Eastern Columbia Lofts

Here's a beautiful picture of the Eastern Columbia rooftop pool by Wynn Ruji. Check out his other images too, he's very talented.
Z.
Ruji Portfolio

Beyonce at Staple Center LA, Sep. 2nd

Cook a Chicken with Christopher Walken

Yes this is for real. The man himself shows us his favorite Chicken and Pear recipe. I'm not usually scared watching cooking shows but I was this time. I got the feeling someone was getting whacked while he was happily cooking in his kitchen.
Z.

Downtown LA Real Estate Market Still Hot

Good news for the Downtown LA real estate market thanks to LA Downtown News
Z.

News Brief

While the national housing market is expected to tumble well into 2008, the Downtown Los Angeles market is faring considerably better, according to a second quarter update by CB Richard Ellis. The recently released study found the average condominium sale price was

$635,005, an increase of 1.8% over the prior quarter. By comparison, the average price for a home in L.A. County during the same period was $535,000, down 1.8% from the previous quarter. The number of resale condo transactions also saw an uptick, with 84 of the 141 listed properties sold.

Construction of new condos averaged just over 80 units per month during the second quarter, a nearly 100% increase from the previous quarter. Still, there are only 199 new units available for sale and immediate occupancy. The report found that there was a total of 108 units of both resale and new construction sold per month, up from only 57 transactions per month in the prior quarter. "Increasing demand for condominium housing in Downtown L.A. is beginning to positively affect average prices paid per square foot," said the report. "Downtown L.A.'s recorded condominium sales increased nearly 3% - from $532 per square foot in the first quarter to $547 per square foot in the most recent quarter."

The rental market is also producing at record levels, with occupancy up to 92.9% in Downtown. Another 1,000 units are expected to open in the next six months, with rental rate increases continuing well ahead of inflation.

The report also found that office vacancy is decreasing, and is now at 13.65%; with no new supply, demand and rents are expected to rise as much as 17% over 2006 by the end of the year. In addition, the hotel sector made a strong showing, with 29 conventions booked at the L.A. Convention Center from 2008 through 2013, more than LA Inc. has ever booked since its inception.

© Los Angeles Downtown News

Indie Swap Meet & Art Mart with DJ and Drinks- Sunday, July 29

downtown la
An indie swap meet and art mart in the historic Palm Court of the Alexandria Hotel can mean only thing: Downtown just got even hipper. The Ballroom Blitz also boasts L.A. hipnoscenti Kim Cooper, Jim Freek and others doing the DJ thing while you swap and mart yourself drinking bloody marys and mimosas. The Alexandria Hotel, 501 S. Spring St., dwntwn.; Sun., July 29, noon-7 p.m.; free. (213) 325-0907.
-laweekly

New Beowulf Trailer - Opening Nov. 16th

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/beowulf/

This trailer for Zemeckis' "Beowulf" attempts to look and feel like a computer game. The actors were filmed, motion captured and animated in cg to mimic the original performances. I think it will be a hit with younger audiences already into video games. The "plastic" quality, which I'm sure is deliberate may turn off some viewers not into the video game scene. It does deliver a new look on a classic tale. For those who don't like the style, I think you're missing the point. They're trying to market the film to a younger generation intent on blurring the lines between cinema and video games and vice versa. The first Tomb Raider which catered to the game crowd did very well.

Some friends pointed me to this review from an aintitcool screening the film in 3D projection at comicon.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33456

And another review from comicon -- LA times

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-beowulf25jul25,0,2049226.story?coll=la-home-entertainment
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Multimedia message

The best!

********
Testing mlog...entry made by cell phone. Mlogging is blogging on the move. Brings up interesting possibilities. Snap a cell phone picture, email it to a blog and the entry is made within minutes without entering any information into a computer.
Z.

Bye-Bye Trader Joe's

Ralph's was packed all weekend! A huge supermarket with everything in it. Nice produce, fine wine and liquor, bakery, ready made food, a Coffee Bean, dry cleaner, pharmacy, etc. Lot's of friendly staff and good deals too.

So even though we love Trader Joe's and usually make the trek to Pasadena, we'll be shopping there a lot less from now on. Clue phone to TJ's -- a lot of people already live downtown and they buy groceries.

Great to see all the people from the neighborhood walking back and forth to Ralph's. A greener LA -- who knew a supermarket could be so good!

Thanks Ralph's
Z.

Throng greets downtown L.A.'s first supermarket

By Cara Mia DiMassa, Times Staff Writer
1:21 PM PDT, July 20, 2007

More than 1,000 people lined up around the block as downtown Los Angeles' first supermarket in half a century opened its doors.



The huge turnout at 9th and Flower streets surprised organizers and spoke to the symbolic value of the Ralphs opening at a time when downtown is seeing a rebirth as a loft and condo hub.

After decades of decline, downtown is in the middle of a revitalization and building boom thanks to an influx of more than 20,000 residents who live in new high-rise towers and restored historic buildings. The new residents have long complained that there is no supermarket in the city center, forcing them to drive miles to get groceries.

The crowd wrapped around the block this morning chanting, "Open! Open!"

Carol Schatz, head of the downtown Business Improvement District, did her best to quiet the crowd.

"We've been waiting 50 years for this," she said. "You can wait five more minutes."

Inside the store, Michael Rich perused the gourmet coffee selection. The 39-year-old resident of the Gas Co. Lofts, a block from the store, said he had been tracking its progress since he moved in two years ago. In the meantime, he'd been shopping at the Vons in the Mid-Wilshire area.

"This is a big day for the residents," he said. "I'm going to be eating much better."

Buzz about the store had been developing for months on downtown-oriented websites.

Terry O'Neil, a spokesman for Ralphs, said the company had never seen this size of a turnout for a grocery store opening.

"We've had lineups, but not like this."

cara.dimassa@latimes.com

David Beckham and Posh Spice - Welcome to LA

Charming! Ali-G (Sacha Baron Cohen)interviews David Beckham and Posh Spice. The interview is from Feb. 2006 but fans will appreciate it anyway.
Z.

****Rated R****

Downtown LA Nightlife Making the News

Check out all the places to go out in downtown LA...
Z.

Zagat Releases 2007/08 Los Angeles Nightlife Survey

"News-Making Neighborhoods: As the new loft apartments in downtown Los Angeles fill up faster than you can say "Ketel One and seltzer please," so do the swanky nightspots."



Zagat Releases 2007/08 Los Angeles Nightlife Survey

Annual Survey Covers 625 Bars, Clubs, and Lounges in the Greater L.A. Area;
Partygoers Pay a High Price for the High Life; Downtown is Still Up;
Enterprising Entrepreneurs Blaze New Territory; Area is Voted Top-Rated
Newcomer

LOS ANGELES, July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Zagat Survey has announced the
results of its 2007/08 Los Angeles Nightlife survey. The guide covers 625
of the hottest and coolest nightspots in L.A., from the Valley to Beverly
Hills, including beer specialists to karaoke bars, cocktail experts to meat
markets. The results are based on the collective opinions of 3,115 avid,
local late- nighters who went out an average of 1.8 times per week, which
is roughly 291,000 nights of "market research."

High Rollers: One thing is for sure: Angelinos definitely pay to play.
According to this year's surveyors, the average cost of a drink in L.A. is
$10.66, an astounding 11.5 % jump from last year and pricey when compared
to the cost of a drink elsewhere: New Orleans ($6.92), San Francisco
($9.01) and New York City ($10.12), only Las Vegas ($11.86) is more
expensive.

"In virtually every city where we survey nightlife, the average cost of
a drink has soared over the last two years," said Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat
Survey. "Surveyors also report going out less often than they did a year
ago. It's hard to say, but the former trend may be causing the latter."

News-Making Neighborhoods: As the new loft apartments in downtown Los
Angeles fill up faster than you can say "Ketel One and seltzer please," so
do the swanky nightspots. A few of this year's key downtown newcomers
include Bordello, The Edison, sophisticated Library Bar, and
whiskey-centric Seven Grand. As the area becomes more residential, it's not
surprising that local watering holes follow as 56% of surveyors say they
primarily go out to establishments in their own neighborhoods.

Enterprising nightlife entrepreneurs are taking a fresh direction,
realizing that NoHo has enough space and proximity to Hollywood to become
its own buzz-worthy destination. Eight-18 and Lucy's 51 have all the style
and amenities of their counterparts over the hill, but they're not nearly
as expensive or pretentious. And with the arrival of commie-chic Bar
Lubitsch, and the paparazzi-free (for now) alternative Winstons, West
Hollywood has become inexplicably blazing hot.

Take a Seat: When asked how they feel about bottle service, only 17%
say it's a fun way to party. In contrast, a whopping 52% say it's a
"rip-off." Any nightclub owner who banks on the publicity that a
star-studded space provides, should note that 88% of surveyors say they
either don't care or would be less likely to go to the places frequented by
celebrities.

"Zagat surveyors are real, local people who eat, sleep, work and play
in L.A.," said Gary Baum, local editor of the 2007/08 Los Angeles Nightlife
guide. "And as much as we hate to admit that the celebrity lure influences
their decisions, the simple fact is that you can't sit down in many top
nightspots unless you're famous -- or you reserve a table with bottle
service."

Newcomers: The only constant in the ever-changing nightlife scene is
change. And this year, surveyors welcome Top-Rated Newcomer Area, where, be
warned, "if you're not dressed like young Hollywood" and buying a bottle,
"good luck penetrating the door." Following close behind are Les Deux,
dripping with "flashy heiresses" and "overexposed superstars," and
Boulevard 3, a former athletic center that boasts "playful" touches like a
"sunken dance floor in the old pool."

Midnight Snackers: After a long night of hard partying, 42% of
surveyors say they prefer to grab a bite. Today's lounges are making sure
patrons don't even have to leave the premises. Celadon, Eleven, and Parc
are leading the way with seriously good late-night menus that go way beyond
the basics.

Top Rated by Category:
Across the Pond - Coach & Horses Karaoke Bar - Brass Monkey
Bar - Tiki-Ti Margarita Specialists - L'Scorpion
Beer Specialist - Cafe Boogaloo Meat Market - Area
Decor - Mixville Bar Most Popular - Yard House
Dive - Joe Jost's Service - Hotel Bel-Air
Frat House - 3rd Stop Sports Bar - Wild Goose
Gay/Lesbian Bar - Abbey Theme Bar - The Chalet
Jazz Club - Vibrato Wine Bar - Little Door

SOURCE Zagat Survey

Pardon Our Dust!

For all of you restorers, re-builders, refurbishers and re-decorators:


please check out this blog:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/pardonourdust/

Have Fun & Be Well!

Dr.D.

Rich, Young, Highly Educated with Lots of Disposible Income.

How real is the Downtown Los Angeles residential boom? Real enough to account for a 21% population increase in two years, according to a local business group.

FROM LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN NEWS: Study Says New Wave of Downtowners Have Money, and Are Ready to Spend by Jon Regardie. Even more significantly, the median income in new Downtown households is just a shade under $100,000, making it one of the most affluent communities in Los Angeles County. And while it's hard to say if the average Downtowner is smarter than other Angelenos, Downtown residents are on the whole well-educated, as more than three-quarters of them have a college degree.On Tuesday morning, the Downtown Center Business Improvement District released the results of an expansive survey designed to paint a portrait of the thousands of residents who have streamed into the community since the passage of the adaptive reuse ordinance in 1999. The two-part study included the "Downtown Los Angeles Market Report," which detailed the entire area, and the "2006 Demographic Study of New Downtown Residents," which provided information on those who came to the community in the wake of the condominium and apartment building boom."The basic bottom line is this is phenomenally good news for Downtown Los Angeles and therefore for the region, because we are spurring so much economic activity that ripples out over every neighborhood that is adjacent and well beyond in terms of tax revenues, employment, and business tax revenues that are created by this economic growth in Downtown," said Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the DCBID.The study, prepared by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., found that:
· An estimated 28,878 people live Downtown, and that there are 9,431 market rate residences and 9,568 affordably priced units. A similar DCBID study released in early 2005 found that 23,894 residents lived in the area, marking a 21% population increase.

· The median income of households in the new buildings is $99,600, a 3% climb from the 2004 figure of $96,300.
· Downtown residents are investing in the community, with 30.2% of area inhabitants buying condominiums. Two years ago, 18% of the respondents had purchased units.
· More than three out of four Downtowners have at least an undergraduate degree, and 28% of the local populace has a graduate or professional degree.
· The median age of new Downtown residents is 31, and more than 60% of area inhabitants are single. Slightly more than half, 53.5%, are male, and 46.5% are female.


· Of the new area inhabitants, 24.3% left the Westside for Downtown. More than half of the residents, 55.1%, also work in Downtown.
· Pets have found their way into the urban landscape, as 18% of the new households have dogs and 13.5% have cats.
· The residential rise is leading to an across-the-board boost, as the number of businesses based in Downtown climbed 8.5% in the last two years, from 11,559 to 12,545. These businesses generated $1.7 billion in sales taxes in 2006, a 7% climb over the previous year.The study was based on surveys mailed to 5,400 residents of Downtown Los Angeles buildings that have opened since 1999. The response rate was higher than 17%, said Schatz.Jack Kyser, chief economist and senior vice president of the LAEDC, said that the study shows that Downtown has the type of affluent market that many retailers seek, even if they're not yet aware that it exists in Downtown."The residents have a lot of disposable income. The people who work in Downtown have a lot of disposable income," he said.Contact Jon Regardie regardie@downtownews.com

Be Well!

Dr.D.">

Great tour of dwntwn LA

Go and checkout this fun tour of downtown LA by Charles Pheonix....I want to go to this puppet theatre any takers???
Sarieand2

Down Town Favorites - Interactive Map

Hey I've been trying to do this for some time...
couldn't sleep last night so I finally did it. I made an interactive google map below. I'll be adding favorites as everyone posts comments to this entry. So what's your favorite place in downtown LA - besides the Eastern?

Z.

Blended iphone on sale now on Ebay

Currently $910 dollars - more than a new iphone and going up fast.

So You Bought an iphone but will it blend??