Thanks to a cash infusion of $290 million from Chinese Communications Construction Group (CCCG), the Frank Gehry-designed Grand Avenue Project may finally have a start date in sight.
The project, which has been more than a decade in the making, will be built on a parking lot just east of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Curbed Los Angeles reports. Included in the Grand Avenue Project will be a 305-room four-star Equinox hotel, 215,000 sf of retail space, and a 39-story residential tower with 429 units. Underneath the development will be six levels of parking with room for 1,500 cars.
The retail space will comprise restaurants, shopping, and a movie theater complex spread across a series of landscaped open terraces. The 429 residential units will consist of 128 condominiums and 301 apartments. 86 of these apartments will be deemed affordable for qualified low-income residents. According to Curbed LA, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors says people earning between $24,320 and $43,400 per year will qualify for the affordable units.
The Grand Avenue Project, after the $290 million from CCCG, has now raised $400 million of the estimated $1 billion price tag for the development. Considering real estate developers typically borrow 70% or more of the funds they need to start building, the $400 million already raised bodes well for the project, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The project, which is being developed by Related Companies, is set to finally begin construction in 2018. When completed, it is estimated the development will employ about 3,300 people.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Accor North America launches green hotel pilot program
Accor North America, a division of Accor Hospitality, has announced that it will pilot the Green Key Eco-Rating Program within its portfolio in the United States in 2010. Green Key is the first program of its kind to rank, certify and inspect hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable "green" practices; the Accor North America pilot will involve 20 properties.
| Aug 11, 2010
CTBUH changes height criteria; Burj Dubai height increases, others decrease
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)—the international body that arbitrates on tall building height and determines the title of “The World’s Tallest Building”—has announced a change to its height criteria, as a reflection of recent developments with several super-tall buildings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
See what $3,000 a month will get you at Chicago’s Aqua Tower
Magellan Development Group has opened three display models for the rental portion of Chicago’s highly anticipated Aqua Tower, designed by Jeanne Gang. Lease rates range from $1,498 for a studio to $3,111 for a two-bedroom unit with lake views.
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index flat in May, according to AIA
After a slight decline in April, the Architecture Billings Index was up a tenth of a point to 42.9 in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declined in 333 of 352 metro areas in June
Construction employment declined in all but 19 communities nationwide this June as compared to June-2008, according to a new analysis of metropolitan-area employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The analysis shows that few places in America have been spared the widespread downturn in construction employment over the past year.
| Aug 11, 2010
Casino Queen breaks ground on $2.15 million entertainment venue
The Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill., is raising the stakes in its bid to capture a larger share of the local gaming market with the start of construction on a new $2.15 million sports bar and entertainment venue that will enhance the overall experience for guests.
| Aug 11, 2010
Outdated office tower becomes Nashville’s newest boutique hotel
A 1960s office tower in Nashville, Tenn., has been converted into a 248-room, four-star boutique hotel. Designed by Earl Swensson Associates, with PowerStrip Studio as interior designer, the newly converted Hutton Hotel features 54 suites, two penthouse apartments, 13,600 sf of meeting space, and seven “cardio” rooms.
