Downtown Los Angeles

Once the lively heart of Los Angeles, Downtown has been a glitz-free corporate domain of high rises for the past few decades. But if there's one thing Angelenos love, it's a makeover, and now city planners have put the wheels in motion for a dramatic revitalization. Glance in every direction and you'll find construction crews building luxury lofts and retail space in hopes of attracting new residents. Two massive entertainment complexes are also in the works: the Frank Gehry-designed Grand Avenue project, to be built around the Music Center performance complex, and the L.A. Live project anchored around the Staples Center sports arena. All of this is aimed at making Downtown a one-stop destination to work, live, and play.

While all this redevelopment promises to bring throngs of new residents and visitors alike, it remains to be seen how the traffic will pan out, as Downtown currently is one of the most congested sections of Los Angeles, particularly when it becomes the site of parades, protests or film shoots, which frequently bring unexpected road closures.

In addition, longtime artist residents and businesses set up by Hispanic immigrants are fighting the powers that be and rallying their communities to stand against these sweeping changes. In the meantime, Downtown is a tale of two cities, where opposites clash. It may take a few years before the dust settles and Downtown is ready for its close-up.