Extending a Historic Hotel with New Residential Towers
The redevelopment of Century Plaza in Los Angeles represents one of the most ambitious urban projects in the city’s history—a $2.5 billion transformation centered around Minoru Yamasaki’s iconic 1966 Century Plaza Hotel. As part of this effort, HED served as Executive Architect for the new Century Plaza Towers, two 44-story triangular glass high-rises designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners of New York. Together, the towers introduce 290 luxury condominiums, including multi-level penthouses, into the heart of Century City, reshaping the skyline and expanding residential opportunities within the historic district.
The new towers flank the hotel’s west elevation, establishing a striking architectural counterpoint while remaining part of a cohesive mixed-use development. Each tower rises from a six-level podium and parking structure, designed in collaboration with Gensler.
Clad in a combination of aluminum and glass, the towers’ façades are defined by angled corners and dramatic curved-glass balconies, signature design gestures that reinforce the buildings’ crystalline geometry. The podium anchors the development with granite, aluminum panels, and expansive storefront glazing, giving the towers a distinctive yet complementary base.
HED guided the technical realization of the towers and oversaw construction administration. Working closely with the owner, general contractor, and design partners, HED coordinated design development, peer review for the mat foundation, and permitting to support the fast-track construction schedule. Monthly partnering meetings and an on-site construction administration team helped streamline communication and provide timely responses to requests for information and submittals.
The complexity of the project demanded resilience and adaptability. Despite the challenges of construction during the COVID-19 pandemic HED orchestrated design and communication on the project through completion. The towers were delivered as a central component of the larger Century Plaza redevelopment, establishing new benchmarks for quality and technical execution.
Beyond the towers, HED also served as Executive Architect for the conversion of the top five floors of the original hotel into residential condominiums, blending modern luxury with historic architecture. Across the site, extensive landscaping and public spaces weave together the hotel, towers, restaurants, and retail into an accessible urban fabric that connects seamlessly with the broader Century City business district.
For Los Angeles, the Century Plaza Towers signify an investment in the city’s identity as a global destination for culture, hospitality, and living. Rising above one of the city’s most iconic addresses, the towers embody the ambition of Century Plaza’s transformation.
