DTLA - A dozen years ago, it wasn’t hard to choose the Downtowners of Distinction winners. At that time, a limited number of impactful developments were opening in the Central City. Almost every major effort won a Distinction prize.
These days, the situation is completely different. Downtown Los Angeles is seeing dozens of projects debut every year in a variety of categories, and the action is happening across the community. It’s no longer a simple feat to select the winners — there is an abundance of new housing, office space, retail, cultural destinations and civic amenities. Ultimately, that’s a good problem for the community to have.
In the following pages, Los Angeles Downtown News highlights some of the most important developments of 2016 in our 16th annual Downtowners of Distinction awards. The prizes are presented by district, and when choosing winners we sought to identify projects that had the greatest positive effect on their individual community, and also benefitted Downtown as a whole (prizes were not given in every district).
The 11 district winners were selected by the editorial staff of Downtown News, and the awards will be handed out Tuesday, Feb. 21. Next week, the Project of the Year, selected from among the individual winners by leaders from each district, will be revealed.
Picking winners is never easy, and in several instances multiple projects deserved recognition. This year, once again, we wanted to highlight some of those who worked hard for their neighborhood. They are receiving Honorable Mention awards.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
OUE Skyspace: Singapore-base OUE has done wonders with U.S. Bank Tower since buying the landmark in 2013. Empty floors have new tenants, while the property owner invested about $100 million in upgrades. Skyspace, on the top levels of the structure, is the highlight. It opened in June, and instantly became a destination for tourists and locals. The views from the observation decks on the 69th and 70th floors are stunning, and diners are heading to the new restaurant 71 Above. Of course, everyone talks about the Skyslide, which gives a thrilling ride on the exterior of the building. Other owners might have done the minimum with this tower. OUE has given Downtown something totally new and different.
For more Downtowners of Distinction winners, please see here.
