Wilshire Grand Center

Wilshire Grand Center
Name	Wilshire Grand Center
Location	Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States
Status	Complete
Start date	2014
Completion date	2017
Height	335.3 m (1,100 ft) to architectural tip
Floor count	73
Architect	AC Martin Partners, Arquitectonica
Developer	Hanjin (HDC), Hyundai Development Company
Owner	Hanjin Group (HDC)

Wilshire Grand Center Wilshire Grand Center is a mixed-use skyscraper in Downtown Los Angeles that combines hospitality, office, retail, and entertainment functions. The complex stands on a historic parcel near Pershing Square (Los Angeles), adjacent to major civic and cultural institutions, and integrates contributions from international developers, architects, and contractors. It became a focal point in debates about skyline development, preservation, and urban planning in Los Angeles and California.

History

The site formerly housed the original Wilshire Grand Hotel, associated with Alan Casden, Kyo-Il Kim, and earlier operators tied to mid-20th century Los Angeles hospitality trends. Redevelopment proposals emerged amid the late-20th-century revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles alongside projects such as Bank of America Plaza (Los Angeles), Aon Center (Los Angeles), and the US Bank Tower. Financial arrangements involved international firms linked to Hanjin Group, Hyundai Development Company, and global lenders that participated in major urban developments across Seoul, Tokyo, and New York City. Zoning approvals intersected with reviews by the Los Angeles City Council, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, and civic preservationists influenced by precedents set during debates over Bradbury Building and Los Angeles City Hall restorations. The project advanced amid broader initiatives such as the Grand Avenue Project and the expansion of cultural anchors like the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Design and architecture

Design responsibilities were shared by AC Martin Partners and Arquitectonica, firms known for contributions to projects including Bank of America Tower (Fort Worth), One Thousand Museum, and international towers in Miami and Seoul. The architectural expression references axial planning found in Union Station (Los Angeles) precinct developments and vertical silhouettes similar to works by I. M. Pei and César Pelli. The building’s crown and glass façades were designed to respond to local ordinances influenced by precedents involving Los Angeles Conservancy advocacy and the visual strategies employed at Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad. Interior programming for hospitality drew on precedents from operators like Westin Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott International to integrate guestroom, ballroom, and amenity layouts seen in major urban hotels such as The Beverly Hilton and Beverly Wilshire.

Construction and engineering

Structural engineering incorporated earthquake-resistant systems referencing research from University of California, Los Angeles seismic studies and practices established after retrofits following the Northridge earthquake. Main contractors included firms with portfolios spanning projects like One World Trade Center, Petronas Towers, and Shanghai Tower. Construction logistics navigated Downtown corridors near Figueroa Street (Los Angeles), Flower Street (Los Angeles), and rail infrastructure associated with Los Angeles Metro lines. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were specified in line with standards from organizations such as American Society of Civil Engineers and used materials supplied by multinational firms with projects across Chicago, London, and Hong Kong.

Facilities and amenities

The complex houses a large hotel component operated under a major hospitality brand, corporate office space leased by regional and international firms, retail podiums, and event venues that echo programming at Staples Center and facilities like Los Angeles Convention Center. Public spaces were planned to connect with pedestrian improvements modeled after Pershing Square (Los Angeles) enhancements and plaza activations seen near Grand Park. Amenity offerings include ballrooms, fitness centers, culinary venues influenced by restaurateurs associated with Grand Central Market, and rooftop venues providing views toward Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Sign, and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Records and reception

Upon completion, the tower’s architectural tip established a new height benchmark in Los Angeles surpassing several notable skyscrapers including US Bank Tower in certain measurements, while debates referenced criteria from organizations like Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and comparisons with structures such as Wilshire Grand Hotel (former). Reception among critics involved commentators from publications tied to Los Angeles Times, Architectural Record, and international outlets covering urban skyline competitions alongside reactions similar to those provoked by projects like Hearst Tower and The Broad. Awards and nominations referenced design juries that include members from institutions such as AIA Los Angeles and international architectural bodies.

Transportation and access

The site is served by multiple transit connections including Pershing Square station, surface bus routes operated by LA Metro Bus, and regional access via US Route 101 in California and Interstate 10. Pedestrian linkages connect to civic nodes like Los Angeles City Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and commuter hubs used by riders of Metrolink (California). Proximity to Los Angeles International Airport and surface transit corridors positions the complex within broader mobility networks that include initiatives tied to Measure R (Los Angeles County), Metro Rail (Los Angeles County) expansions, and regional planning dialogues involving Southern California Association of Governments.

Category:Skyscrapers in Los Angeles Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2017