Century City, Los Angeles

Century City, Los Angeles
Name	Century City
Settlement type	Neighborhood of Los Angeles
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	California
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Los Angeles County
Subdivision type3	City
Subdivision name3	Los Angeles
Leader title	City Council
Leader name	District 5
Population total	7,071
Population as of	2008
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	PST
Utc offset	-8
Timezone DST	PDT
Utc offset DST	-7
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	90067
Area code	310/424
Blank name	L.A. Times Neighborhoods
Blank info	Westside

Century City, Los Angeles. A master-planned business and entertainment district on the Westside of Los Angeles, Century City is renowned for its iconic skyline of gleaming office towers, luxury residential complexes, and major media headquarters. Developed on the former backlot of the Twentieth Century Fox film studio, the area seamlessly integrates corporate power with high-end retail and cultural venues, anchored by landmarks like the Century Plaza Hotel and the Westfield Century City shopping mall. Its central location, defined by major boulevards like Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, makes it a pivotal hub for legal, financial, and entertainment enterprises.

History

The land was originally part of the Rancho La Brea Spanish land grant and later became the backlot for the Twentieth Century Fox studio, where films like The Sound of Music were shot. Following the financial failure of the film Cleopatra, the studio sold 260 acres to developer Alcoa in 1961 to create a new urban center. Master-planned by architect Welton Becket, the first phase opened in 1964, featuring the Century Plaza Hotel designed by Minoru Yamasaki. The district grew rapidly, with key additions like the ABC Entertainment Center and the Fox Plaza skyscraper, infamous as the "Nakatomi Plaza" in the film Die Hard. Major redevelopment in the 21st century has included the expansion of Westfield Century City and the construction of the Century City Subway Station.

Geography

Century City is bounded by Beverly Hills to the north, Westwood to the west, and the Carthay neighborhood to the east. Its terrain is relatively flat, situated on the Los Angeles Basin coastal plain. The district is bisected by the major thoroughfare Avenue of the Stars and is defined by its dense concentration of high-rise buildings. It lies within the Santa Monica Bay watershed and is part of the Los Angeles City Council District 5, represented by the office of Katy Yaroslavsky.

Economy

Century City is a premier corporate and legal hub, hosting the headquarters of major firms like Creative Artists Agency and Munger, Tolles & Olson. The district is densely populated with prestigious law firms, financial institutions such as JPMorgan Chase, and the West Coast offices of Goldman Sachs. The entertainment sector remains vital, with offices for Twentieth Century Studios, HBO, and Netflix. Westfield Century City serves as a major retail and economic anchor, featuring luxury brands like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's. The area's office market is among the most expensive in Los Angeles County.

Demographics

According to a 2008 study by the Los Angeles Times, the population was approximately 7,071. The neighborhood is characterized by high household incomes, with a significant portion of residents employed in management, legal, and entertainment professions. The population density is high due to numerous luxury residential towers and condominiums, such as the Century and the Museum Tower. The demographic profile is predominantly professional, with a high level of educational attainment, aligning with adjacent affluent areas like Beverly Hills and Westwood.

Culture and landmarks

The district is home to the Century City Shopping Center & Marketplace, now part of the expansive Westfield Century City mall. Cultural venues include the Ahmanson Theatre-affiliated Center Theatre Group's programming at the ABC Entertainment Center. Architectural landmarks range from the Century Plaza Hotel, a National Trust for Historic Preservation landmark, to modern skyscrapers like Fox Plaza. The area hosts annual events and is a frequent filming location, featured in productions from Battle of the Planets to The Day After Tomorrow. Outdoor spaces include the renovated Century Park and the gardens surrounding the 2020 Avenue of the Stars building.

Transportation

Century City is a major transit nexus, served by the Metro Rail's D Line at the Century City Subway Station, providing direct access to Downtown Los Angeles and Koreatown. Key surface streets include Santa Monica Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard, and Beverly Glen Boulevard. The area is a hub for numerous Metro bus lines and is bisected by the Exposition Line's future extension. Traffic congestion is mitigated by underground access roads and direct garage connections to major buildings like the Century City Medical Plaza.

Category:Neighborhoods in Los Angeles Category:Business districts in California