Big Century City/Beverly Hills Developments Get Moving

Your eyes do not deceive you: construction cranes have returned to Century City.  10000 Santa Monica Boulevard, a $300 million residential tower by developer Crescent Heights, is about to begin the two-year climb to its eventual 40-story apex.

When completed in 2016, the project will offer 283 luxury apartments along the border between West Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.  Units will range in size from one-to-three-bedrooms, and are being built to condo specifications in the event of an uptick in the local for-sale market.

Designs from New York-based Handel Architects call for the building to have a shimmering glass exterior.  Jagged angles and a sloping roofline will give the tower a unique presence within Century City's otherwise staid, modernist skyline.  With a 483-foot height profile, 10000 Santa Monica is currently the second tallest building under construction in Los Angeles, following the monumental Wilshire Grand hotel and office development.

Westfield Century City

A few blocks west, protective barriers now encircle 1801 Avenue of the Stars, signaling that the end is nigh for Welton Becket's 1963 modernist landmark.  The 13-story edifice, alternatively known as Gateway West, is slated for demolition as part of the highly anticipated expansion of Westfield Century City.  The greatly augmented shopping mall will add over 400,000 square feet of floor area, to be filled by an impressive list of tenants which reportedly includes Nordstroms and Eataly.

An official website indicates that Westfield will also include 20 "upscale residences," in the project, to be located within a new 15-story building.  This plan is a significant reduction from the Australian developer's earlier vision for the site, which featured 262 condominiums within a controversial 39-story tower.  Curiously, an architectural rendering displayed on the project's website does not portray the proposed tower in either form.

9900 Wilshire Boulevard

On the opposite side of Santa Monica Boulevard, all remnants of the former Beverly Hills Robinsons-May have disappeared.  The once luxurious department store has long been slated to give way for a $1.2 billion condominium development, designed by Getty Center-architect Richard Meier.

Although the project has sputtered out multiple times due to lagging market conditions, previous failures have not deterred the Dalian Wanda Group.  Earlier this year, the Chinese conglomerate reportedly paid $420 million for the eight-acre property at 9900 Wilshire Boulevard, with the intention of completing the Meier-designed proposal.  If and when completed, the project will consist of two mid-rise towers, featuring 235 condominiums, 21,000 square feet of retail space and a 876-car parking garage.

Waldorf Astoria - Beverly Hills

At the high-profile intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards, demolition is largely complete in preparation for the new Beverly Hills Waldorf Astoria.  The luxury hotel is being developed by a team of investors lead by Alagem Capital Group, and will contain 170 guest rooms above luxury retail and other ancillary space.

The 12-story structure, designed by Gensler and Pierre-Yves Rochon, is inspired by the Streamline Moderne style.  Exteriors materials will include curved white stone and bronze ornamentation, paying homage to the Golden Age of Los Angeles.

The $200 million project is the Waldorf Astoria brand's first new build on the West Coast.  Opening is scheduled for 2017.

• 10000 Santa Monica Blvd by Handel Architects (Building Los Angeles)
• Westfield's Century City Tower Gets a Big Haircut (Building Los Angeles)
• Beverly Hills' Vacant Robinsons-May Bites the Dust (Building Los Angeles)
• Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (Official Website)

Westfield Century City Expansion Forging Ahead

A now outdated image of the proposal, via Curbed LA

The Westfield Group, scourge of California taxpayer advocates, continues to make slow but steady progress on enhancements for its flagship Century City location.  When we checked on Century City back in July, they were hard at work on the mall's new parking structure (on the right hand side of the above image).  Now Westfield is moving on to the more exciting phase of the project.  Earlier this month, they applied for a permit to demolish 1801 Avenue of the Stars.

1801 S AVENUE OF THE STARS 90067

APPLICATION / PERMIT NUMBER: 13019-10000-02077

PLAN CHECK / JOB NUMBER: B13LA09712

DEMOLITION OF BUILDING AND BELOW GRADE PARKING (298718S.F) FOR A NEW BUILDING

What new building, you may ask?  To answer that question, here's the other permit they applied for:

1801 S AVENUE OF THE STARS 90067

APPLICATION / PERMIT NUMBER: 13010-10000-02346

PLAN CHECK / JOB NUMBER: B13LA09711

NEW 3-STORY RETAIL + 2 LEVLES(sic) OF PARKING ABOVE AND NEW BELOW GRADE PARKING

As reported by LA Business Journal back in 2012, Bloomingdales will fill the retail space.  This permit application makes no mention of Westfield's 39 story condominium tower planned to sit atop Bloomingdales, likely because the residential component of the project requires a separate laundry list of permits.

1801 Avenue of the Stars/Gateway West, as it currently stands.  Designed by Welton Becket, opened in 1963.  Its twin brother, 1800 Avenue of the Stars/Gateway East, sits on the other side of the street.  They combine to form the so-called "Gateway to Century City."

1801 Avenue of the Stars in 2018 (maybe?).  Designed by Rios Clementi Hale Studios.

• Corporate welfare, alive and well (Los Angeles Times)
• The Evolution of Century City (Building Los Angeles)
• Westfield Finally About to Start on 39-Story Century City Tower (Curbed LA)

Westfield's Century City Tower Gets a Big Haircut

Image credit: Westfield Group

Westfield Century City's long delayed expansion plans are shrinking...again.  Citing market conditions and an ongoing dialogue with the surrounding neighborhood, the Austalian mall developer has opted to downscale its proposed 39-story high-rise to a less imposing 15-story structure.  Once planned to contain 262 condominiums, the revised tower proposal features just 20 "upscale residences."  When approved in 2009, the project was slated to include approximately 100,000 square feet of office space, in which the Westfield Group had intended to house its US headquarters.  However, as the company has since leased space in the nearby Century Plaza Towers, the modified development program has reduced the amount of commercial space by 14,000 square feet.

On the other hand, Westfield will not scrimp on retail or restaurant space in their $700 million upgrade.  The expanded facilities will add over 400,000 square feet of floor area, a new central plaza, and double the mall's parking capacity.  Additionally, streetscape improvements along Santa Monica Boulevard, Century Park West and Avenue of the Stars will add lush new greenery around the shopping complex's perimeter.  Retail tenants will reportedly include Nordstrom, Armani and New York-based Eataly.

According to the mall's official website, these improvements are scheduled for completion in 2017.  However, the exact timeline and phasing of the development is unclear at this point in time.  A demolition permit was issued for 1801 Avenue of the Stars in May, which would clear the way way for the planned residential tower.  However, the Welton Beckett-designed mid-rise still stands proudly above Santa Monica Boulevard.  To date, the only aspect of the project to have reached completion is a 550-car parking garage, located at the northeast corner of Constellation Boulevard and Century Park West.

Earlier design for the proposed residential tower.  Image credit: Westfield Group and Rios Clementi Hale

• Westfield Century City (Official Website)
• Westfield Century City Expansion Forging Ahead (Building Los Angeles)
• Westfield Century City's $700M Upgrade... (Racked LA)