South Park Streetscape

A partnership of real estate developers envisioned a complete revitalization of the South Park neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles. Their plan to rehabilitate a complete city block has become the first new residential neighborhood in this area in twenty-three years. The structures are also the first “green” residential high-rise buildings in downtown Los Angeles. Collectively, the development is one block comprised of many separate projects including three mixed-use condominium towers and myriad outdoor public and private environments.

One of the central components to the innovative master plan was the voluntary inclusion of dynamic pedestrian-friendly areas and streetscape upgrades. Detailed streetscape plans incorporated twenty-four-foot-wide sidewalks, lush drought-resistant plantings, shade trees, lighting, bike racks, and bench-seating. Corner curbs were extended to increase pedestrian visibility, decrease crossing distances and slow down oncoming traffic. Water and energy conservation were the foundation for every design decision.

In addition to achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council for each of the buildings, the developers were committed to reducing the amount of storm water pollution reaching the Pacific Ocean. Among the innovations for the City of Los Angeles with this project were infiltration planters that serve as bio-swales, or bio-retention gardens. The surrounding gutters and sidewalks were designed to allow these planters to naturally clean polluted water by allowing it to collect and percolate through a series of deep soil layers. The planters are arranged in a series, so that as one planter reaches capacity, the overflow drains into the next planter in the row, and so on and so on. The design intent is that no storm water from the site will enter the city’s storm drains.

Because many of the design concepts were considered “firsts” for the City of Los Angeles, the design reviews were extensive and challenging. Initially, the city intended to widen the streets to accommodate greater vehicular traffic, which would have meant the elimination of the space for the bio-swale systems. The developers and designers remained committed to convincing city officials and agencies that the streetscape vision was valuable and worth enabling. The additional costs for the non-standard streetscape upgrades were covered fully by the developers, but they now serve as a model for what is possible for Los Angeles city streets.

The development also includes a number of accessible outdoor green spaces that serve to improve the quality of life for those people engaging with the site and neighborhood. While the upper terraces, lounges, custom furnishings, walkways, bridges, grand sidewalks, and abundance of contemporary green gardens are all aesthetically pleasing, they also create places for gathering and social interaction. The entire block incorporates an inter-play of views and floor levels, as well as a unique mixing of public and private zones. Residents, visitors, neighbors, and patrons alike are afforded the opportunity to engage with one another within these safe and thoughtful community spaces.

Project Location: Block bounded by 11th St., 12th St., Hope St. and Grand Avenue; Downtown Los Angeles
Name of Owner / Developer Developer: James Atkins, Williams & Dame Development, Inc.1308 NW Everett Street
Portland, OR 97209 t.1-503-227-6593
Developer Company: The South Group Partnership
Current Owners: City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering
Engineer : KPFF Consulting Engineers
Tricia Johns, Principal
6080 Center Drive, #750
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310.665.1507
Landscape Architect: ah’bé landscape architects
Calvin R. Abe, FASLA
8729 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.838.0448