93-547: Chinatown is a neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles , California , that became a commercial center for Chinese and other Asian businesses in Central Los Angeles in 1938. The area includes restaurants, shops, and art galleries, but also has a residential neighborhood with a low-income, aging population of about 7,800 residents. The original Chinatown developed in the late 19th century, and
186-712: A Buddhist temple, was built in 1988. Though the proposed development was opposed at the time by some local residents, it is now a respected and accepted part of the community, with members of the United States House of Representatives and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department often visiting during major events. The Hsi Lai Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to Rowland Heights and Hacienda Heights, Eastern San Gabriel Valley areas with
279-803: A Korean community. Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese, with number of ethnic Chinese from South Korea, and Vietnam, immigrant businesses, namely the eateries, banks, and offices, are gradually occupying the various strip malls across the Puente Hills Mall and in Hacienda Heights and City of Industry. The population is now 55 percent Asian. Rowland Heights remains the Chinese commercial/cultural center in East San Gabriel. Nearby, in Hacienda Heights , Hsi Lai Temple ,
372-517: A central plaza which faced the first church . The area passed to American control in 1847, and the small town grew to 11,000 by 1880, The business district was centered along Main Street between the Plaza and First Street. Land speculation increased in the 1880s, which saw the population of the city explode from 11,000 in 1880 to nearly 100,000 by 1896. Infrastructure enhancements and the laying of
465-522: A Spanish Franciscan missionary charged with exploring sites for Catholic missions in California , noted in 1769 that the region had "all the requisites for a large settlement". On September 4, 1781, Los Angeles was founded by a group of settlers who trekked north from present-day Mexico. Like most urban centers in the Spanish Empire , the town grew in a grid-like street pattern around
558-601: A cost of $ 588-million. This new bridge replaced a 1932 viaduct of the same name which was demolished in 2016 due to a fact that it would collapse if there were a major earthquake, and alkali-silica reaction – colloquially known as “concrete cancer.” Pedestrian and bicycle access points link to other projects such as 12 acres of new park space below the viaduct. Shopping centers include FIGat7th , and The Bloc Los Angeles , an open-air shopping area. Others include Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo , City National Plaza ,
651-500: A dense concentration of banks , department stores , and movie palaces that drew residents and visitors of all socioeconomic classes, but after the 1950s the area began to experience an economic decline. Still, it remained an important center for various activities—government business in the Civic Center, banking on Bunker Hill , and retail and entertainment, especially for Hispanic Angelenos and immigrants, on Broadway . Since
744-494: A dozen theater and movie palaces built before 1932. Department stores, most that had grown from local dry goods businesses, moved from Spring and Main streets around Temple and 1st , to much larger stores along Broadway, including The Broadway , Hamburger's, which became May Co. , Robinson's , Bullock's , Coulter's , Desmond's , Silverwoods , Harris & Frank , and the Fifth Street Store /Walker's, serving
837-601: A drink of sweet tea , is a cultural touchstone of "626." Popular food festival 626 Night Market in Arcadia, California , was also named after the area code as a "mecca for the Chinese food-obsessed." From the 1970s on, Taiwanese immigrants began settling in Monterey Park and the nearby communities of Alhambra, and Rosemead. The area was not too far from the Los Angeles Chinatown commercial area and
930-547: A high percentage of Asian residents are West Covina , Walnut , and Diamond Bar . As of the 2000 census, the racial makeup of Temple City was 38.89% Asian. That number is expected to be significantly higher in the 2010 census . Along Las Tunas Boulevard, the "Bridal District" of Asian businesses along the stretch of the downtown area has made Temple City a bride's "mecca" for all wedding needs including elaborate dresses, as Asian brides often wear three gowns. Also included are several florists and lavish portrait studios supporting
1023-465: A major bus terminal in downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Seventh and Alameda streets. Los Angeles World Airports operates a direct shuttle, LAX FlyAway Bus, every 30–60 minutes between Union Station and Los Angeles International Airport . Downtown Los Angeles is home to several public parks, plazas, gardens and other open space: Several future park proposals for the district make use of public-private partnerships between developers and
SECTION 10
#17327726768181116-598: A mile northeast of the downtown Los Angeles Chinatown . From North Main Street, Valley runs east along a five-mile (8 km) stretch including large industrial tracts and the largely Hispanic community of Lincoln Heights . Midway between downtown Chinatown to the west and the start of the ethnic Chinese suburbs to the east is the Ming Ya Buddhist Temple, on Valley Boulevard in Lincoln Heights. From Los Angeles, Valley Boulevard enters Alhambra ,
1209-629: A new building across the Harbor (110) Freeway . Commercial growth brought with it hotel construction—during this time period several grand hotels, the Alexandria (1906), the Rosslyn (1911), and the Biltmore (1923), were erected—and also the need for venues to entertain the growing population of Los Angeles. Broadway became the nightlife, shopping and entertainment district of the city, with over
1302-622: A section of Barstow , Fontana , Riverside , Moreno Valley , San Jacinto , Desert Hot Springs north of Palm Springs , Victorville , Loma Linda , and elsewhere (i.e. the San Diego area, Bakersfield , and San Luis Obispo ). Outside the Greater Los Angeles Area , Chinese ethnoburbs are also found in the San Francisco Bay Area , where ethnic Chinese populations are largely concentrated in cities of
1395-602: A street grid eventually brought development south of the Plaza: Victorian Downtown Los Angeles in the 1800s and 1890s along Main, Spring and Broadway south to Third Street – all of which were razed to make way for today's Civic Center . After 1900, larger buildings were constructed along Broadway and Spring from Third to Ninth streets in what is now called the Historic Core . By 1920, the city's private and municipal rail lines were
1488-542: A travel package to Las Vegas or China. In 1992, the city of Alhambra and its southern neighbor Monterey Park jointly held the first annual Chinese new year parade and street festival. There were several conflicts and controversies with Monterey Park, so in the next few years the city of Alhambra has held the parade with its neighbor San Gabriel. The parade and festival have corporate sponsors, and several Chinese-dominant cities in San Gabriel Valley also sponsor
1581-643: A variety of socioeconomic groups from across the city and suburbs. All but Coulter's would, in the 1920s–1950s, launch branches dotting shopping centers across a growing Southern California. Numerous specialty stores also flourished including those in the jewelry business which gave rise to the Downtown Jewelry District. Among these early jewelers included the Laykin Diamond Company (later becoming Laykin et Cie ) and Harry Winston & Co., both of which found their beginnings in
1674-480: A whole. The median household income in 2008 dollars was $ 15,003, considered low for both the city and the county. The percentage of households earning $ 20,000 or less (57.4%) was the highest in Los Angeles County, followed by University Park (56.6%) and Chinatown (53.6%). The average household size of 1.6 people was relatively low. Renters occupied 93.4% of the housing units, and home or apartment owners
1767-489: Is accessible from various parts of the Los Angeles Basin. The cultural life has also made the area attractive to young tech employees. Two Bit Circus is the only amusement park located in the area. Anschutz Entertainment Group has its corporate headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. BYD Company , a Chinese technology firm, has its North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. The Last Bookstore
1860-722: Is an independent bookstore founded in 2005 by Josh Spencer, that was called California’s largest new and used bookstore by Conde Nast Traveler in 2019. Cathay Bank has its headquarters in the Los Angeles Chinatown . Chinese enclaves in the San Gabriel Valley The Asian-American influx into the southwestern portion of the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California , grew rapidly when Chinese immigrants began settling in Monterey Park in
1953-706: Is bringing about the construction of additional hotels as many Chinese tourists prefer to rent rooms in San Gabriel, even if they plan to visit typical Southern California tourist destinations. The first generation of Chinese Americans in the area identify with 626 — the area code of much of the San Gabriel Valley. They are fluent in English but still identify with the culture of their parents. Many feel that something new has been created, such as songs mixing bits of dialect from across China with American hip-hop . The popularity of Boba , chewy tapioca pearls served in
SECTION 20
#17327726768182046-505: Is in the process of becoming an entirely new place. Chinatown at the height of popularity was filled with bustling Chinese restaurants that included barbecue delicatessens with glass displays of roast duck and suckling pig and Cantonese seafood restaurants with dim sum . As the action in Chinese cuisine became centered in the San Gabriel Valley, there were also places that offered Vietnamese pho noodle soup and banh mi . As downtown revives, Chinatown has been sparked into life by cheap rents,
2139-528: Is located in downtown Los Angeles. DTLA is a node in the tech economy that extends beyond Silicon Beach . A venture capital firm counted 78 tech-oriented firms in DTLA in 2015. This included mobile apps, hardware, digital media and clean-tech companies plus co-working spaces, start-up incubators, and other related businesses. The Arts District has become a popular spot for companies seeking out something different from typical modern offices. The central location
2232-468: Is now known as Old Chinatown refers to the original location on Alameda and Macy (1880s–1933). Old Chinatown was displaced by the construction of Union Station, and two competing Chinatowns were built in the late 1930s north of Old Chinatown to replace it: China City (1938–1948) and New Chinatown (1938–present). China City was rebuilt just one year after opening due to a suspicious fire, but another fire in 1948 put it out of business for good. China City
2325-487: Is one of the most prominent and features a 99 Ranch Market , several shops and restaurants including specialties such as Taiwanese and Vegetarian food. Valley Boulevard in San Gabriel also includes the comprehensive San Gabriel Superstore which includes multiple vendors anchored by a large grocery store. Continuing east from Rosemead further along Valley are the largely Hispanic communities of El Monte and La Puente and large industrial tracts, including those that dominate
2418-596: Is situated in Central Plaza, as are several other Chinatown lodges and guilds. Near Broadway , Central Plaza contains a statue honoring Dr. Sun Yat-sen , the Chinese revolutionary leader who is considered the "founder of modern China". It was erected in the 1960s by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. A 7-foot tall statue of martial artist Bruce Lee was unveiled at Central Plaza on June 15, 2013. During
2511-529: Is the central business district of the city of Los Angeles . It is part of the Central Los Angeles region and covers a 5.84 sq mi (15.1 km ) area. As of 2020, it contains over 500,000 jobs and has a population of roughly 85,000 residents, with an estimated daytime population of over 200,000 people prior to the COVID-19 pandemic . Downtown Los Angeles is divided into neighborhoods and districts, some overlapping. Most districts are named for
2604-770: Is the 12-acre (49,000 m ) "San Gabriel Square" mall that has been mentioned in the Los Angeles Times as "the great mall of China." This stretch of Chinese shops and bold architecture, with roofs of Spanish-style tile, is the model for the new ethnoburbs recently recognized in areas like the Las Vegas Valley and Houston . The conglomeration of restaurants and cafes, shops, markets, hair and nail salons, Asian video stores, health services, department stores, plus an extensive jewelry mart, provides 'something for everyone', from purchasing an expensive diamond and shopping for designer suits, to buying soy milk or
2697-619: The Chinese American Museum • The Firecracker Run and Fun Walk • Mid-autumn Moon Festival • Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant A midnight firecracker display occurs every Chinese New Year's Eve at Thien Hau Temple and Xuan Wu San Buddhist Association. According to U.S. Census data, 20.2% of Chinatown residents aged 25 and older possessed a four-year degree in 2023. There are three schools operating within Chinatown. They are: Los Angeles Public Library operates
2790-541: The City of Industry , Hacienda Heights , Rowland Heights , Walnut , and West Covina . Numerous Mandarin , Hokkien , Hakka , Teochew , Shanghainese , and Cantonese speaking businesses have been established in these suburbs to accommodate the changing population. The history of the San Gabriel Valley, like much of the American West , included Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and south Asian settlers and pioneers in
2883-465: The City of Industry . This ten-mile-long (16 km), largely industrial corridor includes many Asian owned wholesale businesses, including importers of electronics, food and furniture from Asia. North of La Puente is West Covina which is 26% Asian and south of La Puente is Hacienda Heights which is 36% Asian Hacienda Heights is home to the Hsi Lai Temple , the largest Buddhist temple in
Chinatown, Los Angeles - Misplaced Pages Continue
2976-495: The East Bay and Santa Clara County . The most prominent Chinese ethnoburb in the region is found in the city of Milpitas , which has a population that is over 60% Asian as of the 2010 U.S. Census. Chinese-oriented shopping centers, markets, and community centers are spread around the city. Other suburbs which have large Chinese populations and commercial activity include Fremont , Cupertino , San Leandro , and Sunnyvale , with
3069-464: The El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument opened in 2016. In the 1930s, under the efforts of Chinese-American community leader Peter Soo Hoo Sr., the design and operational concepts for a New Chinatown evolved through a collective community process, resulting in a blend of Chinese and American architecture. The neighborhood saw major development, especially as a tourist attraction , throughout
3162-605: The Financial District , many historic office buildings have been left intact, which is simply used for storage or remaining empty during recent decades. In 1999, the Los Angeles City Council passed an adaptive reuse ordinance , making it easier for developers to convert outmoded, vacant office and commercial buildings into renovated lofts and luxury apartment and condo complexes. As of early 2009, 14,561 residential units have been created under
3255-547: The Historic Core neighborhood. Despite its relative decentralization and comparatively new high-rises (until 1958, the city did not permit any structures taller than the 27-story City Hall building ), Los Angeles has one of the largest skylines in the United States , and its development has continued in recent years. The skyline has seen rapid growth due to improvements in seismic design standards, which has made certain building types highly earthquake-resistant. Many of
3348-541: The Homer Laughlin Building , and the Los Angeles Mall . Downtown Los Angeles is flanked by Echo Park to the north and northwest, Chinatown to the northeast, Boyle Heights to the east, Vernon to the south, Historic South Central and University Park to the southwest, and Pico-Union and Westlake to the west. Downtown is bounded on the northeast by Cesar Chavez Avenue , on
3441-705: The Hotel Alexandria at Fifth and Spring streets. Following World War II , suburbanization , the development of the Los Angeles freeway network, and increased automobile ownership led to decreased investment downtown. Many corporate headquarters slowly dispersed to new suburbs or fell to mergers and acquisitions. As early as the 1920s once-stately Victorian mansions on Bunker Hill were dilapidated, serving as rooming houses for 20,000 working-class Angelenos. The Broadway theaters saw much use as Spanish-language movie houses during this time, beginning with
3534-1622: The South Bay, Los Angeles , and San Fernando Valley , and may include South Asians . These include Sawtelle ( West Los Angeles ), San Pedro (due to its proximity to the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach), and Pasadena , though Pasadena's historic Japantowns are no longer hubs of the Japanese American communities. The towns of Artesia , Cerritos , Gardena , Hawaiian Gardens , La Mirada , Lakewood , Long Beach , Carson , Lomita , Norwalk , Redondo Beach , Torrance , and Whittier have some Asian-American neighborhoods and businesses/malls. Experts said they predict more Asian-oriented supermarkets of these types to open in other Inland cities in coming years, including Corona, California , whose Asian population jumped from 8 percent to 11 percent from 2000 to 2005. The same goes for Rancho Cucamonga , whose Asian population rose from 6 percent in 2000 to 8 percent in 2005. Other Asian ethnoburbs in Southern California are in Orange County, such as Anaheim , Buena Park , Costa Mesa , Garden Grove , Huntington Beach , Irvine , Laguna Beach , Laguna Niguel , La Palma , Orange , and Westminster . Chinese and Asian-American ethnoburbs also can be found in Chino , Chino Hills , San Bernardino , Calico,
3627-646: The Spring Street Financial District . Sometimes referred to as the " Wall Street of the West ," the district held corporate headquarters for financial institutions including Bank of America , Farmers and Merchants Bank , the Crocker National Bank , California Bank & Trust, and International Savings & Exchange Bank. The Los Angeles Stock Exchange was also located on the corridor from 1929 until 1986 before moving into
3720-510: The "Gateway to the San Gabriel Valley". Alhambra, which is 47% Asian according to the 2000 census, has a large number of Asian businesses along Valley Boulevard. Alhambra's Valley Boulevard boasts numerous noodle shops, Asian cafés and the original Sam Woo Barbecue restaurant. The artful Wing Lung Bank features the largest glass tile mural in North America, composed of 996,000 3/4" glass tiles. Each year, Alhambra and San Gabriel host one of
3813-473: The "first suburban Chinatown" in North America, and was featured in Forbes magazine, Time magazine, Los Angeles Times , and The Atlantic Monthly . Monterey Park's effect on tourism in Los Angeles was featured on the "Life and Times" show on the L.A. former-PBS affiliate KCET . Little Taipei (Chinese: 小臺北) was an informal name given to the city of Monterey Park, California, in the late 1970s because of
Chinatown, Los Angeles - Misplaced Pages Continue
3906-504: The 1930s, with the development of the "Central Plaza," a Hollywoodized version of Shanghai , containing names such as Bamboo Lane , Gin Ling Way and Chung King Road (named after the city of Chongqing in mainland China ). Chinatown was designed by Hollywood film set designers, and a "Chinese" movie prop was subsequently donated by film director Cecil B. DeMille to give Chinatown an exotic atmosphere. The Hop Sing Tong Society
3999-499: The 1970s with the arrival of ethnic Chinese refugees from Vietnam , affluent waisheng ren Taiwanese , and Mainland Chinese . While these San Gabriel neighborhoods contain prominent Chinese-language signage, these communities do not feature the Chinese-style gateways, or paifang , found in the original Chinatown. In 1988, Monterey Park passed an ordinance declaring a moratorium on new building, in an attempt to regulate
4092-486: The 1970s. Just east of the city of Los Angeles , the region has achieved international prominence as a hub of overseas Chinese, or hua qiao . Although Chinese immigrants were a noteworthy presence in the establishment of Southern California from the 19th century, significant Chinese migration to suburban San Gabriel Valley coincided with a trend of white out-migration from the 1970s onward. This opened an opportunity for middle-class Asian Americans to begin settling in
4185-470: The 1980s, many buildings were constructed for new shopping centers and mini-malls, especially along Broadway. Metro Plaza Hotel was opened in the southwest corner of Chinatown in the early 1990s. A large Chinese gateway is found at the intersection of Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue , funded by the local Teochew -speaking population. In 1996, Academy Award-winning (for The Killing Fields in 1985) Cambodian refugee, physician and actor, Haing S. Ngor ,
4278-577: The Asian tradition of taking studio quality photos of the bride and groom before the wedding. Asian brides come from as far away as New York City to visit this Temple City specialty sector. Valley Boulevard (former US 60 , US 70 and US 99 ) is a vital and growing professional and business sector that includes many Asian markets, eateries and other service-oriented businesses such as physicians and dentists. There are multiple Asian banks and Asian owned and operated enterprises that accommodate
4371-580: The Chinatown Branch. Chinatown is served by the A Line of the city's Metro Rail . The station was formerly serviced by the, now defunct, L Line ; parts of Old Chinatown were uncovered during excavation for another portion of the L.A. subway (the Red Line connection to Union Station). The Metro Rail station in Chinatown has been described as a spectacular pagoda-themed facility and as a cliché of neo-pagoda architecture by Christopher Hawthorne,
4464-731: The DTLA area. It was not a "census" but rather a comprehensive survey of Downtown LA consumers. An additional study by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District showed that by 2017 the population reached 67,324. In early 2020 the population was estimated to have exceeded 80,000 at the end of 2019. Downtown Los Angeles is the center of the region's growing rail transit system, with six commuter lines operated by Metrolink , as well as six urban rail transit lines and local and regional bus service operated by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Major Metro stations in
4557-492: The Los Angeles Times architecture critic. Chinatown has served as the setting for many Hollywood films. The conclusion of the film Chinatown was filmed on Spring Street. The movie Rush Hour was filmed on location in Chinatown. 34°03′46″N 118°14′16″W / 34.062888°N 118.23789°W / 34.062888; -118.23789 Downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles ( DTLA )
4650-651: The Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce, within the city's 7.7-square-mile (20 km ) limits, there are more than 60 Chinese restaurants, more than 50 realty companies, several Chinese supermarkets, scores of dental, medical, accounting and legal offices, and dozens of shopping centers. The Chinese American population in Monterey Park and San Gabriel Valley is relatively diverse in socioeconomics and region of origin, including overseas Chinese from Vietnam and Indonesia. In Monterey Park, 61.3 percent of
4743-513: The San Gabriel Valley. High property values, crime, and overcrowding in Monterey Park have contributed to a secondary movement away from that city, and the Chinese community is now spread over a cluster of cities in the San Gabriel Valley. Suburban cities in the valley besides Monterey Park with large Chinese populations, also called ethnoburbs , include Alhambra , Arcadia , Rosemead , San Marino , San Gabriel , South Pasadena , and Temple City and then eastward to Chino Hills , Diamond Bar ,
SECTION 50
#17327726768184836-593: The San Gabriel Valley. The creation of this major hub, which is a cultural center with many suburban cities, is an "Asian Pacific American phenomenon". Rather than solely being a significant Chinese American cultural center, the area is a hub of much more extensive "multigenerational and multiethnic Asian American diversity." In the 21st century, many of the ethnoburbs in the San Gabriel Valley have expanded and thrived, and are becoming increasingly diverse - as well as congested. There are several suburban Chinese-oriented ethnoburbs in Southern California, including those in
4929-510: The San Gabriel Valley. Unlike the official Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles, these "pocket" communities are not called "Chinatown" by the Chinese community there, but generally by the name of the city. Monterey Park has been called the "First Suburban Chinatown" due to it not being located in the downtown of a large city. The Asian communities in the San Gabriel Valley follow along a 25-mile (40 km) stretch of Valley Boulevard , covering
5022-535: The United States. The temple encompasses 15 acres (61,000 m ) and a floor area of 102,432 sq ft (9,516.2 m ). The temple's Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD) and Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 AD) architecture is faithful to the traditional style of buildings, Chinese gardens , and statuary of ancient Chinese monasteries. Hsi Lai was built to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for those interested in learning Buddhism and Chinese culture . On
5115-616: The activities concentrated there now or historically, such as the Arts , Fashion , Banking , Theater , Toy , and Jewelry Districts. It is the hub for the city's urban rail transit system , as well as the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink commuter rail system covering greater Southern California . Also located in downtown is the Civic Center , the administrative core of the city government . Historically, downtown held
5208-429: The adaptive reuse ordinance, leading to an increase in the residential population. With 28,878 residents in 2006, 39,537 in 2008, and over 60,000 in 2017, downtown Los Angeles is seeing new life and investment. Multiple Olympic and Paralympic events will be held in DTLA during the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics . After six years of construction, the new Sixth Street Viaduct opened on July 9, 2022 at
5301-1067: The affluent. This economic diversity encourages a diversity of places to serve the area. Two of Chinatown's restaurants highlight the history and diversity of this neighborhood. The words Los Angeles Chinatown are written and pronounced as follows as ( traditional Chinese : 洛杉磯唐人街 ; simplified Chinese : 洛杉矶唐人街 ; pinyin : Luòshānjī Tángrénjiē ; Cantonese Yale : Loksāamgēi Tòhngyàhngāai ) in Cantonese , ( traditional Chinese : 洛杉磯中國城 ; simplified Chinese : 洛杉矶中国城 ; pinyin : Luòshānjī Zhōngguóchéng ; Cantonese Yale : Loksāamgēi Jūnggwoksìhng ) in Mandarin Chinese or officially known as ( simplified Chinese : 洛杉矶华埠 ; traditional Chinese : 洛杉磯華埠 ; pinyin : Luòshānjī Huábù ; Cantonese Yale : Loksāamgēi Wàhfauh ). Events that have been held or are planned in Los Angeles's Chinatown include: • Chinese New Year Parade • Lantern festival at
5394-668: The building was under construction, L.A. City Council removed the flat roof ordinance as of 2015. The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Central Health Center in downtown Los Angeles. The Southern California Liaison of the California Department of Education has its office in the Ronald Reagan State Building in downtown Los Angeles. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch
5487-532: The burgeoning Asian population. The Asian communities in the San Gabriel Valley follow along a 25-mile (40 km) stretch of Valley Boulevard covering the entire length of the San Gabriel Valley with Alhambra on the west side and Diamond Bar on the east side. Asian communities in the San Gabriel Valley extend as far north as San Marino and Arcadia and as far south as Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights . Valley Boulevard begins at Lincoln Park , off North Main Street near downtown Los Angeles , about
5580-590: The city of Los Angeles, including a public park at the proposed Nikkei Center development in Little Tokyo ; a 1-acre (4,000 m ) park at the Medallion development in the Historic Core; and a pocket park at the Wilshire Grand Hotel replacement project, currently under construction. Additionally, the city recently completed a new park located on the 400 block of South Spring Street in
5673-567: The congestion they could bring to the streets, and height limit ordinances were a common way of dealing with the problem. In 1911, the city passed an updated height limit ordinance, establishing a specific limit of 150 feet (46 m). Exceptions were granted for decorative towers such as those later built on the Eastern Columbia Building and United Artists Theatre, as well as the now-demolished Richfield Tower . The pattern of buildings in Los Angeles to feature flat rooftops
SECTION 60
#17327726768185766-505: The conversion of the Million Dollar Theater in the 1950s to a Spanish-language theater. In the early 2000s, the neighborhood became popular with Artists and Creatives due to low rent, open loft space, and many vacancies. In mid-2013, downtown was noted as "a neighborhood with an increasingly hip and well-heeled residential population". Because of the downtown area's office market's migration west to Bunker Hill and
5859-568: The district include Union Station , Civic Center/Grand Park station , Pershing Square station , 7th Street/Metro Center station , Pico station , Little Tokyo/Arts District station , Historic Broadway station , and Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill station . Amtrak operates intercity passenger train service on five routes through Los Angeles Union Station : the Coast Starlight , Pacific Surfliner , Southwest Chief , Sunset Limited , and Texas Eagle . Greyhound Lines operates
5952-717: The diverse character of Chinatown. Few boba cafes have opened in Chinatown, but a large number are to be found in the Chinese enclaves in the San Gabriel Valley . Dynasty Center, Saigon Plaza, and the Chinatown Phuoc Loc Tho Center feature many Vietnamese-style bazaars with people engaged in bargain shopping for items such as clothing, toys, Chinese-language CDs, pets, household items, funerary products, and so on. Its entrepreneurs are ethnic Chinese from Vietnam. There are over 20 art galleries to see, mostly featuring non-Chinese modern art, with works from up and coming artists in all types of media. Chinatown
6045-543: The early 2000s, downtown has experienced a renaissance of economic revitalization, including the Crypto.com Arena in downtown's south end, and the restoration and repurposing of historic buildings in the area. The Tongva village of Yaanga was located in what is now downtown Los Angeles, possibly near or underneath where the Bella Union Hotel was located (now Fletcher Bowron Square ). Father Juan Crespí ,
6138-452: The east by the Los Angeles River , on the south by the Los Angeles city line with Vernon, on the southwest by East Washington Boulevard and on the west by the 110 Freeway or Beaudry Avenue, including the entire Four Level Interchange with the 101 Freeway . The neighborhood includes these districts: The 2000 U.S. census found that just 27,849 residents lived in the 5.84 square miles of downtown—or 4,770 people per square mile, among
6231-550: The east side of the San Gabriel Valley, before Valley Boulevard becomes Holt Avenue in Pomona , are the communities of Rowland Heights , Walnut and Diamond Bar . These three communities each have Asian populations of between 50 and 60%. Rowland Heights offers its own mini ethnic suburbia, including the businesses lining Colima Road (about one mile (1.6 km) south of Valley), Fullerton Road and Nogales Street. Indoor malls in Rowland Heights feature fine restaurants and chic Asian boutiques. Asian-American ethnoburbs can be found in
6324-525: The empty Cornfield area. The ethnic breakdown in 2010: Asian , 68.8%; Latino , 14.7%; blacks , 6.7%; whites , 8.7%; mixed race, 0.8%; and others, 2.3%. The median household income in 2010 dollars ($ 29,000), was the third-lowest in Los Angeles County , preceded by Watts ($ 28,200) and Downtown ($ 24,300). The percentage of households earning $ 20,000 or less (53.6%) was the third-largest in Los Angeles County, preceded by Downtown (57.4%) and University Park (56.6%). The average household size of 2.8 people
6417-403: The entire length of the valley, with Alhambra on the west side and Diamond Bar on the east side. Asian communities in the valley extend as far north as San Marino and Arcadia and as far south as Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights . San Gabriel has become a brand-name destination for Chinese tourists, especially in the business district around the San Gabriel Mall. This tourism boom
6510-400: The first Asian American elected to the California State Assembly , representing Monterey Park . Since the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act , there has been an influx of some 20 million Asian immigrants to the United States, many of whom settled in Monterey Park due to its close proximity to Chinatown, suburban appeal, and "superior public education" to LAUSD . This continued through
6603-523: The gallery boom in the 2000s and deep-rooted sense of community. Chinese bakeries and other shops continue to serve the area. Traditional Chinese restaurants that have remained are being joined by a variety of new restaurants as the opportunities Chinatown offers is recognized by additional restaurateurs. The area is better served by transit than many areas with Union Station so close by. Even though low-income seniors remain, college graduates can find their first apartment here and condos are becoming available for
6696-489: The large immigrant population from Taiwan. ( Taipei is the capital city of Taiwan .) The city council had tried, and failed, to pass English-only sign ordinances, because of safety issues for police and fire departments. In 1985, the City Council of Monterey Park approved drafting of a proposal that would require all businesses in Monterey Park to display English language identification on business signs. According to
6789-542: The largest Lunar Chinese New Year celebrations in the country which includes a parade along Valley Boulevard. Continuing east from Alhambra along Valley Boulevard are the cities of San Gabriel and Rosemead with San Marino , Temple City and Arcadia being further north and east. These five cities have Asian populations between 40 and 55% with a large number of Asian businesses in their various town centers. Along Valley Boulevard in San Gabriel are dozens of Asian mini-malls and hundreds of shops and restaurants. San Gabriel Square
6882-431: The lowest densities for the city of Los Angeles but about average for the county. The Southern California Association of Governments estimates that downtown's daytime population is 207,440. The population increased to 34,811 by 2008, according to city estimates. By the end of 2019, the population of the district had grown to 85,000 residents, and 7,956 residential units were under construction. The median age for residents
6975-578: The market rate apartments and condominiums. Since 2019, the neighborhood has lacked a centrally located grocery store with a large selection, affordable prices and consistently high quality that opens early and closes late. The 2020 U.S. census counted 7,798 residents. The 2010 U.S. census counted 20,913 residents in the 0.91-square-mile Chinatown neighborhood, excluding the population of the Los Angeles County Jail complex. That made an average of 9,650 people per square mile, which included
7068-532: The mid-19th century. These Asian settlers worked the fields of grapes, citrus fruits, and other crops. They were also involved in the construction of early infrastructure for San Gabriel Valley. Due to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act , the 1942 internment of Japanese , and racial covenant laws , Asian economic and social assimilation were halted for many years. The only Asian cultural hubs were Chinatown and Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles , though populations persisted elsewhere. In 1961, Alfred Song became
7161-399: The middle and working classes, from Taiwan and Mainland China, later followed. Settlement in the city picked up the pace in the 1980s, following opportunities created by the white flight from the San Gabriel Valley. Chinese shopping centers—with supermarkets serving as anchors—were developed to serve the new residents. As this unique phenomenon became known, Monterey Park was described as
7254-456: The most far-flung and most comprehensive in the world in mileage, even besting that of New York City . By this time, a steady influx of residents and aggressive land developers had transformed the city into a large metropolitan area, with DTLA at its center. Rail lines connected four counties with over 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of track. During the early part of the 20th century, banking institutions clustered around South Spring Street, forming
7347-475: The new skyscrapers contain a housing or hotel component. Some current and upcoming examples of skyscraper construction include: The first height limit ordinance in Los Angeles was enacted following the completion of the 13-story Continental Building , located at the southeast corner of Fourth and Spring streets. The purpose of the height limit was to limit the density of the city. There was great hostility to skyscrapers in many cities in these years, mainly due to
7440-525: The parade. This parade is broadcast on LA Chinese-language radio and on TV. Chi Mui became the city's first Chinese American mayor in 2006. The new San Gabriel Chinese aggregation served as the setting for the thriller novel The Jasmine Trade , authored by Denise Hamilton. Chinese businesses were formerly more spread out in Rowland Heights , an unincorporated area with a Chinese retail corridor on Colima Road and Nogales Street and intermixed with
7533-481: The population is Asian American, In Alhambra, Arcadia, and San Gabriel, the Asian population was 48.91 percent, as of the 2000 census. Montebello is also included as it has had a significant (almost 25%) Asian population for several decades after seceding from Monterey Park. The city of San Gabriel boasts a mixture of Asian, European, and North American cultures. Second- and third-generation Chinese Americans patronize its diverse array of stores and eateries. There
7626-600: The rapid growth the city experienced as a result of the influx of Asian immigrants. This moratorium was challenged and defeated in 1989, but it caused many Asian residents and businesses to move to the neighboring city of Alhambra , later spreading easterly to more communities. By 1996, the population of Monterey Park was 65% Asian, primarily Chinese. Given the San Gabriel Valley's rapidly increasing population of Asian-Americans (largely Chinese-Americans ), several business districts were developed to serve their needs. By 2000, many Chinatown residents and businesses had moved to
7719-418: The rest. In 2000, there were 2,400 military veterans living downtown, or 9.7% of the population, considered a high rate for the city but average for the county overall. In 2010, census data concluded that 40,227 people lived in downtown Los Angeles. In 2013, a study by Downtown Center Business Improvement District showed that of the 52,400 people resided in downtown Los Angeles, the demographic breakdown
7812-401: The second–most diverse neighborhood in Los Angeles, its diversity index being 0.743, outrated only by Mid-Wilshire . The ethnic breakdown in 2000 was Latinos , 36.7%; blacks , 22.3%; Asians , 21.3%; whites , 16.2%, and others, 3.5%. Mexico (44.7%) and Korea (17%) were the most common places of birth for the 41.9% of the residents who were born abroad, about the same ratio as in the city as
7905-400: Was 39, considered old for the city and the county . Downtown Los Angeles is almost evenly balanced among the four major racial and ethnic groups— Asian Americans (23%), African Americans (22%), Latinos (25%) and non-Hispanic whites (26%)—according to an analysis of 2010 census data made by Loyola Marymount University researchers. A study of the 2000 census showed that downtown was
7998-432: Was 52.7% Caucasian, 20.1% Asian, 17.0% Latino, and 6.2% African-American; 52.9% female, 47.1% male; and 74.8% of residents were between the ages of 23–44. The median age for residents was 34. The median household income was $ 98,700. The median household size was 1.8. In terms of educational attainment, 80.1% of residents had completed at least 4 years of college. The study was a self-selecting sample of 8,841 respondents across
8091-462: Was a short-lived China-themed district developed by Christine Sterling in 1938. The neighborhood that has become Chinatown was formerly Sonoratown and then Little Italy . In the early 20th century, Italian immigrants settled in the area north of the Old Plaza . Many built businesses, including wineries ( San Antonio Winery is still in existence). The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles in
8184-640: Was becoming a Chinese-influenced community. This trend included affluent Chinese professionals, mostly from Taiwan. At that time, Monterey Park was being marketed by realtors in Taiwan and Hong Kong as the "Chinese Beverly Hills," to entice future investors. The crowded downtown L.A. Chinatown did not have room for the growing numbers of Chinese leaving Taiwan and Hong Kong for economic opportunities in America. Other Mandarin Chinese-speaking immigrants of
8277-464: Was demolished to make room for Union Station , the city's major ground-transportation center. This neighborhood and commercial center, referred to as "New Chinatown," opened for business in 1938. According to Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA), borders of (the current) Chinatown neighborhood are: Chinatown can refer to one of three locations near downtown Los Angeles. What
8370-632: Was held with the L.A. Chinatown 70th Anniversary Party. "Though lacking the hustle and bustle of San Francisco 's Chinatown , Los Angeles' version has charms of its own." The 2010s and 2020s have seen the completion of several large mixed-use and multifamily residential buildings like other neighborhoods in and around Downtown Los Angeles. Activists and city council members were concerned about rising rents and displacement of long time residents, many of them low-income as these revitalization projects were approved. City officials and housing activists have debated how much affordable housing should be included amidst
8463-570: Was just about the city norm. Renters occupied 91% of the housing units, and home- or apartment owners the rest. Small, specialized grocery stores are important to the aging population but few remain as gentrification impacts the neighborhood. The Chinese-Vietnamese residents own many bazaars. The stores sell products such as soap, toys, clothes, music CDs at low prices. Several restaurants in Chinatown serve mainly Cantonese cuisine but there are also various Asian cuisine restaurants such as Teochew Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Thai, which reflects
8556-412: Was shot and killed in the Chinatown residential area in a bungled robbery attempt by members of an Asian gang. By 2000 many people had left the Chinatown for the City of Monterey Park , which is a part of the larger Chinese community in the San Gabriel Valley . In 2000 AsianWeek said that the Los Angeles Chinatown was "troubled." On June 28, 2008, a celebration of the 1938 founding of New Chinatown
8649-556: Was the result of a 1974 fire ordinance which required all tall buildings in the city to include rooftop helipads in response to the devastating 1974 Joelma Fire in Sao Paulo, Brazil , in which helicopters were used to effect rescues from the flat rooftop of the building. The Wilshire Grand Center was the first building granted an exception by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 2014. However, as
#817182