South Park, the Downtown LA neighborhood adjacent to the Staples Center and LA Live, is one of the most rapidly changing areas of Los Angeles. While downtown’s Historic Core, north of South Park, has grown increasingly pedestrian friendly in recent years, South Park lagged a little behind—until now. For an area that used to be largely home to vast parking lots and structures, South Park is making a conscious effort to continue and expand the downtown revitalization. One of the least subtle efforts to change the area’s composition is PSP Investment’s choice to convert the first level of their massive parking structure at 11th and Hope into retail spaces. This means the better part of the block will now attract high foot traffic as opposed to empty cars.

In another effort to convert what was vehicle territory into living, breathing, human territory, South Park will be getting its own parklet at 11th and Hope later this year. Parklets, the micro-parks built upon parking spaces, have been growing in popularity—and for good reason. They’re a simple, economically efficient way to improve and diversify urban cityscapes. If a parklet weren’t green enough, South Park will also see the opening of a Whole Foods at 8th and Grand this fall.

image4One of San Francisco’s parklets

AEG Live and AXS Ticketing are also opening up their headquarters in the historic Desmond building at 11th and Hope. This means the neighborhood will see 500+ employees in an area that hasn’t seen much in the way of office workers yet. 500+ employees who will be wandering the neighborhood—drinking, eating, and shopping—before, during, and after their workday. They’d likely also find it extremely convenient to live in one of South Park’s utterly elegant high-rise buildings and be able to crawl to work each day.

image5The Desmond Building

Sister buildings Luma, Elleven, and Evo brought modern, eco-conscious living to South Park ahead of the curve, and the neighborhood has followed suit. All three buildings are LEED certified and laden with luxurious amenities. Clarkliving has sold several units in Luma, Elleven, and Evo. For more information about the buildings and their availability, please contact .

image6 Sunset from a Luma balcony

By Steve Clark - Clarkliving | March 6th, 2015 | DTLA
Share: