds. Wine and Sushi can make for a magical experience.
San Antonio Winery, Maddalena Restaurant, Tasting Room, Bistro & Gift Shop 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Phone: 323.223.1401
LISTINGS, 17 April 30: Sonoda, Simulcast, Rosie Tucker, Oxudaxij. May 1: The Flavr Blue mixes R&B and electronic music, so it probably will make you dance. May 2: The Polyrhythmics are an eight-piece brass band with jazz stylings, and as far as we know, they do not do any Eurythmics covers. May 3: Big Thief is a band, and not the crew breaking into cars across Downtown. May 4: Thank You Scientist. May 5: Folk and Americana courtesy of Anthony da Costa. The Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. May 3: The Orange Pickers, William Wallace Duo (who will never forget their freedom!). May 5: Rascal Martinez. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. May 3: Tur. May 4 Quix, Thieves, JVNA. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammymuseum.org. April 29: Jordan Davis is on the rise in the country world. April 30: Cuban singer and composer Cimafunk brings his talents to Downtown. Ham and Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St. or hamandenggstavern.com. April 29: Traps PS, Sighs, Gum Country. Moroccan Lounge 901 E. First St., (213) 395-0610 or themoroccan.com. April 29: Last Dinosaurs sounds better than the new “Jurassic World” movie does. April 30: Henry Jamison plays folk music and hails from New England. It all makes sense. May 1: Last Dinosaurs are back! This time they really are the last dinosaurs this week. May 3: Indie rocker Wyndham has a record release show. May 4: Running Touch. May 5: Finish Ticket traces its artistic roots to pop-rock acts like The Killers and The Strokes, so if you like early 2000s scenester stuff, enjoy. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com. April 29: Desert rockers Valley of the Sun are actually from Cincinnati. See? You can follow your dream, no matter what. April 30: Deep Touch, Magdalena Bay, Carling, Cape Weather, Small Culture. May 1: Blood and Chocolat is a night of jazz, wine and cigars. May 2: It’s a throwback party to early 2000s hip-hop. There is an extremely high chance you’ll hear some Nelly. May 3: Mateo Senolia and KCRW’s Garth Trinidad are back with another night of house and dance music. May 4: Bootie L.A., the dance music party, is doing a May the Fourth Be With You event and wants you to dress as your favorite “Star Wars” character. It might get weird. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St. or sevengrandbars.com/la. April 29: The Bluegrass Ghosts are whistling Dixie… from beyond the grave. April 30: The Makers still aren’t over the deaths from this week’s “Game of Thrones.” May 1: The Midnight Blues Revue. May 2: Carnival of Soul. May 3: Holy Cow. May 4: The Gumbo Brothers Derby Day Rumproller.
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May 5: A day after playing at Union Station, the California Feetwarmers are back on Seventh Street. The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or thenovodtla.com. April 29: Tech N9ne has a $10 show. May 4: EDM producer Manilla Killa. The Redwood 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. April 29: Chris Twist, Jason Steady, Dean Paradise, Abby Jeane. April 30: The Torrents, plus Sound Station and CC Potatoe (what, did Dan Quayle start a band?). May 1: The Patients, Paloma Negra, Fake Jazz, Kal Madsen. May 2: Vicky and the Vengents, The Two Tens, The Carvels, King Flamingo. May 3: Mike Watt + The Secondmen, The Wrinkling Brother featuring George Hurley, Queen Tusk, Les Enfants. May 4: Eva O, Gitane Demone and Rikk Agnew, Lucas Lanthier, and the bestnamed band of the week, Experiment Perilous. May 5: The Roswell Sisters, Candypants, Hollow Trees, Saturn Nine, Dezign Flaw, Ad Hocs, Tardo, Echo. The Regent 448 S. Main St. or spacelandpresents.com. April 29: Pertubator, Gost, Thief. Wow, there are a lot of thieves in Downtown this week. April 30: The 69 Eyes, MxMS, Nocturnal Affair. May 2: La Dispute will get you worked up. May 3: The Church is playing “Starfish” in full. May 4: Scam and Jam is back, which means more ’80s and ’90s house music. May 5: Boogaloo Assassins are auditioning for a role in Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop” adaptation. The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org. May 3: Lovesick, N8 Noface, Maal + Morris, Eyedress. May 4: Melt Yr Brainz, Johnny Matts, Seff Essence, Huskie. Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com. April 29: “Wicked” star Eden Espinosa, who can now be seen at the Ahmanson in “Falsettos,” has an album release show. April 30: What’s that? Last Dinosaurs are in Downtown again? May 4: Art pop indie rocker Ezra Furman has a solo show. May 5: This Wild Life is two guys playing acoustic rock.
MORE LISTINGS Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.
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RESTAURANT BUZZ, 16 a year after opening. The restaurant focused on fast-casual donburi rice bowls, with build-your-own and signature bowl options. Takasan did not waste time tying up lose ends; the restaurant’s social media accounts have been deactivated. Eater Los Angeles first reported the news. Representatives of Takasan could not be reached for comment. Gaining Traction: As the apartments open at The Aliso at Third and Traction streets in the Arts District, details are also surfacing about its attached shops and restaurants. The latter includes Loqui, a taco haunt specializing in casual Mexican fare. Loqui was founded in 2014 as a weekly pop-up in the back of Tartine Bakery in San Francisco; its first brick-and-mortar location in Southern California opened in Culver City. A representative for Loqui said the Downtown menu will be almost identical to that at Culver City, meaning a variety of taco-centric options, though with a more expansive craft Mexican beer and wine program. The goal is to debut by September. The 1,400-square-foot space includes a large patio. Also coming to The Aliso this year is the lauded cocktail bar Death & Co. Coming to 810 E. Third St. or eatloqui.com Capital Gains: The Aliso isn’t the only housing project adding to the Downtown food and beverage sector. Holland Partner Group’s Alina complex near L.A. Live is set to welcome Capital Grille, a fine dining establishment and steakhouse chain from the Orlando, Florida-based ownership group Darden Restaurants. According to documents filed with the Department
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213.598.7555 LEGAL PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF CONTRERAS BERTHA CASE NO. 19STPB00313 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Contreras Bertha. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: Frank Contreras in the Superior
Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The Petition for Probate requests that: Frank Contreras be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with limited authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 5/17/2019 - Time: 8:30 A.M. - Dept.: 29
photo courtesy of Patina Restaurant Group
ed an offer to sell the Industrial Street destination to a buyer whose name she would not reveal. The restaurant will remain open and the name will not change. News of the transaction first spread via the restaurant’s newsletter on Monday, April 22, with Sarmadi writing, “After ten fabulous years, we’re saying au revoir to DTLA.” The last night of service under Esnault and Sarmadi was scheduled for Saturday, April 27. The move follows Sarmadi and Esnault’s decision to shut down their Historic Core fine dining French restaurant Spring last August. Church & State opened in 2008 on a then-sleepy stretch of Industrial Street at the base of the Biscuit Company Lofts. When Spring closed, Sarmadi and Esnault said that they are opening another project, Knife Pleat, in Orange County’s South Coast Plaza. They hope to start service in June. At 1850 Industrial St. or churchandstatebistro.com.
Café Pinot, after nearly 25 years, closed last week.
of City Planning, the restaurant will fill approximately 9,600 square feet of space on the ground floor of a 28-story tower; it will seat 286 indoors and have room for 36 people on a patio. Capital Grille, which has more than 50 locations across the United States, focuses on dry-age steaks and seafood. The Alina outpost will be the chain’s second location in Southern California, following one in Costa Mesa. Coming to 700 W. Ninth St. Au Revoir, Owners: After 10 years, the French bistro Church & State, which helped usher in the Arts District’s restaurant explosion, is changing hands. Owner Yassmin Sarmadi told Los Angeles Downtown News that she and her husband and co-owner Tony Esnault (who also serves as chef) have accept-
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Address of the court: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Branch Name: Probate Stanley Mosk SVP CT. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the
estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Frank Contreras, 929 E. Foothill Blvd., SP104, Upland, CA 91786. (909) 576-0503 Pub. 4/22/2019, 4/29/2019, 5/6/2019 NAME CHANGE Superior court of California, County of Los Angeles ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME No. 19STCP00992 Petitioner (name of each) Lauren Theresa Attard, 530 South Hewitt St #455, Los Angeles, CA 90013 filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
Pizza Please: The Spring Arcade Building continues to fill up, this time with the addition of a pizza restaurant. Pizza Napolita opened in the Historic Core complex on Sunday, April 21, joining the likes of Clayton’s Public House and Gelateria Uli. It serves traditional pizzas, including margherita, marinara and puttanesca pies; prices are $13-$21. Sides include caprese shooters, stemmed artichokes and calamari. The menu comes from Los Angeles-based pizza master Jose Barrios, who specializes in old-fashioned Neapolitan pizzas. Beer, wine and kombucha are available. The space is wide and open, with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow diners to peer into the arcade. Pizza Napolita is open daily from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. At 541 S. Spring St. or pizzanapolita.com. Do you have any juicy bar and restaurant news? Send over any tips to sean@downtownnews.com.
Present name: LAUREN THERESA ATTARD Proposed name: LAUREN THERESA D’ABATE THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of hearing Date: 05/28/2019 Time: 10:30 AM Dept.: 44 Room: 418 The address of the court is:
INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY TO HOST ON-SITE EVALUATION TEAM VISIT International American University will host a Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) on-site Evaluation Team on May 13-16, 2019 for the purpose of evaluating the institution for Candidacy status. Third party comments are invited and may be addressed to: TRACS, 15935 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551. TRACS is approved by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized institutional accrediting agency and appears on the DOE Secretary’s List of Approved Accrediting Agencies, which is provided in the Higher Education Directory. TRACS is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 111 North Hill Street, Room 115, Los Angeles, CA 90012 . A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R.
Carter Executive Office/Clerk. Deputy Clerk: Nicolas Miramontes Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 111 North Hill Street, Room 118 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Date: April 2, 2019. Hon. Edward B. Moreton Jr. Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 4/8, 4/11, 4/15 and 4/22.
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APRIL 29, 2019
EL PUENTE PATROLS, 7
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hire and train new staff. “If two people are off duty one day, they can sign up for that shift,” Choi said. “The actual out-of-pocket cost is cheaper than hiring 12 new employees.” The officers who take the special enforcement zone assignments are on foot or bicycle, according to Choi. Their tasks include going through the area and telling people that tents cannot be set up during the day, and informing them of available services. Choi said the alternative to officers being on foot and bike would be a patrol car, which with full maintenance and operations would require six people in total and be more expensive. The two twelve-hour shifts per day were determined to be the most economical option.
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Since the special enforcement zone went into effect around El Pueblo, crime has fallen by 60%, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office. There is a notable lack of tents during the daytime compared to sidewalks outside of the area.
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The Los Angeles Police Commission, the civilian oversight board for the LAPD, declined to comment on the high overtime expenditures related to the patrols. Shayla Myers, an attorney for the homeless advocacy group Legal Aid Foundation, said that although the organization is in favor of more shelters, it disagrees with the increased policing that comes with the bridge housing program. “The city is obviously spending a significant amount of resources on deployment as well as 24-hour patrols, plus significant sanitation patrols,” Myers said. “At best it is a waste of city resources to expend that time and energy with this. At worst it causes actual harm for people. The level of policing they’re experiencing, it is traumatic for people who are homeless.” Two other bridge housing sites are in the works in Downtown. A 115-bed facility is slated to open at 1426 Paloma St. in the Fashion District in the fall, and the city is in the design phase for a 100-bed space in the former Children’s Museum building at 310 N. Main St. Another location, at 1533 Schrader Blvd. in Hollywood, opened last month. Twenty-one additional bridge housing projects are in development in the city. When asked at the April briefing if the cost of overtime patrols would rise as more bridge housing facilities come online, Miller said that Garcetti’s office is examining the costs and hopes to have a clearer answer during the city budget process. Garcetti’s budget was recently released, and calls for designating about $3.46 million in LAPD overtime costs for 24/7 special enforcement zone patrols around El Puente and the Schrader Boulevard and Paloma Street sites. That works out to $96,171 each month at each site, almost $2,000 more than the current cost. Mayoral spokesman Alex Comisar said Garcetti is “committed to providing the resources needed to help” the Bridge Housing sites and the surrounding special enforcement zones. He said that, going forward, new shelters will have enforcement zones similar to the one at El Pueblo, and the plan is to continue 24/7 patrols split into two shifts per day. “We expect and hope as time goes on, we will make progress in reducing police contacts with the community of our homeless neighbors,” Comisar said. “Our goal, through successful outreach, through our work to bring people indoors and amplify outreach, is that we are able to bring these costs down significantly in the future.” nicholas@downtownnews.com