Wilshire/Grand Retail Space to Get a Rehab?

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, September 13, 2006, at 10:19AM

Eric Richardson

Rendering of Wilshire/Grand Retail Space

Eric Richardson

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —

The retail space in the Wilshire/Grand Building is being advertised for lease, and the rendering they include is much more inviting than what’s there right now.

The space, which is actually on the corner of 7th/Grand, is currently clad in the main building’s mirrored black glass (top picture). The new look would give it a bright, open feel (bottom picture).

This building and the one next to it have always sort of puzzled me. Did they have a big lot but just not want to build out the whole thing?

The brochure lists space availability as Q4 2006, but doesn’t make any reference to the remodel. I can’t tell if it’s something that’s certainly in the works, or just a concept they’re shopping.

Comments

D writes:

Ive always hated that building in the corner, just does not fit! With that rehab, the area will look much better. Now to get Macy's to fix the bottom floor and open the sides up, it would make a remarkable difference. Also, there is a beautiful, huge space across the street from this site and i was wondering if anyone has leased it yet. it looks like its ready for a big retailer / restaurant or something like it, yet there is nothing. i think a Dave and Busters or a gameworks would be perfect there, but the demographic does not fit.

# on Sep.13.2006 AT 05:15 PM

edgycated writes:

Don't count on a Macy's remodel... its owned/managed by those slumlords Jamison.

# on Sep.14.2006 AT 10:19 AM

STRIPES writes:

EXCELLENT!:

    Any and all traces of '70's architecture
   and design must be eradicated.The '70s
   ...great sex...good music...hideous 
   architecture.All John Portman disciples
   should be rounded up and made to work
   the demolition crews!

# on Sep.14.2006 AT 01:43 PM

David Kennedy writes:

I vaguely remember the first time I visited downtown way back in 1989. I'm not certain, but I could swear this place was the home of an old-fashioned Communist bookstore. Hammer and sickels, bland propoganda pamphlets, Lenin portraits. The clerk was a skinny punk with shaved head and very large black sunglasses. Definitely an odd scene.

I agree with Stripes. The demolition of the facade can't happen fast enough. Basically, another example of the blind application of theory without consideration of its human impact. Pretty much sums up the 20th century.

# on Sep.18.2006 AT 12:04 PM

Whitman Lam writes:

If they moved that retail building next to Frank Gehry's Walt Disney concert hall, it would totally blend right in, with all that blinding reflective surface.

# on Sep.18.2006 AT 06:43 PM

Bob writes:

Do you mean the building at 600 E. 7th, just east of Macy's (Between Hope and Grand) on the south side? If this is the building you are thinking of, it is occupied. My company is a renter in that building.

# on Sep.18.2006 AT 11:32 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

Bob: I believe D was referring to the building on the northeast corner of 7th/Hope. That huge ground floor space has indeed been empty for a long time. Leasing signs have been down recently, but they were actually back up this weekend... Only one difference: they had 212 area codes. A film crew was on the sidewalk and had NYC appropriate leasing info up in the windows. I would guess the true leasing signs were down for that.

# on Sep.18.2006 AT 11:41 PM

Wilshire/Grand Retail Space to Get a Rehab?

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