EVO South – 4-Star and Green at 1155 S Grand Avenue

The irony about the challenging Downtown real estate market is that some of the best projects are now coming online. Evo South is one of these projects.

This 24-floor ground-up construction in the South Park neighborhood near the Staples Center offers high style, views and green living at a fair price. Buyers should take note.

Address: 1155 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90015
Prices: $420,000 and up (1 bedrooms), $730,000 and up (2 bedrooms) updated 3/10/10
HOA: high $400s - $700s (1 - 2 bedrooms)
Units: 310
Sales: 75% sold (updated 3/10/10)
Parking: 1 space for 1 bedroom homes; 2 spaces for 2 bedroom homes

Click here for current pricing (updated 3/10/10) of EVO units and photos of Downtown from the two penthouses.

EVO South is the third building in a development by the South Group that includes Luma and Elleven near the corner of 12th Street and Grand Avenue. Luma and Elleven share amenities, but EVO South is a world unto itself.

EVO feels (and looks) a lot like a high-end hotel – and with a 6th floor infinity salt water pool, a 24th floor gym, wool carpet, and Poliform-like accents – the amenities are superior to say, The Standard Downtown or The Mondrian.

There are 311 homes and more than fifty different floorplans. Units include:

Kitchen/Living:
Performance Bosch oven, cooktop, dishwasher
Stainless Steel refrigerator
Caesarstone countertop and backsplash
Millenium hardwood floors
Utility room with washer/dryer hook-ups
Pre-wiring for phone or data

Bath:
Kohler sinks
Limestone slab countertops
Wood cabinetry
Slate tile flooring

There is a concierge and 24-hour security. Roam with your laptop on site -- there is wi-fi throughout the premises.

EVO South is the first high-rise nationwide to be certified LEED Silver by the US Building Council. The experience of being in a pristine, odor-free, non-toxic environment is a novel and pleasant one.

The developers are offering a high quality and value, and are succeeding in moving the units.

First-time buyers who are priced out of West Hollywood, Hollywood and Silver Lake are now finding they can get more for their money Downtown. The excess inventory from overbuilding during the boom will (eventually) be absorbed by transplants from other neighborhoods.

If there’s any downside, it’s that the building has been constructed without guest parking. Many nights, the streets are empty and vacant metered spaces are abundant. But beware the evening a friend drops by only to discover the sole parking option is a $20 lot.

Bottom Line: Best quality and value in Downtown LA.

Sold by the Mark Group.