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A Peek Inside

A Peek Inside the ImaginAsian Center

By Eric Richardson
Published: Wednesday, August 08, 2007, at 09:51PM
_IGP9586.JPG Ed Fuentes []
ImaginAsian Center: Lobby Stairs Eric Richardson []

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —

A few weeks ago we posted renders for the ImaginAsian Center, set to open in the former Linda Lea theater on Main street this fall. This week Ed and I got to head over to the site and take some photos of the ongoing construction. We also got a chance to talk to Thomas Pyun from and ask him about the company's plans for their new Downtown location.

Some quick notes and then we'll get on to the pictures:

The ImaginAsian Center will be the company's second go at a theater. The first is located in New York City, where the company was started. The Downtown location will be second, and the company's looking to open several more in the near future. Thomas was quick to emphasize that this is a theater for Downtown as a whole, not just the Asian communities.

Naming this second location the ImaginAsian Center was an intentional move to position the old Linda Lea as more than just a theater. Thomas talked about wanting to make the space a part of Gallery Row, and wanting to take part in the monthly Art Walks via art displays and spoken performances.

In the comments on the previous post Rico asked whether ImaginAsian was focused on a specific part of Asia, but Thomas emphasized that the company has a broad vision. He talked about wanting to bring Bollywood films to the US, and how through numerous partnerships the company is reaching out to groups of all different nationalities.

Tentative opening is scheduled for late October, and it sounds like the festivities could be a pretty A-list affair.

With that said, on to some photos... Click any one to get a larger view.

Above: Working on the second floor, where there will be space for private functions (left) and the future box office (right).

Stadium seating in the auditorium from the front (left) and back (right).

Construction of the back walls and screen area.

Photos by Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson. You can find a few more shots and .

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Conversation

Guest 1

Ahn Nguyen on August 09, 2007, at 07:10AM – #1

Great update and pics - loved the Bollywood film note. Looking forward to the opening and congrats to ImaginAsian for choosing Downtown LA for their second theater location.


Guest 2

jeff on August 09, 2007, at 08:49AM – #2

Just curious, am I the only person who sees the same 3 drug dealers right there at the phone adjacent to the (former) Linda Lee and the...er...now I can't recall the words on the space next to it...Radical Zips? Zippers? Whips? Something like that.

I walk my dog past there twice a day, and for months that one spot has had the same guys dealing. It's so sketchy.


Guest 2

jeff on August 09, 2007, at 08:52AM – #3

I don't mean the area is sketchy...I mean that it's the same 3 people that is sketchy. Anyone who regularly walks that street can tell that it's a little tiny hub of dealing. Within a half a block of that one little alcove, those fellows have this system in place.


Eric Richardson () on August 09, 2007, at 09:16AM – #4

jeff: I can't shed any light on the dealers, but that space next door to the theater is actually a music venue called . The entrance is off the alley, and they've got that nonsense title on the front.


Guest 3

LAofAnaheim on August 09, 2007, at 09:22AM – #5

Jeff - were you in dt la before Pete's Cafe & all other retail on 4th & Main? That's how bad it was (way worse!). But now look. With progress and development, that changes. It looks sketchy now, but imagine once the theater opens. (hint: think 4th & Main)


Guest 4

brian:/ on August 09, 2007, at 10:03AM – #6

jeff, come on. those guys are cool. just say hi. they won't bite. i've walked my dog past them for three years now and no one's offered me drugs. i've seem them hanging out in front of the jalisco these days since their linda lea alcove disappeared, though i doubt they're gay.

am i the only one that will continue to be bitter about imaginasian's complete demo work on linda lea? oh wait, they preserved those posters from the lobby. . . great.


Guest 5

Thomas on August 09, 2007, at 10:59AM – #7

What, is the Jalisco gay or something?

Also: did they at least perserve the old Linda Lea signage? Anyone know?


Guest 6

Bert Green on August 09, 2007, at 11:16AM – #8

The "old" Linda Lea signage is from the 1960s. Not very old.

And yes, Jalisco is a gay bar.


Eric Richardson () on August 09, 2007, at 11:33AM – #9

They wanted to save the signage, but in the process of taking it down found it too damaged to keep.

They did find a lot of old theater materials from both the Linda Lea (which, as Bert notes, moved there in the 1960s) and from the theater's former incarnation. Old popcorn receipts, schedules, etc. That stuff has been preserved and should be on display.


Guest 2

Jeff on August 09, 2007, at 07:13PM – #10

I've been downtown for 7 years (I was born in L.A. though...so I came down here in my teens as well). So, yes, I know it's not as bad as back when.

I find those guys to be predators. When I walk past them, I make sure to look at them straight in the face, hopefully so they know, that I know what they are up to and that I have a good memory. :}


Guest 2

jeff on August 09, 2007, at 07:22PM – #11

Brian, I don't disagree that they won't bite (or offer me drugs), but I would not personally go as far as calling them cool.

They prey on the weakest people in our neighborhood. And the main couple of people never carry, so they won't be the ones who serve time. The ones who get caught are in some cases not even junkies. Just people within a few blocks doing it to get money for food or avoid intimidation.

Clearly there are plenty of us who walk past these folks and this activity and it's just part of the 'theme' of that part of the block. I was more or less curious if I was the only person who knew the main characters.

The main dude is that 9 foot tall guy.


Guest 1

Ahn Nguyen on August 10, 2007, at 12:55PM – #12

The ImaginAsian Theater will be a welcome addition to Main Street, along with the new attractions at Main and Second Street.

Those of us who live downtown can make it whatever we want and I choose it to become a great place to live - work - play.

Bring on the movies and popcorn!



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