Downtown Los Angeles is gaining a reputation for being a neighborhood with an increasingly hip and well-heeled residential population. Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, as well as a diverse residential neighborhood. Downtown Los Angeles today is composed of different neighborhoods and communities ranging from a Fashion district, Financial District, Jewelry District, Garment District, Warehouse District, Olvera Street and El Pueblo Historic District, Gallery Row, Arts District, Bunker Hill, Civic Center, Little Tokyo, South Park, Gallery Row and Skid Row. It is the hub for the city’s urban rail transit system and Metrolink commuter rail system for Southern California.
Banks, department stores, and movie palaces at once time drew residents and visitors into the area, but the district declined economically and suffered a downturn for decades until its recent renaissance starting in the early 2000s. Old buildings are now being retrofitted and modified for new uses and new skyscrapers have been built. Ornate movie palaces are being restored and renovated. Sleek, modern new hotels, office and residential buildings are adding new hi-rises to the Downtown skyline! Downtown Los Angeles is known for its government buildings, theatres, stadiums and other public places and parks (Mc Arthur Park and Pershing Square). The Shrine Auditorium, Dodger Stadium, The Memorial Coliseum, Staples Center and Microsoft Theater are other impressive buildings found in the Downtown area. The Civic Center is known for several prominent buildings including Disney Concert Hall and The Los Angeles Music Center. Cal State University and University of Southern California campuses call Downtown LA home.