Yeah I agree the 'revitalization' of downtown LA isn't going to follow the same pattern as other cities, because it, like you say, is fundamentally different from the eastern cities you mention (more spread out, etc.).
What's your take on the fact that there appears to be a market for all the new development?
Don't get me started on the people's republic of Santa Monica...
Just a guess... that it's
A. for weekday lawyers &/or
B. foreign money & or for foreigners (asians).
It sure isn't for retiring boomers - they never had a "downtown experience"nor want one
It sure isn't for govt employees - they don't have the $s
FWIW, I was told that property ownership can speed up the green card & residency process for aliens & that this has been exploited mostly by the Koreans...& probably continues.