Enhancing a transit-oriented community

Centro Westlake envisions the full potential of a remarkable urban site—above a Metro station, and opposite MacArthur Park—to provide new housing, workspace, and community amenities. The mixed-use development introduces 668 new residential units (234 of which are affordable), 100,000 square feet of office space, a 300-key hotel, and a dynamic mix of retail and community uses to this important transit hub. In addition to the existing Metro station, which services two subway lines, the site includes numerous Metro, LADOT and Dash bus stops around the perimeter. The project, which is jointly developed by The Walter J Company and LA Metro, will support and enhance this vibrant and diverse community in the heart of Los Angeles.

A verdant plaza, inspired by the park

The project centers on a reimagined transit plaza. New two-story retail buildings frame the north and south side of the plaza, creating active edges on two levels. These buildings relate to the low-rise scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood by incorporating vibrant, colorful storefronts.  The retail buildings pivot back from the corner, opening up the plaza to Wilshire Boulevard, one of LA’s most important arteries.  A grand stair along the north edge of the plaza brings visitors to a second story dining terrace with views above the plaza and MacArthur Park.

The landscape design of the plaza takes formal and botanical cues from the park, making the plaza feel like a natural extension of this important neighborhood green space. A series of gentle ramps and terraced spaces allow pedestrians to easily move through the landscaped plaza, seamlessly navigating subtle changes in grade. The design provides a range of gathering spaces, including an area for performances at the center of the plaza.

A model for sustainable urbanism

Two mixed-use towers rise at the east end of the plaza. The towers step back from the plaza at several upper tiers, creating a series of outdoor terraces that provide views back to the plaza, the park, and the surrounding neighborhood. The taller tower, to the north, contains a hotel, residential units, and amenities, as well as an observation deck at the highest level. The south tower contains a smaller portion of residential units and several floors of commercial office space. 

The design team considered solar exposure in the way the towers are oriented on the site; the building enclosure profiles capture morning daylight from the east while deflecting midday and afternoon solar heat gain from the south and west. Through the careful manipulation of simple facade elements, this design approach minimizes energy use and carbon emissions.