Hayward Facade Work Looks to Enliven 6th & Spring Retail

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 04:18PM

Pacific Investments LLC

An early rendering of facade changes currently underway at the Hayward.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The ground floor retail space in the Hayward Hotel at 6th & Spring is getting a major rehab, part of owner Pacific Investments' efforts to upgrade the building's presence in the Historic Core.

Worn awnings are giving way to ceiling-high windows and a modern feel. The effect, even in its current, unfinished form is a more open feel to the sidewalk and the storefronts.

The Hayward Hotel is actually a series of three buildings, constructed between 1906 and 1925. The original hotel is at the corner, and opened in July of 1906. The addition on Spring street was added in 1918, while the 6th street annex was opened in 1926. The original building also received an extra floor in 1916.

According to Eric Shomof of Pacific Investments, part of the company's plans for the Hayward involve giving each of the building's a different treatment. The work is being designed to reflect the original architectural styles, while giving a cohesive feel to the retail spaces.

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Eric Richardson

Underneath awnings on the Spring Street side of the building were windows bearing the original pattern installed in 1918.

Eric Richardson

At left, awnings removed to begin renovation work. At right, a typical retail scene in the building before the renovations.

This story belongs to the following topics:

Topic:
Hayward Renovations

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Comments

Benjamin Pezzillo writes:

What a welcome surprise.

# on May.28.2008 AT 04:25 PM

Juanito writes:

On the original structure, too bad that the marvelous, Sullivanesque ornamentation that was removed with the addition of the top floor cannot be restored. The cornice which was lost was by far the most beautifull in all of Downtown. The architect and Sullivan were distantly related. As well, Charles C. Whittlesey had worked for the latter in Chicago in 1880, at the point that Sullivan and Dankmar Adler formed their partnership. His largest contribution to the firm was overseeing construction of the Chicago Opera House.

The Hayward is the only remaining building in downtown with any connection (of sorts) to Sullivan. The framework of the Merchant's Trust Company building on Broadway remains, but it's ornate facade was removed and modernized much like the Trade Tech building. The latter event was overseen by the city DWP which bought and converted the building for it's own headquarters. My neighbor, whose father worked at DWP, still remembers the memorable portholes that were set beneath the ornate cornice. Dennis and Farwell designed the original. The building is located on the west side of Broadway, second structure south of 2nd Street.

# on May.28.2008 AT 05:49 PM

Spring Street Local writes:

I don't know what stores are coming in here, but i'm dying to find out... I hope to see more retail clothing stores and some nice cafes. Anything on when this will all be ready?

# on May.28.2008 AT 07:28 PM

Richard P writes:

Love these historic hotels!

Does anyone know what is going on with the Hotel Clark on the corner of 4th and Hill? Lot's of activity going on inside but I have not read what is taking place.

# on May.29.2008 AT 04:37 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

Richard: The Clark is a mystery. It's owned by the Chetrit Group, out of New York. No plans announced, no permits, but always a couple people in there doing something.

# on May.29.2008 AT 04:56 PM

Raul writes:

I've been watching the changes as I walk to work every day. Can't wait for the finished look.

# on May.29.2008 AT 04:59 PM

jim writes:

are there actually plans to change the retail tenants, or is it just a facade upgrade?

the window display on 6th with the lingerie-clad legs and the neon notary sign always makes me smile.

# on May.29.2008 AT 05:08 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

Jim: I haven't asked that question. That said, there's a listing on Loopnet looking for a restaurant for the 6th street side, and I would think it fairly inevitable that upgrading the spaces leads to some tenant change.

# on May.29.2008 AT 05:46 PM

jim writes:

and if you read the listing closely, it looks like they've already got a new gourmet market tenant lined up.

# on May.29.2008 AT 09:49 PM

sarah writes:

Allow me to ask a dumb question. What's the yellow building to the left of Hayward in the proposed rendering? Is that new? Or is that the Premiere Towers?

# on May.30.2008 AT 10:24 AM

Eric Richardson writes:

Sarah: That's the Hayward's 1918 Spring street extension. The final color scheme has changed a bit since the render as they've worked to figure out what color the building was originally.

# on May.30.2008 AT 10:48 AM

Spring Street Local writes:

I think that building is another loft project owned by the same owner as the Hayward Hotel and Premiere Towers.

# on May.30.2008 AT 10:54 AM

Spring Street Local writes:

Oh it's part of the Hayward? Nevermind then.

# on May.30.2008 AT 10:57 AM

Wad writes:

The large windows look out of place on the renderings. The awnings seem to fit better.

# on Jun.01.2008 AT 10:48 PM

Juanito writes:

Will the second floor Chicago Windows of the original structure be eliminated? Would the Conservancy be happy about that? Red sandstone might be better than brick though, for the base - as shown in the rendering.

Structural frame of the original was/is reinforced concrete, at the time when no standards for such construction had been established. Construction proceeded simultaneously with that of the Auditorium Building (same architect).

# on Jun.02.2008 AT 12:57 AM

hayward resident writes:

They are planning to bring everything back to it's originality according to the management. Those "chicago style" windows are staying. If you ask me, they are doing a great job and I believe it will be amazing when it's all done. It seems like the rendering is not so accurate.

# on Jun.02.2008 AT 10:08 AM