Downtown Los Angeles
Neighborhood in Los Angeles, California From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neighborhood in Los Angeles, California From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) is the central business district of Los Angeles. It is part of the Central Los Angeles region and covers a 5.84 sq mi (15.1 km2)[3] area. As of 2020, it contains over 500,000 jobs and has a population of roughly 85,000 residents,[4] with an estimated daytime population of over 200,000 people prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5][6]
Downtown Los Angeles | |
---|---|
Clockwise, from top: Skyline from the southwest, the Arts District, City Hall, the Jewelry District and the Financial District in 2001 | |
Nicknames: "Downtown L.A.", "DTLA",[1] "Downtown" | |
Coordinates: 34.05°N 118.25°W | |
Country | United States of America |
State | California |
County | Los Angeles |
City | Los Angeles |
Downtown neighborhoods | |
Area | |
• Total | 5.84 sq mi (15.1 km2) |
Elevation | 305 ft (93 m) |
Population | |
• Estimate (2020) | 85,000 |
Downtown Los Angeles is divided into neighborhoods and districts, some overlapping. Most districts are named for the activities concentrated there now or historically, such as the Arts, Fashion, Banking, Theater, Toy, and Jewelry Districts. It is the hub for the city's urban rail transit system, as well as the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink commuter rail system covering greater Southern California. Also located in downtown is the Civic Center, the administrative core of the city government.
Historically, downtown held a dense concentration of banks, department stores, and movie palaces that drew residents and visitors of all socioeconomic classes, but after the 1950s the area began to experience an economic decline. Still, it remained an important center for various activities—government business in the Civic Center, banking on Bunker Hill, and retail and entertainment, especially for Hispanic Angelenos and immigrants, on Broadway. Since the early 2000s, downtown has experienced a renaissance of economic revitalization, including the Crypto.com Arena in downtown's south end, and the restoration and repurposing of historic buildings in the area.
The Tongva village of Yaanga was located in what is now downtown Los Angeles, possibly near or underneath where the Bella Union Hotel was located (now Fletcher Bowron Square).[7][8]
Father Juan Crespí, a Spanish Franciscan missionary charged with exploring sites for Catholic missions in California, noted in 1769 that the region had "all the requisites for a large settlement".[9] On September 4, 1781, Los Angeles was founded by a group of settlers who trekked north from present-day Mexico. Like most urban centers in the Spanish Empire, the town grew in a grid-like street pattern around a central plaza which faced the first church. The area passed to American control in 1847,[10] and the small town grew to 11,000 by 1880,[11] The business district was centered along Main Street between the Plaza and First Street.[12][13]
Land speculation increased in the 1880s, which saw the population of the city explode from 11,000 in 1880 to nearly 100,000 by 1896.[14] Infrastructure enhancements and the laying of a street grid eventually brought development south of the Plaza: Victorian Downtown Los Angeles in the 1800s and 1890s along Main, Spring and Broadway south to Third Street – all of which were razed to make way for today's Civic Center. After 1900, larger buildings were constructed along Broadway and Spring from Third to Ninth streets in what is now called the Historic Core.
By 1920, the city's private and municipal rail lines were the most far-flung and most comprehensive in the world in mileage, even besting that of New York City. By this time, a steady influx of residents and aggressive land developers had transformed the city into a large metropolitan area, with DTLA at its center. Rail lines connected four counties with over 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of track.[15]
During the early part of the 20th century, banking institutions clustered around South Spring Street, forming the Spring Street Financial District. Sometimes referred to as the "Wall Street of the West,"[16] the district held corporate headquarters for financial institutions including Bank of America, Farmers and Merchants Bank, the Crocker National Bank, California Bank & Trust, and International Savings & Exchange Bank. The Los Angeles Stock Exchange was also located on the corridor from 1929 until 1986 before moving into a new building across the Harbor (110) Freeway.[17]
Commercial growth brought with it hotel construction—during this time period several grand hotels, the Alexandria (1906), the Rosslyn (1911), and the Biltmore (1923), were erected—and also the need for venues to entertain the growing population of Los Angeles. Broadway became the nightlife, shopping and entertainment district of the city, with over a dozen theater and movie palaces built before 1932.
Department stores, most that had grown from local dry goods businesses, moved from Spring and Main streets around Temple and 1st, to much larger stores along Broadway, including The Broadway, Hamburger's, which became May Co., Robinson's, Bullock's, Coulter's, Desmond's, Silverwoods, Harris & Frank, and the Fifth Street Store/Walker's, serving a variety of socioeconomic groups from across the city and suburbs. All but Coulter's would, in the 1920s–1950s, launch branches dotting shopping centers across a growing Southern California. Numerous specialty stores also flourished including those in the jewelry business which gave rise to the Downtown Jewelry District. Among these early jewelers included the Laykin Diamond Company (later becoming Laykin et Cie[18]) and Harry Winston & Co., both of which found their beginnings in the Hotel Alexandria at Fifth and Spring streets.
Following World War II, suburbanization, the development of the Los Angeles freeway network, and increased automobile ownership led to decreased investment downtown. Many corporate headquarters slowly dispersed to new suburbs or fell to mergers and acquisitions. As early as the 1920s once-stately Victorian mansions on Bunker Hill were dilapidated, serving as rooming houses for 20,000 working-class Angelenos.[19]
The Broadway theaters saw much use as Spanish-language movie houses during this time, beginning with the conversion of the Million Dollar Theater in the 1950s to a Spanish-language theater.[20]
In the early 2000s, the neighborhood became popular with Artists and Creatives due to low rent, open loft space, and many vacancies. In mid-2013, downtown was noted as "a neighborhood with an increasingly hip and well-heeled residential population".[21]
Because of the downtown area's office market's migration west to Bunker Hill and the Financial District, many historic office buildings have been left intact, which is simply used for storage or remaining empty during recent decades. In 1999, the Los Angeles City Council passed an adaptive reuse ordinance, making it easier for developers to convert outmoded, vacant office and commercial buildings into renovated lofts and luxury apartment and condo complexes.
As of early 2009, 14,561 residential units[22] have been created under the adaptive reuse ordinance, leading to an increase in the residential population. With 28,878 residents in 2006,[23] 39,537 in 2008,[24] and over 60,000 in 2017,[25] Downtown Los Angeles is seeing new life and investment.[26]
Multiple Olympic and Paralympic events will be held in DTLA during the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.[35][36]
After six years of construction, the new Sixth Street Viaduct opened on July 9, 2022 at a cost of $588-million. This new bridge replaced a 1932 viaduct of the same name which was demolished in 2016 due to a fact that it would collapse if there were a major earthquake, and alkali-silica reaction – colloquially known as “concrete cancer.” Pedestrian and bicycle access points link to other projects such as 12 acres of new park space below the viaduct.[37]
Shopping centers include FIGat7th,[38] and The Bloc Los Angeles, an open-air shopping area.[39] Others include Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo, City National Plaza, the Homer Laughlin Building, and the Los Angeles Mall.[40][41]
Downtown Los Angeles is flanked by Echo Park to the north and northwest, Chinatown to the northeast, Boyle Heights to the east, Vernon to the south, Historic South Central and University Park to the southwest, and Pico-Union and Westlake to the west.[42][43][44]
Downtown is bounded on the northeast by Cesar Chavez Avenue, on the east by the Los Angeles River, on the south by the Los Angeles city line with Vernon, on the southwest by East Washington Boulevard and on the west by the 110 Freeway or Beaudry Avenue, including the entire Four Level Interchange with the 101 Freeway.[43][44]
The neighborhood includes these districts:
Climate data for Los Angeles (USC, Downtown), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1877–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 95 (35) |
95 (35) |
99 (37) |
106 (41) |
103 (39) |
112 (44) |
109 (43) |
106 (41) |
113 (45) |
108 (42) |
100 (38) |
92 (33) |
113 (45) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 83.0 (28.3) |
82.8 (28.2) |
85.8 (29.9) |
90.1 (32.3) |
88.9 (31.6) |
89.1 (31.7) |
93.5 (34.2) |
95.2 (35.1) |
99.4 (37.4) |
95.7 (35.4) |
88.9 (31.6) |
81.0 (27.2) |
101.5 (38.6) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 68.0 (20.0) |
68.0 (20.0) |
69.9 (21.1) |
72.4 (22.4) |
73.7 (23.2) |
77.2 (25.1) |
82.0 (27.8) |
84.0 (28.9) |
83.0 (28.3) |
78.6 (25.9) |
72.9 (22.7) |
67.4 (19.7) |
74.8 (23.8) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 58.4 (14.7) |
59.0 (15.0) |
61.1 (16.2) |
63.6 (17.6) |
65.9 (18.8) |
69.3 (20.7) |
73.3 (22.9) |
74.7 (23.7) |
73.6 (23.1) |
69.3 (20.7) |
63.0 (17.2) |
57.8 (14.3) |
65.8 (18.8) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 48.9 (9.4) |
50.0 (10.0) |
52.4 (11.3) |
54.8 (12.7) |
58.1 (14.5) |
61.4 (16.3) |
64.7 (18.2) |
65.4 (18.6) |
64.2 (17.9) |
59.9 (15.5) |
53.1 (11.7) |
48.2 (9.0) |
56.8 (13.8) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 41.4 (5.2) |
42.9 (6.1) |
45.4 (7.4) |
48.9 (9.4) |
53.5 (11.9) |
57.4 (14.1) |
61.1 (16.2) |
61.7 (16.5) |
59.1 (15.1) |
53.7 (12.1) |
45.4 (7.4) |
40.5 (4.7) |
39.2 (4.0) |
Record low °F (°C) | 28 (−2) |
28 (−2) |
31 (−1) |
36 (2) |
40 (4) |
46 (8) |
49 (9) |
49 (9) |
44 (7) |
40 (4) |
34 (1) |
30 (−1) |
28 (−2) |
Average rainfall inches (mm) | 3.29 (84) |
3.64 (92) |
2.23 (57) |
0.69 (18) |
0.32 (8.1) |
0.09 (2.3) |
0.02 (0.51) |
0.00 (0.00) |
0.13 (3.3) |
0.58 (15) |
0.78 (20) |
2.48 (63) |
14.25 (362) |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6.1 | 6.3 | 5.1 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 5.5 | 34.1 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 225.3 | 222.5 | 267.0 | 303.5 | 276.2 | 275.8 | 364.1 | 349.5 | 278.5 | 255.1 | 217.3 | 219.4 | 3,254.2 |
Percent possible sunshine | 71 | 72 | 72 | 78 | 64 | 64 | 83 | 84 | 75 | 73 | 70 | 71 | 73 |
Source: NOAA (sun 1961–1977)[46][47][48][49] |
The 2000 U.S. census found that just 27,849 residents lived in the 5.84 square miles of downtown—or 4,770 people per square mile, among the lowest densities for the city of Los Angeles but about average for the county. The Southern California Association of Governments estimates that downtown's daytime population is 207,440.[5] The population increased to 34,811 by 2008, according to city estimates. By the end of 2019, the population of the district had grown to 85,000 residents, and 7,956 residential units were under construction.[50] The median age for residents was 39, considered old for the city and the county.[43]
Downtown Los Angeles is almost evenly balanced among the four major racial and ethnic groups—Asian Americans (23%), African Americans (22%), Latinos (25%) and non-Hispanic whites (26%)—according to an analysis of 2010 census data made by Loyola Marymount University researchers.[51]
A study of the 2000 census showed that downtown was the second–most diverse neighborhood in Los Angeles, its diversity index being 0.743, outrated only by Mid-Wilshire.[52] The ethnic breakdown in 2000 was Latinos, 36.7%; blacks, 22.3%; Asians, 21.3%; whites, 16.2%, and others, 3.5%. Mexico (44.7%) and Korea (17%) were the most common places of birth for the 41.9% of the residents who were born abroad, about the same ratio as in the city as a whole.[43]
The median household income in 2008 dollars was $15,003, considered low for both the city and the county. The percentage of households earning $20,000 or less (57.4%) was the highest in Los Angeles County, followed by University Park (56.6%) and Chinatown (53.6%). The average household size of 1.6 people was relatively low. Renters occupied 93.4% of the housing units, and home or apartment owners the rest.[43][53]
In 2000, there were 2,400 military veterans living downtown, or 9.7% of the population, considered a high rate for the city but average for the county overall.[43]
In 2010, census data concluded that 40,227 people lived in Downtown Los Angeles.[54]
In 2013, a study by Downtown Center Business Improvement District showed that of the 52,400 people resided in Downtown Los Angeles, the demographic breakdown was 52.7% Caucasian, 20.1% Asian, 17.0% Latino, and 6.2% African-American; 52.9% female, 47.1% male; and 74.8% of residents were between the ages of 23–44. The median age for residents was 34. The median household income was $98,700. The median household size was 1.8. In terms of educational attainment, 80.1% of residents had completed at least 4 years of college. The study was a self-selecting sample of 8,841 respondents across the DTLA area. It was not a "census" but rather a comprehensive survey of Downtown LA consumers.[55]
An additional study by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District showed that by 2017 the population reached 67,324.[56] In early 2020 the population was estimated to have exceeded 80,000 at the end of 2019.[4]
Downtown Los Angeles is the center of the region's growing rail transit system, with six commuter lines operated by Metrolink, as well as six urban rail transit lines and local and regional bus service operated by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).
Major Metro stations in the district include Union Station, Civic Center/Grand Park station, Pershing Square station, 7th Street/Metro Center station, Pico station, Little Tokyo/Arts District station, Historic Broadway station, and Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill station.
Amtrak operates intercity passenger train service on five routes through Los Angeles Union Station: the Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle.
Greyhound Lines operates a major bus terminal in Downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Seventh and Alameda streets.[62]
Los Angeles World Airports operates a direct shuttle, LAX FlyAway Bus,[63] every 30–60 minutes between Union Station and Los Angeles International Airport.[64]
Downtown Los Angeles is home to several public parks, plazas, gardens and other open space:
Several future park proposals for the district make use of public-private partnerships between developers and the city of Los Angeles, including a public park at the proposed Nikkei Center development in Little Tokyo;[72] a 1-acre (4,000 m2) park at the Medallion development in the Historic Core; and a pocket park at the Wilshire Grand Hotel replacement project, currently under construction.[73]
Additionally, the city recently completed a new park located on the 400 block of South Spring Street in the Historic Core neighborhood.[74]
Despite its relative decentralization and comparatively new high-rises (until 1958, the city did not permit any structures taller than the 27-story City Hall building[75]), Los Angeles has one of the largest skylines in the United States, and its development has continued in recent years.
The skyline has seen rapid growth due to improvements in seismic design standards, which has made certain building types highly earthquake-resistant. Many of the new skyscrapers contain a housing or hotel component.
Some current and upcoming examples of skyscraper construction include:
The first height limit ordinance in Los Angeles was enacted following the completion of the 13-story Continental Building, located at the southeast corner of Fourth and Spring streets. The purpose of the height limit was to limit the density of the city. There was great hostility to skyscrapers in many cities in these years, mainly due to the congestion they could bring to the streets, and height limit ordinances were a common way of dealing with the problem. In 1911, the city passed an updated height limit ordinance, establishing a specific limit of 150 feet (46 m). Exceptions were granted for decorative towers such as those later built on the Eastern Columbia Building and United Artists Theatre, as well as the now-demolished Richfield Tower.[87]
The pattern of buildings in Los Angeles to feature flat rooftops was the result of a 1974 fire ordinance which required all tall buildings in the city to include rooftop helipads in response to the devastating 1974 Joelma Fire in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in which helicopters were used to effect rescues from the flat rooftop of the building.[88] The Wilshire Grand Center was the first building granted an exception by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 2014. However, as the building was under construction, L.A. City Council removed the flat roof ordinance as of 2015.[89]
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Central Health Center in Downtown Los Angeles.[90]
The Southern California Liaison of the California Department of Education has its office in the Ronald Reagan State Building in Downtown Los Angeles.[91]
The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch is located in Downtown Los Angeles.[92]
DTLA is a node in the tech economy that extends beyond Silicon Beach. A venture capital firm counted 78 tech-oriented firms in DTLA in 2015. This included mobile apps, hardware, digital media and clean-tech companies plus co-working spaces, start-up incubators, and other related businesses.[93]
The Arts District has become a popular spot for companies seeking out something different from typical modern offices. The central location is accessible from various parts of the Los Angeles Basin. The cultural life has also made the area attractive to young tech employees.[93] Two Bit Circus is the only amusement park located in the area.[94][95]
Anschutz Entertainment Group has its corporate headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles.[96] BYD Company, a Chinese technology firm, has its North American headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles.[97]
The Last Bookstore is an independent bookstore founded in 2005 by Josh Spencer, that was called California’s largest new and used bookstore by Conde Nast Traveler in 2019.[98] Cathay Bank has its headquarters in the Los Angeles Chinatown.[99]
Downtown residents aged 25 and older holding a four-year degree amounted to 17.9% of the population in 2000, about average in the city and the county, but there was a high percentage of residents with less than a high school diploma.[43]
These are the elementary or secondary schools within the neighborhood's boundaries:[100]
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is at 800 S. Hope St.,[44][101] and the Colburn School for music and the performing arts is at 200 S. Grand Ave.[102]
The Los Angeles Fire Department operates the following fire stations in Downtown Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles Police Department operates the Central area Community Police Station in Downtown Los Angeles.[107]
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