The Revitalization of Downtown LA

The Wall Street Journal reported in April 2014 that downtown LA has gone from “grimy to glitzy” over the last decade or so.  They note that what was once a cultural wasteland, the downtown is undergoing a revitalization that includes million-dollar condos, boutique shopping and stylish dining.  Some of the growth is due to L.A. Live, which has played a big part in bringing people back downtown for sporting and concerts events. 

In a Downtown News article, they state that, “The development boom in Downtown Los Angeles is hitting a new level: Not only are projects being built, but they are going vertical. In other words, the Central City is literally on an upswing.”  One example is the new Wilshire Grand Center that is being constructed in LA’s downtown financial district.  It is located a few blocks from the U.S. Bank Tower, which had been the tallest building in the area, and will become the tallest building west of the Mississippi.  Once complete the 73-story Wilshire will be 1,100 feet tall including the spire.

Other new projects in the downtown area include the 33-story Onni Tower that is almost complete and the under construction multi-tower Metropolis, near L.A. Live.  Also a 22-story condominium complex at 1050 S. Grand Ave. in South Park just broke ground.  Furthermore, there are many projects in the planning stages.   

The Conco Companies are doing all of the structural concrete work on the new Wilshire Grand.  For the project, Conco broke the Guinness World Record by completing the largest, continuous mat pour at the site.  The pour took 21,200 cubic yards, or 82 million pounds, of concrete and was done in just 18 ½ hours.  We also purchased and are using a new state-of-the art electric pump to pump concrete 400 ft. horizontally and then 1,000 ft. vertically to reach the upper levels of the Wilshire tower. 

Source:  wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303532704579477374278821010

ladowntownnews.com/development/downtown-development-the-latest-info-on-projects/article_2a053130-bb96-11e4-9594-bf648964a1c6.html

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