Architect Johnson Fain Is Designing the Building and Adjacent Spaces
By Dolores Quintana
Construction is progressing steadily for Century City Center, JMB Realty’s new office tower, currently taking shape at 1950 S. Avenue of the Stars, as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles. The project, situated adjacent to the under-construction Century City Metro station at Avenue of the Stars and Constellation Boulevard, has a 37-story building with around 730,000 square feet of office space above an underground parking planned for the space.
Additionally, the structure will have retail areas and two acres of gardens and courtyards, which will be built over the parking garage. Johnson Fain is responsible for the design of this approximately 564-foot-tall building, which will feature a striking glass exterior.
Johnson Fain’s design narrative states, “Form, function, sustainability, and connectivity will be merged in this high-rise office building. Distinguishable from the skyline by its tapered and highly sculptured profile, the varying patterns of its glass skins will provide a high identity to each floor. Every orientation of the building is designed to maximize office views, increase both natural light and comfort, and minimize heat and energy consumption. Embracing the virtues of our Southern Californian climate and landscape, the dramatic two-story lobby will be wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass and outdoor paving materials while plantings will bring the plaza gardens directly into the building. The outdoor transit plaza will be a contemporary garden environment ringed with retail amenities and low-rise creative office space.”
Despite the challenges facing the office sector, the project is securing tenants without difficulty. In 2022, talent agency CAA announced that it would be the principal tenant, leasing about 400,000 square feet after relocating from a nearby building at 2000 Avenue of the Stars. Clearlake Capital has recently agreed to pre-lease 150,000 square feet of space within the building, covering its top eight floors. Just those two tenants will take up 75% of the space in the building.
JMB Realty has pursued development on the 1950 Avenue of the Stars site since 2005, when they initially proposed a high-rise condominium complex. The company shifted its plans in 2011 to construct the current office tower. In 2018, it reverted to the original residential concept but then switched back to the office tower plan in 2019, commencing foundation work on the property. The Century City Center project is expected to be completed by 2024.
