DOWNTOWN
DTL
THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 17. NO. 01 JUN 9TH - JUN 15TH 2022
APPETITE
HOTBOX
BURGERS 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
2ND ANNUAL ANNUA L
DTLA
VEGAN WEEKEND DTLA HAPPIEST HOURS OX HOTBERS BURG
NOW HIRING !!
AT
GUSTO grEEN
LA SPIRIT
AWARDS at City Club
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THE HUNGER PAINS OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY
ON THE COVER hotbox burgers
VOL 17. NO. 01 - JUN 9TH - JUN 15TH 2022 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
location: Expo/usc photo by: gary leonard
THE ENZYMES
DTLA WEEKLY
editor and chief KERI FREEMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
KERI FREEMAN SHARAEL KOLBERG abel weiss jaime herrera
photography
GARY LEONARD eric epperson KERI FREEMAN
VIDEO Production
@kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla
social media
@kerieatsdtla
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DTLA SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST WELCOME ...4 la spirit awards at city club ...5 dtla artists in residence ...6 hot box burgers celebrates 1 year ....7 just the right climate at gusto green ...8 dtla vegan weekend returns ...10 dtla real estate empire .13 Special thanks to... MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES & council district 14 THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SKID ROW SOUTH PARK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT THEGRAWN ARTWALK NEWS
DTLA WEEKLY All rights reserved. Downtown Weekly is a news, event, LIFESTYLE & Hospitality FREE community resource. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher. DTLA WEEKLY, in support of local residents, businesses, workers and visitors of Downtown Los Angeles, publishes DTLA WEEKLY. Readers are recommended to make appropriate inquiries before wagering any sum in relation to any ad, article or feature published herein. DTLA WEEKLY
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VOL 17. NO. 01 - JUN 9TH - JUN 15TH 2022 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
mastro's ocean club south park
TRULY
ARTS DISTRICT
he foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty. -Zig Ziglar
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LA SPIRIT AWARDS AT CITY CLUB
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A Spirits Awards, is redefining spirit competitions. Good news for DTLA, founders Nicolette Teo and Joel Blum are bringing the annual event to the Downtown Los Angeles on June 13 and 14, 2022.
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.A. Spirits Awards is one of the few competitions managed by competition experts, not just spirits experts. The founders of the L.A. Spirits Awards, Nicolette Teo and Joel Blum, spent years working behind the scenes of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Joel helped launch it in 2000 and Nicolette worked as managing director from 2015-2018. Working in the space fueled their desire to create a competition that acted as a resource for entrants giving them the best possible competition experience, offering annual marketing support for the winners, and benefits beyond what other spirits competitions offer. They decided to place emphasis on becoming a catalyst for both start up spirits brands and larger companies -- in 2019 the LA Spirits Awards was born, ultimately raising the bar on quality products, one drink at a time. Since, they’ve made it their mission to cultivate an inclusive and diverse team of expert judges that includes established industry veterans and rising stars who as a group best represent the contemporary
spirits-consuming market. Some of this year's judges include Samara B. Davis, Derek Brown, Tim McKirdy, and much more! "At L.A. Spirits Awards, we’re thrilled to be holding our spirits competition in DTLA! And the venue for our competition, atop one of the tallest buildings downtown, could not be a more exciting place to hold it, with 360º views that take in the entire L.A. basin." Said Joel Blum. Los Angeles is known for its cultural innovations and global influence. LA Spirits Award entries come from many countries and run the gamut from venerable brands steeped in tradition to wildly original new craft products, but our attitude about what a spirits competition should be is very L.A. Truly reflected by their judging team—LA Spirit Awards has chosen a diverse group of industry tastemakers and trendsetters. Attend the festivities at City Club than join the winners at Caravan Swim Club June 13th. @laspiritsawards
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ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
6 DTLA ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE by Art Hunter
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TASHAKI SKY HIGH MURAK AMI MURALISTS AT BROAD EXHIBIT OPENS AT US BANK TOWER
In March, 15 LAbased street and urban artists painted the top floor of the iconic US Bank Tower, creating the highest murals in the state of California. After months of anticipation the Opening night of Sky High DTLA at US Bank Tower has arrived. On June 8th invitees toured the 72nd floor to enjoy the urban art installation as well as speak with the artists in residence about their work honoring the theme, “What does LA mean to you?” The premiere was part of Silverstein Properties’ new initiative to transform the US Bank Tower and surrounding district into a vibrant cultural center for the downtown Los Angeles community. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were catered by Settecento, the recently-announced restaurant by Global Dining Inc. which will open in Maguire Gardens adjacent to the US Bank Tower in early 2023.
Takashi Murakami is one of the most widely recognized artists working today. His body of work traverses fine art, fashion, animation, film, and other commercial art. Murakami’s expansive artistic universe is on view in Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow, the artist’s first solo exhibition at The Broad. Artists include Beau Stanton, Casey Courey Pickering, Debi Cable, Savannah "Elekktra" Gallegos, Elliott 'Nes" Klein, Haus of Emichi, Lauren YS, LOVE Crew, Alejandro "Man One" Poli, Mary Lai, Angel "Mister Alek" Guznay, Nora Martin Hall, Paloma Arciniega, Quentin Thomas, Sophie Mazzaro, Erin Michelle and Jayson Valencia.
The exhibition, which includes all of Murakami’s works in the Broad collection and key loans, features 18 works created throughout his career and new immersive environments developed in tandem with the artist and his studio, Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. In these works, spanning sculpture, painting, wallpaper, and immersive installations, the artist explores subject matter such as globalization, postwar Japan, pop culture, and religious iconography. Among the works presented are two of the artist’s monumental paintings, the 32-footwide 100 Arhats (2013) and the 82-footwide In the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow (2014), and the 1999 sculpture DOB in the Strange Forest (Blue DOB) that features Murakami’s iconic anime-inspired character Mr. DOB.
DTLA ESPESSO SELF: COFFEE WITH A FIREFIGHTER
VOL 16. NO. 11 - MAY 19TH - JUN 2ND 2022 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
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DTLA APPETITE: HOTBOX BURGERS by Keri Freeman
DOWNTOWN APPETITE
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VOL 17. NO. 01 - JUN 9TH - JUN 15TH 2022 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
HOT BOX BURGERS 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
The verdict is in, Hotbox Burger on Vermont and MLK is winning when it comes to taste, presentation, and ethics. Before the doors open at 10:30 am a line has already formed outside the window at HotBox. Throughout the day and into the night, fresh seasoned patties, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and over 1000 soft buns make their way from the HotBox grill to the counter for pick up. Celebrating their first year anniversary in their brick and mortar location, with an evergrowing fan base from USC and the surrounding West Adams and South Central communities, in only 2 year's time, Hotbox had moved its operations from a tiny unhitched trailer to a successful brick-andmortar all of Los Angeles can rely on. However, the past year hadn't been easy. HotBox family business went through a list of trials and tribulations. Everything from having to operate through Covid and losing employees, to the passing of a family member and founding partner.
All in the family at HotBox Burgers photo by Gary Leonard
It’s Official – Expo/USC can’t get enough of HotBox Burgers Americans consume 50 Billion Burgers a year. That’s about 150 burgers per person. Now think about it, out of all those burgers which ones were made fresh daily and never frozen. How many were cooked to order, and topped with the freshest ingredients?
And how many were made from family-owned operations connected to the customers they serve vs super conglomerates? Ask yourself, do you want your next delicious burger to be prepared by good people grilled with pure ingredients or some flattened burger loaded with chemical additives presented to you by some clown?
Yet, embroidered on back of every HotBox uniform is a Bible verse, one such verse is Phillippaijs 4:13.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Hoping to uplift everyone and holding on to faith, and strengthened by the words of Paul the Apostle, the HotBox family business stuck together determined to thrive. Today, HotBox Burger is voted the number one burger in the Expo/USC district. It's only a matter of time before patrons of nearby fast-food chains figure out what they’ve been missing.
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When Councilmember Curren Price found out HotBox was located in his district, he not only discovered one of LAs favorite burgers, but a family-operated business that actually cared about the community they both served. Councilmember Price found not only was this mom and pop employing family members, they were also employing marginalized members from the neighborhood whenever they could. Even more noteworthy, Price discovered HotBox was giving food away to the homeless every weekend and for a long time before that, feeding the unhoused after every shift. Soon the walls behind the counters at HotBox began filling with framed newspaper articles, and Certificates of Recommendations from the
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City and State. Mayor Garcetti, California State Senator Sydney Kamlager, and Councilmember Price have come together to honor this incredible family-owned and operated restaurant. So you’re finally eating your first or your (one hundredth) HotBox Burger… perhaps you stuck to the basics; a spiced right protein of turkey, veggie patty or hot beef, with the typical lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, ketchup, or maybe you’ve added cheese, pastrami, avocado, egg or HotBox chili. You’re eating good, your feeling good. We know you’ll be back. So with that, we congratulate HOTBOX, their incredible sense of community and join them in celebrating their one year anniversary. HotBox Burgers is open Monday thru Friday from 10:30 to 7pm and located at 1030 W MLK Jr. Blvd suite #108. LA CA 90037. @hotboxburgers
10 10DTLA APPETITE: GUSTO GREEN By KERI FREEMAN
VOL 17. NO. 01 - JUN 9TH - JUN 15TH 2022 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
DTLA HAPPIEST HOURS
just the right climate at gusto green
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fter a long, cold & Covid winter, Spring has brought new vitality to the Jewelry District of Downtown Los Angeles in the form of Gusto Green.
brazil nut parm and currants. Pasta masterpiece Gramigna with pistachio pesto with sweet peas, fresh mint and lemon olive oil always makes the bill. Meat lovers can choose PastureRaised Half Chicken with goat's butter jus or Grass-Fed Gaucho Steak with smoked paprika, jalapeno chimichurri and lime among other select dishes. For dessert, plenty suggests the Coconut Cream Pie with coconut custard & coconut caramel or the Hemp & Chocolate Chunk Cookies serves with house-made spiced matcha horchata.
limestone-like walls, and bold blues juxtaposed with earthy clay tones evoke dining in nature.
Upon entering the fine-casual setting, dancing to the slightest breeze, Dani, installed by pride artist HOT TEA. Dani is the result of the meticulous placement of thousands With Gusto Green comes a budding nightlife and hospitality scene new to of thin, colored strings - a flowing rainbow chandelier descending from an area known mostly for dim rollup doors and a great place for street Gusto Green’s greenhouse-inspired ceiling. parking after 7 pm on most nights. Nestled at the base of the newly renovated 718 S Hill Building, a historic building, built in 1911, Gusto Green once operated as a juice and health bar. Powerhouse entrepreneur and CEO Janet Zuccarini, the mastermind behind Gusto 54 and multi-awardwinning Felix in Venice, describes the Gusto Green concept as, “a warm, friendly, and also forwardthinking restaurant destination that embraces the future of food and how people are seeking to eat today.” Award-winning, Los Angelesbased firm STUDIO UNLTD (Bavel, Bestia, and RappBar) brought Gusto Green’s interior design to life with botanical shapes, and cool stones reminiscent of a riverbed, textured
To the immediate right, Gusto’s cocktail bar flows with crafted cocktails that include a diverse zeroproof list, organic wines, and use of plant-derived terpenes to replicate the cannabis plant with cheeky cannabis-centric titles; the PineApple Express for example. The main dining room comforts guests with oakwood tables, cozy banquettes, private lounge areas and communal tables, all leading to an open kitchen complete with an imported wood-fired Italian-pizza oven. Open Tuesday to Saturday at 3:00 pm, freshly chopped menu favorites include Kale Caesar Salad with creamy avocado, spiced chickpeas,
It’s the right climate to help grow the DTLA cannabis movement at Gusto Green. At Gusto you’ll find tables of diners already indulging or patiently awaiting orders of plantforward dishes complemented by thoughtfully and humanely procured fish, poultry, and meats with … a bit of cannabis inspiration on the side. Our new friends have partnered with the only federally approved purveyor of hemp leaf for food, Ziese Farms to bring plant medicine without the psychoactive properties to food & drink! Gusto Green is one of several unique businesses housed within the Green Street Building, all of which operate in, or in the orbit of, the cannabis industry. Happy Hour starts at 3 pm - 6 pm, craft beer at $5, wine-on-tap for $2/oz, and $10 for any cocktail with or without the hard stuff. From the menu, $15 wood fire pizzas, $8 Loaded Sweet Potatoe Fries, & they gave us permission (this one time only) to tell you to ask about their secret Happy Hour Menu - 5 insane items. Enjoy. @gusto_green
Get2DTLA - DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND RETURNS
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2nd Annual DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND Returns and ...It's a Whole(some) Vibe
DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND is back! Returning to Downtown LA from June 24 to June 26th.
For the entire month of June, DTLA Weekly will showcase the best in vegan lifestyle products, brands, and establishments in and around the city. The annual three-day event known as (DTLA) Vegan Weekend gained good momentum and support in its inaugural year, fueled by the community’s enthusiasm and willingness to publicly recognize cruelty-free lifestyle alternatives.
Shown Here... Tulsi Eatery - 4th and Main - Old Bank District
Sponsor this event!!!
Visit www.dtlaweekly.com/listings to add your business location plus any product specials, events, or giveaways to the DT DTLA Vegan Weekend is the first of its kind community-driven event presented by Saver “DTLA VEGAN” Section. Downtown Weekly. Other unique events ***Sponsors will remain in the DT Saver produced by the community newspaper include DTLA Pizza Week, and DTLA Beers for the year and recieve promotional perks from Downtown Weekly during the month Battles coming in September. of June. The sooner a sponsor participant signs up, the more promotional Last year, DT Weekly shared our DTLA Vegan event guide, social media posts, and opportunities they may receive. newspaper articles with the help of local vegan businesses, celebrities, Yelp Elites, Visit nearby vegan and an a-list of Social Media Influencers establishments and support ready to give our town plenty of reasons to them generously. GO Vegan. Now fully established, with a list of returning participants DTLA Vegan We promise to make it easy to “Go Vegan” Weekend...is a Whole Vibe! with plenty of community discounts, Not only will the entire city have a great reason to “Go Vegan”, but any participants, vegan brands, causes, events, and endeavors may be supported by Downtown Weekly and shared on our media platforms in the days leading up to the event.
and chances to win vegan prizes at your favorite participating locations throughout the weekend.
Take the DTLA VEGAN CHALLENGE!!! For vegans, this will be easy…
From June 24th – to June 26th, Downtown LA and beyond are invited to take the DTLA Vegan Weekend Challenge. That means; no cheese, no dairy, no animal skins, no beeswax, and of course, no meat. And we’re not against reposting your experiences on our pages for all the world to see. Follow us on social media and crosspromote DTLA Vegan Weekend - hashtag #dtlaveganweekend #dtlaveganchallenge #dtlaweekly
Can't wait to share your vegan experiences?? Encourage others by thanking DTLA for their willingness to GO VEGAN June 2426th.
Submit an IG post or 7 - 15 seconds (Reel or Video) - showing off your vegan goods!!! Don’t forget to mention your brand, cause or endeavor and please Tag a Friend and Mention DTLA WEEKLY for the repost!!!
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DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE
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A brand new 350,000-squarefoot speculative ground-up creative office project is planned for construction in Los Angeles’ Arts District, a neighborhood continuing its transformation into a true live/ work/play community through an influx of fashion, media and entertainment, and tech tenants.
Photo courtesty Cushman and Wakefield
Owned and entitled by Los Angeles-based Legendary Group, the 17-story Class A project named Above will consist primarily of 311,000 sf of office space on 12 floors plus 22,000 sf of ground floor production, retail, and/or food & beverage space. There are also three levels of subterranean parking and four levels of above grade parking.
Above is anticipated to begin construction in mid 2023 with an estimated delivery in early 2026.
Legendary Group, together with Brookfield Residential, also developed The Aliso mixeduse project in the Arts District. Consisting of five low-rise buildings featuring 472 live/work residential units over 22,000 sf of ground-floor commercial space, The Aliso was built in 2019 and has enjoyed great leasing success.
Located at 411 S Hewitt St, Above will be a one-of-a-kind project with modern amenities and design functions, including one super floor, private outdoor patios on every floor, floor to ceiling glass, 360-degree views of Southern California, and a breezeway providing direct access between Hewitt St to Colyton St.
LEE & ASSOCIATES COMING TO DOWNTOWN LA
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stablished in 1979, Lee & Associates the largest broker-owned commercial real estate firm in North America and soon the firm will turn the keys to a brand new office in South Park.
DTLA, the heart of Los Angeles will join San Francisco, Omaha, Naples, Washington, DC, Boston, Toronto, Cincinnati, Raleigh, Miami, and Seattle before year’s end – adding to our list of best real estate firms in Downtown Los Angeles.
The firm has set its sites on expansion with the opening of ten new office locations across the continent over the last five years.
The downtown office will specialize in industrial, office, and investment brokerage, with plans to strategically recruit teams that will grow
The 5,000-square-foot Lee & Associates Los Angeles – Downtown office will be located at 1201 North Main Street. As the office expands, they have negotiated the option to take additional, adjacent square footage totaling 7,500-square-feet.
DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE
FROM THE LEGENDARY GROUP CHECK OUT - ABOVE
their capabilities in multifamily and retail. Lee & Associates Los Angeles – Downtown will be led by Jack R. Cline, Jr. as President. The downtown team consists of thirteen brokerage professionals, including Doug Cline, Tony Naples, Evan Jurgensen, Matt Eddy, Miles Solomon, Loren Kaplan, Everett Phillips, Mattison Behr, David Cox, Sam Rinkov, and Allan Roman. In addition to their transactional agents, the team will also include Madeline Segura, Andy Baquerizo, Maggie Kusumawathy, Ebe Puyolt, and Lori Thor.
Downtown Weekly - The Spirit of Downtown Los Angeles
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