One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Rumor Mill: Gucci Scouting For Downtown Location
Gucci store in Beverly Hills (Photo by Jeremy hall via the Creative Commons on Flickr)
Gucci stores might be something we'd expect to see in places like Beverly Hills or at the Beverly Center, but now the high-end retailer could be making a surprising move—heading over to downtown. Rumor has it that Gucci is eying some spots near the evolving and chic shopping area at 9th and Broadway.
Different sources have been telling Brigham Yen of DTLA Rising that something's a-brewing with Gucci, including one person who said Gucci made an offer to buy out a store, but was turned down by its owner. If Gucci launched a store there, it would be the fanciest retailer close by to other high-end shops like Acne Studios, Aesop and OAK NYC. Further down on Broadway are places like Umami Burger and ACE Hotel. Gucci would be in good company.
Yen has a gut feeling that Gucci could be setting their sights on the Broadway Trade Center, which is located on Hill St. and 8th St. The old building which used to house the May Co. got bought out last year by a New York real estate investment firm that has plans to redevelop the huge 1.1-million square foot space. The L.A. Times reported that the space could be used for "offices, a hotel, stores and apartments or condominiums." According to Downtown Examiner, it's rumored Apple, Inc. is looking to open a campus inside the Broadway Trade Center.
The historic Broadway corridor, with its high-rise, Art Deco buildings was once a bustling spot for theaters and department stores in its heyday. It looks like it's very much on its way to getting revitalized to its former state.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
