Hollywood and Highland

Hollywood and Highland
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Name	Hollywood and Highland
Type	Shopping mall and entertainment complex
Location	Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
Opened	2001
Developer	TrizecHahn, Gensler
Owner	Broadmoor?

Hollywood and Highland is a retail and entertainment complex located in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, adjacent to the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame and near the Hollywood Bowl. The complex functions as a focal point for tourism around landmarks such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and sits within proximity to institutions including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Designed to accommodate visitors to events like the Academy Awards and to serve as a hub for Paramount Pictures tours and Hollywood Forever Cemetery visitors, the site links commercial development with cinematic heritage.

History

The site occupies parcels once associated with the Hotel Knickerbocker (Los Angeles), the Loew's State Theatre (Los Angeles), and other early 20th-century properties tied to names such as Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks. Following mid-century shifts influenced by projects connected to Walt Disney Concert Hall planning and broader redevelopment trends led by developers like TrizecHahn, the parcel underwent acquisition and master planning in the 1990s involving firms related to Gensler and consultants who had worked on projects for MGM Grand and Caesars Palace (Las Vegas). Construction culminated in a 2001 opening timed to coincide with the relocation of the Academy Awards venue to the adjacent theatre and increased tourism tied to attractions promoted by Los Angeles Tourism organizations and entities such as CinemaCon organizers. Subsequent decades saw ownership changes among investment groups akin to MacFarlane Partners, Abrams Capital, and private-equity stakeholders associated with mixed-use redevelopment in Downtown Los Angeles and Century City.

Architecture and design

The complex is noted for a postmodern reinterpretation of Moorish Revival architecture elements and references to the stylized sets of filmmakers like D.W. Griffith and production designers who worked with studios such as RKO Pictures and United Artists. Architects collaborated with consultants experienced on projects for Walt Disney Imagineering and media-related firms including Parametric Studio and Gensler, integrating landmarks such as a grand atrium, a replica of the historic Highland Theatre façade, and sightlines toward the Hollywood Sign. Exterior motifs evoke the glamour associated with stars like Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, and designers who served Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The project incorporated seismic upgrades following best practices informed by building codes established after events featuring investigations by agencies such as the California Geological Survey and standards advocated by the American Institute of Architects.

Retail and dining

Retail tenants have included national chains and local merchants connected to entertainment merchandising, with counterparts in cities that host flagship stores like New York City, Las Vegas Strip, and London West End. Dining venues have ranged from quick-service outlets to restaurants styled after cinemas and theatre districts frequented by visitors to venues such as the Dolby Theatre and the Pantages Theatre (Hollywood). Operators with backgrounds in hospitality linked to groups such as Nobu Hospitality, Patina Restaurant Group, and franchisees tied to brands like Starbucks, Shake Shack, and Hard Rock Cafe have historically informed leasing strategies. Pop-up retailers and seasonal activations often coordinate with events organized by entities including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and touring festivals like Sundance Film Festival satellite events.

Entertainment and attractions

Anchored by the Dolby Theatre, a venue for the Academy Awards and concerts by performers associated with labels such as Universal Music Group and Warner Records, the complex hosts film premieres for studios including Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Tourist attractions include proximity to the TCL Chinese Theatre and interactive exhibits produced by companies like Madame Tussauds. The site has served as a stage for television productions on networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and cable outlets including HBO and FX for red carpet coverage and live broadcasts tied to awards shows and galas often promoted by production companies such as Dick Clark Productions. Street-level programming has featured buskers influenced by performers who played venues like the Sunset Strip and collaborative events with local cultural institutions such as the Hollywood Heritage Museum.

Ownership and redevelopment

Ownership has rotated among commercial real-estate investors, institutional funds, and private equity entities comparable to CIM Group, Blackstone Group, and family offices active in Los Angeles realty. Redevelopment proposals have referenced mixed-use strategies seen in projects like LA Live and Americana at Brand, proposing integrations of hotel partners similar to Loews Hotels or boutique operators akin to Ace Hotel. Community stakeholders including the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance and city agencies such as the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles have engaged in negotiations over zoning, public realm improvements, and cultural preservation in ways analogous to debates surrounding Union Station (Los Angeles) and Griffith Observatory enhancements.

Transportation and access

The complex is served by regional transit providers including Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, bus routes operated by Metro Local, and shuttles connecting to rail stations on lines such as the Metro B Line (Los Angeles Metro) and Metro D Line (Los Angeles Metro). Pedestrian access links to the Hollywood Walk of Fame corridors and nearby parking structures managed by operators like Ace Parking and LAZ Parking. Accessibility plans coordinate with city initiatives similar to those affecting Hollywood Boulevard improvements and connections to attractions such as the Hollywood Bowl and LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT via arterial routes like Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

Category:Shopping malls in Los Angeles County, California