LOS ANGELES
DOWNTOWN
NEWS April 23, 2012
Volume 41, Number 17
INSIDE
Bargain Lunches
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A power-full meeting, the Expo Line opens, and other happenings Around Town. A father-son photo exhibit recalls the 20th anniversary of the L.A. Riots.
W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M
The Day the Library Burned Remembering When a Fire Ravaged a Civic Treasure, and How the City Responded. See Story on p. 6.
Bones reburied at La Plaza.
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Timeline to the mayor’s State of the City.
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Healthy menu choices make a difference.
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photo courtesy Los Angeles Public Library Collection
On April 29, 1986, an arsonist set fire to the Central Library. The building remained closed until 1993.
People with funny shorts.
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As Rents Soar, Brockman Aims for Luxury Market Long Delayed Seventh Street Property To Open After Years of Turmoil
Scenes from a crowded CicLAvia.
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20 CALENDAR LISTINGS 22 CLASSIFIEDS
by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer
O
riginally, the Brockman Building, an eye-catching, historic Seventh Street edifice, was a $16 million project slated to open as condominiums in 2005. A series of construction issues drove the price past $40 million and pushed the debut back to 2009. Ultimately instead of opening, the project fell into bankruptcy. Nearly seven years since the Brockman missed its first heralded opening, the building is finally set to welcome residents. This time, new owner Simpson Property Group, which will operate the structure as an apartment complex, promises that it’s for real.
Denver-based Simpson acquired the 12-story, 1912 building at 530 W. Seventh St. this month and is angling to begin leasing on April 28. Move-ins at the brick clad Beaux Arts structure that houses popular restaurant Bottega Louie are slated for late May, officials said. Simpson, which owns one other property in Los Angeles — the Lofts at the Security Building at 510 S. Spring St. — paid $38.75 million for the 80-unit building, according to sources familiar with the deal who were not authorized to discuss it. When the Brockman went on the market last fall, Simpson jumped at the chance to buy it largely because the Security Building see Brockman, page 12
photo by Gary Leonard
Denver-based Simpson Property Group acquired the Brockman Building this month. The Seventh Street edifice was originally scheduled to open in 2005.
> Ride Free April 28-29, 2012 (Expo Line only, 5am-7pm ) *
> Free Activities Saturday, April 28, 10am-4pm – 7th St/Metro Center Station – Expo/Crenshaw Station
– Expo Park/USC Station – La Cienega/Je=erson Station
*Special schedule for Expo Line opening weekend only.
metro.net/expo