Eric Richardson []

Two new bars are slated to open in the ground floor of City Lofts, at 626 S. Spring.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Spring street is getting set to add a double-dose of new nightlife. Recently shuttered wine bar 626 Reserve is close to finding a tenant and will soon be joined in the City Lofts building by a new bar from one of the partners behind Hollywood's The Woods.

The two will be located on what is perhaps Downtown's most densely residential block, with five residential buildings open and two under construction.

Michelle Marini owned the tiki-themed Lava Lounge on La Brea before partnering with Craig Trager of Vintage Bar Group to convert the space into . She's signed a lease to take on 626-A, the former 626 Gallery, with plans to convert it into a bar.

Two doors down in the same building, a deal is near to bring a new tenant into 626-B, until recently occupied by 626 Reserve. Eric Shomof of building owner Pacific Investments said today that he is working with an established operator and plans to have paperwork signed in the upcoming weeks.

No opening date for either establishment has been set. The 626-A space must go through the city's Conditional Use Permit process and an interior build-out, a lengthy process.

City Lofts sit mid-block between 6th and 7th, on a block that features an interesting mix of residents and nightlife uses. Next door is the historic Stock Exchange, which an operator plans to re-open this summer as club and event space Versus. Two buildings south is 650 S. Spring, where developer Barry Shy hopes to open a club and restaurant in the Bank of America building's historic lobby.

The block features residential uses in seven of its eight buildings. Shy has two residential buildings under construction, 600 S. Spring and 650 S. Spring. They'll join four buildings owned by Pacific Investments -- the Hayward Hotel, Premiere Towers, City Lofts and Spring Tower Lofts -- and one condo building, the Bartlett.

Tyler Murphy of represented both Pacific Investments and Marini on the 626-A deal. He said today that he's worked with Marini for a year to find a location on the Downtown Art Walk, and is excited to see her able to start work on opening Downtown.

Residents of the Historic Core should take note of Murphy. He recently represented Babycakes NYC in its search for a Downtown home, which landed the cupcake bakery in the Pacific Electric building, and is the agent listed for a number of properties around the Historic Core.