The Rise of Mixed-Use: How LA Is Rebuilding Around Community

Ryan Kirschner Properties: New Mixed Use Development, Downtown LA

Mixed-use development is probably the coolest thing that's going on in LA real estate today. Residence, work setting, and shopping all under one roof. Building upwards is getting more common. Condos above cafes, or offices on top of restaurants. In as large a city as LA, it makes sense. Less traffic, and more communal buildings that take up less space.

Neighborhoods like West Adams and Lincoln Heights are already accomplishing this successfully. They are reclaiming abandoned structures or vacant lots and turning them into areas where people actually want to be. These neighborhoods put more life into the community and build real value, not only economically but for the community itself. The Urban Land Institute reports that this is only increasing as cities are looking to make more efficient use of space. And the LA Times recently wrote about how LA is embracing this type of construction and what problems it's correcting. Mixed-use isn't just trendy, it's practical.

Personally, I always loved how mixed use developments are lifestyle buildings, where people reside and hang out on a day-to-day basis. I would love to be involved in such buildings to create spaces that people want to spend time in, really centered on lifestyle and enjoyment. That is the type of future I want to help bring and the impact I want to have.