Koreatown’s architecture points to L.A.’s future

The Chapman Market, a 1928 landmark, is adorned with holiday lights year round, and has seen a resurgence since the Los Angeles riots stalled area businesses in the early 1990s.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

People run on treadmills at Aroma Spa & Sports in Koreatown.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The Solair apartment tower, left, at Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue is convenient to a Metro subway stop as well as bus lines.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The Solair apartment tower at Wilshire and Western.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The Solair apartment tower, left, at Wilshire and Western.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The Sake House by Hikari is one of the establishments that occupies the Chapman Market in Koreatown.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The expanding Koreatown area makes use of existing architecture while also implementing new construction.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Artist Cliff Garten’s “Los Angeles Opens Its Heart of Compassion” adorns the Vermont, a new glass and steel condo tower along Wilshire Boulevard. The sculpture depicts a lotus flower, a symbol of enlightenment in Korean culture.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Palm tree lined streets in Koreatown.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

People walk along Berendo Street near the intersection with Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown.  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

A storefront in Koreatown.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

The Wilshire Colonnade along Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown. The twin, 11-story buildings were built in 1971.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Hanuel Lee, 23, of Los Angeles, takes a swing under the watchful eye of golfing instructor Ray Koh, 32, at the Aroma Golf Range in Koreatown.   (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Rico Orta, right, sings karoke with Julia Lannen during a friend’s birthday celebration at Palm Tree L.A. in Koreatown.  (Emily Rhyne / Los Angeles Times)

Nico Guidote, center, and Rico Orta sing and dance to karaoke during Guidote’s birthday celebration at Koreatown’s Palm Tree L.A.  (Emily Rhyne / Los Angeles Times)

Jantira Parunchaichayanon, “DJ Gift,” deejays at Koreatown’s Palm Tree L.A. Parunchaichayanon, 21, has been deejaying for a year there.  (Emily Rhyne / Los Angeles Times)