http://www.grandavenuecommittee.org/



Overall Vision
The master plan for the Grand Avenue Project (which is called the “
Implementation Plan”) centers on a large park connecting landmark cultural
and civic buildings with an ambitious multi-use development to create a
unique gathering place in the City. The overall plan includes the development
of a 16-acre civic park, streetscape improvements along Grand Avenue from
Fifth Street to Cesar Chavez Avenue and up to 3.8 million square feet of
mixed- use development. The project weaves together the commercial and
residential uses with an emphasis on creating great outdoor spaces, enhancing
connections to adjacent neighborhoods and shaping view corridors that
highlight Disney Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of The Angels, and City Hall.

The Parcels
The multi-phased development will include affordable and market-rate housing
with multi-level retail and entertainment spaces built around large plazas
and public spaces. The total development program includes 400,000 square feet
of retail, a boutique hotel and up to 2,600 affordable and market-rate
residential units. To achieve a critical amount of activity, Grand Avenue’s
initial development of approximately 1.2 million square feet will be the most
dramatic and highest density element of the overall master plan.

This first phase will be built on the three-acre parcel directly across the
street from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and is planned to include a food
market, bookstore, several signature retailers and a series of small shops.
Planned entertainment uses include a cinema and/or music venue. The project’
s most intensive attraction will be a collection of restaurants and clubs and
associated art galleries that will be found at various locations within the
complex. Most will take advantage of views to Walt Disney Concert Hall as
well as provide extensive use of outdoor dining areas, terraces and roof
decks. The site, which slopes quickly downhill from Grand Avenue, allows this
exciting mix of entertainment, dining and shopping uses to be spread over
several carefully integrated levels as well as create activity along all the
street edges.

A distinctive 40-50-story iconic tower at the corner of Second and Grand is
planned to combine a boutique hotel of up to 275 rooms with 200 condominiums
on the upper floors. At Olive and First Streets a 25-30-story residential
tower will combine 150 market rate condominiums with 88 affordable
apartments. These buildings flank plazas and courtyards with inviting outdoor
seating and dining areas that will ultimately connect Grand Avenue to Hill
Street.

The Park and Streetscape
Included in the initial development will be $50 million in planned
improvements to the existing civic mall to create a grand 16-acre civic park
that will itself become an urban destination for Angelenos. The park will
create a great civic gathering place for small to large-scale events as well
as for day-to-day activities and quiet respite.

The park is envisioned as several distinct areas that will be landscaped and
programmed to serve a variety of uses. On the west end across from the Music
Center, the park will be programmed with cultural, arts and entertainment
events. The existing garage ramps will be relocated to allow a grand terrace
to connect Grand Avenue to a new great lawn. The center of the park will
feature a colorful garden area with both open and intimate spaces. The east
end will be designed to host civic celebrations and multi-cultural festivals
and complete the entrance to the front of City Hall.

In addition to the park, streetscape improvements along Grand Avenue and the
streets bordering the development parcels will create an enhanced pedestrian
environment and a strong visual identity to link the various cultural and
civic institutions in the area. The streetscape improvements will include
widening sidewalks, the addition of trees, landscaping, paving systems,
benches, trash receptacles, street graphics and distinct street and walkway
lighting. Concurrent with the initial development of the park and the
development parcels, improvements will be made along Grand Avenue, from
Second Street to Temple Street. Additional improvements along Grand Avenue
from Fifth Street to Cesar Chavez Avenue and to the streets adjacent to each
development site will occur in conjunction with each subsequent phase of the
project.