Angelenos Are All in On the New DTLA

It isn't only investors and developers suffering from Downtown fever. Angelenos are emphatic about the new urban hub, and this weekend, they celebrated. The DCBID hosted a living showcase with open houses from five new developments and food and entertainment that showcased the new Downtown Los Angeles. Angelenos showed up in droves for the event, a total of 1,000 attendees. To find out more about the event, why the DCBID is reaching out to locals and why this showcase is important to the ongoing Downtown Renaissance, we sat down with Nick Griffin, VP of business development for the DCBID, for an exclusive interview.

GlobeSt.com: What was the impetus to hold this massive living showcase for DTLA?

Griffin: The Downtown L.A. Open House is just one element of a larger marketing and economic development initiative called “Make it Yours” designed to showcase Downtown LA to greater numbers of Angelenos and encourage them to consider relocating here. As you know, the DTLA Renaissance has completely transformed the City of Los Angeles, creating a true heart of the city.  Just last year DTLA delivered more than 2,500 residential units without missing a beat, raising the residential population to approximately 65,000. The Open House was designed to introduce residents from all over the southland to five of the newest residential communities: Metropolis, TEN50, 1000 Grand by Windsor, Olympic Hanover, and Wren Apartments. Further, the event's format, where guests walked from community to community, immersed participants in the urban environment and its sheer density of retail, restaurants, and entertainment options. It is this environment and amazing homes such as these that have driven the transformation of DTLA and we wanted to expose that lifestyle those who have been wondering what all the cranes have been building.

GlobeSt.com: What was interest and attendance like for the event?

Griffin: Interest in the Open House was incredible, with hundreds of Angelenos walking together amongst the high-rises and for many, experiencing DTLA for the first time. The guests brought a great vibe and were truly excited about how DTLA could fit them best. The variety of the properties and locations delivered something for everyone, whether they were looking for a new condo or apartment.

GlobeSt.com: What is urban living in Downtown Los Angeles like, and how did the event show it off?

Griffin: Living in DTLA is unlike anything else in Los Angeles. Increasingly, living here is becoming more like living in San Francisco, Chicago or New York, where you can ditch the car for almost everything. You can walk to dinner, the movies, the grocery store, the pharmacy, the local pub, and more: an art museum, a concert, a sporting event, the list goes on. What is most surprising to those new to DTLA is the real sense of community and camaraderie amongst DTLA residents. All that walking and mixing creates a strong social bond no neighborhood in L.A. can match.

To give a sense of the vibrancy and culture of DTLA, each of the participating properties hosted live music, local food and drink, and a one-of-a-kind activity or experience. At Metropolis, for instance, guests were treated to performances by the L.A. Opera and a live art expo;  perspective owners at TEN50 were treated to a picnic in the sky in one of the tower's penthouse units, showcasing the incredible living spaces and spectacular panoramic views; 1000 Grand by Windsor featured an oversized ball pit, where guests could have fun on the rooftop amenity deck, and hosted remote controlled sailboat races in their courtyard fountain; Olympic Hanover featured synchronized swimming performances by L.A.'s own Aqualillies; and not to be outdone, Wren Apartments offered Zorb (human hamster ball) racing, which, as you can imagine, was a huge hit.

GlobeSt.com: What did the strong attendance say about how local support and excitement for the market?

Griffin: Saturday's attendance really reinforced how much buzz and desire is out there for DTLA.  Not only has downtown's population grown, but Angelenos from all over are increasingly coming to DTLA to eat, to shop, to drink, and to be entertained.

It isn't only investors and developers suffering from Downtown fever. Angelenos are emphatic about the new urban hub, and this weekend, they celebrated. The DCBID hosted a living showcase with open houses from five new developments and food and entertainment that showcased the new Downtown Los Angeles. Angelenos showed up in droves for the event, a total of 1,000 attendees. To find out more about the event, why the DCBID is reaching out to locals and why this showcase is important to the ongoing Downtown Renaissance, we sat down with Nick Griffin, VP of business development for the DCBID, for an exclusive interview.

GlobeSt.com: What was the impetus to hold this massive living showcase for DTLA?

Griffin: The Downtown L.A. Open House is just one element of a larger marketing and economic development initiative called “Make it Yours” designed to showcase Downtown LA to greater numbers of Angelenos and encourage them to consider relocating here. As you know, the DTLA Renaissance has completely transformed the City of Los Angeles, creating a true heart of the city.  Just last year DTLA delivered more than 2,500 residential units without missing a beat, raising the residential population to approximately 65,000. The Open House was designed to introduce residents from all over the southland to five of the newest residential communities: Metropolis, TEN50, 1000 Grand by Windsor, Olympic Hanover, and Wren Apartments. Further, the event's format, where guests walked from community to community, immersed participants in the urban environment and its sheer density of retail, restaurants, and entertainment options. It is this environment and amazing homes such as these that have driven the transformation of DTLA and we wanted to expose that lifestyle those who have been wondering what all the cranes have been building.

GlobeSt.com: What was interest and attendance like for the event?

Griffin: Interest in the Open House was incredible, with hundreds of Angelenos walking together amongst the high-rises and for many, experiencing DTLA for the first time. The guests brought a great vibe and were truly excited about how DTLA could fit them best. The variety of the properties and locations delivered something for everyone, whether they were looking for a new condo or apartment.

GlobeSt.com: What is urban living in Downtown Los Angeles like, and how did the event show it off?

Griffin: Living in DTLA is unlike anything else in Los Angeles. Increasingly, living here is becoming more like living in San Francisco, Chicago or New York, where you can ditch the car for almost everything. You can walk to dinner, the movies, the grocery store, the pharmacy, the local pub, and more: an art museum, a concert, a sporting event, the list goes on. What is most surprising to those new to DTLA is the real sense of community and camaraderie amongst DTLA residents. All that walking and mixing creates a strong social bond no neighborhood in L.A. can match.

To give a sense of the vibrancy and culture of DTLA, each of the participating properties hosted live music, local food and drink, and a one-of-a-kind activity or experience. At Metropolis, for instance, guests were treated to performances by the L.A. Opera and a live art expo;  perspective owners at TEN50 were treated to a picnic in the sky in one of the tower's penthouse units, showcasing the incredible living spaces and spectacular panoramic views; 1000 Grand by Windsor featured an oversized ball pit, where guests could have fun on the rooftop amenity deck, and hosted remote controlled sailboat races in their courtyard fountain; Olympic Hanover featured synchronized swimming performances by L.A.'s own Aqualillies; and not to be outdone, Wren Apartments offered Zorb (human hamster ball) racing, which, as you can imagine, was a huge hit.

GlobeSt.com: What did the strong attendance say about how local support and excitement for the market?

Griffin: Saturday's attendance really reinforced how much buzz and desire is out there for DTLA.  Not only has downtown's population grown, but Angelenos from all over are increasingly coming to DTLA to eat, to shop, to drink, and to be entertained.