A long-planned Chinatown development took a step forward this week when the planning department released a draft environmental report on the project—a major step in the approval process.
In the works for more than three years, the College Station project would bring 770 new apartments to a nearly five-acre parcel of land at the northeast intersection of College and Spring streets. The complex would also include 51,390 square feet of commercial space, including a grocery store, restaurants, a coffee shop, and an ice cream shop.
An early version of the project included a pair of 20-story towers, but plans changed when developer Atlas Capital took over the project. Designed by architecture firm Johnson Fain, the new concept calls for six five-story structures connected by a two-story podium with parking and retail space.
Jerry Neuman, a representative for the developer, tells Curbed the shorter design scheme will allow the project to integrate better with its surroundings, including the neighboring Downtown Los Angeles State Historic Park, which reopened last year after an extensive overhaul.
The environmental report indicates that the project—once expected to wrap up this year—will take about 43 months to construct, after it gains city approval. Neuman says the review process will probably last into next year, putting the opening date somewhere around 2023.
Comments
that’s a no-man’s land, they should have gone with the 20 storey towers. especially across the street from a transit stop.
By Люцифер on 03.17.18 4:27am
Ugh, 20 story towers. Nobody wants to see Chinatown drenched in shadow. Low-level, human sized buildings let that LA sunshine hit every corner of the development. If we wanted to live in 20-floor housing projects, we’d move to the Bronx.
By Ferryboy on 03.17.18 11:12am
you can’t be serious? the project site isn’t turly in chinatown, rather the outskirts of the neighbourhood. it’s a light industrial zone filled with bus depots, breaker’s yards and warehouses. it’s a disaster and this would be a huge improvement, even if it was 100 floors.
no nimby scum, no bums, no rent controlled losers, nothing. this is that one in a million project that should have been rubber stamped. incredible something so small’s being constructed steps from dt.
furthermore, anyone who’s spent five minutes in cn/tw/hk will tell you high rises next to urban villages is extremely common (especially on the mainland). that would actually be a more accurate representation of modern day chinese culture.
the bx is infinitely more livable than ANY city/hood in california, full stop. it’s insane how la refuses to grow up and build up. even ft. lauderdale, florida is going vertical. as usual, the left coast constantly fucks things up. next week, you’ll be whinging about "the housing crisis" again and how everything’s "too expensive".
By Люцифер on 03.17.18 4:28pm
Clearly you’ve never lived in the Bronx. I have. It’s a shithole from top to bottom. And since this development is right across the street from the Chinatown Gold Line station, I’m gonna say yes, it’s Chinatown.
By Ferryboy on 03.18.18 8:26am
seems like you can’t hack it in a city if you think the bx is a "shithole". you’d slit your wrists in a place like russia: "oh no, midrise housing blocks and shadows!".
this site’s in the middle of nowhere, you could build 50 towers and have a solar eclipse daily, wouldn’t affect much. it’s a wasted opportunity.
By Люцифер on 03.18.18 9:10am
You are correct, I hated the Bronx, and would definitely slit my wrists if forced to move to Russia. That’s why I live in Los Angeles, and there’s no need to transform it into a new Bronx or Moscow. If that’s your thing Comrade, feel free to vote for Putin (or Trump) and head on over to your block-long, 20 story housing project. I’m sure you’d love it.
By Ferryboy on 03.18.18 1:18pm
99% of los angeles is sprawing subruban nonsense, building a tower (or 500) isn’t a big deal.
By Люцифер on 03.18.18 1:24pm
Obviously it is a big deal, since nobody wants to build one. Again, if the 99% sprawling urban nonsense ain’t your thing, feel free to go back to lovely Moscow.
By Ferryboy on 03.18.18 2:55pm
More over-priced, unaffordable housing.
By CynicalSkeptic on 03.17.18 3:54pm
would be much cheaper if they went vertical, the anti-development sentiment in la’s NUTS.
By Люцифер on 03.18.18 9:11am
Johnson Fain lobbied to eliminate the towers, not sure how many architecture firms hold an "anti-development sentiment"
By LosFeliz$ean on 03.18.18 12:18pm
right, they scaled it back in response to nutjob nimbys, who’re concerned about the "character" of vacant lots, industrial sites, etc.
By Люцифер on 03.18.18 1:28pm
…and the new park we just made at significant expense.
By LosFeliz$ean on 03.18.18 2:08pm
Wow, my dream home, LOL!!!!!!
By parisblues on 03.19.18 5:29pm