BUDOKAN OF LOS ANGELES: 

More than 90 of the $24 million needed to build a sports complex in Little Tokyo has been raised, according to nonprofit developer the Little Tokyo Service Center.

The Budokan of Los Angeles would rise at 237-249 S. Los Angeles St. and include a two-court gymnasium. There would also be a rooftop terrace, outdoor event space and community rooms. The complex will host volleyball and basketball games, as well as martial arts lessons and tournament and other activities, said fundraising director Mike Murase.

A groundbreaking for the 63,000-square-foot project is scheduled for next year. Photo by Little Tokyo Service Center

The city in early June selected Los Angeles-based landscape architect Mia Lehrer + Associates to design the First and Broadway Park. The project is now in the final design process. The firm’s vision features a large hardscape plaza as its heart, rather than the flat grass seen in the adjacent Grand Park.

The new park would be anchored by a two-level structure on the northwest corner of the property with a scooped-out amphitheater, with seating underneath the overhang of a “floating” second floor; the second level would likely hold a restaurant.

The north side of the building would have space for a cafe or small store. The design includes a small rock-paved path along Spring Street, as well as some tulip-shaped shade structures scattered around the plaza.

The park is estimated to cost $28 million. According to 14th District City Councilman José Huizar’s office, the councilman since 2013 has secured nearly $21 million in Quimby funds, which are charged to housing developers for park creation, site acquisition, land preparation, design and construction.

The city Department of Recreation and Parks has identified another $3.65 million for the development. Photo by Mia Lehrer + Associates

ROW DTLA: 

Developer Atlas Capital bought the 30-acre, seven-building complex at Seventh and Alameda streets in 2014 and is now working on building new infrastructure and renovating the interior spaces. There is no firm timeline for when creative office, retail and restaurants would debut.

The plan for the complex now known as Row DTLA is to create 1.3 million square feet of creative office space, approximately 100 stores, more than 20 restaurants, and spaces for community gatherings and public events. The complex, known to many as the home of American Apparel, would have themed streets: “Market Row” would run along a pair of 70,000-square-foot, two-story buildings that would hold office tenants. It would be adjacent to “The End,” a public square, while nearby “Dock Street” would focus on dining options. “The Narrows” would offer cultural and entertainment-leaning storefronts, while “Center Street” would host an open-air produce market.

No budget has been revealed. Photo by Row DTLA

The large podium of the Circa project, at 1200 S. Figueroa St. in South Park, continues to rise. The project from a development group composed of Hankey Investment Company, Jamison Services, Falcon California Investments and Highlands Capital will create twin 36-story towers with a combined 648 condominiums, sitting on top of a seven-story retail podium with 48,000 square feet of space.

The complex will have 1,770 parking spots. Additional features at the approximately $500 million South Park development, designed by architecture firm Harley Ellis Devereaux, include a two-acre outdoor amenity deck and a 15,000-square-foot ribbon of LED signage along Figueroa. Circa is slated for completion in early 2018.

Photo by Gary Leonard