In the heart of downtown Los Angeles, a massive and transformative project stands as a symbol of culture, commerce, and city life. Designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, The Grand LA is a landmark addition to the city’s architectural landscape. To learn more about The Grand LA’s history and architectural features, visit la-future.
History
On February 14, 2007, the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved The Grand LA project, with Frank Gehry as its architect. Officials initially hoped to begin construction in December 2007, but it took significantly longer. The project was developed in stages, and the initial plans were presented to the public on July 26, 2012.
The final phase of the project included two skyscrapers: a 45-story residential tower and a 25-story tower with apartments and the Conrad Los Angeles hotel. The complex was valued at $1 billion. Its main goal was to transform Grand Avenue into a complete entertainment district.
Construction of the deconstructivism-style building (a postmodern architectural movement) officially began in December 2018 and was completed in 2022. The complex is 511 feet (156 meters) high and has 43 stories.
The project was conceived as a public-private partnership. The Grand LA is the final stage of the Grand Avenue redevelopment initiative. The project was intended to be the logical conclusion of the main cultural corridor in the city center.
Frank Gehry
The Grand LA is the culmination of architect Frank Gehry’s legendary career. Los Angeles is home to two of his most outstanding architectural projects, which stand opposite each other. The other is the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Most citizens are well-acquainted with the works of the Canadian-American architect and designer, Frank Gehry. He gained popularity in the 1970s thanks to his unique style. He successfully combined everyday materials with complex and dynamic structures. Frank Gehry’s works were named among the most important in modern literature in the World Architecture Survey 2010. Later, Vanity Fair magazine named him the most important architect of our time.
The architect’s most famous works include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Grand LA in Los Angeles. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and honors, and in 1989, he was awarded the Pritzker Prize in Architecture. This is the highest award in the field. The National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the U.S. hold a special place among his awards.
It is also worth noting that Frank Gehry’s influence extends far beyond architecture. He has designed furniture, jewelry, and bottles for alcoholic beverages, demonstrating his versatility.
Developers
The project’s development was led by Related Companies and CORE USA. The famous company AECOM acted as the main architect, responsible for the overall design. The design was handled by the legendary Frank Gehry. The architect approached this project with a unique vision. He sought to create not a separate building but something much more. According to him, it’s a place for people. He dreamed of creating a space where people could gather and communicate, for example, after concerts or performances. Another of his dreams was the periodic closure of Grand Avenue to host street parties with projections on the Concert Hall. This project is the final one in Frank Gehry’s career, which may be why it is so important.
The synergy of several parties allowed for the successful implementation of the complex and multifunctional complex. The project combined housing, hotel services, commerce, and public spaces. The Grand LA demonstrates how innovative architecture can change the appearance of a city, improve its social life, and its overall perception.
The Grand LA: Key Information
This project is an architectural creation and a multifaceted complex whose impact can be measured by significant figures and a number of advantages for the citizens themselves.
- The Grand LA leases 164,000 square feet of space for restaurants, shops, and cafes, which occupy three levels of landscaped outdoor terraces. Thus, a dynamic center of commercial and social activity is created in the heart of Los Angeles.
- An important element of the complex is the luxurious Conrad Los Angeles hotel. It is the brand’s first establishment in California. The hotel is located on 28 floors and has 305 rooms. It has a spacious ballroom, 12,000 square feet of conference and meeting rooms, and 27,000 square feet of restaurants, lounges, and other amenities highly valued by Los Angeles residents and guests.
- Thanks to the implementation of The Grand LA project, more than 10,000 jobs have been created. According to approximate calculations, this will bring approximately $465 million to the county and city over the next 25 years.
- This project is an example of one of the strongest social benefit agreements in Los Angeles.
- During the design phase, the focus was on sustainable development. Thanks to this, The Grand LA meets high environmental standards. For example, water use in open areas is reduced, construction is oriented toward transportation hubs (reducing the need for personal cars), optimal energy efficiency, and an energy reduction of more than 20%. In addition, more than 75 electric vehicle charging stations have been installed. The multifaceted complex complies with Cal Green, Title 24, and LEED Gold standards. This only confirms the high environmental level of The Grand LA.
Architectural Features
This complex is unlike others; it is distinguished by the following architectural solutions:
- Varying heights and shifted masses. The complex’s buildings have different heights and are distinguished by asymmetrical shapes. As a result, it has a visually appealing appearance. In addition, terraces are formed, which are used for outdoor recreation and dining areas.
- On the first floors are shops and restaurants, which are harmoniously intertwined with entertainment areas. At the same time, the commercial areas unite the inner courtyard and are open to the sidewalk. Thus, the space is much more attractive to pedestrians.
- A pedestrian path runs through the complex. It simplifies movement but preserves the viewing space for the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Modern History
The Grand LA is located in one of the most popular areas of Los Angeles and sets the standard for shopping and dining. It is a modern architectural landmark that honors the best of the city. The architectural complex has won several important awards: in 2007 – the Award for Livability, in 2009 – for the best of downtown Los Angeles, in 2022 – the Los Angeles Architectural Award, and in 2023, the Los Angeles Business Journal named the complex an architectural excellence.
The Grand LA is a dynamic place that constantly attracts retail and restaurant partners. It is the epicenter of Los Angeles culture, the final point of entry to Detroit. If people used to come here for a short time, now they can spend the whole day here. For example, residents and guests of Los Angeles can start their day in one of the coffee shops and end it in the central bar or restaurant on the hotel grounds.
