Historically, downtown held a dense concentration ofbanks,department stores, andmovie 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 onBunker Hill, and retail and entertainment, especially forHispanic Angelenos and immigrants, onBroadway. Since the early 2000s, downtown has experienced a renaissance of economic revitalization, including theCrypto.com Arena in downtown's south end, and the restoration and repurposing of historic buildings in the area.
FatherJuan Crespí, a SpanishFranciscan missionary charged with exploring sites forCatholicmissions 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 mosturban centers in theSpanish Empire, the town grew, in accordance with theLaws of the Indies, in agrid-like street pattern around acentral plaza which faced thefirst 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]
1894 drawing ofVictorian Downtown Los Angeles, now the eastern half of the Civic Center district.Looking northeast on Spring Street from First Street, 1880s.Asher Hamburger's Peoples Store at the center. Towers of theBaker Block are visible in the distance.
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'sCivic Center. After 1900, larger buildings were constructed along Broadway and Spring from Third to Ninth streets in what is now called theHistoric 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 ofNew 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]
Commercial growth brought with it hotel construction—during this time period several grand hotels, theAlexandria (1906), the Rosslyn (1911), and theBiltmore (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 localdry goods businesses, moved fromSpring and Main streets around Temple and 1st, to much larger stores along Broadway, includingThe Broadway, Hamburger's, which becameMay Co.,Robinson's,Bullock's,Coulter's,Desmond's,Silverwoods,Harris & Frank, and theFifth 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]) andHarry Winston & Co., both of which found their beginnings in theHotel Alexandria at Fifth and Spring streets.
FollowingWorld 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 onBunker Hill were dilapidated, serving asrooming houses for 20,000 working-class Angelenos.[19]
TheBroadway theaters saw much use as Spanish-language movie houses during this time, beginning with the conversion of theMillion 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 increasinglyhip andwell-heeled residential population".[21]
Because of the downtown area's office market's migration west to Bunker Hill and theFinancial District, many historic office buildings have been left intact, which is simply used for storage or remaining empty during recent decades. In 1999, theLos Angeles City Council passed anadaptive reuseordinance, making it easier for developers to convert outmoded, vacant office and commercial buildings intorenovated 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]
Crypto.com Arena, which opened in 1999, has contributed immensely to the revitalization plans, adding 250 events and nearly 4 million visitors per year to the neighborhood.[27] Since the opening of the Staples Center, the adjacentL.A. Live complex was completed, which includes theMicrosoft Theatre and theGrammy Museum.
Los Angeles Metro Rail, a rail transit network centered on the downtown area, facilitates access to the city center, especially from the congested West Side.
Real estate developers and investors planned a $1.8 billion revitalization project along Grand Avenue, which included the development ofGrand Park, a large city park,[28] and the construction of major city landmarks, including theFrank Gehry-designedWalt Disney Concert Hall and contemporary art museumThe Broad, which opened in 2015.
On August 7, 2007, theLos Angeles City Council approved sweeping changes in zoning and development rules for the downtown area.[29] Strongly advocated by MayorAntonio Villaraigosa, the changes allow larger and denser developments downtown; developers who reserve 15% of their units for low-income residents are now exempt from some open-space requirements and can make their buildings 35% larger than current zoning codes allow.[29]
In 2009,Bottega Louie opened on the first floor of the historicBrockman Building onGrand Avenue and Seventh Street. It contributed to the revitalization of DTLA by creating Restaurant Row, which has since brought numerous new restaurants and retail shops to the area.[30] In 2012, the upper 11 floors of the Brockman Building were bought with the intention of being sold as luxury lofts.[31]
Broadway retail is transitioning from a broad mix of stores catering mostly to Hispanic immigrants and a burgeoningsneaker andstreetwear retail cluster has emerged from 4th to 9th streets: Sneaker Row.[33]
Oceanwide Plaza has planned to open in 2020, but was later changed to unknown date due to financial problems and costs.[34]
After six years of construction, the newSixth 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]
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. TheSouthern 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.[52] The median age for residents was 39, considered old for the city andthe county.[43]
A study of the 2000 census showed that downtown was the second–most diverse neighborhood in Los Angeles, itsdiversity index being 0.743, outrated only byMid-Wilshire.[54] The ethnic breakdown in 2000 wasLatinos, 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][55]
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.[56]
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.[57]
An additional study by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District showed that by 2017 the population reached 67,324.[58] In early 2020 the population was estimated to have exceeded 80,000 at the end of 2019.[4]
In late 2009, theMetro J Line bus rapid transit project opened, replacing two unconnected bus rapid transit lines with through service at street level through the downtown area.
Metro operates an extensive bus network,[59] including Metro Local, Metro Express commuter lines, and Metro Rapid[60] buses with signal priority and limited stops.
TheRegional Connector Transit Corridor connected the A, E, and L Lines between theLittle Tokyo/Arts District and 7th Street/Metro Center stations which opened on June 16, 2023. This had the A and E Lines take over different parts of the L Line, which was promptly discontinued.[63]
Union Station is set to be a major stop on the under-constructionCalifornia High-Speed Rail system, though it will not be a part of the project's Initial Operating Segment.[68] The project would connect Northern and Southern California via theSan Joaquin Valley, with service averaging 220 miles per hour (350 km/h).[69][70]
Work is planned to bringstreetcar-style trolley service to downtown Los Angeles viaBroadway, connecting theL.A. Live development with the Grand Avenue cultural corridor andBunker Hill.[71][72]
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 inLittle Tokyo;[74] a 1-acre (4,000 m2) park at the Medallion development in the Historic Core; and apocket park at theWilshire Grand Hotel replacement project, currently under construction.[75]
Additionally, the city recently completed a new park located on the 400 block of South Spring Street in theHistoric Core neighborhood.[76]
The modern skyline of Los Angeles resulted from the termination of severe height restrictions in 1957.Ritz-Carlton Hotel, with distinctive street lamps in foreground, 2012.
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[77]), Los Angeles has one of the largest skylines in theUnited 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:
705 Ninth Street, a 35-story residential tower, was completed in 2009.[78]
717 Olympic, a 26-story residential tower, was completed in mid-2008.[79]
888 Olive, a 32-story apartment tower by Vancouver-based Omni Group, opened in 2015.[80]
Concerto, a 28-story residential tower, was completed in early 2009. A second phase (Tower II) is currently under construction.
L.A. Live, a multi-phased dining, entertainment and hotel development that includes aRitz-Carlton andJW Marriott Hotel hybrid as well as Ritz-Carlton-branded condominiums, was completed in February 2010.[84]
Metropolis, a mixed-use four-tower project (60, 50, 38, and 19 stories) at Francisco and Ninth streets, is currently under construction.[87]
South, a three-tower complex called Elleven, Luma, and Evo, spans the block from 11th Street and Grand Avenue to 12th Street and Grand Avenue, and was completed in phases ending in early 2009.
TheWilshire Grand Tower redevelopment, a 900-room hotel and office project built in 2017, is the tallest tower west of theMississippi River, at 1,100 feet (340 m).[88]
Figueroa Centre, a 975-foot residential and hotel tower proposed across fromThe Original Pantry restaurant on theFigueroa Corridor. The tower proposed will become the third tallest building in Los Angeles when completed.
Angels Landing, a proposed super tall tower at 1020 ft. Currently in the funding stage. Approved by the city council in 2017.
The first height limit ordinance in Los Angeles was enacted following the completion of the 13-storyContinental 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 theEastern Columbia Building and United Artists Theatre, as well as the now-demolishedRichfield Tower.[89]
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 rooftophelipads in response to the devastating 1974Joelma Fire inSao Paulo, Brazil, in which helicopters were used to effect rescues from the flat rooftop of the building.[90] TheWilshire Grand Center was the first building granted an exception by theLos 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.[91]
DTLA is a node in the tech economy that extends beyondSilicon 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.[95]
TheArts 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.[95]Two Bit Circus is the onlyamusement park located in the area.[96][97]
Anschutz Entertainment Group has its corporate headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.[98]BYD Company, a Chinese technology firm, has its North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.[99]
Colburn School on Grand Boulevard.Ramon C. Cortines High School for the Visual and Performing Arts.
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:[102]
^Newmark, Harris (January 1926).Sixty Years in Southern California. The Knickerbocker press. p. 318.Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. RetrievedOctober 30, 2020.in 1853…from the street now known as Macy throughout the business part of the city, and as far south as First Street.
^"Contact UsArchived February 22, 2015, at theWayback Machine." BYD Company. Retrieved on June 17, 2015. "BYD North America Headquarters Add.:1800 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA90015, USA"
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