by Calculated Risk on 2/14/2014 06:14:00 PM

A couple of articles ...

From Thomas Curwen at the LA Times: They'll be pouring it on at New Wilshire Grand site

The latest addition to the Los Angeles skyline — the New Wilshire Grand, the tallest structure to be built west of the Mississippi — takes a major step forward Saturday when more than 2,000 truckloads of concrete are driven through downtown for what is being billed as the world's largest continuous concrete pour.
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The New Wilshire Grand will feature five levels of subterranean parking, convention space, office suites and a 900-room hotel in the signature tower, which will rise 1,100 feet from the street to the top of its architectural spire.

And from Roger Vincent at the LA Times: Chinese developer unveils plans for Metropolis project in L.A.

Chinese real estate developer Greenland Group revealed plans Friday for a quick start on the first phase of its $1-billion Metropolis Los Angeles project that is expected to redefine the downtown skyline.

Work is set to begin shortly on a high-rise hotel and a residential skyscraper on what is now a vast parking lot along the 110 Freeway north of Staples Center and LA Live. The buildings should be open by 2016.

One of the reasons I think economic growth will increase in 2014 is that there should be a pickup in Commercial Real Estate (CRE) development this year.