DTLA Faces Significant Challenges

Downtown Los Angeles has emerged as one of the most dangerous urban areas among a list of 75 worldwide, grappling with significant issues related to homelessness and crime.

According to Gensler’s 2026 City Pulse Report, DTLA ranks poorly in terms of vibrancy and attractiveness compared to other cities.

When looking at similar cities like Madrid, Chicago, and Toronto, it’s clear they outshine Los Angeles in vibrancy ratings.

About 65% of surveyed individuals felt DTLA was vibrant, while cities like Madrid and Chicago scored higher, with 77% and 84% respectively. Toronto had a 71% positive response. Poor vibrancy scores were also noted for downtown San Francisco at 67% and San Jose at 61%.

In terms of beauty, Downtown Los Angeles is the seventh least attractive in the U.S., below cities like Denver and St. Louis.

The crime rate in the area is alarming, reported to be 743% higher than the rest of Los Angeles.

Skid Row, infamous within the city, houses one of the largest homeless populations in the nation.

As a result of the escalating crime and homeless situation, local businesses are fleeing the area, leading to loss of customer base.

Kelly Farrell, managing director of Gensler’s Los Angeles office, mentioned, “The core problem is that companies have left, and we need them back in the city with their offices. We need to encourage people to stay after work hours and engage with local businesses.”

The Gensler report suggests that thriving downtown areas should feature walkability, cultural attractions, entertainment options, and a blend of retail, office spaces, and housing.

In an earlier report from August 2025, it was highlighted that over 100 storefronts in the Historic Core of downtown are vacant, largely due to the high crime rates, rising rents, and a diminishing local population.

When Los Angeles’s oldest restaurant, Cole’s French Dip, closed last year, it noted the overwhelming struggles many independent establishments are facing in this environment.

In an effort to address these challenges, the city of Los Angeles is trying to revitalize the area by converting unused office buildings into housing. New regulations introduced earlier this year allow for broader possibilities in transforming vacant commercial properties into residential units.

Farrell emphasized the importance of increasing the residential population to enhance safety, stating, “A well-populated environment can help reduce crime rates. We currently have a lot of empty retail spaces, which isn’t ideal.” As they are filled, it often leads to a decrease in criminal activity.