Tag Archives: Playa Vista

Represent LA: Geographical Breakdown of Startups in Los Angeles

Posted on by
Reply

Represent LA is a website that maps the location of new tech start ups and investors in Los Angeles.  The map is useful because it allows people to browse according to location, investors, or company name.  With Represent LA, it’s easy to see which areas have the highest and lowest numbers of startups, which could be a factor for a new startup in their search for leasing creative space.  The creators of the website also promote a sense of community and support by offering up the ability for companies who do not see their business on the map to submit their information to be added.

The geographical breakdown of startups within Los Angeles can be determined by exploring the Represent LA map.  Currently, downtown Santa Monica and Venice have the highest concentration of start ups, followed by the area east of downtown Santa Monica.  Surprisingly, Santa Monica airport area has many startups while Playa Vista does not.

Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Culver City, El Segundo, Pasadena, Tri-Cities, and the greater South Bay have moderate levels of start ups.  San Fernando Valley, Century City, Westwood, and the Beverly Hills area contain low levels of startups.  The fewest startups, however, are located in Malibu, South Los Angeles, Mid-City, East Los Angeles, and the San Gabriel Valley.

It seems that Silicon Beach is continuing to grow as an area that start ups are drawn to, which is consistent with the articles we have shared about in past.  Conversely, Pasadena’s start up activity seems to be on the decline.  Represent LA’s map is a great way to find start ups, coworking space, investors, or consulting firms in Los Angeles and will hopefully be another resource tech start ups will be able to efficiently use.

The Future of Office Workspace: Less is More

Posted on by
Reply

Some may argue that office space in West Los Angeles has become too plentiful. Soft markets, when there is an excess of supply over demand, occur about 80% of the time.  Conversely, tight markets occur about 20% of the time.  Los Angeles brokers and building owners have to face the reality that demand has been decreasing over the last two decades.  This industry is very mature, and it may be time for a change.  As this article from CoStar Group points out, one of the changes that should be made in office design is to accommodate the needs of the next workforce generation.  Unfortunately, the next generation demands less, not more, office space per employee.

To add value to their properties, Westside Los Angeles office owners will need to design spaces that operate with greater efficiency.  They will also have to account for greater densities of employees in these spaces.  These two tasks need to be accomplished simultaneously while continuing to foster an interesting and creative atmosphere.  These environments will further promote collaboration and will have a positive effect on employees rather than sticking them in cubicle farms.

The Westside does not need more space, but simply better quality of space. Despite a 20% vacancy rate in Playa Vista, developers are planning to bring on another million square feet of office space in the next couple of years.  If the future workforce demands less space, one may question why this is being planned.  Investors, developers and owners have to ask themselves if they are meeting a tenant demand or investor demand.