Century Plaza Hotel

Challenge

A historic hotel in Century City area of Los Angeles needed renovation, in order to enter a new era. The legendary Century Plaza is a landmark for the city, therefore its redesign should proceed with respect to its long history.

Solution

Century City is a famous neighborhood on the west side of Los Angeles. It is the business center of the city and this becomes apparent when someone looks at the spectacular skyline that the tall towers create. Century Plaza Hotel, which is located at the heart of Century City, catches visitor’s eye.

The building, which was initially designed by Minoru Yamasaki during the ‘60s, was assigned for redesign to the internationally acclaimed architecture companies “Pei Cobb Freed”, “Gensler” and “Marmol Radziner”. The architectural proposal aimed to renovate the building as a whole and focused to the reconstruction of its rooms and their transformation to large and luxurious suites. The outcome of this different direction regarding the rooms is that their number was decreased from 726 to 394. The building’s minimal lines are followed both externally and internally, without excessive details. However, a sense of class and luxury is clear.

In the redesign some elements of the building’s past were preserved, such as the distinctive balconies. All the spaces of the hotel were equipped with a tailor – made insulated, lift & slide aluminium system that provides high energy efficiency and at the same time blends perfectly with the modern style of the building.

Century Plaza Hotel is ready for its second life circle. This hotel is a special landmark for Los Angeles city, as it has accommodated Presidents of United States and celebrities. Now, the renovated Century Plaza will reopen its doors, in order to provide once again comfort and high – standards of living.

Architects: Pei Cobb Freed, Gensler and Marmol Radziner