LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Joe Shuster, president and owner of Honda of Downtown Los Angeles (http://www.hondaoflosangeles.com/), will unveil plans for a new $30+ million project in what is becoming the hot new western Downtown neighborhood. The plan is for one of the largest retail/commercial investments for this region in recent years. The new project joins other high-profile developments including Banc of California Stadium, USC Village and The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Honda of Downtown Los Angeles will bring significant job growth and tax revenues, plus vitality, safety and architectural interest to a once blighted street corner.
Shuster will build a community-based Honda dealership at 740 West Martin Luther King Boulevard (http://bit.ly/2oEgnmj) on a previously vacant one-acre site. The innovative five-story, 210,000 square foot facility will provide 100 additional jobs, with many offered directly to qualified candidates within the district first, and an exceptional customer experience.
Shuster says, “Most of our customers and employees live closer to the Coliseum and the surrounding communities of USC. This property offers the ideal location to allow us to become a part of the vibrant, evolving community as opposed to making people leave their neighborhood to come to us. The added advantages include helping build up this exciting part of Downtown while being more geographically desirable to both our customers and employees.”
Honda of Downtown Los Angeles is now one of the top ten highest volume Honda dealers in North America selling over 500 new and used vehicles per month. Its current dealership located at 1540 S Figueroa Street will continue to serve customers through the opening. This new vertical, next-generation concept will drive Honda of Downtown Los Angeles’ long-term growth strategy and its plan to be the No. 1 Honda dealer in America.
An upscale urban neighborhood revitalization project
Councilman Curren D. Price Jr., who represents the Los Angeles City Council District 9 where the dealership is located, welcomes the investment to the South LA community. “This project aligns with three key priorities for my district – economic development, job creation and neighborhood revitalization,” Price said. “The facility is being constructed on a previously vacant lot that was dark and uninviting and will greatly improve the streetscape of this part of the neighborhood.”
Honda of Downtown Los Angeles plans to donate $100,000 to the Los Angeles Trade-Tech Community College to stimulate education in the automotive service-tech fields and will donate $50,000 directly to the new business improvement district to continue innovation and beautification of the south Figueroa corridor.
Construction will begin following a groundbreaking May 4 with an anticipated completion date in Summer 2018.
A multi-generational customer experience with the latest in tech and green design
The new location offers a dynamic design that taps into how people shop for cars and exemplifies why Honda of Downtown Los Angeles is at the forefront of the vertical trend for auto dealers. The first level will house indoor customer parking, the new car showroom and administrative areas. The second floor will house business offices, the customer lounge and additional parking. The top three floors will be operations and inventory areas, with additional rooftop parking for inventory. Take a virtual tour of the project here: http://bit.ly/2p6ZOj1
The spacious customer lounge will accommodate large families and will feature an information technology center with work and charging stations, upgraded Wi-Fi, beverages and the upbeat atmosphere the original Honda of Downtown Los Angeles is well known for. Learn more about hours, inventory and specials at http://www.hondaoflosangeles.com/about-us/.
“Purchasing a new car is often a multi-generational family experience for our customers, so we wanted to create a state-of-the-art facility that accommodates and appeals to everyone,” said Shuster.
In addition to the exterior green screens, which optimize energy use by providing natural cooling, the building’s exterior will include 10,000 square feet of perforated aluminum panels that absorb reflected light creating an architecturally futuristic feature. Two oversized plasma video screens will show ads and community happenings. Solar panels will also be installed on the roof to increase energy efficiency.
About Honda of Downtown Los Angeles
Honda of Downtown Los Angeles is one of the top ten highest volume Honda dealers in North America, selling over 500 new and used vehicles per month. Established in 2011 by Owner and President Joe Shuster, it offers the biggest selection of new and used Hondas in Los Angeles and prides itself on its customer service and overall car buying experience. Honda of Downtown Los Angeles will soon expand its footprint in Los Angeles to a new state-of-the-art facility triple the size of its current space. To learn more about Honda, to take a test drive, or for service, stop by the dealership at 1540 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90015, call (213) 266-7366 or visit the website at www.hondaoflosangeles.com.
