Pre-Fab High-Rise? 36 Years Ago, Little Tokyo Towers Went Up in 33 Days
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[Flickr]
The 16-story, 301-unit Little Tokyo Towers was constructed in just 33 days using pre-fabricated modules built in Irwindale.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Prefab construction is a hot trend in modern building, with the already-built components often touted as a means toward environmentally friendly construction. It's no new concept, however: 36 years ago pre-fab construction rocketed the 16-story Little Tokyo Towers to its full height in only 33 days.
Groundbreaking for the $8.1-million, 301-unit building was held in early February, 1975. On May 21 the pre-fab modules began arriving, and on July 9, 1975, the tower was officially topped-out.
The modules were built in Irwindale by Forest City Dillon. Its parent firm, Forest City, is still a Downtown player, owning Metro 417 and the Met Lofts and having developed several other area projects.
Elements trucked in from Irwindale included "heart" modules that contained completed kitchens and bathrooms for each unit—down to details like towel bars and soap dishes—as well as concrete floor slabs, elevator modules and precast structural walls.
The building was built at a pace of approximately one floor every two days. Residents were able to start moving in before the end of the year, once painting and carpeting were completed.
The structure on 3rd between San Pedro and Central remains affordable housing for senior citizens.
The Dude on July 06, 2011, at 04:52PM – #1
"36 years ago pre-fab construction rocketed the 16-story Little Tokyo Towers to its full height in only 33 days."
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"The building was built at a pace of approximately one floor every two weeks."
ಠ_ಠ
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on July 07, 2011, at 07:18AM – #2
Oops. One floor every two days, not every two weeks.
The Dude on July 08, 2011, at 02:39PM – #3
Thanks for the clarification!
BobbyD on July 08, 2011, at 06:18PM – #4
54 years ago the civic center that was just torn down was finished in 14 days, including the underground part, from the moment I said yes to the Board of Supervisors that I would do it(age 9) to when it was finished- total cost was $33,000! Is the new one finished and how much will it cost?
downtown vibe on July 12, 2011, at 01:32PM – #5
I hope they knew what they were doing 33 years ago!
downtown vibe on July 12, 2011, at 03:52PM – #6
Oops. I mean 36 years ago...