California Apparel News

Last year it was all about the buzz. This year, it’s all about the brands. Already a destination for foodies, downtown Los Angeles is poised to become a destination for shoppers, as well.

Following on the heels of a handful of pioneering multi-line boutiques—including Brigade and Sixhundred—downtown saw an influx of independent stores, branded boutiques and larger chains this year.

On Broadway, a sign on the marquee of the former Rialto Theater announces a Dec. 19 grand opening for a 10,000-square-foot Urban Outfitters while across the street in the turquoise-blue Eastern Columbia Building, Swedish retailer Acne is preparing to open a more than 5,000-square-foot store as nearby Ace Hotel is getting ready for its much-delayed opening in the United Artists Building. A block over on Olive, there’s The Well, an indie boutique and event space that opened last year.

Over in the arts district, menswear brand Apolis opened a multi-brand sister store, Alchemy Works, a few blocks from its Apolis Common Gallery store on East Third Street. In May, Carl Louisville, the former director of Prada’s Epicenter store on Rodeo Drive, opened Guerilla Atelier, a high-end, multi-line boutique in a former furniture warehouse in the neighborhood, joining Akai Ito, which sells avant-garde apparel. There’s also 12345, the mysteriously named multi-line boutique owned by Thed Jewel and his partner, Toki. Both opened last year.

But downtown LA isn’t just be the place for indies and avant-garde brands. The revamped FIGat7th shopping center opened last year with a City Target followed by a 27,000-square-foot “Next Generation” Sport Chalet store, which opened in July and promptly won an award for its design by architecture firm Gensler. The subterranean center, formerly known as the Seventh Market Place and now owned by Brookfield Office Properties, also announced Limited Brands will open an 8,400-square-foot Victoria’s Secret and Pink store at the mall next year. And fast-fashion retailer Zara announced plans to open a 27,000-square-foot emporium there, as well.

The area’s other mall, Macy’s Plaza, was acquired by The Ratkovich Co. for $241 million in June. Developer Wayne Ratkovich announced plans to invest $160 million to redevelop the ’70s-era enclosed mall on Seventh Street into a mixed-use open-air development reminiscent of the New York landmark Rockefeller Center. The renovations are expected to be complete by 2015, and the complex will be renamed The Bloc.

Even the fashion district is getting in on the retail action. Eric Martin, co-owner of The Park showroom at the Lady Liberty Building, opened Seven Points, an 8,000-square-foot multi-line store on the ground floor of the building on Los Angeles Street. And a short walk north from the Los Angeles and Ninth Street intersection is the MartinMartin boutique.