Placeholder until i get renderings

Also, does anyone know why most of the buildings in century are built as twins?

I guess if one doesn't work out there's always a spare?

Wow, so the two 42 story towers are under construction? That's good news!

Mr Fullerton, It would be great to have some pix for our viewing pleasure. By the way isn't the new tower getting erected right next to the MGM Tower?

Here's what I have seen in the past day or so. The St. Regis is about half of its original height and a fence has gone up around the old Century Club. Also the new building on Ave of the Stars is just about complete. It looks like a 'promenade' of sorts is being finished up between said new building and the old school twin towers next door. Besides the crane at the old St. Regis, there is no new equipment in the area. The mall is pretty much done last I saw, but I'm excited to see whats in store for the area. I'm really glad that big hole in the ground is going to be used for something too. I remember walking by there a few months ago and thinking what a waste of land that was.

Also, I mentioned in my first post about atleast 4 pairs of matching towers in Century City. Driving through today, I noticed that there are atleast 6 pairs of matching towers.

I never really noticed about the half of dozen twin towers. I guess since there's really only one set that's visible from the 405. I shall check it out next time I take a drive on Santa Monica Blvd into CC. Also hopefully Santa Monica BL is finally completed, not too sure what they actually trying to develop. Oh well only time will tell, I hope!

its actually two 47 story twins that i dont have a pic of, also the tower next to the mall is 41 if i remember correctly and the st Regis replacement is in that range as well.

So we could add the 2 47 story towers to the u/c list?

CC has sooo much potential finally going residential and hope in the future a Purple Line stop.

That would make Century City a more desirable Hood!

so, theres a weekly farmer's market on constellation blvd every thursday. i didnt see this myself, but somebody in my office was telling me today that there were petitions out to save the farmer's market and move somewhere else within century city. i would imagine that this means that construction will begin soon on the the 2 47 floor towers.

On a side note, i like the idea of residential in CC, but i read an article earlier today that these condos are going to be a minumum of $1,000/sf. thats crazy!!!!! I would imagine anything going for this price will be atleast 1000sf, making the cheapest condos atleast one million, probably more.

^^ Yeah that price sounds about right for Century City*

So I have some bad news regarding Century City today. THere used to be a big hole just north of the Century City Hospital on Century Park East. There has been some construction equipment in there for a few months now. I just realized today that this whole was not only NOT going to be a new building, they were actually filling in the whole to make a surface parking lot. This seems absolutely absurd to me. I thought it may have been a park at first, but there were parking lights put up recently. What joke, a surface parking lot in the most dense business district in the city outside of downtown.

Only in LA!!!!

That's called 'sitting on property'.

Any renderings for Century City & Westwood?

There is a new tower proposed on Wilshire neer the Californian, any pics?

From the LA Times last week ...

On Avenue of the Stars, Related Cos. is tearing down the 32-story St. Regis Hotel, long deemed an eyesore, and will replace it with a 39-story tower containing 145 condominiums. Down the avenue at Constellation, JMB recently won city approval to build 483 condos in two 47-story towers and a 12-story loft building.

Across the street, Trammell Crow is preparing for Thursday's opening of 2000 Avenue of the Stars, which replaced the Shubert Theatre and ABC Entertainment complex. Among the tenants that have snapped up more than 60% of the 775,000-square-foot building are Creative Artists Agency, Fidelity Investments and Comerica Bank.

Meanwhile, Westfield, the Australia-based owner of the district's shopping center, has also proposed a $500-million project to raze two office buildings to create space for 260 high-end condos and additional shops.

... My uncle works in one of the high-rises there, and we've seen a few movies at the shopping center, but the area's possible fatal flaw is how clogged the streets (Santa Monica, Wilshire, Olympic) are in most time periods, relegating it to a neighborhood desitnation rather than a regional one. Extending the subway west from Wilshire/Western would be a start, but this could be a good idea in the wrong place.

The problem is with NIMBY's is that they cry traffic traffic traffic when something high dense is built and argue that their isn't sufficient transportation. But even when their seems to be sufficient transit options they still cry foul. Universal City comes to mind as well as the Grand Ave project.

That's called 'sitting on property'.

it's more like "shitting on property"...what an embarrasment

Solongfullerton, can you change the first post to include renderings and other pics so its an official looking thread on Century City Development? thanks

LASF, since you're the moderator, why don't you make this a sticky thread and rename it "CENTURY CITY: New Projects" to match the DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES: New Projects thread? Also, I think you should edit the first post and put all the new projects in Century City there to make it look more like the Downtown thread.

If we do this, we should also have sticky threads dedicated to new developments in Hollywood, Wilshire, and Long Beach.

Great news!!!! The surface lot on Century Park East is open for business!!!!! Gotta love LA!!!

Someone SHOOT me!

Haven't been in Century City lately...any updates on the progress of 2000 Avenue of The Stars??

Haven't been in Century City lately...any updates on the progress of 2000 Avenue of The Stars??

Finished, tenants have already began moving in.

It's official, the St. Regis is completely gone!!!! All thats left now is a dirt lot.

^^ Woohoo....:carrot:

according to the LABJ the Century (42 stories, replacing the St. Regis) is under construction!

I can confirm that there is a sunken dirt lot at the site with lots of construction equipment.

great thanks!

I can confirm that there is a sunken dirt lot at the site with lots of construction equipment.

I looked for the crane last week, (st. regis site) and did not see it, is it still there, or is it going to be relocated/replaced ????

Powerhouses
By DANIEL MILLER - 5/7/2007
Los Angeles Business Journal Staff

http://www.labusinessjournal.com/images/articles/050707_labj_cvr.jpg
A rendering of the 42-story condo tower to be built in Century City.

Los Angeles has long been known as a city where the ultra rich purchase expansive homes on the beach or a gated compound in the hills.


But the mega wealthy will soon have a new kind of place to live – over-the-top urban penthouses.


Top-floor condominiums costing up to $9 million or so have been around for decades in Los Angeles, mostly on the Wilshire Corridor in Westwood. But the latest wave of development is promising a slew of penthouses with staggering views and staggering price tags that are double or triple the prices of old units.


About 30 ultra high-end penthouses are expected to come on the market in the next three years, according to local real estate industry figures. Priced at up to $25 million with talk of $28 million, these units will crown new high-rise buildings in Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood.


“These penthouses are like rare gems,” said Steve Fifield, president and founder of Fifield Cos., which is building Club View, a high-end condo tower just east of the Los Angeles Country Club. “They are like large De Beers diamonds; they sell at a factor that is different from regular real estate.”


For all that extra money, buyers will get huge units in new, tall buildings, several of which command views of the ocean, downtown and the mountains.


Some of the typical features include five-star hotel-style services, cathedral ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble staircases and multiple terraces. In addition, some of the buildings are being designed by world famous architects.


Aside from the general run-up in real estate prices over the last several years, multiple factors are at play in creating a market for the penthouses, as well as the less expensive but still multi-million dollar units located on lower floors.


To begin with, improved amenities and cultural options have made urban living in Los Angeles more appealing to prospective buyers – as worsening traffic has made it less attractive to live in suburban locales.


There’s also the buoyant stock market and L.A.’s reinvigorated, tech industry, which have created a new class of millionaires. Many of them are older baby boomers whose children have left home and for whom a penthouse, rather than a house, is attractive. And as Los Angeles has matured, it is attracting more international buyers accustomed to vertical, urban living and who have no problem paying big sums for a condo.


“In the 1980s, it was a tough time. The mentality was, who would ever give up their suburban home and give up their big house and big yard?” said Bill Schwarz, chairman of Wilshire Realty Co., who has brokered the sales of several penthouses. “Now people are more than willing to go vertical.”


Present perfect

Currently, most of Los Angeles’ high-end penthouses are situated on the Wilshire Corridor, from the western border of Beverly Hills to Westwood proper. Over the years, several have traded in the $6 million to $9 million range. Many of these buildings include 24-hour valet service and full security teams. Marquee units can be found on the corridor in the Remington, the Californian, and the Wilshire House.


It is difficult to say what the record price is for a Los Angeles penthouse because the buyers can work to keep their purchase prices hidden. But Stephen Shapiro, chairman of Westside Estate Agency Inc., a high end residential brokerage, says his firm sold two penthouse units in the Remington condo tower in 2003 to the same buyer for a total of $14 million. The buyer combined the units for a total of 15,000 square feet of space.


Still, the new class of buildings is something else.


For example, the Century, a development by Related Cos. in Century City, is designed by acclaimed architect Robert A.M. Stern and includes almost four acres of “estate grounds.” Then there’s the Montage Hotel and condo development by the Athens Group. It is set in the heart of Beverly Hills and condo residents will have full access to the hotel’s amenities. And the Carlyle on the Wilshire Corridor by Woodridge Capital LLC will include private wine cellars.


So far, it appears the priciest unit to go on the market will be a 12,000-square-foot penthouse at the Century, a 42-story condo tower under construction at One Century Drive, site of now razed St. Regis hotel. Related has not released specific plans for the unit, but sources said it’s expected to be priced at $25 million, and be completed in the first quarter of 2010.


Related will not confirm the price, but David Wine, vice chairman of the New York City-based company, said there has been a sea change in recent years as Los Angeles has emerged as a gateway, international city.


“You have international people who need residences in L.A. in a way that they didn’t before,” Wine said. “We are very confident that our building will redefine peoples’ ideas of what condo living is about.”


Related, also the lead developer of the $2 billion Grand Avenue development in downtown Los Angeles, has experience building and selling ultra high-end penthouses. Penthouses in the company’s Time Warner Center in New York sold for $25 to $50 million, Wine said.


However, Los Angeles is still not New York, where the highest-end penthouses often fetch $4,000 per square foot. But things are changing in Los Angeles, with the current crop of units expected to easily top $2,000 per square foot, and in a few cases hit or exceed $4,000.


“By most standards around the world, we look pretty inexpensive,” said Schwarz of Wilshire Realty, comparing Los Angeles to London or Tokyo. “But it seems that all of a sudden we have been able to break through almost a glass ceiling in terms of the product that is desired by this market.”


Big plans

Indeed, Fifield’s 35-unit 1200 Club View tower in Westwood will include a penthouse that is said to be for sale in the $18 million range. At that price, the 8,328-square-foot penthouse would sell for $2,161 a foot.


But with the rush of multiple high-end projects expected to hit the market the company is actually considering raising prices. The top five floors of the 21-story building will be penthouses, with just one unit per floor. The condo tower is scheduled to open in fall 2009.


“Our market is primarily in their 50s and up; it is a wealthy crowd and they don’t want to cut corners. They want space. But they want services they can’t get in their 20,000-square-foot home, like valet service and full security,” Fifield said.


Also underway is the Carlyle, Woodridge Capital’s Wilshire Corridor project that is expected to be completed in mid-2009. According to Schwarz, whose company is marketing the project, the 23-story building will include a minimum of four penthouse units.


“It is acceptable now to live in a very, very, fine high-rise building. You will find that the upper end of our market is not only accepting it but pursuing it,” he said.


The penthouse units at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills are somewhat of a wild card – the building tops out at eight stories, making the project shorter than many of the buildings slated for Century City or Westwood. However, the project includes just 20 condo units that sit atop a first class hotel.


Slated to open October 2008, the development will include two 5,700-square-foot penthouse units on the top floor. Jay Newman, chief operating officer for developer Athens Group, said that his company has been receiving offers in the $4,000 per foot range for units in the building. He said the penthouses may sell for $5,000 a foot, or about $28.5 million.


“That is on par with what people are paying for condos in London or New York City,” said Newman, Athens Group’s project manager for the development. “It’s Beverly Hills, and it’s the only project in the (Golden Triangle) amenitized with a five-star luxury hotel.”


Another unique project is 9900 Wilshire Blvd., which made headlines last month when London developer Candy & Candy bought the property from New Pacific Realty Corp. for $500 million.


The project, which is still awaiting final approvals from Beverly Hills, is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier and is slated to include a few two-story penthouses. Those units could easily hit $15 million.


“The Beverly Hills corridor is becoming an international city,” said Harvey Englander, spokesman for Candy & Candy.


Despite the glamour of big-money penthouses, some in the business wonder whether all of the planned projects will actually be built. The late 1980s also saw numerous plans for posh Wilshire Corridor high-rises, some of which were not completed for years after the real estate market collapsed in the early 1990s.


“I think the jury is out,” said Shapiro, the broker. “At some point, the absorption will not be equivalent to the new amount of inventory. If you go back to when this happened last, there were a couple of arrested structures on Wilshire Boulevard that just sat there.”

Wow Vice you have the exclusive pix... Great source.

Apparently the farmer's market on Constellation has been cancelled indefinitely and I can confirm that demolition of the Century Club has begun. A sad day for all you asian clubbers out there.

^ Thanks for the Update Fullerton...

The new condo tower that is replacing the old St. Regis hotel is starting to go up. Rebar is starting to pop up above ground level already. It should be interesting to see how fast these units sell.

Super wealthy SSCers rejoice. The Century's updated website includes floor plans and vague renderings for all!

http://www.thecentury.com/home.html

There's no chance in hell I could afford one of these, but I'm glad the building will fill the gap on the southern end of the Century City skyline!

what is that new construction site, on SM blv next to BHH?

Funny there are no pics here yet of the new Century tower. It will be one of the biggest brightest buildings in CC when completed and is now 7+ stories above ground and growing FAST!

Yeah, someone run over there and snap a few. I'd do it, but..you know how I feel about gas being over 3 dollars a gallon :)

From SSP:

As of 12/22, the building is clearly above ground. I can't really tell how many floors have been built just by looking out from our rooftop, however. Here are some pics:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f24/friedpez/P1010004.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f24/friedpez/P1010003.jpg

I was at Fox Century Plaza the other day. I think it was something like 5 stories? I can't remember, but it wasn't tall and it was above ground

I was at Fox Century Plaza the other day. I think it was something like 5 stories? I can't remember, but it wasn't tall and it was above ground

I have a friend who's working on the project, as of last week, he said that they had finished the 6th floor.

That's a little closer to the Century Plaza than I thought it would be :) I'm also interested in the structure that replaced ABC and Shubert, how does that look, IYO? :)

I drove by the "Century" site today, it's 6 floors out of the ground, the core is at the same level, probably becouse this tower is post tensioned, and the cure rate of the concrete has to be even throughout the floor plates.

The building is at about 8 stories or so--I could actually see it from the Century City shopping center already. This is going to be an imressive tower!

Anyone have news about the twin 47 story condo towers? There is a huge fenced off empty dirt lot--must be the site. When do they expect to break ground?

The building is at about 8 stories or so--I could actually see it from the Century City shopping center already. This is going to be an imressive tower!

Anyone have news about the twin 47 story condo towers? There is a huge fenced off empty dirt lot--must be the site. When do they expect to break ground?

Latest I heard was that the developer paid off the local groups who opposed the project. In light of this, I would imagine the project will be breaking ground ASAP.

Latest I heard was that the developer paid off the local groups who opposed the project. In light of this, I would imagine the project will be breaking ground ASAP.

Awww, the precious local groups. "Those towers are going to raise all sorts of traffic concerns, not to mention cast long shadows on my prize rose bushes.." Fuck the local groups! :)

UPDATE

January 2008

The tower structure has reached level 8 with a 6-day-per-floor cycle. The MEP rough-in is progressing through level 3 and the top track has begun on level 3 and 4. The exterior skin of precast for the high-rise and exterior stone for the low-rise is set to begin this month.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2203189226_9db96875e5_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/2202399077_1f24999198_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2200173841_acb9361971_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2203189432_a3a67dba3c_o.jpg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Webcor Builders (http://www.webcor.com/current.html?proj_id=239)

Great great find! Westy's done it again! :)

^ I got it from SSP. ;)

Well thank you anyway. So this baby's on the rise. Too bad CC will never become a pedestrian friendly, affordable neighborhood.

^^What makes you say that? Well, I can understand the affordable part, but pedestrian friendly might happen when the subway finally gets over there.

Yeah that was a pretty baseless statement.

Well thank you anyway. So this baby's on the rise. Too bad CC will never become a pedestrian friendly, affordable neighborhood.

is anywhere in LA affordable?

CC is already pedestrian friendly, once you get there. The subway extension will help the area greatly, but I would never plan on it becoming affordable or a fun place to hang out.

Is 6 days per floor fast?

It is for me.

There isn't much in LA that's affordable right now, and that's because higher density can't be zoned responsibly.

CC is already pedestrian friendly, once you get there.

You're kidding, right? Century City is an office park.

You're kidding, right? Century City is an office park.

I'm not kidding, i've been coming here nearly everday for 2 and half years so I think i have an idea. like i said, once your here, the area is actually quite pedestrian friendly. nearly all the buildings have easy pedestrian street access and many of the buildings have ground floor restaurants and shops. theres even a decent sized park if you wanted to eat your lunch outdoors. the problem with century city is that it surrounded by golf courses and single family homes and only served by a few bus lines. don't get me wrong, i still think its a bland neighborhood offering nothing but (mostly) good paying jobs, but it could be a lot worse.

Is 6 days per floor fast?

No, but this tower has alot of post tentioned areas per floor, this would most likely explain the added time, "fast" for a building this size would be 3 days.

You're kidding, right? Century City is an office park.

the Century City specific plan was of the "city within a city" concept, similar to but much smaller than the city of Irvine, a place to live and work without the need of transportation. Typical of the many urban renewal plans of the early 1960's, if you were to look at the plan under the original bounderys, the residential aspect is close to 50% of the total land area, with the office, retail, entertainment/cultural, and hotel(s) making up the rest.

Construction began in 1966, with the twin residential towers, (by I.M. Pei) at Pico and ave of the Stars, and the twin 11 story buildings, (the one that actually has "Century city" on the roofline) and the Century city mall/shopping center.
The twin 44 story "theme towers" went up starting in 1971, and for a time boasted the largest underground parking structure ever built, going down 7 levels, between Olympic blvd., Constellation blvd., Century park east, and ave of the Stars. the towers sat 11% leased for 4 years, and were finally fully leased in 1981. These towers were the work of Minoru Yamaski, who at the same time was involved with another project, the World Trade Center in NYC, these two projects are very similar, and the theme towers are constructed on the same structural principals as the WTC was.

The last tower built within the original bounderys, was the MGM tower, completed in 2001, (footnote, the Fox plaza tower, and the hotel next to it are not part of the Century City project.)

The city within a city concept, in the case of Century City, only "failed" in one area, that being transportation, this could be rectified with the red line westside extention.

So in the end Century City is certainly not an office park.

I kinda understand what "solong" is saying. Yes CC is an office park but I've worked there and the best way to get around is indeed walking. Very wide sidewalks and most of the buildings have no setbacks and most importantly no front-face parking. If a subway line was added to the area it would naturally continue to densify and I could see it becoming a sterile office/residential area like Battery Park pre-9/11. In addition, Century City is not very big at all.

Thanks for the CC history TICONLA1.

Thanks for the CC history TICONLA1.

Your welcome, me and my dad, (when he was alive) worked on 3 towers, (not at the same time of course.) him on the Century plaza hotel, in the late 60's, and me on the Watt city center, (the "shorter" 22 floor twins) and the 19 floor Northrop tower, in the 80's.

Gaining some hang time

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2312/2231178069_5537674195_b.jpg

Cladding down there I see.

I can't tell which floor they're working on now, but it looks like they've made lots of progress since the last update.

It looks like maybe the 10th? :dunno:

I drove by the Century today and noticed that the exterior is starting to go on the bottom floors.

It looks like maybe the 10th? :dunno:

Yeah, look's like the 10th to me.

Taken on 2/4/08,

Looks like it's up to the 10th floor, and rising fast

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh30/TICONLA2/pix20080203/dtla038.jpg

The Century City / Beverly Hills Corridor is going to be pretty nuts in a couple of years with all these interesting projects...

New heights of luxury in Century City
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/Imyurdada/35360824.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/Imyurdada/35360884.jpg
Jean Nouvel
Email Picture
Mark Segal / Ateliers Jean Nouvel
Artists rendering showing a 45-story condo building proposed for 10000 Santa Monica Blvd. on the edge of Century City. SunCal Cos. plans to build the 177-unit tower designed by architect Jean Nouvel. It would cost $400 million.
A garden-ringed condo tower is proposed for one of the Westside's most coveted available parcels.
By Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
February 8, 2008
Plans for a 45-story, wisp-thin tower of ultra-luxury condominiums between Beverly Hills High School and Los Angeles Country Club are set to be unveiled today. Developers say it would be one of the most expensive residential buildings in the West.

The $400-million tower along one of the area's toniest corridors would be the first building in California designed by renowned Paris architect Jean Nouvel, known for his daring designs. He is proposing a narrow glass structure with sweeping views through the building and extensive greenery ringing each floor.

Jean Nouvel
Jean Nouvel
click to enlarge

The developer predicts the project will attract European and Asian globe-trotters as well as local empty-nesters ready to move from sprawling Westside mansions to roomy condominiums complete with concierge services, a private club, first-run movie screenings and valet parking.

Even at a time of economic uncertainty when Southern California employers are trimming payrolls, stock prices are falling and home values are dropping, the demand for luxury housing continues nearly unabated in the Westside. And with it has come more traffic and growing homeowner resentment about constant construction and congestion.

Prices have not been set for the proposed condos at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd. But units in the ultra-luxury Century tower being built in nearby Century City are being offered at a range of $3.2 million to $30 million, and the Nouvel condos are expected to be even more pricey.

Two top-drawer projects are also being planned around the intersection of Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards in Beverly Hills. Last year British developers paid $500 million for the former Robinson-May department store there where a 252-unit condo and retail complex designed by prominent architect Richard Meier has been proposed.

"How much can high-end product can the market bear in such a close proximity?" asked real estate broker Gary Weiss of Madison Partners, who called the planned Nouvel building "extraordinarily ambitious."

Nouvel's developer, SunCal Cos., said it was undeterred by slumping home sales In Southern California and hoped to break ground in 2009. The company said it expected to start seeking formal city approvals next week.

"What we are really doing is addressing an underserved component of the market," said Frank Faye, chief operating officer of SunCal. "We are confident we would be able to sell these units today and we will be able to sell them quite rapidly once they're made available."

Considered one of the most desirable locations for development in the country, the vacant lot was the subject of a high-profile bidding war in 2006 when Irvine home builder SunCal finally topped New York developer Donald Trump with a $110.2-million offer for just 2.4 acres.

Ever since, the site has been eyed with curiosity and suspicion in an area where homeowners have already expressed alarm about the rapid pace of development. "The truth is that people are happy in their neighborhood and they don't want to see it change," said Kevin Hughes, president of the Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Assn.

Plans call for 177 units, with two to six condominiums per floor. Elevators would serve every condo directly so there would be no corridors between units.

"Each residence is designed as a home in the sky surrounded by an abundance of plants and flowers but with no visual limits to the spectacular views of the city, mountains and ocean," Nouvel said.

In Los Angeles, "We have to build buildings especially for this climate," he said. "From the boulevard it will look like a vertical garden."

City Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents Century City, said he supported Nouvel's concept. "We have never had someone of this caliber designing something residential on the Westside," he said.

"My public-policy goal has been to make Century City a world-class residential destination," Weiss said. "That creates benefits because people can live near where they work and traffic is generated at off-peak hours."

But some neighborhood residents are skeptical about how beneficial ultra-luxury housing would be.

"To make Century City truly livable you need housing for people who work there who aren't presidents of their companies," said Barbara Broide, president of the Westwood South of Santa Monica Boulevard Homeowners Assn. "That's what we need to take car trips off the street."

The mayor of Beverly Hills echoes Broide's concern about how the building might add to congestion. "It will not be easy to digest for Beverly Hills people who are already getting a lot of traffic that is not Beverly Hills traffic."

Faye, the developer, however, said that the residential tower would generate less traffic than the office building that used to occupy the site. The previous owner demolished the building that once housed several tenants, including Jimmy's restaurant.

Faye also said he thought the Nouvel building would be set apart from rivals both in price and amenities. But competition lurks with many other pricey units coming to market.

Westfield, the owner of Century City's shopping center, plans to build 262 upscale condos or apartments to complement its recent $170-million makeover of the mall. And Century City landlord JMB Realty Corp. plans to build 483 units on Constellation Boulevard.

Owners of the Beverly Hilton Hotel also plan to add upmarket condos as part of a major upgrade and expansion on the property. Other high-end condos overlooking Los Angeles Country Club and at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills are being built.

The Nouvel design of SunCal's planned tower is intentionally ambitious, Faye said. "This is an exciting opportunity," he said. "The worst thing we could do is under-deliver."

CC is red hot right now.

A growing residential base is just one more reason why we need that subway.

The mayor of Beverly Hills echoes Broide's concern about how the building might add to congestion. "It will not be easy to digest for Beverly Hills people who are already getting a lot of traffic that is not Beverly Hills traffic."


Whats that suppose to mean??

They talk about how, with the prices of these condos, the regular people who work in Century won't be represented and that cheaper housing in the area will finally divorce these people from their cars. Beverly Hills gets traffic that isn't theirs.... guess you richie rich's should pay to keep your residential environment and get that subway up and running, tout de suite!!:bash:

..also this project doesn't look like the prototypical earhquake proof construction, what with the elongated footprint and the height associated with the shape of the foundation. Wouldn't this building suffer greatly during an event; split from the top down or flop until it drops? Wolverine? Ticon?

SunCal usually deals witht the horizontal, but maybe this is another way to spur development of this type. This is an Orange county company, how 'bout our L. A. ones- Broad? Aren't you of KB?
February 08, 2008
WORLD-RENOWNED, FRENCH ARCHITECT JEAN NOUVEL DESIGNS HIS FIRST WEST COAST BUILDING; A MODERN RESIDENTIAL LANDMARK FOR LOS ANGELES
"The Green Blade": SunCal's 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard Will Become An Iconic Gateway To Century City

SunCal Companies News Release

Jean Nouvel, one of the world's pre-eminent architects, is coming to Los Angeles. Mr. Nouvel has been selected by SunCal Companies to design a landmark residential building that promises to draw international attention to Los Angeles, enhancing the City's growing stature as a leading global center of contemporary architecture and art.

The proposed luxury, condominium residence that is planned for one of the most prominent sites in Los Angeles will bear the acclaimed architect's visionary signature. Poised to become an iconic gateway to Century City, 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard will embody a breakthrough concept in which the building's distinctive form and vast expanses of glass give the structure a luminous, transparent appearance punctuated by expanses of verdant foliage. Nouvel's masterful use of light and sensitivity to the surrounding environmental context will be further amplified through the integration of landscaping beyond the ground-level, horizontal plane into the vertical facades of the building. In addition, this uniquely green project will incorporate sustainable elements of design, construction and operation to qualify for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification.

"We are proud to bring a Jean Nouvel-designed building to the western United States for the first time. Nouvel is a truly extraordinary architect whose buildings stand as living works of art," said Frank Faye, SunCal's chief operating officer. "Los Angeles will join the world's other great cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Vienna, Tokyo and New York in having a marvel of progressive architecture created by Nouvel," he added.

"Grand architecture is one of the hallmarks of a great city," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "I am very excited that SunCal has selected an architect of Jean Nouvel's global renown to design a landmark building which, once approved, can add to the luster of Los Angeles."

Superbly located where Century City meets Beverly Hills, 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard will offer a spectacular expression of the vertical estate. Situated on a now-vacant 2.4-acre site, it will reenergize the area by bringing 177 new residences to what was once an office building and the site of Jimmy's restaurant, which closed several years ago. In addition to world-class design, the development will boast a wealth of outstanding amenities and five-star services including a private membership club.

"Twenty-first century contemporary architecture must express the art of living in a particular place at a particular time," said Jean Nouvel. "In the perspective of Santa Monica Boulevard, the building is a blade. A green blade. Each residence is designed as a home in the sky with an individual lands-end surrounded by an abundance of plants and flowers, but with no visual limits to the spectacular views of the city, mountains and ocean."


Renewal in Century City

SunCal now joins the leaders of Century City in their efforts to explore creative ways and means to re-imagine the area.

"I am pleased that SunCal has plans to use green building techniques to bring more housing near the jobs in Century City, and I look forward to working with SunCal to integrate the property into my vision to make Century City a more pedestrian and transit friendly district," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Jack Weiss.

In addition to adding more residential options, the long- and short-term possibilities include signature landscaping and streetscape improvements that create a more attractive walking environment connecting adjacent Beverly Hills and Century City.

"Our plan is to revive the original notion of Century City where people can live in a forward-looking environment in which all needs are met within its borders," Faye added. "SunCal's roots in Los Angeles and our long track record of sensitive development allow SunCal to understand the legacy of the original plan and how to advance it in line with today's needs and conditions."

SunCal is coming home? Back to Los Angeles, where it was founded 70 years ago by Boris Elieff. As the largest privately held community developer in the western United States, the company takes pride in its long record of high-quality development, working with the finest architects and master plan designers, and cooperating closely with local residents, businesses and public agencies.

A Global Architecture Phenomenon

Jean Nouvel's brilliant designs for high-rise residential buildings in New York, including the 13-story 40 Mercer building in Soho and 100 11th Avenue in Chelsea, have received critical accolades. Most recently, Nouvel unveiled the design for a 75-story tower adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art that will house a hotel, luxury apartments and three floors of museum exhibition space.

Mr. Nouvel burst upon the international architecture scene in 1981, when his breakthrough design for the Institut du Monde Arabe (Institute of the Arab World) in Paris won the competition for one of a series of great projects commissioned by French President Francois Mitterrand.

His firm Ateliers Jean Nouvel has received major commissions such as the Centro de Arte Reine Sofia in Madrid, Spain; the Musee de Quai Branly in Paris; the restoration of the Opera House of Lyon, France; and the Agbar Tower in Barcelona. In 1987 Mr. Nouvel was awarded the Grand Prix d'Architecture for his entire body of work and the Equerre d'Argent for his furniture designs. The Royal Institute of British Architects honored him with its Royal Gold Medal in 2001.

About SunCal Companies

SunCal Companies has more than 70 years of experience acquiring, entitling and developing major residential properties, and also features active-adult, commercial, homebuilding, multifamily and urban divisions. The company specializes in creating distinctive master-planned and mixed-use communities that emphasize quality of life, environmental sensitivity and recreational opportunities. SunCal currently has more than 250,000 residential units and 10 million square feet of commercial space in various stages of development throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. The largest privately held developer in the western U.S., the company recently expanded to Florida, Texas and Washington, D.C.

For more information, please visit www.10000santamonica.com.

This is gorgeous, but you see? This room represents the width of the entire structure! Do you think that's feasable in L. A.?
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/pici.jpg.And where'm I gonna hang my bigscreen!!:cry:

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/pic2.jpg

Well I for one am excited about this tower, is it feasable, (structurally) of course it is, without any structural details at my disposal, i'll venture a guess at the type of system it will have.
Looking at the rendering, there seems to be 5 vertical elements, two at each end, one in the center, and two more each side of center, (which look like elevator, and mechanical shafts) i think these 5 elements will be diagonally braced rectangular box frames, the smaller end of the rectangle, being the perimeter walls, containing an inverted "V" brace, forming 5 vertical box columns, tied together by the floor system, the elevator/mechanical shafts may be concrete encased, or use the giant steel plate's as sheer panels like we are seeing in the LA live project.

However, becouse this tower is so narrow, (it looks like it will be 50' to 80' wide, but an easy 300'+ long) i'm betting that it will have drilled, post tentioned cassions, in addition to a depressed waffle mat. (meaning the concrete will be thicker or "depressed" where it connects to the cassion heads)

It should be similar to the type of system used on the Wells Fargo center, drilled cassions, (to a depth of between 150' to 210', 8' in diameter, belled at bedrock to 12', for a total of 46 per tower, tied together with an approximate 10' thick mat foundation slab, with structural steel forming a staggerd panel truss above, in other words, to get a better idea of what i mean, picture a row of columns, and starting at the corner, column A1, A2, A3, A4, etc. and right angel to them, column(s) B1, B2, etc. now put a "V" brace between column(s) A1, and B1, then jump to, and "V" brace columns, A3, and B3, and skip again etc. now move to the second floor and "V" brace, A2, B2, and A4, B4, jump to the third floor and brace again A1, B1, and you get the idea.

It's got to be structurally something like this becouse the building is very narrow, it's going to be extremely interesting in any case..!!!

So sexy when you talk construction like that, but can this narrow structure account for the sheer weight of the exterior most 'garden' areas on the outermost perimeter of the tower. I mean the dirt and the plants and the water?

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/pic3.jpg Curbed L A

Also, since this is LA, we have to consider parking. How will the parking structure be built on such a small parcel?

So sexy when you talk construction like that, but can this narrow structure account for the sheer weight of the exterior most 'garden' areas on the outermost perimeter of the tower. I mean the dirt and the plants and the water?

Yes, since its a residential tower, there is actually less "live" load, you know like people, and furniture, so the actual plants, (which i'm sure will be of the hanging, vine type, and light weight) will be considered live load, along with the mulch, which is rather light weight as well, i figure the planter boxes will be around 2' wide, and about 12" to 18" deep, the boxes will be dead load, or anything that is actual structure.

I am interested to know exactly what type of floor system will be used, becouse there is no evidence of belt trusses, or mid level mechanical areas, so this means that every floor will have to be pretty robust, which makes sense becouse the tower looks like it's at (or close to) the Century City maximum height of 600' and its only 45 floors.

As far as parking, looks subterrainian to me, and most likely the size of the entire lot, which will help spread the load, as the tower's footprint is narrower than the site, i would not doubt the possability of them using a waffle mat, (with depressions at vertical load areas) for this tower, most of the Century city towers, becouse there at less than 35 floors, have a pile/mat combination, so this type may also be a possability. I need to see some blueprints.

But as far as the tower being safe, absolutely, most of the towers in downtown San Francisco, that are above the 150' mark from sea level, are on mats, with a few exceptions, (like BofA) that also has drilled cassons, but everything below, is on a driven pile/mat systems, (again with a few exceptions) but up there they have a situation with non virgin soil, (most of the Embarcadero area and the Mission dist. was backfilled with the 1906 earthquake debris) and as a result of that issue, they also have a serious problem with ground water, and must pump the excavations around the clock to keep them working in the dry...

I don't like how it is so long. Seems to block a lot of the CC skyline or at least from that angle they show with the renderings. And do I really want to look up and see a bunch of rich people sniffing their gardens. I'm not sure if this project will ever get off the ground.

I don't like how it is so long. Seems to block a lot of the CC skyline or at least from that angle they show with the renderings. And do I really want to look up and see a bunch of rich people sniffing their gardens. I'm not sure if this project will ever get off the ground.

Unless you live in the actual "hills" section of Beverly Hills, you're not going to have much of your view blocked. Plus, the buildings that would be blocked are not very attractive anyway.

And on another note, my hope for the future of Century City is that once the subway is extended there and beyond, that some of the above ground parking structures are demolished to make room for new towers, and the rest of the structures are consolidated and shared between different offices. I can think of atleast 5 giant structures (and 1 surface lot) that are currently in use in CC, hopefully 2 or 3 of those would see the wrecking ball.

Damn, I'm actually glad we're getting this instead of a Trump tower. His buildings tend to be rather bland, anyways.

^^ i wouldn't mind Trump Tower Chicago being built here.

^ Yeah, I'm only a fan of the ones going up in Chicago and Toronto. The rest of them are just nondescript and uninspired.

yeah, i agree with you on that.

^ Yeah, I'm only a fan of the ones going up in Chicago and Toronto. The rest of them are just nondescript and uninspired.

Well, if we do get a "Trump" tower out here, it will go Downtown, (prefered) or the Wilshire corridor, up to Western ave. after that, i think the maximum is also 600' like Century city.

But, as we all know, he's into building twin tower projects, in the 25 to 60 floor range, a definate possability for Century city.

I personally think that he should build us our second supertall, and locate it near the SBC tower, and if he's as smart as everyone thinks, it should be mixed use, with 40 floors, office, 20 floors, for the signiture hotel, and 40 floors, condominums, which by my estimates should put it at about 1'360 feet, and of course a 2 level, indoor/outdoor observation deck, even a scaled down version would do nicely, hell even he gave us a 950' tower i would not complain, i'll bet he's still pissed about the Ambassador hotel site that LAUSD stole out from under him back in the 80s.

In the end though, he'll put something up out here, i can't imagine the second largest city in America not having a Trump signiture building before this guy takes the dirt nap......!!!!!!

A blog had a person with the comment about this architect designing a tower for a museum in NY, saying something to the extent of "..he designs this wonderful, twisting skyscraper for NY, and all we end up with is another box!" Some box!!:)

TICON, just for clarification, I only mentioned Trump because he sought to acquire that property back in 2006, hoping to build his 'Trump Tower Los Angeles' on that site. Hence, my statement above expressing my preference for this tower over Trump (Jean Nouvel-designed tower vs. bland, boring, and uninspired tower).

A blog had a person with the comment about this architect designing a tower for a museum in NY, saying something to the extent of "..he designs this wonderful, twisting skyscraper for NY, and all we end up with is another box!" Some box!!:)

Some people's kids, huh. Like my dad use to say, "Sometimes, when people don't get it the first time around, you just gotta slap the shit out of them...!!!!!

With the little i have to go on, for one there is much more to the structure of this tower than the renderings have given us, including angular bracing, and other features that support the thin nature of it's plan, and a completely plant sustainable, sub exterior cladding system, (i'm sure, one of the first) on closer examination of the renderings, not only are the planter boxes on the floor at least 8' wide, (rock's, gotta be synthetic) there are also above, a type of screen system that maintains an "ivy" like plant, that acts as a living sunshade. not to mention that, if built, it will by far be the tallest green, LEED certified structure in the west.........!!!!!

Sounds like a pretty damn exciting box to me...!!!!

TICON, just for clarification, I only mentioned Trump because he sought to acquire that property back in 2006, hoping to build his 'Trump Tower Los Angeles' on that site. Hence, my statement above expressing my preference for this tower over Trump (Jean Nouvel-designed tower vs. bland, boring, and uninspired tower).

thank's,
and i had no idea of this, i guess he knows about the 600' thing then.

I also agree, without a doubt, it would have looked like his Las Vegas buildings, henceforth bland and unexciting, and i could not agree with you more, i'll bet he's really pissed now, that's 2 sites locally, (that i know of) that he's been denied, but in the end, these two projects would not have a thing to compare to each other, as the current plan is a state of the art first, and his plan would be a used car........!

The statements that i made, were in hopes of his realization that the tower he builds in Los Angeles, must go Downtown, and must be iconic in one way at least, (IMO) that being, as tall as, or taller than what exsists downtown today, i mean if New York has an 800+ footer, Toronto an 800+ footer, Chicago a 1'100+ footer, then Los Angeles should get at least a 900+ footer, instead of a 500+ footer, of the typical, standard, bland, type that he save's, just for the sake of putting a building up in any given city...!!

I will admit though, that some of his condo projects in Florida look pretty decent, but still, not putting up an icon first, in the nation's second largest city, seems to me, ignorant.....

Too bad there's no real practical way to let him know that. "Oh, you've been here and there and everywhere else, but you just couldn't cut it here, could ya?" I'd bet he'd "flip his wig!"

Too bad there's no real practical way to let him know that. "Oh, you've been here and there and everywhere else, but you just couldn't cut it here, could ya?" I'd bet he'd "flip his wig!"

There was a time, that i was going to send a letter of encouragement to his office, for the purpose of convincing him to take over the City house project, the 62 story, rectangular slab with the colonade of columns, and the spanish tile paraphet on the roof, in it's original proposed form, (other than the addition of floors, i would like it to remain unaltered) or perhaps with 20 additional floors, for a signiture hotel.

Of all the downtown proposals, over the last 5 years, this one, (to me anyway) is astheticaly the best one, becouse it pays homage to a number of significant Los Angeles attributes, it's Romanesqe/art deco style, reminds one of City hall, or even better, the Channin building, the spanish tile, (no explanation needed here) and most important, it's location and height are as close to perfection as you can get, as it will dominate that section of the skyline.

At this point in the game, i'm pretty sure it won't be built, and if it is, i suspect it will be heavily altered, or redesigned, which IMO is to bad, becouse it's an instant classic........

I like the new St. Regis project, the one with the motorcourt :)

February 13, 2008

Some more photos, taken Feb 13

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2265490508_26e12304ae_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2264699315_4bbaec8895_o.jpg

Also, I drove past the site and saw from Olympic Blvd that they're already adding some panels or pre-cast walls or something to the first few floors. You can even see it at the bottom of the tower, through the trees from this view...

Any rendrings of what will replace mann national theatre which is being demolished?

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2352/2279429541_07b2c03d5b_o.jpg

Construction Watch: The Century and Its $27 Million Penthouse

By Dakota
February 20, 2008

Jean Nouvel's leafy blade (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/02/nouvel_report_2.php) isn't the only high-end project planned for Century City--construction continues on The Century, the 42-story, Robert A.M. Stern-designed building, a Related project that'll be topped off by a two story, five-bedroom unit listed for $27 million (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/11/yowzer_the_cent.php). Sadly, floor plans of the penthouse are only available to interested buyers, the plans protected to stave off the cat burglars, we imagine.

Yowzer! The Century's $27 Million Penthouse (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/11/yowzer_the_cent.php) [Curbed LA]

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2060/2280217210_258e124e5d_o.jpg

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2136/2280221690_2d3e808d77_o.jpg

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2129/2279424769_6f2ee8dd6b_o.jpg

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/2046/2280210470_ba92f53a8a_o.jpg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/02/construction_wa_37.php?o=0)

It's nice! It needs a twin :)

Century City condo unit sells for a record $15 million

By Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
February 22, 2008
A unit on the 38th floor of a still unfinished luxury condo tower in Century City sold recently for a record $15 million, but the new owner still won't get a view from the top.

Four flights up, the asking price for the penthouse is $30 million.

On Thursday, the developer of the Century high-rise said an unidentified local buyer had agreed to pay $2,700 per square foot for a unit filling half of the 38th floor. The 42-story tower is under construction next to the Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel on Avenue of the Stars.

In spite of plunging residential prices across much of the nation, home values in many wealthy enclaves continue to grow.

There is so much demand, "well-to-do buyers can't find good estates on the Westside," said real estate agent David Mossler of Teles Properties, who specializes in luxury housing sales.

Mossler, who represented the buyer in the sale of the unit at the Century, said, "There is no slowdown in demand for quality products."

The previous record price per-square-foot for a Los Angeles-area condo was $1,700 for a unit at Doheny Drive and Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Mossler said.

The Century is expected to be completed in fall 2009. Thirteen units in the building are under contract for purchase, said the developer, New York-based Related Cos.

roger.vincent@latimes.com

oops, got topped by Westy's post #104 :)

oops, got topped by Westy's post #104 :)

You've totally got a man crush on Westsidelife. :lol:

Actually, I'm beginning to think I'm the only straight guy here. I'm wandering the empty streets of L. A. in a kind of Will Smith type movie called "I am Hetero!":)

Actually, I'm beginning to think I'm the only straight guy here. I'm wandering the empty streets of L. A. in a kind of Will Smith type movie called "I am Hetero!":)

Well, guess that makes two of us straight folk. :horse:

^^ Well, three of us...:D

Four of us. :)

I wonder if they got these confused? MilkyToast posted this a few days ago...but it says on the 38th floor...?? this one says the penthouse...???

Related’s The Century Sets Los Angeles Record for Condominium Sales Price
Strong Start to Sales at Los Angeles’ Premier New Building

CENTURY CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A record-breaking sale of a penthouse at The Century (www.thecentury.com), Los Angeles’ most luxurious new condominium building, was announced today by Related Sales, the building’s exclusive marketing and sales agent, setting a new high price per-square-foot for a Los Angeles condominium residence. The 42-story building on nearly four acres in the heart of Century City, designed by the renowned architecture firm of Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP to be the evolution of estate living, is currently well under construction and will be ready for occupancy in 2009. The penthouse was sold for $15 million or more than $2,700 per-square-foot.

“Wealthy L.A. buyers who are extremely discriminating and have purchased multiple homes in Montecito, Malibu, New York, Aspen and other destinations, have found they can still have the ultimate Los Angeles lifestyle while also gaining resort-like services and amenities,” said David Wine, Vice Chairman of Related. “This buyer looked for a residence with a convenient Century City location that offered resort-style living without sacrificing privacy, and in this respect, the amenities and services at The Century are truly groundbreaking. The signature restaurant will offer service to each home and to the cabanas at the pool. Residents can meet with their private Equinox trainer in the gym followed by a massage in a private treatment room. Buyers can entertain guests in the Assouline Culture Lounge followed by a showing in the private screening room, and a catered fireside dinner in the garden. It’s Los Angeles estate living without the headaches.”

The penthouse sold to a local buyer represented by David Mossler and John Iglar of Teles Properties, Beverly Hills, CA.

The Penthouse features more than 5,000 square feet and three terraces totaling an additional 647 square feet. Commanding half of a floor, the condominium, which was designed with three bedrooms, a private elevator vestibule and a chef’s kitchen, formal dining room, and expansive great room, has a dramatic layout is like a single-family home. Other features include a spacious master bedroom suite with a library and a midnight kitchen, his and hers bathrooms and dressing areas. The Century’s elliptical shape ensures that the vista from each room is endless, giving maximum exposure of the jaw dropping southern and eastern views.

“We are encouraged to see this sale as such a strong start to sales at The Century,” said Susan de França, President of Related Sales. “When designing The Century, we envisioned so much more than a luxury building, but a completely new alternative to other condominiums previously built in Los Angeles. Buyers are recognizing that The Century offers unparalleled design and amenities with elegance, innovation and lasting value and thus will garner the top prices in Los Angeles.”

The Century’s 140 residences will offer the distinctly luxurious lifestyle which Angelenos expect and enjoy, yet have not been able to realize in a luxury high-rise condominium. With an exceptional array of services and unrivaled amenities, the private, lush landscaped estate gardens feature outdoor entertaining rooms with fireplaces, fountains, walking paths and private spaces. The pool area consists of a 75-foot pool with views stretching to the Pacific, perfect for swimming laps, privately owned cabanas and outdoor dining. The Century will also have an on-site signature restaurant that will cater to the residences as well as provide poolside and outdoor dining.

Life’s special occasions are celebrated in the exclusive entertainment suite featuring an elegant lounge, formal banquet room, a screening room and an Assouline Culture Lounge. Additional amenities include a private fitness center, spa treatment rooms, wine tasting room, children’s playroom and a business center with a boardroom. Each residence will include concierge service, a membership to the Equinox Club in Century City as well as the Equinox-designed gym in the building, valet indoor parking, individually secured storage, personal wine storage and sophisticated telecommunications capabilities including a membership to Sony Cierge. Additionally there are private offices, guest suites and poolside cabanas available for purchase exclusively for owners at The Century.

“The Sales and Design Center for The Century is the perfect environment to give the feeling of what it will be like to live at The Century,” said David Wine, Vice Chairman of Related. “All of the amenities are articulated and the examples of the three interior design choices by Robert A.M. Stern and Marmol Radziner give no doubt that a new standard has been set for a full service building.”

The Century Sales and Design Center, located on the 41st floor of Century City’s iconic Century Plaza Towers, overlooks the site where the graceful Robert A.M. Stern Architects designed structure in currently under construction, affording stunning views of the ocean, mountains, and surrounding cityscape almost identical to the panoramas The Century residents will enjoy.

The Century’s developer, Related Companies, is considered the most prominent privately owned real estate development firm in the United States, responsible for creating architectural masterpieces across North America, including New York City’s Time Warner Center and the forthcoming Frank Gehry designed Grand Avenue mixed-use development in downtown Los Angeles.

www.thecentury.com

Heralded as one of the most prolific and visionary developers in the country, Related Companies was formed thirty-five years ago. Today, Related is considered the most prominent privately owned real estate development firm in the United States.

Headquartered in New York City, Related has offices and major developments in Aspen/Snowmass, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco with divisions in development, acquisitions, property management, marketing and sales. To date, Related has developed or acquired real estate assets worth over $15 billion with another $9 billion currently in development. In 2004, Related completed the development of New York City’s newest landmark, Time Warner Center. In Los Angeles, Related is expanding its portfolio with The Century, a super-luxury condominium in Century City and the Frank Gehry-designed Grand Avenue development, situated directly across from the beloved Walt Disney Concert Hall, which will include luxury residences, retail, notable restaurants and a world class hotel.

Related is staunchly committed to sustainable design with over $6 billion in green development underway or completed. :banana:The firm developed one of the first green residential buildings in the nation, Tribeca Green in Battery Park City, New York and Chicago’s first green residential building, 340 on the Park. Related is currently developing eight new LEED-certified residential buildings, The Brompton, The Harrison, and Superior Ink in New York City, The Clarendon in Boston, The Century in Los Angeles, The Village in Santa Monica, Canyon Ranch Living and The Peshtigo in Chicago as well as Bronx Terminal Market, a one million square foot retail development in Bronx, New York. Related serves on the board of directors of the World Resources Institute.

In 2007, Related entered into partnerships with Goldman Sachs, MSD Capital and three international investors offering Related ready access to capital. That same year, Related acquired a majority stake in Virgin Megastores North America and in 2006 acquired Equinox(R) Fitness Clubs, further expanding the company’s capabilities into the health and fitness arena and enhancing the value of its properties by incorporating an exclusive, branded amenity into the lifestyle offering. The company is also the largest shareholder in Centerline, the leading financier of affordable housing in the country. For more information about Related Companies please visit www.related.com.

Downtown West LA... going strong!

Look! It's done already- that was quick :) http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/200707building.jpg Curbed LA

March 6, 2008

Some more photos from yesterday...

Wide view
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2316344217_bbfa43d0f3_b.jpg

Closeup
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2317153064_1f5ae723e8_b.jpg

Century City sunset
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/2317154064_c66c7fd21c_b.jpg

Looks like they've added a couple more floors and it seems the cranes have definitely gotten taller, too.

That last one is just......:)

You can now easily the building from the 405 near the 10 intersection for miles along the 405. It's gonna look amazing there because it will fill in that humungous gap. I love CC

Now if they can just clear the land south of that location and put up more, then Century City would have realized its original potential :) (Those pictures taken from the intersection of Louisiana and S. Beverly Glen. Good thing they took down the massive tree where the white picket fence is now. Otherwise, we wouldn't have such a nice view.)

You can now easily the building from the 405 near the 10 intersection for miles along the 405. It's gonna look amazing there because it will fill in that humungous gap. I love CC

really? i should start looking around my skyline, i live right next to the 405/10 interchange. but i guess i dont have a good view since i live on one of the surface streets going under the interchange so my view is blocked.... and i dont have a car so.... yeah, lol.

It's visible from LMU. Should look nice once it is done.

Does anybody have any renderings of what Century City will look like in a few years?

^^ Whew! Ok, this is the best I could come up with in only a few hours. You can see the Century is close to being topped out, while my supertall to the south is all ready for occupation. My other home is in Pacific Palisades at the end of the arrow. Hope this helps :)http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/HPIM0634.jpg

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::cheers:

:lol: oh wow....thanks for giving me a good laugh.

:hilarious:hilarious:applause:Good job Milque...:lol:

WOW! Awsome supertall you have there!

lol...wow...

Somebody has some hidden potential...

:master:

March 30, 2008

March 30, 2008

This is a tough building to photograph up close, only because there's nowhere to park nearby (that you don't have to pay for). I had to park illegally in a "no stopping anytime" zone, throw on my hazards and hope no one nailed my car while I ran across the street. I count at least 16 floors.

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9310/century200803301lm4.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2608/century200803302jk1.jpg

Scanned the article from NYT of April 6. No mention of Century City. Interesting somewhat, but passed on it. http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/06nouvel-500.jpg NYTimes

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2446261511_3b734afe2d_b.jpg

Construction Watch: The Century in Century City ([http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/04/construction_wa_63.php)

By Neal Broverman
April 28, 2008

Architect Robert A.M. Stern's The Century is rising like a phoenix in CC; the 42-story stunner looks about half-done now. One caveat—except for the Century City mall and its wicked-good food court, the neighborhood is an after-hours ghost town (kinda like New York in I Am Legend but scrubbed clean). But that hasn't stopped someone from snapping up the $15 million penthouse (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/02/what_century_ci.php). Meanwhile, what's interest like in one of the priciest Westside condos of them all--the $27 million penthouse (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/11/yowzer_the_cent.php)?
The Century (http://www.thecentury.com/home.html) [Official Site]
Yowzer! The Century's $27 million penthouse (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/11/yowzer_the_cent.php) [LA Curbed]

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2449779834_50928d506f_o.jpg

My future residence. Way ta go, West :)

There is another render available here:

http://www.archpaper.com/news/2008_0330.htm

It is flash, I don't know how to post and need some help. Scroll thru the photos to get to "Green Blade".

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2450052151_4e8165fa19_o.jpg

and, most recently, a 45-story tower, another luxury condominium, in Los Angeles that Nouvel described as a “green blade.”The Architect's Newspaper He's a pussy- and he knows it! I dare ya to build here.....I DARE YA

Hows this one coming along?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2450052151_4e8165fa19_o.jpg

I swear I seen this building on Life After People on the History Channel :lol:

and to Steve2726, to capture a photo in Flash, just hit the Print Screen key of your keyboard, go into a photo editing software and paste it, then you can crop the screenshot so only the photo is visible.

^^
Awesome, thanks for the advice.
:cheers:

The Century

Here's the Century from last Monday. Starting to make it's presence known. Jacaranda trees in full bloom.

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4227/century200805261ai3.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/102/century200805262pi1.jpg

I love Century City mainly because its potential is enormous!

Century Plaza Hotel is sold for $366.5 million
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/39544627.jpg
Next Century Associates
The Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, a 726-room landmark in Century City, has been sold for $366.5 million to a group lead by Los Angeles real estate investor Michael Rosenfeld.
Next Century Associates buys the 1960s-era landmark built on a former studio back lot.
By Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 3, 2008
The Century Plaza Hotel, a 1960s-era landmark in Century City that has played host to several U.S. presidents, has been sold for $366.5 million.

Next Century Associates, led by Los Angeles real estate investor Michael Rosenfeld, announced Monday that it bought the 726-room hotel on Avenue of the Stars from Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc., a real estate investment trust in San Clemente.

The arc-shaped, 19-story structure was built in 1966 as the centerpiece of Century City, an office, retail and residential development carved out of the former back lot of the 20th Century Fox film studio.

"This is a rare opportunity to buy a jewel in my hometown," said Rosenfeld, founder and chief executive of Century City-based Woodridge Capital and managing partner of Next Century, which also includes New York investment firm D.E. Shaw group.

The Century Plaza, which will continue to operate as a Hyatt Regency, "is an iconic building in a fantastic location," said hotel industry consultant Alan Reay of Atlas Hospitality Group.

The sale price of $505,000 per room is high -- but not a record, Reay said. An interest in the Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado went for more than $1 million per room in 2005. The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena -- formerly a Ritz-Carlton hotel -- sold this year for $434,000 per room.

Sunstone bought the Century Plaza for $293 million in 2005 and then launched a renovation program valued at more than $22 million that upgraded the guest rooms and common areas.

Rosenfeld said he planned further improvements, such as renovating the meeting areas and a possible expansion of the ballroom, which is already the largest in Los Angeles. "Our goal is to continue to enhance the hotel."

Part of the what made the Century Plaza an appealing investment, Rosenfeld said, is its proximity to several high-end office and residential structures.

Right next door, a 42-story luxury condominium tower is under construction in which a unit sold this year for a record $15 million. Five more condominium buildings are planned in Century City.
Across from the hotel on Avenue of the Stars is a $350-million office and retail complex that was completed last year where ABC Entertainment Center once stood.

It's home to talent agency Creative Artists Agency and other entertainment industry tenants. Other nearby office building that command top rents include SunAmerica Center, MGM Tower and Fox Plaza.

"The ability to acquire such a well-located property comes along rarely, and we're pleased we had the opportunity to seize upon it," Rosenfeld said.

Another reason the Century Plaza commanded a high price is that the Westside hotel market is the best in the state for owners, consultant Reay said.

Even with the economy faltering in the first quarter, hotel-industry revenue and occupancy rates were up 6.7% on the Westside compared with a statewide improvement of 2.3%.

"The Westside is resilient and still enjoying strong growth," Reay said

The Century Plaza has been at the center of business, social and political activity on the Westside for decades.

In 1961, after Fox suffered a string of expensive flops, culminating in the box-office disaster "Cleopatra," starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the film studio sold about 180 acres to developer William Zeckendorf and Aluminum Co. of America, also known as Alcoa. The new owners conceived Century City as "a city within a city" with the hotel as a magnet.

When the Century Plaza began operating, its doormen wore red Beefeater costumes. The hotel's ballrooms became the center for numerous high-profile events, including an opening charity gala in 1966 emceed by Bob Hope, who with singer Andy Williams entertained the likes of Ronald and Nancy Reagan and Walt and Lillian Disney.

A year later, 1,300 club-swinging police clashed with about 10,000 Vietnam War demonstrators as President Johnson spoke at a Democratic fundraiser at the hotel. Johnson left without staying overnight.

In 1984, the complex added a 297-room hotel tower. President Reagan was one of its first guests, and a penthouse unit was named after him. The tower was razed to make way for the Century condominium high-rise now under construction and slated for completion in fall 2009.

Woodridge Capital Partners, founded by Rosenfeld in 1988, is a real estate investment company with hotel, residential, commercial and industrial assets in the U.S. and Canada. Rosenfeld recently sold the Carlyle on Wilshire, a luxury 24-story residential tower being built on Wilshire Boulevard, to New York-based Elad Group for $140 million.

The D.E. Shaw group is a global investment and technology development firm with about $36 billion in investment capital and offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

roger.vincent@latimes.com

i wish they had those orange lights back on the window lighting, that was soo retro-looking and you could see them from afar.

Five more condominium towers?! I hope they all get built! All we need now is the Subway to the Sea going through there. Imagine what Century City will look like in a few years.

hopefully milques supertall in cc project gets approval :)

^^ Damn right! The new pictures are up on Google Maps and they're better than the old ones, and they point out the waste of space in Century City. Huge tracts of land devoted to what looks like retirement condominiums. :ohno:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2562731236_af2e610fe7_b.jpg
From Flickr, by Atwater Village Newbie

Be-a-utiful morning shot. This project looks lonely, I think it needs a 'twin'.

I said this on SSP but The Century doesn't belong in Century City. It's design is very 1987. It belongs in Westwood along that hilly stretch of Wilshire with those really elegant condo towers. The Californian, The Diplomat, The Remington, The Somerset. Among others. Don't get me wrong as I love LA architecture circa 1985-1990 and The Century is a nice building but I don't feel that it fits in Century City.

^^^ i think i agree

it could be the structure to start the blend from century city to westwood. although it's a little hard to accept at first (even for me), i think it's a great addition to century city

Its height definitely makes it welcome in CC even if it is not as corporate looking as the nearby office towers.

Hopefully this is a sign that Century City is evolving into a place where people can work AND live.

^ Century City is still an office park. It's just not zoned for pedestrians. Furthermore, it's surrounded by huge swaths of suburbia and lacks adequate mass transit.

Jean Nouvel's Leafy Tower in Second Design Phasehttp://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/2594030276_ffdc8a43c1_o.jpg

Thursday, June 19, 2008, by Dakota
At the 38th Annual Los Angeles Architecture Awards, given out by the Los Angeles Business Council and held today at the Beverly Hills Hilton, Jean Nouvel, (pictured above) the architect behind 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard, gave the key note address. Among other things, he told the crowd: "...to be in Los Angeles, is of course, a dream for a French architect..." Nice! But given market conditions, it's a valid question to ask: Is his Century City building actually going to happen?

Yes, it is, a rep for developer SunCal Cos told us after the reception, adding that the project is its in second design phase. The fact that it is its second design is a positive indicator, she added. So the sky isn't falling? No, she said. It's happening.

Anyway, more photos from the event in gallery. All told, 30 projects were honored. Notable winners: Biscuit Company Lofts won for the Renovated Building category; Ennis House won in Preservation category; LA Dodger stadium won in LA Pride category; and LA Live won for Mixed-Use Design category. Curbed LA

^ Century City is still an office park. It's just not zoned for pedestrians. Furthermore, it's surrounded by huge swaths of suburbia and lacks adequate mass transit.

CC is nowhere near a traditional office park and it is the first time I've ever heard that term applied to CC. The area has enormous potential as a stop on the Purple Line as well as the current trend of adding residences to the area. An office park with an respectable skyline.....new to me.

Here's a new rendering of the Jean Nouvel-designed tower planned for Century City...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2595524555_6693e42415_o.jpg

http://bustler.net/index.php/article/winners_of_the_38th_annual_los_angeles_architectural_awards/

CC is nowhere near a traditional office park and it is the first time I've ever heard that term applied to CC. The area has enormous potential as a stop on the Purple Line as well as the current trend of adding residences to the area. An office park with an respectable skyline.....new to me.

Century City is lacking in the residential aspect. Also, it's not exactly pedestrian friendly.

That tower looks waaaaay to skinny for being in earthquake country. Hope it's strong. :nuts:

Yeah, that footprint really bothers me, but, he's French so- c'est la vie :)

Century City is lacking in the residential aspect. Also, it's not exactly pedestrian friendly.

Agreed. And agreed. But the potential of this area is remarkable.

absolutely, but the purple line should make its way first to at least century city before too much development crowds this area

http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/4/6/30/f_IMG0613m_4a29dd5.jpg
From SkyscraperPage, by LosAngelesBeauty

http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/6/29/f_IMG0648m_2d349dd.jpg
From SkyscraperPage, by LosAngelesBeauty

http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/6/29/f_IMG0598m_aa52766.jpg
From SkyscraperPage, by LosAngelesBeauty

http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/4/6/29/f_IMG0604m_6ff4726.jpg
From SkyscraperPage, by LosAngelesBeauty

Is it just the way you're holding the camera - or does it look like the Century is leaning?

..is the tower leaning..:lol: By the way, those pictures look exactly like the pictures I would have taken, had I been there - gorgeous!

Those clean spotless sidewalks would be a sniper's dead sentence. Anyways, the tower is great but it would look better at a Wilshire location, as someone already pointed out. Great tower, and speed. :)

Graze Upon Century City's Green Blade
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/200807mmmmm.jpg
A previously unseen rendering of the planned 45-story, $400 million Jean Nouvel-designed building at 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard. And a visual reminder to eat your greens. As noted by architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne in last weekend's Los Angeles Times magazine, it seems the building--dubbed a "green blade" by Nouvel himself--could indeed break ground in the not too distant future; last time we checked, units in the 177-unit tower were expected to start at more than $3.2 million. (Unable to find Hawthorne magazine article online, curse you LATimes.com.)CurbedLA

Unseen by who? Someone posted that on SSP about a month ago. Curbed is late.

And for movie buffs: 2000 Ave of the Stars has a pretty big part in Hancock.

Here's a new rendering of the Jean Nouvel-designed tower planned for Century City...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2595524555_6693e42415_o.jpg

http://bustler.net/index.php/article/winners_of_the_38th_annual_los_angeles_architectural_awards/

But that's disgusting

Tori Spelling's mom buys a (HUGE) condo http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/now.jpg
3:55 PM, July 22, 2008
Pity poor Candy Spelling, rattling around all alone in that 123-room, 56,500-square-foot Holmby Hills house. Her son has is gone, her daughter's got a hit reality TV show, and with the passing of her husband, TV mogul Aaron Spelling, it's just the pets and jewels and furs and private bowling alley to keep her company.

But stop the pity party -- Tori's mom just plunked down a cool $47 million for the two top floors of this high-rise condo building going up in Century City. Just half the size of her old digs, but with 360-degree views of L.A. Roger Vincent has more details:

Spelling's current home (pictured below) has 11 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, and then there's the one-lane bowling alley, the gift-wrapping room, a screening room and a doll museum. But what's in store for her new digs is still a question that may tantalize the curious.

Building developer Related Cos. of New York said Spelling would work with her own architects and designers to customize her space on the 41st and 42nd floors. But a few of the details have been negotiated.


The lower floor will have a living room with two working fireplaces, a dining room for 25 guests, and staff quarters. The top floor will house the bedrooms including a 4,000-square-foot master suite, a massage room, an exercise room, a conservatory complete with rose garden, and a swimming pool and deck.Veronique de Turenne

Condo photo: Lawrence K. Ho Los Angeles Times

I would imagine this sale gets Related Co a lot closer to attaining the ROI they need from this building. Hopefully it also encourages the other condo tower developers in CC to move forward.

... of which I hear there are 5 :)

Downsizing in Los Angeles: From Mansion to $47 Million Condo http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.jpg
Stephanie Diani for The New York Times
Candy, widow of the television producer Aaron Spelling, in entryway of her 56,500-square-foot Manor.
By Mireya Navarro
Published: August 20, 2008
LOS ANGELES — Candy Spelling, widow of the television producer Aaron Spelling, is downsizing.

After nearly 20 years in The Manor, a 56,500-square-foot French chateau-style home known for its size and extravagance — it includes a wine-tasting room, a bowling alley, a silver room, a china room and a well-known gift-wrapping room — she says she is ready for the next trophy property: a condominium.

“People say, How can you move from The Manor? There’s no place like it,” Mrs. Spelling said, sitting in the library with leatherbound scripts of every episode of Mr. Spelling’s shows, from “Charlie’s Angels” to “7th Heaven.”

But a condo, she said, “is no different than a house, maybe even better.”

Mrs. Spelling is the most conspicuous buyer in an ultraluxury condo market that is new in the sprawl of Los Angeles, where wealth and fame have usually spelled out “estate,” not apartment living. But real estate experts say a New York-style luxury high-rise lifestyle is creeping into the wealthiest echelons, fed by trends like people looking to own more than one home, foreigners drawn by the weak dollar to invest in Los Angeles, and new residential buildings being designed by celebrity architects like Robert A. M. Stern, Richard Meier and Jean Nouvel.

Mr. Stern designed The Century, the 140-unit building under construction where Mrs. Spelling recently bought the top two penthouse floors — 16,500 square feet — for $47 million.

That’s $2,848 a square foot, if you’re counting.

Los Angeles is becoming a more vertical area at all income levels as land for development becomes less plentiful and traffic congestion, and now high gas prices, steer more people to cluster around mass transit stations and more community-like sections, like downtown and West Los Angeles, said Delores A. Conway, director of the Casden Real Estate Economics Forecast at the University of Southern California. For 2006 and 2007 in Los Angeles County, condos sold better than single family homes, even as the market was dipping, real estate data shows, although sales above $5 million are still few.

Last year, 59 percent of new home sales were condos.

“The city is becoming more interconnected and growing up,” Ms. Conway said. “It’s a major change in the landscape of Los Angeles.”

And competing to lure the ultra rich out of their grand homes and compounds is a new generation of high-end high-rises, with hundreds of units already under construction or planned that promise a higher level of services and more square footage than the typical luxury condo here, which usually sold for under $10 million. The new pampering, with prices to match, includes restaurants open 24/7, outdoor entertaining spaces and patrols by Israeli-trained security guards to foil the paparazzi.

“It’s a field of dreams,” said Stephen Shapiro, chairman of Westside Estate Agency in Beverly Hills, which represents one of the new condo properties. “Build it, and they hope they will come.”

The Century, a project of Related Companies, sits on three acres of green and offers a 200-foot-long entrance driveway, “meditation cabanas” in the gardens, a wine storage and tasting room and guest suites for home offices or household staff. Units go for $3.5 million to $10.5 million and penthouses for $15 million to $29 million.
Not too far away, The Carlyle Residences, a 24-story crescent-shaped building by Elad Properties will have 78 units priced at $2.9 million to $20 million when it opens next summer. Among its offerings are a floor dedicated to staff quarters and hedges monitored by security cameras.

“This is Los Angeles, and the paparazzi problem is so prevalent here,” explained Jill Eisenstadt, a spokeswoman for the project.

At least six projects are going up on the west side between Beverly Hills and Santa Monica alone, including hotels with a residential component. The Montage Hotel Beverly Hills, opening later this year, has 20 condos with hotel services, for $9 million to $32 million.

“We’ve had some terrific demand for them,” said Alan Fuerstman, founder and chief executive of Montage Hotels & Resorts. “You have all the offerings without the hassles of managing a large estate.”

David Mossler, the real estate agent who sold The Century’s first penthouse last December, for $15 million, said the cachet of Mr. Stern was a big draw for his clients, a couple he refused to identify to protect their privacy. They had been looking for a second home in Los Angeles for two years but had not found the looks, privacy or views they wanted.

When he mentioned a condo, Mr. Mossler said, “I think they thought I was crazy.”

“I told them about the high quality of the building and the security and the other amenities,” he said. “The light went on in their heads. They said, ‘It’s like a great hotel suite.’ ”
For Mrs. Spelling, 62, mother of the actors Tori and Randy Spelling, the draw was being able to worry less about the upkeep of a house and being ready to travel more two years after the death of her husband, who was afraid of flying, she said. She is entertaining offers in the $150 million range for her W-shaped mansion, which the couple built in the late 1980s in the neighborhood known as Holmby Hills.

But going condo can be a challenge when your idea of downsizing does not mean shedding a dining table for 26, or the private pool and rose garden, all of which Mrs. Spelling plans to install in her new digs. Her solution was to combine two duplexes on the 41st and 42nd floors, with 4,000 feet just for the master bedroom.

Mrs. Spelling said she was shrinking her staff of 20 to less than half, three of whom will continue living with her and her wheaten terrier, Madison. She said she was talking to schools and children’s hospitals about donating the contents of the library and most of her collection of Madame Alexander dolls.

But other things — her china, silver, Impressionist art, wardrobe, wine cellar, ball clock collection and, yes, the gift-wrapping room — are nonnegotiable, she said.

“I’m not giving it up,” she said of the sometimes ridiculed wrapping room that she calls her “hobby and therapy.”

“That’s special to me,” she said. “I’ve always liked my packages pretty.”

Mrs. Spelling said she had also been mindful of her two grandchildren when designing her new condo, which includes a guest suite and pool cabana reserved for their use. The boy and girl are by her daughter, Tori, with whom relations have been rocky, or “complicated” as they both have put it. (Mrs. Spelling is completing a book deal that is not meant, she said, as a response to her daughter’s best seller, “Stori Telling,” which portrayed her as cold and controlling, and which she claimed not to have read.) Despite tabloid reports about their feuds, and about Ms. Spelling’s inheriting less than $1 million from her father (Mrs. Spelling said her children and grandchildren would inherit all the Spelling money eventually), Mrs. Spelling said she saw her grandchildren weekly.

As Mrs. Spelling extolled the 360-degree views and amenities of condo life, including a health club with on-call massage service, she said friends were already telling her “maybe this is what we should do.”

But some developers say the ultraexpensive condo market is still a gamble.

“The premium condo market is unproven in Los Angeles,” said Paul Habibi, a developer who also lectures in real estate at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Amenities are certainly a draw, but are they any better than what they already have?”

Mr. Stern, the architect of The Century, which is going up in Century City, an area with a shopping mall, movie theaters, upscale restaurants and many entertainment offices, said wealthy Angelenos were ready for apartment living as long as they got “that outdoor-indoor type of living.” He said Californians, unlike New Yorkers, felt entitled to space, light and fresh air, which he translated into spacious rooms and big balconies.

“People are ready to live in a more urban way,” Mr. Stern said. “They’re sick of driving everywhere.”

The bad economy and soft real estate market do not seem to be affecting the $5 million and up housing segment, brokers said. The Century, which will not open until at least the end of 2009, has sold half of its units, mostly to locals, said David Wine, vice chairman of Related Companies, the project’s developer.

“It gives you comfort,” Mr. Shapiro, the Beverly Hills real estate agent, who handles sales of $20 million and over, said of Mrs. Spelling’s decision. “Nobody wants to be the first one. She sets the pace.”New York Times

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/2760990341_e621bf3c9a_b.jpg
From SkyscraperPage, by friedpez

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2761838008_c0171dd6af_b.jpg
From SkyscraperPage, by friedpez

Do you guys see this type of high-rise living becoming the new trend among LA's elite? Will the much sought-after Hollywood Hills/Beverly Hills/Bel Air/Brentwood/Malibu mansion still be the favored choice of residence among the wealthy?

very likely... look at NYC.

but i'm sure most would keep their mansions as well.

i do believe the new wealthy coming into the world will probably make an urban home their first buy... mind you this is just my own idea of what's going on here.

afterall, if i were as rich as Candy Spelling, i would probably want everything this city has to offer at my doorstep rather than having to slave myself to find what i need

LA still has an increase demand for high end housing with the white population declining and all?

^^ the white population isn't the only population that buys high end housing.

i usually thought of indians, filipinos, or middle-eastern as being able to afford such homes, and white people staying in our college dorms until they find a career in Smallville USA

i usually thought of indians, filipinos, or middle-eastern as being able to afford such homes, and white people staying in our college dorms until they find a career in Smallville USA

ok, and its mostly the white middle class that is leaving. the rich white population will probably stay the same while there will be more wealthy Asians. the rich parts of LA are still mostly white or jewish with a handfull of asians and mideasternerrs.

Wrong, in the San Gabriel Valley, it's pretty much all Asian and Hispanic even in the very high-end towns. Here, Asians greatly outnumber whites now.

thats true but I was refering to the westside and Central LA.

alright, back to century city development news... anyone know how many residential structures are actually within century cityright now? any newer proposals?

About 5. That's the rumor :)

The Century

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/2861876842_308632b544_o.jpg
From SkyscraperPage, by friedpez

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2870617921_05c3dedbd1_b.jpg

But is the Century adding a new mark in the skyline? Considering how the St. Regis used to stand in its place at 38 (?) stories. I can't remember what the skyline looked like with the St. Regis.

the whole reason they tore the SR down (vs. refurbing) was that it had terrible ceiling heights--too low for the sky hi prices they are charging to make the project profitable.

Keep in mind this is on the west side of Avenue of the Stars, and therefore looks comparable to the twins, which are on the east side and more distant. Looks almost as tall as Nakatomi though... maybe even taller...http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/St-Regis-crop1.jpg SSC

Perspectives?

The Century

Update for September...10/1/2008

From www.webcor.com (http://www.webcor.com)

SEPTEMBER 2008

"The Century is now at the 36th floor (out of 42) and the pre-cast components are being installed on the 28th floor with windows up to the 26th. Top out is expected in November.

The lush landscaping is about to get started with the replanting of the 250 or so trees removed from the original site and protected during construction. In addition, another 250 or so trees will be installed as part of the mature park-like design concept of the project."

Dems' a lot of trees! :)

Some pics from inside of The Century...

http://www.webcor.com/auto_images/large/centuryseptc1222814506.jpg

http://www.webcor.com/auto_images/large/centuryseptb1222814455.jpg
From www.webcor.com

^^ Ew.. it's so Beverly Hills ugly..

I'LL TAKE IT!

^ I would too! It's to bad I'm not a rich man. :(

I'LL TAKE IT!
I would too, but they could have gotten a bit more creative with those counters.

Blame the economy... from Curbed L.A.:

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/10/leafy_green_horror_jean_nouvel_tower_shelved_indefinitely.php


Leafy Green Horror: Jean Nouvel Tower Shelved Indefinitely
Friday, October 17, 2008, by Neal Broverman

One of the first high-profile casualties of the economic collapse, Jean Nouvel's pretty green tower ain't happening, at least not in the immediate future. The Los Angeles Business Journal's Daniel Miller reports that SunCal—developer of the 45-story, 177-unit condo tower—released a statement saying, "We have been unable to obtain assurances of continued funding that would allow us to move forward with confidence at this point in time." The LABJ says the project has been shelved, but SunCal keeps the door open by saying they hope to restart the project as soon as financing is shored up. Earlier this month, SunCal gave out a not entirely reassuring-sounding statement on the project, claiming that it was still going forward. But some may be happy with the latest news—as seen in the comments in an earlier post, 10000 Santa Monica was seen by some as a pedestrian-killing "monster of a building that would house fifty or so billionaires."

Oh please! He's French! He didn't have what it takes to construct something like that here anyway. Wouldn't have passed seismic code.

^^ well, more importantly i hope i don't have to worry about that rendering of a green sheet of paper sticking out of it's 3-dimensional surroundings coming to life.

The Century

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/2975027495_fa30828eef_o.jpg
From SkyscraperPage.com, by friedpez

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2975027267_ec8f68ae6c_o.jpg
From SkyscraperPage.com, by friedpez

almost there.

I like the construction lights at night

I like the construction lights at night

No you don't :ohno:

Hi everyone, quick question.

Are there or have there every been plans for taller buildings in Century City? I like the uniform height, kinda, but I think that with the planning of the city it could be so much more.

Thanks

The various Homeowners Associations on all sides of Century City, which wield powerful political clout and deep pockets, have prevented the development of taller buildings in CC, hence the uniform height.

No you don't :ohno:

It's all nice and flickery

The various Homeowners Associations on all sides of Century City, which wield powerful political clout and deep pockets, have prevented the development of taller buildings in CC, hence the uniform height.

Thanks, circuitfiend

The Century

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From SkyscraperPage.com, by colemonkee

Nov 9, 2008

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Ambitious mall project moving ahead in Century City
Westfield is pursuing an $800-million development that would move Bloomingdale's, add retail and office space, and replace a Westside landmark with a 49-story tower.
By Martha Groves, The Los Angeles Times
November 12, 2008

Unlike some cash-strapped competitors in the shopping center business, Westfield has nearly $7 billion in the bank and can't wait to start knocking down buildings and digging dirt for an ambitious expansion of its Century City mall.

The $800-million project entails relocating Bloomingdale's, adding retail and office space, razing one of the original twin "Gateway" buildings designed by Welton Becket and replacing it with a 49-story tower with 262 apartments or condos.

Despite a boom in high-rise development in Century City that has surrounding neighborhood groups on high alert, the mall expansion has experienced remarkably smooth sailing for a proposal of its size.

On Thursday, the city Planning Commission is expected to approve the Australian company's environmental impact report, paving the way for passage by the City Council. The project has the backing of Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents Century City and has received more than $8,000 in contributions from Westfield executives for his city attorney campaign.

Westfield has also been a big donor to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, giving him $100,000 for his committee to take over the school district and $50,000 for his 2007 U.S. Conference of Mayors, held in Century City.

The Westfield project reflects a new direction in Century City's core, which for decades featured mostly offices and hotels but is now creating hundreds of upscale residences. Westfield says the mall expansion would add to the "live, work, shop and play" vibe.

Neighborhood groups contend that the project is too big and too tall and will produce too much traffic. But traffic isn't their only concern. They say the development will further strain already inadequate services, from police and fire to schools, libraries and electric and water utilities.

"We have a huge project and no corresponding infrastructure to go with it," said David Tyrone Vahedi, an attorney who is running for City Council in District 5, which includes Century City. "When they're selling these condo units for $3 million, do they tell these people that there's very little police protection? That there's traffic congestion and so few officers that response time is unacceptable?"

For years, Century City and environs have experienced an almost unrivaled building boom. Century City in particular has been a hotbed of construction, with projects including 2000 Avenue of the Stars (which replaced the ABC Entertainment Center) and Westfield's $170-million first-phase redo of the outdoor shopping center, including a rooftop dining deck, enlarged movie theaters and, most recently, a parking system that directs patrons to available spaces (green light overhead) and away from occupied spaces (red light overhead).

Also underway is Related Cos.' 39-story condo tower at the site of the former St. Regis Hotel on Avenue of the Stars. Down the street at the corner of Constellation Boulevard, JMB Realty Corp. of Chicago plans three condo towers.

In nearby Beverly Hills, the Montage resort hotel is scheduled to open this month. And the Beverly Hilton is hoping that a final vote count on Measure H will allow it to proceed with a 12-story Waldorf-Astoria hotel and two luxury condo towers.

Some residents say that the accumulation of projects will inevitably exacerbate traffic problems. Westfield's environmental impact report concluded that the expansion would indeed worsen traffic.

"People are saying, 'We can't take any more density until we have the ability to offer [transit] alternatives,' " said Barbara Broide, president of the Westwood South of Santa Monica Homeowners Assn. "We are hoping that the council district office, the Planning Commission and the City Council all realize that a project of this magnitude can't be built as proposed unless some strong investments are made in the community."

Westfield executives counter that urban density beats sprawl. The company plans to encourage other Century City businesses to participate in a shuttle program for the area's 40,000 employees, and it envisions adding a station to link up with a proposed "Subway to the Sea" or another Metro mass transit program.

"This sort of development will lead to a much better and much more integrated Century City," said Peter Lowy, Westfield's co-chief executive, who heads the company's U.S. operations.

By demolishing two high-rise office towers, he added, Westfield will be reducing peak-hour traffic. (The other structure is the Houlihan Lokey office building on Century Park West, which will be replaced with a five-story parking structure with a rooftop parking level and two existing below-ground levels. The project calls for adding 1,899 spaces, for a total of 4,529 spaces for retail, office and residential.)

Lowy said the company is eager to establish a proper retail frontage on Avenue of the Stars and Santa Monica Boulevard, which would be accomplished in part by relocating Bloomingdale's from the mall's core to the new tower on the avenue.

Westfield acknowledges that it is negotiating with a coalition of neighborhood groups, which are urging the company to contribute funds that could be parceled out to police, fire, schools and other community services. As of Tuesday, no settlement had been reached.

Then there's 1801 Avenue of the Stars, one of the twin glass-and-aluminum gateway buildings featured in the 1961 Century City master plan developed by Welton Becket & Associates. After the 1957 repeal of the city's 150-foot building height limit, Century City was conceived as a high-rise satellite commercial center. The full plan, for a pedestrian-friendly, beautifully landscaped zone, was never realized.

In a Nov. 4 letter, the Los Angeles Conservancy urged the Planning Commission to consider alternatives to demolition. But Westfield contends that it would be impossible to convert the building to condos and build a transit station.

"I think there's a lot that's good about this project," Weiss said. "At this point in time, with this economy, it would be public policy malpractice to tell someone who wants to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in your community to go take a hike," he said.

Groves is a Times staff writer.

http://www.latimes.com/media/mapimage/2008-11/43322344.gif

Too bad it isn't being built on a parking lot. Hard to imagine it will all pencil out as it sounds very expensive to build. Demolish buildings, move department stores. Add tons of parking. It will take a million years to get this one done.

LATimes:

Westfield gets OK to expand Century City shopping center
The Los Angeles Planning Commission unanimously approves the developer's plans after it agrees to make modifications.
By Martha Groves
5:59 PM PST, November 13, 2008
The Los Angeles Planning Commission has unanimously approved Westfield Group's plan to expand its Century City shopping center after the developer agreed to make modifications.

The panel devoted several hours to testimony from supporters and detractors before voting to approve the project, which calls for relocating Bloomingdale's, adding parking and replacing an original Welton Becket-designed tower with a 39-story, mixed-use building with 262 condos.

The Comstock Hills Homeowners Assn. had protested the original 49-story plan for the tower and was pleased that Westfield agreed to lop off 10 stories.

The company also announced settlements to satisfy some residents' concerns about traffic improvements.

The $800-million project also entails relocating Bloomingdale's and adding retail and office space.

The Westfield project reflects a new direction in Century City's core, which for decades featured mostly offices and hotels but is now creating hundreds of upscale residences.

Westfield officials said the mall expansion would add to the "live, work, shop and play" vibe.

Neighborhood groups contend that the project is too big and too tall, and would produce too much traffic.

But traffic isn't their only concern. They say the development would further strain already inadequate services, from police and fire to schools, libraries and electric and water utilities.

Ooooh, it's too big and too tall...

Once again, the local homeowner's association win. 10 stories lopped off. CC will never have a truly tall signature tower. We should resign ourselves to that reality.

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/11/westfield_century_city_goes_to_planning_commission.php


these are the renderings for the Westfield Redevelopment but keep in mind it is before the height reduction.

While there will probably never be a truly iconic office or residential tower in CC, it would be cool if they built something tall. Can you imagine century city with the Space Needle or the Pearl Tower from Shanghai? Ok. I know. Crazy to even hope.

imagine the development to take place once there's a subway stop in century city.

Gosh the buildings that are there in CC top out at 50 stories and this is smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood! A truly significant signature tower in LA should be accordingly in Downtown Los Angeles. I happen to like the uniformed height of CC, it looks clean and well organized. Trust if there is a proposal for a 100 story tower I would never want to see that in CC! I would like more density of buildings in CC but the height of the buildings in my opinion are just perfect. When the subway arrives perhaps pushing buildings to not exceed 60 stories would be in order but anything taller just makes the basin as a whole start to look lopsided.

imagine the development to take place once there's a subway stop in century city.

There isn't much room. Its pretty much built out.

There's that gap between the Century and Fox. Can that be built on? That hotel could be made into a high rise luxury hotel. That area by those random 2 high rise condos. But if it becomes denser, the height restriction must be removed because then it will look retarded with tons of buildings at the exact same height.

There isn't much room. Its pretty much built out.

the subway stop would be on santa monica blvd. century city is all south of that really. plenty of room on the north side to double century city's size in area.

Gosh the buildings that are there in CC top out at 50 stories and this is smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood! A truly significant signature tower in LA should be accordingly in Downtown Los Angeles. I happen to like the uniformed height of CC, it looks clean and well organized. Trust if there is a proposal for a 100 story tower I would never want to see that in CC! I would like more density of buildings in CC but the height of the buildings in my opinion are just perfect. When the subway arrives perhaps pushing buildings to not exceed 60 stories would be in order but anything taller just makes the basin as a whole start to look lopsided.

i wouldn't want a building that huge in CC either. rather i'd like the density that CC has to be at nearly every subway stop between CC and Downtown. that would be the greatest postcard ever.

That would be cooler than Manhattan for sure.

Why not have the height of downtown with the density of CC stretching from DT to CC? :happy:

someday... by that time, i might be living inside an ecology at my ideal location of paradise

I like the lull in between skylines it's just good for the soul. Densify and bring more more more residential to CC, densify Koreatown, densify Hollywood and densify Downtown LA and it's a wrap!

the subway stop would be on santa monica blvd. century city is all south of that really. plenty of room on the north side to double century city's size in area.

Are you talking about building over the country club?

Why not have the height of downtown with the density of CC stretching from DT to CC? :happy:


No, I like the contrast. I would like to see more Density and lots of towers 20-40 stories along Wilshire(if there is room that is).

If it were up to me, I'd make all golf courses and cemeteries in LA into public parks. Sorry dead people and soon-to-be-dead people: The future decided your backwards religious and cultural desires to be put in the ground and to waste land and water hitting a little ball around will no longer be acceptable.

Duhhhweeeebo! I understand your need for your city's need for public parkland, but if you don't want to pour billions into the 4000 plus acres of Griffith Park (for example) just leave my relatives at Hollywood Forever be.

I do, however, agree with the transformation of certain golf courses, excluding Riviera, because of its status.

Are you talking about building over the country club?

rather west of the country club... between beverly glen drive and club view drive. between wilshire and santa monica blvd is perfect for connecting CC with the midrises on wilshire blvd.
one set of excalators on avenue of the stars, the other set on club view drive (or if not, that area is half a block away anyway). the country club would look like a central park. those little streets would have to be realigned, but luckily they're not like realigning downtown's streets in the 70s.

I wish people would stop calling Griffith park a "park" unless they live in the southeast valley. It is "parkland" for sure but it is not a park.

We need a real park in hollywood, and hancock park and pan pacific are too far/small. Macarthur, hancock, Lincoln, Echo, Cornfields, Hollenbeck, Elysian--these are real parks and they make living east of hollywood so pleasurable.

Oh you speaka my language! I feel sorry for some of you who live west of Western and don't have access to LA's system of parks.....err parklands. Echo Park and Griffith have made me a sucker for LA. Truly Griffith Park is just unbelievable. But for little outings and people watching Echo Park is magnificent. I would say the same for MacArthur but it needs a little TLC and it kinda smells. But the outdoor concerts this summer were great for the community. All of these parks are readily accessible by transit so their's no excuse not to visit them.

I wish people would stop calling Griffith park a "park" unless they live in the southeast valley. It is "parkland" for sure but it is not a park.

We need a real park in hollywood, and hancock park and pan pacific are too far/small. Macarthur, hancock, Lincoln, Echo, Cornfields, Hollenbeck, Elysian--these are real parks and they make living east of hollywood so pleasurable.

your dream might be coming a reality by 2012...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fwypark20-2008nov20,0,1732666.story

The Century

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/3089069856_c4967a277a_b.jpg
From Flickr, by Atwater Village Newbie

They're working on the final level! It's gonna be sad to see all these major buildings top out.

Why isn't there a thread devoted to this tower? Too late now I suppose.

December 13, 2008

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Whats going on with that giant deep hole in the middle of Century City just north of the mall?

Developer proposes to demolish Century Plaza hotel
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In this architect’s rendering, the Century Plaza hotel is at left, but some existing high-rise buildings in the background have been removed to better show the site. At right are two 50-story towers that would replace the hotel in a developer’s $2-billion plan. Michael Rosenfeld, who bought the property for $366.5 million last May, calls for razing the 19-story arc-shaped hotel and erecting two 50-story towers in its place.
December 18, 2008
The new owner of the Century Plaza hotel has revealed bold plans to demolish the renowned facility and replace it with two sleek skyscrapers containing condominiums, stores, offices and a smaller luxury hotel.

The Century City proposal comes during a crushing downturn in both the commercial and residential real estate markets. And the $2-billion plan, which has yet to make its way through the grueling city approval process, is sure to alarm many Westside residents, who say the area is already too crowded.

The 726-room Century Plaza has played host to U.S. presidents, rock stars and business moguls, and served as the location for countless galas and social functions since it was completed in 1966 as the centerpiece of an office, retail and residential development carved out of the former back lot of the 20th Century Fox film studio.

For many years the Century Plaza's doormen wore red Beefeater costumes. The hotel's ballrooms welcomed high-profile events, including an opening charity gala in 1966 emceed by Bob Hope, who with singer Andy Williams entertained the likes of Ronald and Nancy Reagan and Walt and Lillian Disney.

President Nixon hosted a state dinner there in 1969 for the Apollo 11 astronauts after their successful journey to the moon. In 1995, Hollywood studio head and notorious embezzler David Begelman committed suicide in a room at the hotel.

The architect was Minoru Yamasaki, who also designed New York's World Trade Center towers.

The proposal by Los Angeles developer Michael Rosenfeld, who bought the property for $366.5 million in May, calls for razing the 19-story arc-shaped hotel on Avenue of the Stars and erecting two 50-story towers in its place. At 600 feet, they would be the tallest buildings in Century City and among the tallest in the region, with 293 condominiums, 100,000 square feet of office space, 106,000 square feet of retail space and a 240-room luxury hotel.

Unlike the existing hotel, the new Century Plaza would actually have a plaza -- two acres of public space with fountains and gardens.

The proposal won praise Wednesday from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who through a spokesman said it could "transform an aging hotel into an iconic destination and a state-of-the-art, mixed-use development in the heart of our Westside."

But the development is certain to face scrutiny from neighbors worried that the Westside is becoming overbuilt. Traffic is already a nightmare much of the time, and city resources such as water and emergency services are stretched to their limits.

Some opponents signaled that they would fight to protect the existing hotel.

"We're seeing an assault on the '60s," said Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy and one of several preservationists who increasingly are focusing their efforts on structures from the 1960s imperiled by new development. "If you look at Los Angeles in the '60s, the Century Plaza was one of the most significant projects," she said.

Rosenfeld faces the worst climate for real estate since the early 1990s.

The D.E. Shaw Group, Rosenfeld's financial partner in acquiring the hotel, will back the new development, said Francis Cappello, a senior vice president at D.E. Shaw, an international investment firm.

But the firm is among large Wall Street hedge funds caught up in the scandal around the $50-billion fraudulent investment scheme allegedly run by former Nasdaq chief Bernard Madoff, and has stopped redemptions of some of its funds. Cappello could not be reached for comment late Wednesday, but Rosenfeld said the firm's real estate fund was not one of the affected funds. "This is wholly unrelated," he said.

Rosenfeld has a strong track record in large-scale projects. His real estate investment company, Woodridge Capital Partners, has substantial hotel, residential and office assets in the U.S. and Canada, including a 3.5-million-square-foot, mixed-use project being developed in Calgary. Last year he sold the luxury Carlyle condominium tower under construction on Wilshire Boulevard near Westwood for almost $150 million.

By the time the new Century Plaza project is completed in 2015, Rosenfeld said, the economy is likely to have turned around. "This is a great opportunity to plan for the future," he said.

Stan Ross, chairman of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, said getting rolling on a major development in the midst of a downturn made sense in some key ways. Developers can negotiate favorable terms for construction materials and labor, he said, and lock in financing at favorable rates if it is available.

Under Rosenfeld's proposal, the Century Plaza hotel would continue to operate throughout the city approval and planning process, which Rosenfeld estimates would take as long as three years before demolition and construction could start.

He said his ideas to redevelop the site were influenced by a proposal that property owners, developers and planners devised two years ago to make Century City greener, less car-centric and more pedestrian-friendly.
That plan, in the works at City Hall, was the community's response to the recent boom in the construction of luxury condominium towers. The design called for rows of stately trees and a pedestrian loop that would connect the new housing with the vastly expanded Century City shopping center, office towers and a growing number of eateries and cultural amenities.

The intersection of Avenue of the Stars and Constellation Boulevard -- with the existing Century Plaza occupying the southwest corner -- was envisioned as the focal point. Ordinances that would implement the plan are expected to be ready for public hearings next year, said a spokeswoman for City Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents the area.

Weiss described the proposal as "very interesting," saying it had major elements consistent with the vision for a greener Century City.

Mike Eveloff, president of Tract 7260, a homeowner group named for its subdivision in an area just west of Century City, said he and other homeowner representatives would meet with the developer to hear about the project, but he expressed concern that local roads, fire, police, schools, parks and libraries could not handle more development.

Rosenfeld said the project would generate no more car trips than the Century Plaza does now, but Eveloff was skeptical. Moreover, he said, residents have grown weary of the constant construction in a community that has faced more than a decade of building.

"The residents of this area already face some of the worst traffic in the city," he said. "And we have the perpetual 'temporary' impacts of construction."

But Rosenfeld said the hotel had seen its best days. "We recognize that the Century Plaza has its place in West L.A., but we also think planning is an evolutionary process and this is an important opportunity that can't be lost," he said.

His architect, Henry N. Cobb, said the new design would help Century City live up to its original vision as a dense urban neighborhood with 24-hour living. In large part because it was built in an automobile-centric era, the area has always favored cars over people, a configuration that many say is not compatible with the surge in new residences.

Cobb's firm, led at that time by architect I.M. Pei, was one of the original designers of Century City, though not of the Century Plaza. Cobb said the new design would help connect key parts of the neighborhood and create a gathering spot.

"What we want is a space that sort of does for Los Angeles what Rockefeller Plaza does for New York, a place that people celebrate and think is emblematic of the city," Cobb said. "The whole thing is about public life and public space. It will be a place for people, enlivened by shops and restaurants around it."
roger.vincent@latimes.com
martha.groves@latimes.com photo Pei Cobb Freed and Partners Roger Vincent Martha Groves LOS ANGELES TIMES

What audacity by Mike Eveloff and Tract 7260 to bring up the traffic bogeyman in response to ANY development proposals, while trying to kill or re-route Expo along Venice and Sepulveda, or better yet (in their addled minds) all the way down Venice to Lincoln. Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association belongs in this category as well. The pressure on Weiss is going to be tremendous to downsize this project.

In this economy I don't see the developer having to compromise much. Villar is already fully behind it and Weiss gave a very tepid response. Their will be of course some compromises but it's going through. It's obvious that this developer knows how to get shit built.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

So Funny::lol::lol:

Comment #1:, I thought of Curbu too! Let's cram everyone in placeless towers with no connection to the ground, the sidewalk, the city etc... it's the future!
The mayor really needs to stop throwing his support behind projects without giving a thought to what sort of analysis is really supposed to be done up-front. It's called giving up the farm and it makes it really hard for those of use who are supposed to arm wrestle developers for better projects when he runs his mouth like that. It's called hard ball mayor, stop being such an easy lay.

Comment #2:Are you f--king retarded? What "connection" does the current Century Plaza hotel have to the ground now. And if you took a minute to stop whining like a pussy and browsed through the photos you would see that the architect actually did a good job of integrating the new site with the existing streetscape...

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-12/44011275.jpg

Developer proposes to demolish Century Plaza hotel
Michael Rosenfeld, who bought the property for $366.5 million last May, calls for razing the 19-story arc-shaped hotel and erecting two 50-story towers in its place.
By Roger Vincent and Martha Groves
December 18, 2008

The new owner of the Century Plaza hotel has revealed bold plans to demolish the renowned facility and replace it with two sleek skyscrapers containing condominiums, stores, offices and a smaller luxury hotel.

The Century City proposal comes during a crushing downturn in both the commercial and residential real estate markets. And the $2-billion plan, which has yet to make its way through the grueling city approval process, is sure to alarm many Westside residents, who say the area is already too crowded.

The 726-room Century Plaza has played host to U.S. presidents, rock stars and business moguls, and served as the location for countless galas and social functions since it was completed in 1966 as the centerpiece of an office, retail and residential development carved out of the former back lot of the 20th Century Fox film studio.

For many years the Century Plaza's doormen wore red Beefeater costumes. The hotel's ballrooms welcomed high-profile events, including an opening charity gala in 1966 emceed by Bob Hope, who with singer Andy Williams entertained the likes of Ronald and Nancy Reagan and Walt and Lillian Disney.

President Nixon hosted a state dinner there in 1969 for the Apollo 11 astronauts after their successful journey to the moon. In 1995, Hollywood studio head and notorious embezzler David Begelman committed suicide in a room at the hotel.

The architect was Minoru Yamasaki, who also designed New York's World Trade Center towers.

The proposal by Los Angeles developer Michael Rosenfeld, who bought the property for $366.5 million in May, calls for razing the 19-story arc-shaped hotel on Avenue of the Stars and erecting two 50-story towers in its place. At 600 feet, they would be the tallest buildings in Century City and among the tallest in the region, with 293 condominiums, 100,000 square feet of office space, 106,000 square feet of retail space and a 240-room luxury hotel.

Unlike the existing hotel, the new Century Plaza would actually have a plaza -- two acres of public space with fountains and gardens.

The proposal won praise Wednesday from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who through a spokesman said it could "transform an aging hotel into an iconic destination and a state-of-the-art, mixed-use development in the heart of our Westside."

But the development is certain to face scrutiny from neighbors worried that the Westside is becoming overbuilt. Traffic is already a nightmare much of the time, and city resources such as water and emergency services are stretched to their limits.

Some opponents signaled that they would fight to protect the existing hotel.

"We're seeing an assault on the '60s," said Linda Dishman, executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy and one of several preservationists who increasingly are focusing their efforts on structures from the 1960s imperiled by new development. "If you look at Los Angeles in the '60s, the Century Plaza was one of the most significant projects," she said.

Rosenfeld faces the worst climate for real estate since the early 1990s.

The D.E. Shaw Group, Rosenfeld's financial partner in acquiring the hotel, will back the new development, said Francis Cappello, a senior vice president at D.E. Shaw, an international investment firm.

But the firm is among large Wall Street hedge funds caught up in the scandal around the $50-billion fraudulent investment scheme allegedly run by former Nasdaq chief Bernard Madoff, and has stopped redemptions of some of its funds. Cappello could not be reached for comment late Wednesday, but Rosenfeld said the firm's real estate fund was not one of the affected funds. "This is wholly unrelated," he said.

Rosenfeld has a strong track record in large-scale projects. His real estate investment company, Woodridge Capital Partners, has substantial hotel, residential and office assets in the U.S. and Canada, including a 3.5-million-square-foot, mixed-use project being developed in Calgary. Last year he sold the luxury Carlyle condominium tower under construction on Wilshire Boulevard near Westwood for almost $150 million.

By the time the new Century Plaza project is completed in 2015, Rosenfeld said, the economy is likely to have turned around. "This is a great opportunity to plan for the future," he said.

Stan Ross, chairman of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, said getting rolling on a major development in the midst of a downturn made sense in some key ways. Developers can negotiate favorable terms for construction materials and labor, he said, and lock in financing at favorable rates if it is available.

Under Rosenfeld's proposal, the Century Plaza hotel would continue to operate throughout the city approval and planning process, which Rosenfeld estimates would take as long as three years before demolition and construction could start.

He said his ideas to redevelop the site were influenced by a proposal that property owners, developers and planners devised two years ago to make Century City greener, less car-centric and more pedestrian-friendly.


That plan, in the works at City Hall, was the community's response to the recent boom in the construction of luxury condominium towers. The design called for rows of stately trees and a pedestrian loop that would connect the new housing with the vastly expanded Century City shopping center, office towers and a growing number of eateries and cultural amenities.

The intersection of Avenue of the Stars and Constellation Boulevard -- with the existing Century Plaza occupying the southwest corner -- was envisioned as the focal point. Ordinances that would implement the plan are expected to be ready for public hearings next year, said a spokeswoman for City Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents the area.

Weiss described the proposal as "very interesting," saying it had major elements consistent with the vision for a greener Century City.

Mike Eveloff, president of Tract 7260, a homeowner group named for its subdivision in an area just west of Century City, said he and other homeowner representatives would meet with the developer to hear about the project, but he expressed concern that local roads, fire, police, schools, parks and libraries could not handle more development.

Rosenfeld said the project would generate no more car trips than the Century Plaza does now, but Eveloff was skeptical. Moreover, he said, residents have grown weary of the constant construction in a community that has faced more than a decade of building.

"The residents of this area already face some of the worst traffic in the city," he said. "And we have the perpetual 'temporary' impacts of construction."

But Rosenfeld said the hotel had seen its best days. "We recognize that the Century Plaza has its place in West L.A., but we also think planning is an evolutionary process and this is an important opportunity that can't be lost," he said.

His architect, Henry N. Cobb, said the new design would help Century City live up to its original vision as a dense urban neighborhood with 24-hour living. In large part because it was built in an automobile-centric era, the area has always favored cars over people, a configuration that many say is not compatible with the surge in new residences.

Cobb's firm, led at that time by architect I.M. Pei, was one of the original designers of Century City, though not of the Century Plaza. Cobb said the new design would help connect key parts of the neighborhood and create a gathering spot.

"What we want is a space that sort of does for Los Angeles what Rockefeller Plaza does for New York, a place that people celebrate and think is emblematic of the city," Cobb said. "The whole thing is about public life and public space. It will be a place for people, enlivened by shops and restaurants around it."

http://www.latimes.com/media/mapimage/2008-12/44018492.gif

PRESS RELEASE
Next Century Associates Announces $2 Billion Vision for Century City
Last update: 10:00 a.m. EST Dec. 18, 2008

CENTURY CITY, Calif., Dec 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Next Century Associates, LLC, a partnership between Los Angeles based real estate investor Michael Rosenfeld and an entity in the D.E. Shaw Group, today unveiled plans for a $2 billion mixed-use project on the 5.75 acre Century Plaza hotel site.

The project will feature two soaring towers rising from a grand plaza with a 240 room Five Star hotel and 163 hotel residences, 130 luxury residential condominiums, 100,000 square feet of office, 106,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurants, and a spa and fitness center. The property will continue to house one of the largest ballrooms in Los Angeles.

The project is being designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, an internationally acclaimed architecture and urban design firm founded by I.M. Pei and Henry Cobb known for their iconic designs throughout the world including the Grand Louvre in Paris, Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art and the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. The design effort will be led by senior design partner Henry Cobb. Mr. Cobb designed Library Tower (US Bank Building), the tallest building in Los Angeles, and has been the driving force behind the firm's high rise buildings. He stated, "What excites me about this project is the opportunity to reinforce the original design intent for Century City our firm helped create nearly 50 years ago and incorporate new planning ideals that create a lively, eventful and memorable urban experience."

The landscape plan and gardens are being designed by Ken Smith Landscape Architecture. Recent projects include the rooftop garden at the New York Museum of Modern Art, Goldman Sachs World Headquarters and the Orange County Great Park.

Michael Rosenfeld, managing partner of Next Century Associates, said, "The opportunity to redefine an urban center in one of the great international cities comes along once in a lifetime. The mixed-use project in the heart of Century City, with its public plazas, water features and gardens, will connect over 14 million square feet of existing office, retail and residential. The innovative design embraces the future of urban planning with an emphasis on pedestrian connectivity and sustainable design."

The design effort was inspired by the City of Los Angeles' greening goals which sets forth a blueprint for future planning in the city's urban centers. The project is consistent with the Century City Specific Plan and will be LEED Silver Certified with green roofs and environmentally sensitive building materials. Mr. Rosenfeld added, "We need to plan for our future by taking cars off the road and re-establishing a sense of community."

At completion the project will generate over 1,000 permanent jobs and increase the city's tax revenue by $7.7 million annually. The total project value is estimated at $2 billion with over $800 million of construction costs and 5,000 construction related jobs. Approvals are expected to be complete in three years. The property will continue to operate as a Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Michael Rosenfeld is the founder and chief executive officer of Woodridge Capital Partners, LLC, a broad based real estate investment company with hotel, residential and commercial assets throughout the United States and Canada and has been active in the real estate business for over 20 years. In 2007 he sold the 24-story Carlyle on Wilshire to the Elad Group, owner of the Plaza Hotel. Mr. Rosenfeld purchased the Century Plaza Hotel in May 2008 in partnership with the D.E. Shaw Group.

The D. E. Shaw Group is a global investment and technology development firm with more than 1,600 employees; approximately $36 billion in investment and committed capital as of October 1, 2008; and offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Francis Cappello, a senior vice president in the D. E. Shaw Group's real estate unit, said, "We are delighted to play a role in the redevelopment of Century City. The Century Plaza project has the potential to become one of the most significant mixed-use projects in the country. In a period of economic uncertainty, this project demonstrates our high degree of confidence in the City of Los Angeles."

For hi-res images, go to ftp://ftp1.pcf-p.com (username: cppm/password: cppm).

For email images, please contact Casey & Sayre.

SOURCE: Next Century Associates, LLC

neat... but one thing i never liked about century city is the avenue of the stars: it's huge! like crossing a football field. but it's famous for CC.
anyway the development looks pretty cool. i know the buildings in back were rendered out, but looks like a lot of space in front...then again, it's a plaza/gathering place.
maybe a little less trees crowding up to the avenue would be better. afterall, you want room for people to actually BE there.
i think projects nowdays actually have a good chance of coming through. yeah there's a downturn, but anyone who's proposing anything in these times seems pretty confident they won't go under. and since not many projects will come through from before, that leaves us fewer projects and something has to get built cuz grown babies need new places to stay

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/dakota2-1.jpg A year from now? http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/3108763871_cffd224abe_o-1.jpg Dakota Curbed LA

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/trolltoast/3118840410_dac5af1175_o-1.jpg This reminds me a lot of the City Center project here. The curves are dynamic and they will be on this project as well, if it is built.

Speaking of City Center, I would love to see something like the VEER towers in Century City. I mean I like CC but it needs something that makes it stand out.

http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/images/veer_towers.jpg