Downtown Los Angeles
- L.A. LIVE announced plans in April 2011 for a new 392-room hotel tower adjacent to L.A. LIVE and managed by Marriott International (www.news.marriott.com). The 23-story tower will house a 174-room Courtyard by Marriott and a 218-room Residence Inn by Marriott under one roof when it opens in summer 2014. The hotels represent the first dual construction of a Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott on the West Coast. The properties will have a combined 11,800 square feet of meeting facilities and 5,100 square feet of restaurant space.
- IDS Real Estate Group (213.362.9300; www.idsrealestate.com) is expected to complete a significant mixed-use project, the Metropolis, in 2014. Positioned adjacent to the STAPLES Center entertainment district, the Metropolis will include a 480-room hotel tower.
- The Luxe City Center Hotel (213.748.1291; www.luxecitycenter.com) recently underwent renovations to its 162 guest rooms and unveiled major renovations to its lobby, restaurant and meeting space.
- Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens (213.629.1200; www.kyotograndhotel.com) has begun an extensive renovation in anticipation of its conversion to the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown in the third quarter of this year. The multiphase project will include significant design and service upgrades for the hotel’s 434 guest rooms and suites, public spaces and corridors, indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, business and fitness centers, and legendary Japanese-style gardens. The majority of the renovation is slated for completion by the time the hotel debuts as a DoubleTree later this year.
- The Los Angeles Marriott Downtown (213.617.1133; www.marriott.com) is in the middle of a $20 million renovation, with completion expected by fall. Renovations include design upgrades to each of its 400 guest rooms and 69 suites, public spaces and corridors, meeting and event spaces, business and fitness centers, and concierge lounge, as well as a complete remodel of its grand lobby, which will become a Marriott Great Room. The hotel, which has more than 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space, is also adding two new ballrooms.
Hollywood
- In March, the former Hollywood Heights Hotel joined the Hilton Worldwide Portfolio of Brands as the Hilton Garden Inn Los Angeles/Hollywood (323.876.8600; www.hollywoodheightshotel.com). All of the 160 newly renovated guest rooms now boast 32-inch LCD HD televisions, Internet access and new bed linens.
- Loews Hollywood Hotel (323.856.1200; www.loewshotels.com), formerly the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, opened in June. The hotel, located adjacent to the Hollywood & Highland Center, features 632 guest rooms, including 32 suites, as well as more than 48,000 square feet of meeting space.
San Gabriel Valley
- The Rose Bowl Stadium (626.577.3101; www.rosebowlstadium.com) in Pasadena is undergoing a $152 million renovation, slated for completion before the 100th Rose Bowl Game and the next BCS National Championship Game in January 2014. Major improvements include increasing concourse capacity, doubling concession areas and a rebuilt press box that will increase premium seats from nearly 600 to roughly 2,500 seats. The Rose Bowl was built in 1922 and seats approximately 92,000 people.
- The 100-year-old Japanese Garden at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens (626.405.2100; www.huntington.org) reopened in April after undergoing a year-long renovation. New features include an authentic Japanese ceremonial teahouse set within a traditionally landscaped tea garden, situated on a ridge above the existing Japanese house.