It’s hard to miss the giant hole in the ground along with the massive cranes while driving to church on Sunday morning. It’s all a part of the multi billion dollar LA Live project which includes the already built Nokia Theatre, the ESPN studios, Ritz Carlton tower, Regal multiplex and a myriad of restaurants. Above is one of the final renderings for the project. It’s the massive tower that includes a hotel and condominiums. The first phase which was the Nokia Theater has already been completed. The second phase which will include the ESPN studio and entertainment center, the Grammy Museum, the Lucky Strike lanes and a host of restaurant is scheduled to be completed by this October. The last phase which will include the Ritz and a 14 screen Regal mutiplex will conclude the project in late 2009.
LA Live is the most glitzy of the downtown projects which is putting downtown on the map. I think it almost certainly will be a success as it will cater to the crowds that are already present for the Convention and Staples Center. More ambitiously it seeks to be an entertainment hub for the entire city. Here are some thoughts of its implications.
One is that it brings a great deal of attention to the ongoing renaissance of downtown. A lot of people believe the future of downtown hinges on the project. If LA Live is a great success it will encourage residents and future development within downtown. It’s success will almost certainly be a great boost to the revitalization of downtown.
However I question whether LA Live will be a central gathering place for the community. LA Live caters to the entertainment impulse of Angelenos. But gathering people to watch a concert or a game doesn’t equate to a community. I can foresee it more as a destination center for people all around Los Angeles than as a gathering place for local residents within downtown. LA Live is a wonderful start but we need more local, diverse and community related places within downtown to complement.
On a practical note it will definitely mean more options for us after church. We’re a stones throw from LA Live worshipping at the Olympic Primary Center. After church we can most definitely frequent the restaurants, bowling allies and eventually the theaters. So all in all, it’s a great start to what will hopefully be a continuing revolution in downtown.
-Dennis
