Four Major Projects to Reshape Block of Broadway
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — It may be five years late, but a residential conversion of the Broadway-Spring Mercantile Arcade building is back underway and scheduled to be completed later this year.
The project has missed date after date, but the recent hiring of Librush Construction as project manager has the work back on track according to Greg Martin, Vice President of Fifth Street Funding, Inc. and Mideb Nominees, Inc.
The two firms, along with Begonia Development, Inc., are responsible for four projects -- including Broadway's first commercial adaptive reuse -- that will bring new life to Broadway between 5th and 6th streets.
Once completed, the Arcade building will house 142 apartments above its retail arcade.
Ironically, the building took only nine months to construct, opening on January 7, 1924. Crews had worked around the clock to construct the buildings in record time, including completing most interior finish work before receiving the terra cotta and completing the exterior walls.
Down the block, Librush Construction has also been put in charge of Mideb Nominees' Jewelry Trades Building. The structure, which houses a Rite-Aid on its ground floor, is slated to house 62 apartments. It too should be completed by the year's end.
Just across the street, seismic work is underway on Fifth Street Funding's Chester Williams Building. Serious construction on the 82-unit adaptive reuse should begin when that work wraps in approximately four months.
Work is also getting set to begin on Begonia Development's 537 Building. The upper floors of the 1930 art deco structure at 537 S. Broadway will be converted into commercial space, a first for the corridor.
The city created a Commercial Reuse Task Force at the end of 2008 to craft rules that would make it easier to do such a project, and Martin praised the help that Councilman Jose Huizar's office had given.
"Jessica Wethington McLean who leads the [Bringing Back Broadway] initiative on behalf of the Councilman has been extremely helpful and supportive, particularly in helping us navigate this project through the City approval process," said Martin via email. "We anticipate obtaining the building permits next week. You should see scaffolding erected at the site in the very near future."
Stephen Brandt on August 05, 2009, at 08:01PM – #1
This portal seems to have more potential then just about any Broadway retail area. It is a space that is "Grand Central Market meets the Bradbury Building" from an atmospheric standpoint.
Bud Coffey on August 06, 2009, at 06:52AM – #2
Very exciting projects. What are the chances of this really happening?
Henry on August 06, 2009, at 08:45AM – #3
These players are key to the broadway plan, and they have been working on this since 2002. Those buildings are beautiful - especially the Merchantile Arcade and the Chester Williams buidling. It would be nice if they could restore the glass atrium - in that picture, it looks like some additional walls were added at some point. Are there any pictures of the original arcade atrium I wonder?
Here is the building from the Spring street side: http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assetserver/controller/view/search/EXM-P-S-LOS-ANG-CIT-BUI-194
Do they really get $10 a square foot for their retail? http://hispanicretail.blogspot.com/2008_01_06_archive.html
art on August 06, 2009, at 01:00PM – #4
The term "bring new life to broadway" seems a little subjective. Although I for one would love to see the upper floors of these buildings become more than storage room and welcome some retail diversity (which also means keeping a lot of what already works there), new development along Bway seems a lot less lively than what already exists. I mean, how long has the eastern columbia had vacant frontage, mind you on one of the most bustling commercial strips in the country, which has generates as much revenue as the wealthiest parts of the city? Why are the only dead spots along broadway where the gentrification has occurred, whereas the areas still filled with discount stores are bustling activity centers?
If this is the new "life" of Broadway than thats a shame. The city being able to maintain a vibrant district that generate mucho revenue only when it caters to rich folks seems criminal.
How about being pragmatic and plugging in some medium income retail before we aim for the stars, baby steps. not this BS slash and burn gentrification that seems to being killing Broadway rather than giving it new life.
Haskel on August 06, 2009, at 01:54PM – #5
Art, have you ever been on Broadway in the evening? There's no life at all. Not even homeless.
Vivo on August 06, 2009, at 02:34PM – #6
Broadway is dead dead dead in the evening, and the upper floors of many of these beautiful historic buildings are completely empty. "bring new life to broadway" directly addresses this. I dont think anyone is espousing "only when it caters to rich folks" - such a reply is reactionary and classist. Diversity is a good thing.
art on August 08, 2009, at 01:29AM – #7
Yes, being concerned about the existing working class community thriving on Bway is classist, just like Sotomayor is racist for being Latina.
Haskel does have a good point though, the existing stuff is dead at night and should be addressed, that Im in agreement about. But so far Broadway Bar aint cutting it, and the newbies cant handle club 747.
Eve on August 09, 2009, at 01:02PM – #8
There are some really great photos of the Arcade Building from both Broadway, and Spring, at lapd.org--just click on photo collection and search. There are even some older atrium shots. I don't necessarily want them to sweep away all the vendors currently using the space, but it would help to keep them in their actual stores instead of spilling out into the walkway.
nomad on August 09, 2009, at 02:20PM – #9
Speaking of new Broadway additions, does anybody have any info on the 7-11 I see going in on the SW corner of Broadway and 5th (shy barry bulidng)? Target opening date? thanks
chattycathy on August 09, 2009, at 05:54PM – #10
Art, you piss me off. Gentrification is not a dirty word. It means, clean, well-lit streets, retail that is inviting; not clutter and disrespect for the beautiful architecture that surrounds it. If you want WalMart to come in and fill the Mercantile Arcade right up to its gorgeous atrium ceiling, then just say so. Don't call gentrification criminal. Clean and neat is not criminal. If you like overflowing garbage in the street, gum-stained sidewalks, and handwritten-scribbled retail signs cluttering the grand architecture and great theatres of this exquisite street called Broadway, once respected by tourists and immigrants alike, then just say so.
TM Mickey on August 09, 2009, at 10:55PM – #11
For people to say that encouraging Broadway to remain mostly its current state is a sign of their own (and others) humanity, benevolence and tolerance means they're, in effect, equating a largely Latino retail district with layers of disrepair, shoddiness, trashiness and dreariness. They're pretty much saying that it's wonderful to uphold (in oneself or others) a mentality of "we're losers, we're underachievers, and we're proud of it!"
LO on August 10, 2009, at 01:22PM – #12
I live very close this splendid arcade and do welcome new shops, that would enhance the architecture. I do understand where some are coming from about the concern of the current tenants, as I do give them business, as well.
However, they, just like any future tenants, need to consider the supply and demand of their customers, and that is changing. Perhaps, they should consider slowly transitioning what they offer, and the quality. We only need so many places that sell socks. If any business in a neighborhood (any neighborhood), that is going through the process of gentrification or no, needs to always offer something unique and niche to, again, what the locals want. This is just good business to pay attention to if you market is slowly changing.
No amount of 'negative protesting' can stop something that when we really consider it IS a positive attribute to the neighborhood. This is just a natural process, just like the current tenants/shops were not what the Arcade was intended for originally in the past.
So, I do hope some of them consider this, and I again welcome a wonderful market that does this wonderful building proud.
This is coming from someone whose family has ran similar small shops, just like what is there. So, please don't assume, and attacking each other just creates defensiveness not a solution or compromise.
jb on August 10, 2009, at 01:29PM – #13
i was there on a recent saturday and it was a nice exoerience. the arcade is now clean, restored and still attracting shoppers. it was a better experience than before the renovation.
Guest on November 11, 2010, at 04:59PM – #14
Notice these guys are supporting Rudy Martinez, now. They put of the "Rudy" billboard on Broadway.