Living at Americana: Life above the Cheesecake Factory

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Diversion: Worthwhile feature in today’s paper by columnist Chris Erskine about what it’s like to spend a night in the apartments above Rick Caruso’s new Americana at Grand complex in Glendale. In other words, what it’s like to live upstairs from the Cheesecake Factory.

Highlights: ‘This $400-million development isn’t Greenwich Village, to be sure, Jackson Square or even Lincoln Park. Yet, Caruso’s latest vision helps give L.A. the thing that everyone says is most missing: somewhere to share an evening.’
More: ‘The new development is four city blocks. In addition to the shops and restaurants, four distinct rental apartment buildings -- almost like anchor stores -- offer floor plans ranging from lofts at $2,060 to town houses (topping $5,000). In all, there are 238 apartments. ... The Americana also boasts 100 condos, starting at $700,000 and reaching as high as $2 million. As of this month, 20% of the apartments had been rented. The condos just went on sale and figures aren’t available, though the Americana says it is delighted with the initial response.’

Drawbacks? Uh-huh. Live music floating up from the shopping mall until 10 p.m. No place to grab breakfast if you are an early riser. But, Erskine kinda liked it: ‘It’s hard to be too critical of this wager on a more interesting and congenial L.A. lifestyle. It all seems so earnest, so well-intentioned. And certainly, such retail-housing combos are a trend we’ll see more of soon, here and across the country.’

Your thoughts? Comments? E-mail story tips to peter.viles@latimes.com.
Photo: Americana residents Fred and Jan Cuevas. Credit: Los Angeles Times