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June 1, 2009
"Largest" Sales Event Ever This Weekend at Evo
April 20, 2009
Evo Maintains Furious Sales Pace,
Announces New "Homebuyer Advantage Sale"
March 2, 2009
Evo High-Rise Reports 24 Year-to-Date Sales, Continues Furious Pace as Los Angeles’ Leading Residence
February 2, 2009
Sales Success at Evo High-Rise Signifies Steady Consumer Demand
September 4, 2008
The “EVO”-lution of South
August 1, 2008
Sip, Sup and Celebrate the Art Scene at South
July 25, 2008
LA Hard Hats
April 22, 2008
Good as Gold for Going Green: Luma Awarded LEED Gold Certification on Earth Day
October 30, 2007
The Midas Touch: The South Group’s Elleven Awarded LEED Gold Certification
April 11, 2007
Building on Success
December 18, 2006
The South Group Steps up Customer Service with Management Position
November 20, 2006
The Building Buzz is “Brewing” in South Park
July 6, 2006
Jr. Achievement “Job Shadows” Developers, Learns the Nuts & Bolts of Building Industry
June 23, 2006
The South Group's Evo Comes Flying Out of the Gate With Stunning Sales Event Numbers
March 7, 2006
Evo Elevates Urban Living in Downtown Los Angeles
December 21, 2005
Sierra Club Names The South Group’s Portland Development One of America’s Best
December 1, 2005
"Figueroa South," The South Group's Newest, Earns CRA Approval
November 29, 2005
Developers Thrilled by Weekend Sell-out
November 3, 2005
Civic, Business Leaders and Urban Pioneers
October 27, 2005
The South Group Announces Plans for New "Figueroa South" Residential Development Within the "South" Community
October 27, 2005
Evo, Developer's Third New Luxury Condo Project, Breaks Ground in Downtown Los Angeles
August 31, 2005
Downtown Urban Development Strengthened By Unique Relationship
August 23, 2005
Elleven's Scorecard: 50% Complete; 100% Recycled
August 16, 2005
The South Group Breaks Ground on Luma, Downtown Los Angeles' All-New Condominium Project
April 20, 2005
Green is Gold for Prominent LEED Developers
April 8, 2005
Downtown Developer, The South Group, Honored
November 15, 2004
Getting In On the "Ground Floor," Urban Pioneers Swamp Developers of First New Downtown L.A. Condos
October 19, 2004
The South Group & AEG Join the Mayor's Office to Inform Minority Businesses About Subcontracting Opportunities with Elleven Urban Dwellings & L.A. Live Projects
September 30, 2004
Downtown's First New Condo Project in 20 Years, 'Elleven,' Breaks Ground
September 29, 2004
Elleven, Downtown's First New Residential High-rise in Decades, Now Underway
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LOS ANGELES - September 30, 2004 - The South Group, a joint venture of Portland, Oregon’s renowned urban innovators Williams & Dame Development and Gerding/Edlen Development Company, LLC, today broke ground on the first new ground-up condominium development built in Downtown Los Angeles since the 1980s.
Joined by Mayor Jim Hahn, Councilwoman Jan Perry, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Bobby Turner, Managing Partners of Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund, and other local leaders, The South Group unveiled the new condominium project, called “Elleven.” Ideally situated at 1111 South Grand Avenue in South Park, Elleven is the first of three buildings comprising 700-750 new homes planned for the site. It is part of The South Group’s overall vision for developing several thousand residential living spaces and associated ground floor retail space in South Park.
“Our success in Portland, Oregon has emboldened us to take on the challenge of South Park – to create an environmentally sustainable, pedestrian-oriented, eclectic and compelling neighborhood in the heart of a great city,” said Homer Williams, Chairman of Williams & Dame. “We are proud that our first three building projects will bring more than $250 million in new investment and several hundred jobs to Downtown Los Angeles.”
Williams & Dame and Gerding/Edlen have revitalized Portland’s Pearl and South Waterfront districts by a history of innovation and public-private partnerships. They have enabled and been largely responsible for the creation of over 2,000 condominiums, lofts and townhomes in Portland’s vibrant Pearl District. Together they are underway in developing 3,000 new living spaces in Portland’s emerging South Waterfront neighborhood. This newest of Portland’s neighborhoods is the first step in revitalizing 120 acres of former industrial land along the Willamette River. Their stewardship and civicminded approach has resulted in new urban vitality and economic energy with a strong neighborhood character. The South Group has a similar neighborhood revitalization plan for Downtown Los Angeles.
“We identified South Park as a prime location for an urban transformation. It has all the makings of a new and vibrant community,” said Gerding/Edlen partner Mark Edlen. “Our goal is to improve the landscape environmentally and physically, while increasing social activity. Elleven is just the beginning of The South Group’s commitment to creating a true urban village for Los Angeles.”
Continuing its Portland hallmark of “green” building design, The South Group approached the US Green Building Council to certify Elleven for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Incorporating natural light, sustainable materials and energy-efficient construction techniques and amenities, Elleven is striving to be one of a handful of residential buildings in the nation that are LEED Silver certified. Located less than two blocks from the Pico/Chick Hearn Blue Line station and major bus routes, Elleven is also designed to inspire greater pedestrian activity in South Park.
"Elleven is proof we have turned the corner in Los Angeles when it comes to housing development," Mayor Hahn said. "Until Elleven, a from the ground-up condominium residence hadn't been developed in Downtown in 20 years. Now, Downtown is a real residential neighborhood, and the success we have seen here is helping the entire city's economy."
"For-sale developments in Downtown help build a stable residential base in our central city. I look forward to this and other mixed-income housing that will be coming online throughout the Downtown area," said Councilwoman Jan Perry, an instrumental advocate for Elleven’s development.
To help bolster its commitment to urban investment, homeownership and all-union construction for Elleven, The South Group has secured private funding support for the project. No public dollars will be used on Elleven. ScanlanKemperBard and Lehman Brothers are participating in the equity, CanyonJohnson Urban Fund is providing mezzanine debt, and the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF) and Washington Capital Management are providing Elleven’s construction loan.
“We became involved with Elleven because the project is very much in keeping with the objectives of the Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund, namely, to bring services to under-served urban communities, to create jobs, and to stimulate development and redevelopment in urban areas,” said Johnson.
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“South Park is becoming a very exciting place to live and work,” said Damian Varni, Senior Vice President, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. “Elleven will be a distinctive new building that captures the vibrancy of Downtown's newest neighborhood."
Elleven’s new, for-sale homes represent a key element in South Park’s revitalization. The area is home to the Los Angeles Convention Center, world-renowned STAPLES Center, and will soon feature Anschutz Entertainment Group’s (AEG) proposed $1 billion sports and entertainment district, a new Ralphs supermarket, hundreds of new jobs at the neighboring Transamerica Center, and hundreds of other condominium homes and loft living spaces. Until Elleven, however, the area was void of new homeownership opportunities.
“The addition of The South Group to the already impressive collection of investors and developers playing key roles in the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles and specifically South Park will play a valuable role in the evolution of this core and important district,” said Timothy J. Leiweke, CEO and President, AEG, developers of the adjacent sports and entertainment district. “We particularly support the addition of the new owner-occupied units which will create neighborhoods comprised of investors with a greater stake in the evolution of South Park. We welcome Homer Williams, Mark Edlen and their organizations to South Park and look forward to being their neighbors, partners and supporters.”
Elleven’s prime location will be matched by its prime residential amenities. Floor plans will range from 770 to 3,100 square feet, with balconies on most corner units and Juliet balconies on some units. Other luxury amenities include floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, designer fixtures and large closets, and private on-site parking. Residents can also enjoy a fully WiFi elevated garden terrace and pool. Units are anticipated to start in the $300,000s. Construction on Elleven is scheduled for completion in early 2006. Reservations for units are being taken via Elleven’s web site: www.elleven-south.com.
Carol E. Schatz, President and CEO of the Central City Association, agreed, “With each new ondominium development, we are proving that Downtown is the best place for new home ownership opportunities. We welcome Elleven’s investment in the vibrant Downtown housing market.”
“I believe that South Park can become one of Southern California’s great urban neighborhoods,” said Ted Tanner, Chairperson of South Park Stakeholders and Senior Vice President, Real Estate, AEG. “Elleven’s creation complements our proposal to develop an enhanced streetscape program that includes wider sidewalks, open spaces and pedestrian streetscapes. The added and improved transportation infrastructure, neighborhood services and variety of housing choices and entertainment amenities will play a significant role in South Park’s resurgence.”
About The South Group
The South Group is the joint venture partnership of Portland, Oregon-based developers Williams & Dame and Gerding/Edlen distinguished by its innovative, smart growth, environmentally friendly, high-density neighborhood developments. Elleven is the first of a number of projects The South Group plans for an area of the South Park neighborhood, to be known simply as South.
Williams & Dame's leaders, Homer Williams and Dike Dame, represent over 70 years of collective real estate experience. The firm has used an organic approach to urban transformation, collaborating with public and private partners to create unique neighborhoods that blend quality housing, vibrant street life and new business opportunities. Gerding/Edlen's Bob Gerding and Mark Edlen are widely respected for their extensive experience building large scale, mixed-use developments. With a fundamental commitment to building environmentally sustainable structures, the forward-thinking company fosters an "eco-friendly," progressive approach to urban living that consistently sets a new standard in community-based development.
For more information or to join the interest list, visit www.exploresouthgroup.com or call (213) 622-5400.
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