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May 6, 2008
A Westwood Revival in the Works?
Photo of the now destroyed Mann National courtesy of Los Angeles Times photographic archive, UCLA Library. Copyright Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Is Westwood making a comeback? The LA Times thinks so, in today's article on the burgeoning real estate development in UCLA's backyard. But isn't this a story we've heard a million times before? It goes something like this: Westwood used to be a great pedestrian area, then it fell victim to gang violence in the late 80's, and it's never been the same since. But maybe there's hope yet -- at least, that's what developers are hoping.
On Glendon Avenue, a block east of Westwood Boulevard, the first of an anticipated 700 tenants have moved into the 350-unit Palazzo Westwood Village even as workers scurry to complete the project. Nearby on Lindbrook Drive, the former site of a Flax art supply store, developer Kambiz Hekmat has broken ground on an "extended stay" boutique hotel that will have shops and restaurants. A modernist retail project from developer Ron Simms is planned at the site of the recently razed 1,100-seat Mann National Theater, where "The Exorcist" had its Los Angeles opening in 1973.Westwood is and always has been a cultural mecca: with UCLA's countless programs and facilities, dining options ranging from budget to big bucks, and some of the best single-theater movie houses still remaining in the country, there's more than enough to draw a crowd. And as anybody who's had the misfortune of venturing out to California Pizza Kitchen on a Friday night knows, the place is absolutely crawling with Brentwood teenagers on weekends, ready to spend their allowances on Diddy Riese and arcade games. But then the complaints come rolling in: parking is terrible, the bar situation even worse, and other than a few major chains, the shopping situation doesn't offer much.
But with Westwood's many natural advantages, a concentrated effort to solve these problems could pay off a hundred-fold. Here's hoping these developers know what they're doing.
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I've always enjoyed Westwood Village, but parking can be a bitch. I've found a nice golden secret for those who travel to there during the day from the Valley. It's called the Metro 761 Rapid and it's a nice peaceful, never too crowded bus ride on an articulated rapid bus. It might take a little longer, but it's relaxing, especially with the no need to find parking factor.
The only problems with it is that it does not run too late into the evening and the headways are not as consistent as other rapid lines.
Having spent many a high school weekend in the jampacked Westwood of the early 1980s and then watched it wither from the mid '80s onward, I've always considered it a matter of time before the place enjoys a renaissance.
I just didn't think it would take 20 years!
"one of the best single-theater movie houses still remaining in the country" -
I can count only one - the Village. Maybe/possibly the Bruin (but the new CenCity are better).
With the National and Plaza no longer standing , we are left with the Crest, which has never been able to show a wide-screen film properly (but, oh so, so pretty!!!), the lame Festival, and the mediocre Regent.
Sadly, the “best single-theater” no longer apples to Westwood.
I was counting the Fox and the Bruin. Two beautiful and nostalgic places to catch the latest blockbuster -- I have so many wonderful memories of waiting in lines during college to get into Star Wars, LOTR, Harry Potter, on and on and on.....
stans doughnuts