Downtown Los Angeles

Over the past 15 years Downtown Los Angeles has enjoyed a spectacular resurgence. The residential population has more than doubled since 2006 as a result of new construction, redevelopment of historical buildings, and improved transportation options. Business growth within the area has followed suite, and downtown is now home to some of the top restaurants, hotels, and breweries within Los Angeles. New venues are opening up every month making this a very exciting and interesting time to be in this part of the city.

Districts

Downtown Los Angeles is broken up into 15 different districts including the: Arts District, Broadway Theater and Commercial District, Bunker Hill, Civic Center, Fashion District, Financial District, Flower District, Gallery Row, Historic Core , Jewelry District, Little Tokyo, Old Bank District, Skid Row, South Park, and the Toy District. I will cover the most popular districts below:

South Park

Condominiums: Evo South; Luma South; Elleven South; Ten50; The Ritz-Carlton Residences at LA Live; Market Lofts; Grand Lofts; Skylofts; Concerto; Metropolis Tower I; Metropolis Tower II; The Skyline

Condominium Construction Underway: Oceanwide Plaza; 1133 Hope

South Park, the southwestern most district of Downtown Los Angeles has seen arguably the largest transformation over the past two decades. South Park is home to the the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Staples Center (Home of the Lakers, Clippers, & Kings), and the “L.A. Live” entertainment complex. In 2007, Ralphs grocery store opened on the north edge of South Park as the first full-run supermarket downtown in 50 years. This step, seen largely as a sign of the resurgence of Downtown Los Angeles as an attractive place not just to work, but to live, has been followed by extensive development that has included numerous new and repurposed condominium developments, several luxury apartment complexes, along with an array of restaurants, bars, breweries, and other small businesses geared toward serving the rapidly expanding residential population. South Park has truly become a fun and happening area to live.

Recommended Restaurants: Faith & Flower; Barcito; Prank Bar; Arashi Sushi; The Palm; Panini Kabob Grill; Danny’s Tacos

Arts District

Condominiums: Savoy; Mura; 940 E. 2ND St. Lofts (Barn Lofts); Toy Warehouse Lofts; Barker Block Lofts & Condominiums; Barker Block Warehouse No 1; Molino Street Lofts; Toy Factory Lofts; Biscuit Company Lofts; 2121 Lofts; Beacon Lofts; Gallery Lofts LA

Situated on the eastern edge of Downtown Los Angeles, the Arts District is considered Downtown Los Angeles’ trendiest neighborhood. The Arts District is largely composed of industrial buildings dating from the early 20th century, many which have been converted into condominiums, apartments, restaurants and art galleries. In 2010 Angel City Brewery moved to the Arts District becoming the first Brewery in Downtown Los Angeles in the modern era. Angel City is now joined by Boomtown Brewery and Arts District Brewing Company. The Arts District enjoys easy access to the Metro Gold Line. A truly unique area the Arts District is a hip place to live and explore.

Recommended Restaurants: Wurstküche; Bavel; The Factory Kitchen; Church & State; Urth Caffe

Little Tokyo

Condominiums: Teramachi Homes; Tokyo Villa; Little Tokyo Lofts

The largest and most populous of only three official Japantowns in the United States, Little Tokyo is was founded in the early 20th century and at its peak was home to approximately 30,000 Japanese Americans. Today the population is more integrated but the area still maintains a strong Japanese identity and culture.

Little Tokyo is notable for its distinct public sculptures and artwork as well as two Japanese gardens open to the public. Cultural attractions include the Japanese American National Museum and an extension campus of the Museum of Contemporary Art. As you would expect Little Tokyo also offers some of the best sushi and ramen in Los Angeles.

Recommended Restaurants: Daikokuya; Marugame Monzo; Sushi Gen; Sushi Enya; Suehiro Cafe

Broadway Theater District/ Historic Core

Condominiums: Eastern Columbia Lofts; The Douglas Building; El Dorado Lofts; Higgins Building Lofts; Pan American Lofts; The Rowan Building; Shybary Grand Lofts

The Historic Core, which includes the Broadway Theater District, was the original business district in Downtown Los Angeles and sprang up between 1907 and 1931. The area is teaming with historic buildings and includes the world’s largest concentration of movie palaces – many of which have been converted back into theaters in recent years. The area saw a downturn beginning in the 1960s but has seen a revitalization over the past two decades in which many of the historic buildings have been retrofit and turned into condominiums, apartments, and office spaces.

One of the main streets that runs through the historic core, Broadway, in recent years was modified the be more friendly to both pedestrians and bicycles, with the removal of a vehicle lane, expansion of the side walk, and addition of a bike lane. New shops and restaurants are opening up on the ground floor of the historic core constantly and it is clear this beautiful historic area has a bight future.

Recommended Restaurants: Bäco Mercat; KazuNori; Guisados; Blossom; Blacksmiths; Bar Amá

Jewelry District

Condominiums: Bartlett Building Lofts

Known as the largest jewelry district in the United States, the Downtown Los Angeles Jewelry District came to prominence beginning in the 1930s and still thrives today. About 50% of the Jewelry District overlaps into the large Historic Core and the revitalized street Broadway also stretches through the Jewelry District.

Recently restored to its 1904 façade, Clifton’s Cafeteria can be found in the Jewelry District still offering a decadent array of meals through its cafeteria, along with multiple bars, lounges, and even dancing. Another notable landmark is Pershing Square which regularly hosts seasonal events including a temporary Ice rink during the winter and live concert performances throughout the summer.

Recommended Restaurants: Perch; Clifton’s Cafeteria

City West

Condominiums: 1100 Wilshire; Vero; Vista Montoya

A neighborhood lying immediately west of the Financial District, on the other side of the 110 freeway, City West is often considered the best of both worlds with a concentration of high-rise condominiums and apartments with easy access to the busier Financial District. City West is often considered both an extension of Downtown Los Angeles and the eastern border of other Los Angeles neighborhoods including Westlake and Echo Park. But its high-rise skyline give it an atmosphere more in line with downtown than its neighbors to the west.

Recommended Restaurants: Plan Check Kitchen; Pacific Dining Car

Bunker Hill

Condominiums: Bunker Hill Towers Condos; The Promenade; Promenade West

Originally a 19th century neighborhood valued for its excellent views of the Los Angeles Basin and the Los Angeles River, Bunker Hill was redeveloped in the 1950s to host modern plazas and buildings. Today, Bunker Hill is home to several sky scraper office buildings, including the famous Library Tower, entertainment venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and museums such as MOCA and the recently constructed Broad art museum. The historic Angels Flight Railway runs down the east side of Bunker Hill. And just beyond Angels Flight, you’ll find amazing food options at the revitalized Grand Central Market. Needless to say, Bunker Hills is a great place to work, live, and play.

Recommended Restaurants: Otium, Vespaio, Pez Cantina, 71Above, Water Grill

Financial District

Condominiums: 655 Hope St; Library Court

Lying just south of Bunker Hill, the Financial District has been the financial core of Downtown Los Angeles since the last quarter of the 20th century. The area is characterized by office skyscrapers, hotels, and an increasing array of restaurants and shopping. Over the past 10 years the two main shopping plazas, 7th & Fig and the Bloc have undergone major upgrades and both include a gym, several restaurants, as well as shopping. Often considered simply a place to work in its early years, the Financial District is now a great place to both work and live.

Fashion District

Condominiums: Santee Village; Textile Building; Tomahawk Building

Spanning an area of 90 blocks in south eastern Downtown Los Angeles, the Fashion District is the hub of the apparel industry on the West Coast. During the daytime the area is lined with shops selling clothing, accessories and fabric among other things. By the evening however, much of the area becomes very quiet as the majority of the fashion oriented businesses close. But in recent years the Fashion District has seen the development of small pockets of night life, mainly in the form of sumptuous restaurants attracted by lower rents than other parts of downtown. These restaurants are generally of superior quality as they rely on their ability to draw in diners from outside the area, knowing there is little to no natural foot traffic in the evening.

Recommended Restaurants: DAMA Fashion District, Rossoblu, Sonoratown, DTLA Ramen, Pattern Bar