Interactive map revamps downtown L.A. real estate search

The Los Angeles Downtown Center Business Improvement District, a coalition of about 480 property owners, has launched an online map tool that displays property information for a range of properties and allows visitors to search for housing types by price, size, construction status and rent ranges, among other variables.

Potential residents, visitors and business professionals can access a map of every building throughout the downtown area at http://downtownla.com/map6.htm. Clicking on buildings reveals property details, such as photos, Web links, contact information and comments.

The property owners' group commissioned Cartifact Inc., a Los Angeles-based technology company, for the map construction and design. Similar mapping efforts are also planned for Houston and Las Vegas, according to the announcement.

"The future vision of Los Angeles rests with downtown," said Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the business improvement district. "As more and more businesses and residents consider moving downtown, we want to give them every tool possible to research the advantages of moving here. That means providing building-by-building specifics, including photos and contact information for potential leases and sales."

The Web-based interactive map includes an overview of all 19 districts within the greater downtown area that allows visitors to scroll over each district to view an enlarged map with buildings and street details. Each building can then be clicked for specific information.

"The advantage of this type of map is that residents and business professionals are saved from conducting their own research, in turn saving them significant time," said Schatz. "It's a one-stop shopping of sorts for those looking to come to downtown."

Building-level details of retailers and shopping centers can include the shop and restaurant names.

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