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Hooters Still an Option for Convention Center-Adjacent Property

By blogdowntown Staff
Published: Monday, October 11, 2010, at 05:59PM

Rendering via Loopnet

A rendering of the renovated property at 1248 South Figueroa shows a Hooters at ground level.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Talks remain underway to bring a Hooters restaurant to a former auto dealership across the street from the Los Angeles Convention Center, but they aren't quite as far along as a rental listing posted by the developer would make it seem.

According to the Loopnet posting by Paramount Investment Group, the busty sports bar chain "has leased 7,400 square feet on the first floor."

Broker David Separzadeh says the lease isn't quite that far along. "It's not a done deal," he told blogdowntown last week when contacted for confirmation. "The paperwork has not been signed."

Nevertheless, a rendering attached to the listing shows the chain's neon orange signage at street level.

Back in January, owner Mayer Separzadeh told the Downtown L.A. Neighborhood Council's planning committee that he hoped to make the structure a center for South Park nightlife. The listing also says that a 25,000-square-foot club has been signed for the third and fourth floors, while a 4,600-square-foot ground floor space remains available.

Before any of it opens, though, the building needs a Conditional Use Permit from the city. According to the Planning Department's online case tracking system, that hearing is scheduled for November 8 at City Hall.

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Conversation

Guest 1

Guest on October 11, 2010, at 06:59PM – #1

looks very Miami. im all for more nightlife options in downtown, but im not sure that they can survive that far off from most of the population. sure they will do great during the season, but the summer months may be tough...

Welcome and good luck

Guest 2

Guest on October 11, 2010, at 07:06PM – #2

Land is far too valuable for this type of product. Hold off until the proper developer can utilize this space to its maximum capacity. The adjoining property is zoned for highrise residences, and think how the future residences would feel about this venue right off their balcony? Trashy! There's plenty of retail space available elsewhere. Next...

Guest 3

Guest on October 11, 2010, at 08:14PM – #3

PERFECTION!!!

Guest 4

Guest on October 11, 2010, at 08:27PM – #4

Get real guest #2! Trashy? Hooters is a sports bar and not a strip club. What would you prefer? Another Wolfgang Puck's in its place? This is within the Sports and Entertainment Zone afterall and Staples Center is a 'sports' venue that sits across from this property.

This space is perfect for a Hooters and would offer an alternative to the excessively-priced eateries/establishments at LA Live. There's obviously a niche that needs to be filled/tapped into in DTLA; There needs to be a diversity of dining/entertainment options that caters to a diverse, growing clientele (both residents of DT and tourists).

Some folks may not like what goes up/opens in DTLA, but that's what keeps it interesting and the growth organic. DTLA can't cater to "future" high-rise residents adjoining this property just for the sake of it. With the economy battered the way it is, there won't be any future developments going up on that adjoining plot of land anytime soon. We can't wait for something to happen, we have let it happen NOW. DTLA will continue to grow and evolve(with its positive and negative aspects), but If you're a fan of the NIMBY tribe, stay in the suburbs!

DTLA is changing whether some of you ppl love it or hate it...

I say bring it on Hooters!!!

Guest 5

Guest on October 11, 2010, at 09:14PM – #5

"but If you're a fan of the NIMBY tribe, stay in the suburbs!"

The suburbs are filled with shitty chain restaurants exactly like Hooters. That's the point. Keep bland corporate crap out of downtown. We're inundated with it already as it is, just like every other US city that doesn't put its collective foot down against this blight.

If you want chain restaurants, go live inside a shopping mall.

Laldava02 on October 12, 2010, at 09:57AM – #6

The idea that downtown should not have chains is ridiculous. Most successful cities offer a dynamic combination of national chains and independent restaurants and boutiques. No downtown can survive on independent businesses alone - at least not long term. Chains will always attract people and may even expose their patrons to the independent businesses in the area that make it unique. Both can co-exist and are necessary to create a diverse urban landscape.

Also - leaving this space empty until a high rise is constructed next door is short sighted. We don't know when anything will be built there and in the meantime it offers something to activate that block.

David McBane on October 12, 2010, at 10:12AM – #7

There is a better chance of Hooters moving in and running all the way through their lease than more high rises going up in the area. This bust part of the cycle is going to last for years.

DawnC on October 12, 2010, at 10:25AM – #8

Yes! I can't wait to see a bunch of young girls in support hose and running shorts, tre chic! (eye roll)

Hooters isn't racy it might as well be an Applebees run by badly styled cheerleaders. I'd prefer an old school style Playboy club. That at least could have a cool classy retro vibe that would fit in better with the city. Those Hooters uniforms look to me like public humiliation for girls with low IQ's.

diglounge on October 12, 2010, at 11:02AM – #9

We live right across the street from this location. And as a resident of downtown, I can tell you... we will not be going here. The area is saturated with Sports bars already.

ESPN Zone, Yard House, Big Wangs, Dublins, Casey's. I'm not saying I know what should go there, but we won't be going to Hooters for sub par food and service.

Guest 6

Guest on October 12, 2010, at 11:52AM – #10

Hooters dosent seem like the right bar for the demographic that is coming DT. I'm not hating on the ladies who work there, it just seems like a tacky place---I'd frankly prefer an XXX establishment over this.

Guest 6

Guest on October 12, 2010, at 01:07PM – #11

DT could really use some gay bars.

Guest 7

Guest on October 12, 2010, at 04:42PM – #12

Hooters?

Chippendales?

Put 'em in the top level of the Bonaventure atrium instead.

Lease rates in the WTC would double.

Jamie DeFrisco on October 12, 2010, at 05:37PM – #13

@diglounge - You said exactly what I was thinking. There are plenty of options for sports bars downtown, so I'm not sure if a Hooters is necessary.

I'm all for certain chains. There are some great chains out there that are a 30 minute+ drive from downtown. Not just restaurants, but also other businesses. I hate having to drive that far to go a certain business because there isn't an equivalent downtown.

Guest 8

Guest on October 12, 2010, at 07:07PM – #14

I'm more interested in the 25,000 square foot club that wil be above it, looks like it has a nice rooftop patio too!

John Ciacci on October 12, 2010, at 07:16PM – #15

I'd actually like to see a Barney's Beanery there with live music and then a different style of music in the club above. But at the end of the day i'm happy to see anything go into that building.

http://www.barneysbeanery.com/

Guest 9

Guest on October 13, 2010, at 10:54AM – #16

i think all of you are just haters do you think hooters really needs your business anyways!?! trust me your doing all restaurants a favor when you keep your negative attitudes at home where they belong!!! and as for the uniforms you say how terrible they are but most of those girls wake up and put the damn thing on to pay for school or there kids and for what? to go to work and hear people complain about how trashy hooters is? at least these girls are paying for collage and alot of them leave and become doctors and vets i even know a police officer who used to be a hooters girl so what are you gonna do stop calling the police i think its dumb to judge all of the girls and say they have a low I.Q i think hooters would do great in this location there will be thousands of people in and out of the staples center and not just for games but for concerts as well so basically i say do it.

Allison C on October 13, 2010, at 11:01AM – #17

I'm all for the Hooters... because I love Hot Wings.

Also, I'd like to be able to afford to eat when I go to LA Live. As others have mentioned, the area around there in over-run with $14 cocktails and $12 hamburgers. After going to the movies with friends, I have no where to take them for a beer an an inexpensive meal. Not everyone who visits LA Live makes six figures a years, does that mean we don't want them to spend what money they do have in our area?

rob on October 13, 2010, at 02:06PM – #18

if your trying to keep bland corporate stuff out and franchises away, boy do i have bad news for you. First you may want to not look over the financial district, all the corporations there will give you a heart attack. Secondly, there are also several other businesses you may try to avoid. 7-eleven, Famima!!, Macy's Plaza, starbucks, coffee bean, 24 hour fitness.... and i think people get my point. Corporations and franchises have been an integral part of Downtown Los Angeles. In an emerging downtown, i believe here should be room for independent and corporate businesses. Especially in the area around the convention center that sees a lot of tourist and visitors who aren't from Los Angeles. A visitor from another states or country likely feel more comfortable leaving there hotel room to go somewhere they are familiar with, rather than explore downtown and try something different. The area should provide both and let resident and visitors decide for themselves.

DawnC on October 13, 2010, at 11:36PM – #19

Guest #9, if that's how you paid for your "collage" I think you'd better ask for your money back.

Guest 10

Guest on October 14, 2010, at 01:27AM – #20

You all think that the sky is the limit.

Wait and see. The parking is what will eventually kill the golden goose.

A movie and dinner is one thing but people will eventually get sick and tired of paying so much to park and start hanging elsewhere.

Two hours free parking in the Golden Triangle......

Guest 11

Guest on October 14, 2010, at 08:35PM – #21

I don't really care that much what goes there. I just hope they don't put the entrance off of Fig like in the rendering. Buildings and businesses should service the pedestrian on the sidewalk to enhance street life, not turn their backs on the street and service a parking lot.