The Century (Los Angeles)

The Century (Los Angeles)
Alexis Doine · CC0 · source
Name	The Century
Caption	The Century from Wilshire Boulevard
Map type	Los Angeles
Location	Century City, Los Angeles, California
Address	10390 Wilshire Boulevard
Status	Completed
Start date	2006
Completion date	2009
Building type	Residential condominium
Roof	483 ft (147 m)
Floor count	42
Architect	Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Developer	Related Companies
Main contractor	Turner Construction

The Century (Los Angeles) is a 42‑story luxury residential condominium tower in Century City, Los Angeles, developed by Related Companies and completed in 2009. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and constructed by Turner Construction, the building sits on Wilshire Boulevard near avenues including Avenue of the Stars and Constellation Boulevard. The Century is noted for its mix of high‑end amenities, celebrity residents, and its position within the urban fabric near landmarks such as Century Plaza and Fox Studios.

History

The project originated amid redevelopment plans for Century City parcels formerly owned by 20th Century Fox, amid late‑20th and early‑21st century urban renewal initiatives associated with figures such as Aaron Spelling and corporations like 20th Century Studios. In the early 2000s, developer Stephen M. Ross and Related Companies acquired the site, coordinating with municipal bodies in Los Angeles and planners familiar with Wilshire Boulevard revitalization efforts. Groundbreaking occurred in 2006 with Turner Construction managing construction, joining consultants who had worked on projects for entities such as Time Warner Center developers and architects engaged by Trump Tower developments. Completion in 2009 coincided with the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, yet sales attracted buyers from entertainment, finance, and international real estate investors tied to markets in Beverly Hills, Manhattan, and Hong Kong.

Architecture and Design

Robert A.M. Stern Architects conceived the tower with postmodern references, integrating classical motifs that echo Stern's prior work for institutional clients like Yale University and residential commissions in New York City. The exterior employs limestone cladding, bronze details, and vertically emphasized bays recalling urban precedents such as The Century (Manhattan)-era apartment blocks and prewar towers along Park Avenue. Structural engineering firms with experience on high‑rise projects for clients like Caltrans and AECOM addressed seismic design per California Building Code and FEMA guidance. Interiors feature custom millwork, marble finishes, and proportions influenced by traditional designs found in historic Los Angeles mansions associated with families like the Annenberg family and residences near Rodeo Drive. Landscape architects coordinated entries and porte‑cochere treatments relating to nearby plazas such as the Westfield Century City redevelopment.

Facilities and Amenities

Amenities target clientele similar to luxury developments such as One57 and 432 Park Avenue; building services include 24‑hour doormen and concierge teams aligned with standards practiced by hospitality brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Residents access a fitness center, spa, saltwater lap pool, private screening room, wine storage, and children's play areas; technology infrastructure supports systems used by firms like Comcast and AT&T for broadband and security. Parking facilities accommodate private vehicles and guest valet operations mirroring service models at properties associated with Beverly Wilshire and The Peninsula Beverly Hills. The Century also offers private gardens and event spaces frequently utilized for functions connected to production companies such as Paramount Pictures and social events tied to talent from Netflix and Warner Bros..

Residents and Ownership

Ownership units have attracted high‑profile purchasers from entertainment and business sectors, reflecting buyer profiles akin to those who acquire properties in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Malibu. Notable residents have included film actors, television producers, and executives with ties to companies like Disney, Universal Pictures, Live Nation, and major sports franchises such as Los Angeles Lakers affiliates. Investment groups and sovereign wealth participants from regions including China and United Arab Emirates have also acquired units through partnerships similar to those used by firms like Blackstone Group and Goldman Sachs for luxury residential portfolios. Condominium governance follows California condominium statutes and involves homeowner association practices comparable to those at prominent complexes like The Century Plaza Towers.

Cultural Impact and Media Appearances

The Century's skyline presence and celebrity roster have made it a backdrop for entertainment media, often referenced or filmed by production companies including Fox Entertainment and independent studios working with directors who have shot around Century City. Its interiors and common areas have appeared in magazines and programs produced by publishers such as Architectural Digest, Vogue, and Robb Report, and in segments on broadcast outlets like KTLA and E! Entertainment Television. The building figures in discourse on Los Angeles urbanism alongside developments like Century Plaza redevelopment and debates engaging entities such as Los Angeles City Council and neighborhood groups from Beverly Crest, highlighting tensions between luxury development and community planning voiced in local coverage by the Los Angeles Times.

Category:Skyscrapers in Los Angeles Category:Residential condominiums in California Category:Robert A. M. Stern buildings