Construction Prep Starts on Van Nuys Rehab

Bartleight on July 11, 2008, at 03:18PM – #1

Woo hoo! This is great news. The Van Nuys is a beautiful building. I can see the exquisite architectural detail when I view it from across the street from by 8th floor Bartlett unit. Once the building is cleaned it's going to be spectacular.

inLAonLA on July 13, 2008, at 10:31AM – #2

I am glad to see that the Van Nuys building is getting a much needed renovation/makeover. And hopefully they will get rid of the piss smell that happens near the alley in between Broadway and Spring. On a really hot day the smell is unbearable!!

Scott Mercer on July 14, 2008, at 10:13AM – #3

Are the (admittely crummy and dating from the "bombed out" era of Downtown) retail spaces on the ground floor staying? They looked closed and abandoned when I passed by. If they are leaving, now where can I buy my deadstock Duran Duran t-shirts anymore? (Original from the 80's, boyee!)

BusTard on July 14, 2008, at 10:54PM – #5

I would not be surprised if the cheap-o shoppe on 7th gets moved out, along with the cheap-o garment boutiques. The former store has been there for quite a while, and it would be sad to see it go as they have loads of great cheap stuff that usta be a better bargain than even Pic & Sav (now Big Lots; what a dreadful name). But I am a fan of that long-neglected Beaux Arts building and at the same time I would also appreciate something far better than the dusty five-and-dime garbage that the corner store shifts.

CommenteeMcGee on July 15, 2008, at 03:07PM – #6

There are some super old adds in the vitrines I want for my loft. You think there's anyway to get them before the old tenant moves out?

Donald Weggeman on July 15, 2008, at 04:39PM – #7

The elevators, copper elevator doors with scenes of California agriculture (Van Nuys and Isaac Lankershim owned most of the San Fernando Valley, then farms), and marble staircase at the back of the Isaac Newton Van Nuys Building lobby are architectural treasures, but first schmooze the vigilant security guard at the desk. Mr. Van Nuys demolished his house on the site to spend $1.25 million of the 1909 $2.5 million from the SF Valley sale on this Morgan, Walls, and Morgan Beaux Arts building.

Brigham on July 16, 2008, at 03:35AM – #9

AIMCO also had to strike a deal with several unknown, nearby rental properties to house all these seniors while they renovate. I'm not sure if everyone's vacated the building and into their new, temporary digs, but that was part of the hold up in proceeding with the renovations.

I, like everyone else here, am very excited about another historic building being cleaned and rehabbed. Regarding the ground floor space, I'm hoping that something "substantial" can be inked because that will really help Spring Street develop a stronger retail scene as it is pretty dead right now without much shopping or restaurants.

I think the Historic Core could really become something akin to Soho, NY, which is such a fun place to shop in!

Benjamin Pezzillo on July 16, 2008, at 08:43AM – #10

HiCo?

Also, EsBo (East of Broadway) or WeLo (West of Los Angeles)...maybe EsBoWeLo?

Karina on July 17, 2008, at 10:30AM – #11

I heard they're going to put tiled floor inside. my husband works in the shop outside the van nuys building. they told him that it's going to take about 30 days to do each floor, at least that's how long they want to take. There's 11 floors... 11 months? whatever it may be it's going to look beautiful so long as they only restore and clean the building up. I hoep they leave that beutiful architecture from the out as well as the inside.

Jill on August 12, 2008, at 10:17AM – #12

This is an exciting project, I just hope they don't "modernize" too much.

Cathy on October 28, 2008, at 01:01PM – #13

This is a beautiful building, nice that it's getting a facelift