L.A. Live Land Use Lauded

L.A. Live, Anschutz Entertainment Group’s $2.5 billion complex in downtown Los Angeles, is one of five winners of the Urban Land Institute’s “Global Awards for Excellence” honoring the world’s top achievements in land use practices.

The 35-acre, 5 million-square-foot entertainment, sports and residential district grew out of what was once undeveloped property in a blighted neighborhood. But with the Staples Center, Grammy Museum, Nokia Theatre and outdoor plaza, Regal movie theatre, 15 restaurants, two hotels, 224 luxury housing units, telecasts and other special events, it has spurred new growth in adjacent neighborhoods.

“L.A. Live is a large-scale project that breaks the myth of being too big to succeed,” ULI awards jury chairman Joseph Brown said in a statement. “This development is a massive achievement that involved enormous participation from the public sector, creating an economically thriving asset for Los Angeles.”

The five worldwide honorees were chosen from 19 regional winners, according to the Denver Business Journal.