Photos: They built towering new cities in China. Now they’re trying it in Downtown L.A.

Construction continues at the Metropolis building site.

Large-scale developments such as the Metropolis in downtown L.A. are part of the Measure S debate.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Residential units under construction in downtown Los Angeles.

Electrician Jaime Sanchez at Greenland’s Metropolis building site.

The kitchen of a nearly completed unit in a new collection of residential towers in downtown Los Angeles.

Construction is underway at Greenland’s Metropolis.

One of four towers at the Metropolis site in downtown Los Angeles.

One of several towers at the Metropolis site in downtown Los Angeles.

Winston Yan of Greenland USA walks through nearly completed units in residential towers in downtown Los Angeles.