An extant asset
(Source)
In the often maligned downtown of Los Angeles, referred to by its promoters as DTLA, is a small retail hub. Much smaller in size than major city peers Chicago with its Michigan Avenue, New York with its Fifth Avenue and especially Vancouver's Pacific Centre, this relatively small collection of commerce is highlighted by its own downtown vertical, The Bloc
1 to 4- The Los Angeles downtown skyline in 2018. 5- Pershing Square in 2025. 6- The corner of Broadway and Seventh. 7- One of several historic movie houses along Broadway. 8- Saint Vincent Court off of Seventh. 9- Falling or flying people at the Civic Center subway station. 10- Los Angeles City Hall.
As I rose up to ground level from the Seventh Street Metro Center station where all of the city’s metro rail lines converge, it wasn’t immediately apparent that I was standing in the middle of a shopping mall. This was probably due in no small part to the recent departure of Macy’s, leaving a façade indistinguishable from most of the other office fronts downtown.
1- The exterior of the original Broadway store. (Source) 2- The interior entrance to The Broadway in 1982. (Source) 3 & 4- Macy’s and its closing sale just before it exited downtown in 2024. (Source for both)
As it was Easter weekend, I’m unsure if the crowds I was surrounded by on that warm and sunny Saturday were of the usual size. But there was an overall festive feel to the complex although it’s largest and longest tenured tenant had vacated the retail destination just several weeks earlier.
The Bloc lease plan ca. 2015. View the full PDF version here.
What was at first known as Broadway Plaza opened in 1973 as a fully enclosed facility hosting the flagship location of Los Angeles based department store The Broadway. The three story building occupied nearly a full half of the facility with smaller inline stores populating the northeastern portion of the center.
1 & 2- The exterior and entrance to The Bloc from Hope Street. 3 to 10- The covered first level portion beneath the former Macy’s.
Debuting as a mixed use center, the design also featured two towers rising above the three levels of inline shops. Featuring façades of dark glass and mid-century modern elements, the taller northern tower hosted office space while its southern neighbor was occupied by a hotel and topped by a revolving restaurant.
The Bloc pamphlet ca. 2020. View the full PDF version here.
In 1996, not long after Federated had purchased all of The Broadway stores, Macy’s moved into the anchor spot. At the same time, the entire retail destination was renamed as Macy’s Plaza. The hotel, a Hyatt Regency in the beginning, was at the same time rebranded as a Sheraton.
1 to 7- The grassy first level courtyard of The Bloc. 8 to 10- The northeastern portion of the lower level leading to the LA Metro 7th Street/ Metro Center subway station.
In the mid-2010s, new owners took occupancy of what was becoming an outdated design with outdated functionality. By early 2015, most of the smaller retailers had closed up shop as the then forty year old complex underwent a major restructuring.
During this renovation, the center was converted to the open-air plaza that exists today. At nearly the same time, another downtown competitor, the refurbished FIGa7th, became home to many of the longtime tenants that had departed Macy’s Plaza during its reconstruction.
Around The Bloc’s second level mezzanine.
When the changes were complete, The Bloc made its debut. Though some retailers did move back in, the addition Alamo Drafthouse Cinema shifted the facility toward more of a focus on entertainment rather that shopping.
The Bloc lease plan ca. 2025. View the full PDF version here.
Over the ensuing years, The Bloc was able to add more retailers and eventually had three quarters of their storefronts leased. It never did, however, approach the success that it had seen in its earlier days as an innovator of city center retail.
1 to 3- The former Macy’s anchor entrance, originally opened as The Broadway. 4 to 8- The second tier of the formerly enclosed center. 10 & 11- The mid-century modern Sheraton Hotel. 12- The Bloc from 7th Street.
Where The Bloc goes from here is difficult to say. Though the presence of the subway station lends the facility plenty of foot traffic, they don’t seem to be sticking around before or after their office duties. And with its only anchor slot darkened, it’s a complete toss up as far as what happens now.
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