Howard Hughes Center Los Angeles, CA

In 1941, the creative visionary Howard Hughes purchased 70 acres of open farmland in West Los Angeles. Validating that vision, a unique office and mixed-use environment for the 21st Century has developed on this site. After an earlier master plan by another design team met with community opposition, MVE was retained to develop a new master plan with the same intensity of development, but appeasing community concerns about building height, glare and traffic. Working within tight confines, the design focused on re-awakening the pedestrian environment with parks, plazas and public spaces.

The master plan and the design of the second generation of commercial and medical office buildings set the order for all present development. It allows the parking circulation and ramp capabilities to work collectively, as well as the service functions and the pedestrian systems. The center is entitled for 2.7 million sq.ft. of office space, support retail and cinemas, a health club and 600 hotel rooms. The popular complex, now being developed by Arden Realty, Inc., provides corporate, professional, entertainment and technology-oriented office users the flexibility to choose from a variety of multi-tenant or build-to-suit low-, mid- and high-rise buildings that range in size from 75,000 sq.ft. to 350,000 sq.ft.

Construction was completed in 2001 on the $42 million Promenade entertainment and retail center just north of Los Angeles International Airport. The 250,000 sq.ft. complex and nine-story parking structure on 5.6 acres rises 70 feet above the freeway creating a distinctive visual impression recalling the era of Howard Hughes. Featuring a two-level 18-plex Bridge Theater and a 3-D IMAX Theatre, some tenants include Borders Books and Music, Nordstrom Rack, Islands Restaurant, Johnny Rockets, Macaroni Grill, Stefano’s, Starbucks Coffee and On the Border.

The center’s 1940’s theme is reflected in the clean, elegant lines, terra cotta colors and metallic decorative trimmings, while the open-air design includes Art Deco textures, motifs and avionics elements in vogue during the Howard Hughes heyday. While the center has become an attraction for local residents and tourists, it also serves as an important amenity to the workforce located within the Howard Hughes Center.