Downtown Livin'?

With the $1 billion second phase of the Staples Center project heading toward final approval, downtown Los Angeles seems to finally be emerging into a more vibrant area. Thousands of residential lofts are either being b built or are already occupied, and around them will be an expanse of hotels, entertainment venues and retail shops. The activity is not limited to any particular neighborhood of downtown, either. It's taking place on Bunker Hill, in the historic Old Bank District, along Broadway, in the financial core and elsewhere. So the Business Journal asks:

Would you consider moving downtown?

Jay Smith

Century Plaza Hotel & Spa

Director of Group Sales 

Not as long as I have a three-bedroom, rent-controlled apartment in Santa Monica. I like living by the ocean. Downtown is too hot. Over in Santa Monica it's about 10 degrees cooler. But I do think downtown has been greatly improved over the last five years. In fact, we have some people here who've relocated to L.A. (from other cities) and originally lived in the corporate housing downtown. One person I know elected to continue living downtown. But for me, it wouldn't be my first choice.

Stephanie Haymes

Owner

Cicada 

Yeah, definitely. I think that it's safe, it's urban, people walk around. It feels like you're in a proper city, and you can feel that it's developing. What's renting down here are lofts, and they have a minimum of 1,000 square feet, and they're like 75 cents to $1 a square foot (a month). Another friend of mine lives in the brewery district and he's surrounded by artists, and he just loves it. Our chef recently moved down here. If you have no children and you're an up-and-comer, it's like SoHo was 10 years ago. There's like five or six different cultures within 12 blocks -- you've got everything from Chinatown to Koreatown, and if you walk along Broadway, it's like you're in South America.

Steve Patel

Director, Hospitality Group

Coldwell Banker Commercial American Spectrum

No. It's congested and I like space. Right now I live in the (San Fernando) Valley, and it's a little more spread out and traffic is not always a concern. There is also a lack of nightlife (downtown). The Westside is probably my preferred location. I'm a big fan of the restaurants and bars, and the beaches in particular. Safetywise, I think (downtown) is fine. Five years ago I would have said something different, but with the impact of the Staples Center and other businesses, safety has become less of an issue. But now traffic is a major concern.

Marci Blaze

Founder & CEO 

The Blaze Co.

Oh, I wish I could. First off, I'm a big-city girl mistakenly born in West Los Angeles. However, I have two dogs d I can't really see downtown being big-dog friendly. I do think downtown is getting a lot nicer, though, and I spend more leisure time down there than I used to, whether it's to go to the theater, to dine or to shop. But right now I live in a big house, and I don't think I could give that up. If I were alone, though, I would very much consider it. If I were to move there, however, I don't think I'd be interested in any of those new structures, the appeal is in the older buildings.