Curbed Appeal

Welcome to the ever-expanding LA blogosphere Curbed Los Angeles, a west coast offshoot of the popular New York neighborhood and real estate blog.

As noted by LAist and terranonfirma, Curbed L.A. has been in test mode for several weeks. The site officially went live on Tuesday with this mantra:

From the studio lots to the downtown lofts. From the beachfront bungalows to the canyon views. From the south bay to the valley, from the westside to the eastside—Angelenos' sense of place, and the neighborhoods they call home, are more important than ever.

The site already boasts several tasty posts, discussing the lack of non-cemetery parks in East L.A.; showcasing the depressingly still-empty Hall of Justice; and discussion of Legacy Partners' unfortunate plans to turn the Miracle Mile's Wilshire Tower (once home to Desmond's and Silverwood's; now home to a Kinko's) into condos.


Old postcard shot of the Miracle Mile, looking East. Wilshire Tower at right, behind the Mullet Bluett building,


Closer shot: Kinko's now resides where Desmond's once stood.

The Wilshire Tower proposal rubs salt into wounds already opened by Legacy's decision to tear down the old Mullen and Bluett building (until recently home to an Office Depot and Sav-On, now empty) nearby. As noted by Curbed L.A., Eric Lynxwiler -- who served as researcher on Kevin Roderick's new book about Wilshire Blvd. -- has taken on the cause at the LottaLiving Message Board here.

I've said it before: What a terrible year for preservation issues in L.A., and in particular, on Wilshire Boulevard.

(Postcard images via Yesterday L.A..