Grand Avenue Project facts for kids
The Grand Avenue Project is a big building plan happening right now in the Bunker Hill area of Downtown Los Angeles. It's located along Grand Avenue. This project is making Grand Park even better and adding new buildings around it. The project is managed by a group from Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles. The first part of the project was the 12-acre (4.9 ha) Grand Park, which opened in 2012. Now, they are building two tall towers at the corner of Grand Avenue and 1st Street. These towers were designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry.
A Look Back: How the Project Grew
The idea for the Grand Avenue Project was approved on February 14, 2007, by both the Los Angeles City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Officials first hoped to start building in December 2007. However, the project had to be built in different stages because of tough economic times between 2007 and 2009.
On July 26, 2012, Grand Park opened to the public. This was the first part of the project to be finished. In October 2014, a company called The Related Companies completed "The Emerson." This is a 19-story tower with apartments, some of which are for older adults and some are affordable.
Then, in 2015, The Broad, a museum for modern art, opened. It's located between the Disney Concert Hall and The Emerson tower. The last part of the project is happening on a piece of land right next to the Disney Concert Hall. This final stage will include two new skyscrapers: a 39-story tower with homes and a 20-story tower with apartments and a hotel. These buildings were also designed by Frank Gehry. Construction on these towers started in December 2018 and was expected to be finished by the end of 2022.
What the Project Looks Like
A very important part of the Grand Avenue Project is Grand Park. This park is 16-acre (6.5 ha) big and stretches between two important buildings: City Hall and the Department of Water and Power building. The park was designed to be easy and fun for people to walk through. It connects the Bunker Hill area to the Civic Center.
Grand Park has many cool features. You'll find sidewalks shaded by trees, beautiful fountains, lots of street lights, comfy benches, and small kiosks. All these things encourage people to walk around and explore the area. The park was made so that families and visitors could enjoy a green space in downtown Los Angeles. Many musical events and other fun activities are held at Grand Park.
The two new tall towers that are being built across from the Disney Concert Hall are designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry.
