Juanito on May 02, 2008, at 07:32PM – #1

A few architectural historians have written of a lost building designed by architects Parkinson and Burton. The site of these two ramps was once occupied by that lost building. It was Victorian in design, was constructed for a developer by the name of Howell. It housed the Hotel Afton. Nothing more, nothing after the jump.

Scott Mercer on May 03, 2008, at 06:24AM – #2

This parking ramp features prominently in the 2000 film, Million Dollar Hotel, with Mel Gibson staggering down it.

Glad they filmed that movie around the Rosslyn Hotel and nearby streets, because it captures the Historic Core in its former (more) dilapidated condition prior to the loft revolution. In the movie you can see that porn store and fried chicken joint that used to be on the northeast corner of Fifth and Main.

Metro Local on May 03, 2008, at 12:49PM – #3

Wim Wenders' "Million Dollar Hotel" was shot c. 1998.

Rumor had it at the time of its cast and crew screening that Mel Gibson wanted to see it kept in the can forever.

Rich Alossi on May 03, 2008, at 02:11PM – #4

Here's the Hotel Afton: http://digarc.usc.edu/search/controller/asset/chs-m780/CHS-2119

Also interesting to note that the current SB Manhattan building underwent an expansion to the north with a bit of a ground-floor remodel at some point along the way. http://flickr.com/photos/fridayinla//

jim on May 03, 2008, at 04:55PM – #5

speaking of sb manhattan, they had an open house today, and it actually looked like some people were moving into the building already.

and there's more of the tacky sb signage up on "sb tower," the other corner of 6th and spring with the terrible solid facade.

Metro Local on May 03, 2008, at 07:29PM – #6

'SB Spring' lettering has appeared at the old Bank of America conversion project too. (I'm guessing 'SB Main' for the building on Seventh and Main?)

Did SB Manhattan get pulled from the for sale market and are rentals instead? The units on the northwest corner are so worth checking out. Huge corner spaces with an attached second unit. They might make great live-in photo studios.

jim winstead on May 04, 2008, at 12:16PM – #7

yeah, the sb main lettering appeared a few weeks ago.

it does look like sb manhattan went rental instead of condo. probably a good thing, unless barry shy was looking for another building full of people to sue him.

i wonder what happened to the residential conversion of the upper floors of the arcade building.

Metro Local on May 04, 2008, at 05:32PM – #8

Last known status on the Arcade Building was it is waiting for, or not wanting to get because it might mean construction loan repayment time, its occupancy inspection from the fire department.

Scott Mercer on May 05, 2008, at 09:14AM – #9

I took a look at the SB Manhattan during the open house about 2 weeks ago.

They seem to have upped the construction finishes and materials, probably because it was originally going to be condos. This would be a good building to check out if you were considering renting.

Scott Mercer on May 05, 2008, at 09:17AM – #10

If you click on that photo, you can also a street in the middle of the block. It was called Mercantile Place, and extended from Spring to Broadway. It was replaced by the Arcade Building. That's why the Arcade Building extends from Broadway to Spring.

Dersert Bruin on May 05, 2008, at 10:32AM – #11

Mel could rehab his stature in tinseltown by playing the role of a nazi war criminal in a Spielberg epic. That's one role he could get into with relish, one supposes.

Karin Liljegren on May 06, 2008, at 09:22PM – #12

I took 9 months for them to build that incredible building and the current owner can't finish a remodel in over 5 years. Sad.

Metro Local on May 06, 2008, at 09:32PM – #13

The remodel is done. It's whether or not the developer wants to enter the marketplace with the rental units at this time and/or speculation that once the final occupancy inspection has been completed the developer may have to repay any construction loans used for the project. So, in other words, a developer can stall the repayment of loans by keeping the units off the market on a technicality instead of opening the units to rent and then not being able to fill the building at the rates needed to repay any moneys due plus profit under the terms of the loan that could include repayment starting once the building was certified as ready to be rented/sold to the public.

Wad on May 08, 2008, at 05:10AM – #14

Putting pedestrian activities in the basement is not a good idea. The Aroma complex on Wilshire Boulevard did that with its food court. Now, it's not even open for anyone but the daytime office workers.

You can also see how 505 Flower/Arco Plaza has always had a hard time luring shoppers and merchants into the basement of the office towers. These work better in extreme-temperature climates, either very cold (Canadian or Great Lakes cities) or very hot and humid (Atlanta).