Medieval Outfits Meet Tight Orange Shorts Next to Staples Center
Rendering via Loopnet
This rendering of 1248 S. Figueroa has been used in trying to find a tenant for the building's remaining space
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — This summer, Downtowners will be presented with a tough choice in themed dining: hot wings served by orange hot pant-sporting waitresses, or heaping plates of meat and vegetables delivered to your table by a medieval knight.
After months of speculation, last month Hooters signed a lease for 1248 S. Figueroa, bringing the chain within a block of Staples Center. Sharing the ground floor space is the future home of Knights Restaurant, a unique dining experience where guests will “Eat Like a King.”
According to David Separzadeh of Paramount Investment Group, which represents the property, construction of both new themed eateries should begin next month, and could open as early as June.
Knights Restaurant is being opened by a pair of Romanian businessmen who are bringing the concept from Eastern Europe where they run the similarly themed Excalibur Restaurants.
Alina Wade, a representative for the Romanian outfit, described Knights as being along the lines of Medieval Times. Although it won’t feature jousting or sword fights, guests will have their meals served in pageantry by knights and fair maidens in period wear, and dishes are designed to be consumed only with a knife and bare hands. Wade added that hiring will likely begin in March or whenever the construction is completed.
Separzadeh added that Prestige Tickets, a ticket broker, will also set up shop on the ground floor of the property.
Separzadeh said that another business, which he declined to name, may be signing a lease on the property’s remaining 25,000 square feet, which are currently listed as two separate restaurant spaces, including a 10,000-square-foot rooftop.
Ken Hall on January 05, 2011, at 02:48PM – #1
I'm always for anything that is good for downtown and sorry to be so negative right out of the gate...but...I don't think downtown needs these kinds of themed restaurants. They both sound awful to me.
Amanda Leon (@LoveableLion) on January 05, 2011, at 02:55PM – #2
Eh, I don't mind. It fits with the whole Citywalk pedestrian (and I don't mean walking) feel of that part of town. I imagine Hooters will do big business before and after games and of course during for those who are going to watch the game there. Best of luck to them.
Guest on January 05, 2011, at 02:56PM – #3
Ken, if Downtown doesn't need them, then they'll close and something else will come in. Let the people decide.
I have a feeling the knight-themed restaurant can be corny, but I'm willing to give it a shot. I tried Hooters for the first time last week in Hollywood, and it wasn't all breasts and boobs like I was expecting. In fact, it was kind of average middle-American atmosphere. Best of luck.
Guest on January 05, 2011, at 03:24PM – #4
Welcome to the New New Downtown.
Patria on January 05, 2011, at 03:37PM – #5
Not too into the "Knights Restaurant" but Hooters is always good. My girlfriend likes to go there more than me and just FYI she's 100lbs. She goes there for the football, and the wings are always good.
Good luck to the both of em, and if we get that football stadium then Hooters is going to be packed!
Guest on January 05, 2011, at 03:37PM – #6
If the food is decent at the Romanian joint, i'm willing to forgo my urge to be "intellectually opposed" to the concept.
The market will decide what stays or goes after all and if these businesses are willing to give it a shot DT, then..ok! Let's go!
Guest on January 05, 2011, at 03:59PM – #7
no one thinks it's strange that we can't get retail down here to save our souls, but we can get a medieval restaurant????!!!
Guest on January 05, 2011, at 04:15PM – #8
The Knights Restaurant sounds like it will be extremely dependent on the type of people who exist mainly in the suburbs--meaning mom, dad, the kiddies, grandma and Fido. They along with tourists who are into Disney-Florida type of settings. Is that demographic plentiful enough in downtown LA?
If the Romanian investors can make a go of it, more power to them. If they succeed, that will be speak well of the neighborhood's potential being greater than before. But I have a hunch the money and time they'll be putting into this restaurant won't make sense in the long run.
Patria on January 05, 2011, at 05:17PM – #9
@ Guest 4: Couldn't agree more. We, as residents, need retail and even tourists need retail. I hate having to drive 10-15 miles to get to an Apple store, or to a Target (thank God that's under control), or any decent clothing stores. Bring on the retail sector!
Guest on January 05, 2011, at 07:59PM – #10
With a few exceptions specialty chain retailers rarely enter up-and-coming markets. It sucks but it's just the way it is. Look at Third St Promenade in Santa Monica for example. The first businesses to open there were cafes and restaurants. Then, some bookstores and independent clothing retailers. Finally, a Disney store opened and the rest is history. Something like that could happen eventually on 7th or possibly on Broadway but right now South Park doesn't have the consistent curb appeal to attract major retailers. Maybe that will change with LA Central and other major developments in the area. Either way, Macy's Plaza and 7+Fig are the only places I can see national retailers opening stores in the near future.
As for the restaurants, I think they primarily target people attending events at LA Live. I personally don't see myself going to either restaurant but I'm fairly certain that Hooters will do well in this type of setting. Can't say anything about the other chain but if it's anything like Hooters they will do ok.
Karin Liljegren on January 05, 2011, at 08:29PM – #11
I can guess that anyone reading Blogdowntown will not be going to these restaurants, but we are a relatively small LA minority still - the more that come to downtown and enjoy it, the more downtown will thrive - even with cheesy chains. So let them come (just not to the historic core). Oh and hey, i just might take my 8 year old son to the medieval place once or twice. As for retail, i totally agree, but it WILL happen, it's just farther down the chain of revitalization.
Guest on January 06, 2011, at 01:52AM – #12
25k lease undisclosed? Do I smell an Apple store???
Guest on January 06, 2011, at 05:50AM – #13
I think people are forgetting the other major customer of these restaurants, students from nearby USC. I suspect their impact will be felt to an even greater extent with the opening of the Expo Line, making it an easy 1 - 4 stop commute (dependent upon your boarding station) to this area. Anyone that has eaten at places in LA Live or the CPK @ 7/Fig for dinner can tell you of their presence and spending. Hooters is a perfect draw for the a percentage of the folks from Fraternity Row.
Guest on January 06, 2011, at 07:56AM – #14
The bar is high for restaurants DT now. Some of the best food and chefs are here. The competition if fierce, not sure how these places will fair, but surely the out of towners who go to conventions/Staples Sports shows will be into them.
Steve Reed on January 06, 2011, at 08:07AM – #15
T.A.C.K.Y.
Downtown Cowboy on January 06, 2011, at 12:52PM – #16
They should do well when there are events at L.A. Live, but I don't know how well they'll do on a day to day basis. I can't imagine the downtown population heading for a medieval dinner.
Guest on January 06, 2011, at 03:21PM – #17
Hooters will do great here. they have been trying to come to dtla for years and have a great location near Staples Center. they will be packed and will add to Yard House and ESPN Zone.
Knights will probably not pencil out as it takes a certain niche crowd and the fact that all you have to eat is a knife and your hands may not attract a lot of people (unless they have REALLY good food).
The one thing South Park really needs (as everyone says) is more retail. more stores, more cafes, more boutiques, etc. it would be ideal to open up some retail on these parking lots lining up Figueroa and throughout the rest of South Park (Pico, 12th, 11th, Hope, Grand, etc.) But developers have their eyes on grander schemes such as 40-story high rises which will never get built. If you can have some investment of street-front retail, that would go a great way in making South Park more appealing.
-DT
Jamie DeFrisco on January 07, 2011, at 10:36AM – #18
It looks like I'm one of the few people that is more excited about the medieval place than Hooters. We already have a fair amount of sports bars. At least the medieval themed place will be something different. It seems like the type of place I would take guests when they come into town or for special celebrations...assuming the food is good. It's not a place I would frequent though.
J-M on January 07, 2011, at 07:37PM – #19
Meh
Justin Sullivan on January 08, 2011, at 01:27PM – #20
Wow.