Herald Building Slated for Condos
The Hearst Corp. and Los Angeles real estate developer Urban Partners plan to convert a building formerly occupied by the Los Angeles Herald Examiner newspaper in downtown Los Angeles into a mixed-use development featuring condominiums and office space.
The plans hit a sour note with several in the neighboring Los Angeles Fashion District. Among those were Irene Kasmer, who was hoping the building would be the future home of her Museum of Fashion Designers and Creators (MODAC). The designer said she is lobbying the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency as well as the developer to revert to a previous CRA strategic plan that included the museum and the former Herald building.
The project at 11th Street and Broadway is part of a master plan of Hearst’s that calls for a 37-story, 330-unit condo project to rise on land at 120 W. 12th St. and a 23- story, 235-unit residential project at 11th and Hill streets.
The Herald building closed in 1989 when the newspaper published its last edition but in intervening years has been used as a filming location. Architect Julia Morgan designed the structure as well as Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Calif.
Kasmer said she is gaining support to fight Hearst’s plan. She said representatives of The New Mart have filed a letter in support of the museum. It is expected to be included in the environmental review for the project. In addition, MODAC’s attorney Frank P. Angel asked the CRA to conduct a thorough assessment of the original strategic plans as well as examine the building’s historical significance.
If successful, the Herald will join a number of downtown area buildings converted into residential space. Among those are the Eastern Columbia Building at 8th and Broadway and Santee Court at Los Angeles and 7th Streets, which is in the second phase of development. —Robert McAllister
