Sky-High Ambition: The 55-Story Centro Westlake LA Project Gets the Green Light
MacArthur Park is about to look a lot more like Downtown. The City of Los Angeles has officially approved a massive, skyline-altering mixed-use development known as Centro Westlake LA. Located steps away from the Westlake/MacArthur Park Metro station, this ambitious project by Walter J. Company and LA Metro is set to transform a 150,000-square-foot site into a shimmering hub of housing, hospitality, and commerce.
Twin Towers and a Triple-Threat Hub
Designed by the world-renowned architectural firm SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill), the development features two soaring towers reaching up to 55 and 39 stories (approx. 450–600 feet). Centro Westlake LA isn’t just about height; it’s about density and diversity. The project includes:
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Residential: 668 units ranging from studios to 2-bedrooms (including 234 units dedicated to affordable housing).
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Hospitality & Business: A 300-room hotel, 105,000 square feet of premium office space, and 10,000 square feet of medical suites.
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Retail Therapy: Over 56,700 square feet of retail space, with a generous 20% reserved specifically for local Westlake small businesses.
A New Heart for Westlake’s Transit Scene
Beyond the steel and glass, Centro Westlake LA aims to be a community “Mobility Hub.” The plans include a massive open-air plaza connecting East and West, designed to host local vendors and community events. With parking for 968 vehicles and a direct link to the Metro line, experts believe this project will serve as a catalyst for economic revitalization in the Westlake area, bridging the gap between Koreatown and DTLA.
As the developer moves forward with this decade-long vision, the “Centro” is poised to become the new heartbeat of one of LA’s most historic neighborhoods.
BY YEONGCHAE SONG [song.yeongchae@koreadaily.com]
