From Bunker Hill to the Civic Center to the Figueroa Corridor, when the workday is over, the heart of Los Angeles looks more like a ghost town than a vibrant downtown.
Why? Because downtown still lacks the critical ingredient: A varied supply of housing, agreeable to the sensibilities and pocketbooks of all kinds of Angelenos.
The CRA's Downtown Strategic Plan Advisory Committee has recognized this problem, and it has just recommended that downtown's population increase by 100,000 residents by the year 2010 in addition to the 86,000 people now living there.
Make no mistake, plenty of Angelenos are eager to live downtown, primarily career-oriented singles and couples among the 300,000 people who work in the area. The success of several apartment projects proves the demand for downtown housing at unsubsidized "market rates."
However, not all market-rate downtown housing developments have been successful in the past decade. Therefore, developers, architects and the CRA cannot just build more housing--and hope for the best. Before spending millions on the next project, we must incorporate what I believe to be the three "success factors" for any downtown residential development.
The first success factor is the building's actual architectural design and layout. Of course, the successful building must look attractive and be constructed with quality materials and durable finishes. More important, a building must offer residents a pleasant and secure environment at all times.
The spacious and well-lit lobby should be a welcoming oasis in the midst of downtown. The parking garage must be attractive, functional and secure. Make the walking distance from car to dwelling unit as short as possible for residents and visitors alike.
Another important building-specific issue is the right combination of apartment sizes, which should be determined by a market analysis. In downtown, for instance, the rental market is mostly made up of singles and couples without children. A good mix is 30% studio units ranging from 500 to 550 square-feet, 30% one-bedroom apartments ranging from 600 to 650 square-feet, and 40% two-bedrooms.
Design all apartments as practical and attractive as possible. These days, residents who rent downtown apartments want the same amenities that they would find in suburban complexes.
