While developer Geoff Palmer rapidly erases Broadway's most conspicuous parking lots, another veteran developer quietly continues with the adaptive reuse of a historic building adjacent to the Ace Hotel.

Barry Shy, one of the Historic Core's most prominent landlords, is adding to his Downtown apartment empire through the residential conversion of 939 S. Broadway, an early 1920s building which formerly housed operations for the Western Costume Company.  After completion, the 12-story edifice is expected to contain 151 residential units above ground-floor retail space.

Located near the intersection of Broadway and Olympic Boulevard, Shy's latest development finds itself in a neighborhood abound with construction activity.  Across the street, a similar adaptive reuse project is slated for the former headquarters of the Southern California Gas Company.  Additionally, Shy has announced plans for a 15-story residential tower which would abut 939 S. Broadway.