If you’ve ever driven down Avenue of the Stars at night, you’ve seen it. That massive, glowing crescent of a building that looks like it belongs in a Bond movie from the sixties. That’s 2025 Avenue of the Stars. To some, it's just the Fairmont Century Plaza. To others, it is the beating heart of a $2.5 billion gamble on the future of Los Angeles luxury.
Honestly, it's kinda wild how much history is packed into one curved slab of aluminum and glass.
Built back in 1966 on the old 20th Century Fox backlot, this place wasn't just a hotel; it was a statement. The architect, Minoru Yamasaki—the same guy who designed the original World Trade Center—wanted something that felt like the future. And for decades, it was. It hosted the "Dinner of the Century" for the Apollo 11 astronauts. Ronald Reagan stayed here so often people basically called it the "Western White House."
But by the mid-2000s, things got dicey. There was actual talk of tearing it down. Can you imagine?
The Near-Death Experience of 2025 Avenue of the Stars
In 2009, the owners wanted to raze the whole thing to build new towers. The Los Angeles Conservancy lost its collective mind, and rightfully so. You don't just bulldoze a Yamasaki masterpiece. After a huge preservation battle, a deal was struck: the hotel stays, but the site evolves.
That evolution is what you see today. It’s no longer just a place to grab a drink after a meeting at CAA across the street. It’s a massive mixed-use ecosystem. The Reuben brothers, billionaire investors from the UK, took over the project through a $1 billion foreclosure in 2023, and they’ve been pushing it into its next era ever since.
They didn't just fix the plumbing. They basically hollowed out the history and filled it with 21st-century opulence.
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What’s actually inside now?
It's a mix. You've got the hotel, but then you've got the Fairmont Residences. We're talking 63 luxury condos tucked right into the original curved building.
Then there are the "Twin Towers" in the back—two 44-story glass triangles that look like they’re guarding the property. These aren't office buildings like the older Century Plaza Towers nearby. They are strictly for living the high life. If you have a spare $11,000 to $25,000 a month, you can rent a one-bedroom here. For the rest of us, it’s a nice place to walk the dog and look at the public art.
Why it’s more than just a fancy hotel address
The real reason 2025 Avenue of the Stars still dominates the conversation in 2026 is the "walkability" factor. That sounds like a buzzword, but in LA, it’s a miracle.
Century City used to be a place where you drove into a garage, went to your office, and drove out. It was a concrete fortress. Now, this specific block is trying to be a "pedestrian-friendly enclave."
- The Shops at Century Plaza: Nearly 100,000 square feet of retail that isn't just the same stuff you find at the Westfield mall next door.
- The Food Scene: We’re talking heavy hitters like estiatorio Milos and KYU. They aren't just hotel restaurants; they are "destination dining."
- The Sculpture: There’s a massive 23-foot head sculpture by Jaume Plensa called Crouching Spider... wait, no, that's Bourgeois. Plensa’s work there is a serene, mesh-like face that makes everyone stop and take a selfie. It’s actually titled Lumière.
The vibe is very "new money meets old Hollywood." You’ll see agents from nearby towers having power lunches next to residents who just came down from the 40th floor in their gym clothes.
The Architecture: A Yamasaki Masterclass
If you look closely at the facade of 2025 Avenue of the Stars, you'll see Yamasaki’s obsession with texture. The repetitive aluminum balconies aren't just for show; they create these deep shadow patterns that change throughout the day.
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When they renovated, they kept 90% of the original features. They even used the same type of aluminum treatment that was revolutionary in the 60s. The lobby was turned into a "breezeway," which basically means they took out the glass so you can walk straight through from the street to the gardens in the back. It’s airy. It feels expensive.
The Reality of Living at 2025 Avenue of the Stars
Let's be real: living here is a flex.
The residents have their own gate, their own concierge, and their own rooftop pool. You get access to the hotel’s 14,000-square-foot spa, which is widely considered one of the best in the city. But it’s not just about the steam room.
It’s about the location. You’re 20 minutes from LAX, 10 minutes from Beverly Hills, and you can walk to your office if you work in entertainment or law. For a certain subset of the global elite, this is the only address that makes sense in Los Angeles.
However, it's not without its quirks. Century City can still feel a bit "sterile" once the sun goes down and the office workers go home. The Reuben brothers are trying to change that with the retail and the promenade, but it takes time to build a soul in a neighborhood made of glass and steel.
What most people get wrong
A lot of people think 2025 Avenue of the Stars is the same as the "triangular towers." It’s not. Those are the Century Plaza Towers (2029 and 2049 Avenue of the Stars). They were also designed by Yamasaki, but they are commercial.
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The 2025 address is the crescent. It’s the residential and hospitality side of the street. If you tell an Uber driver to go to "Century Plaza," they might drop you at the office towers by mistake. You have to be specific.
Is it worth a visit?
If you aren't planning on dropping $3 million on a condo, is it still worth stopping by?
Yeah, actually.
The lobby bar is one of the coolest places in the city to people-watch. You’ll see celebrities, tech moguls, and the occasional confused tourist. The "Gardens of Century Plaza" are surprisingly peaceful, considering you’re surrounded by some of the tallest buildings in the city.
It’s a weird, beautiful slice of Los Angeles history that managed to survive the wrecking ball and come out looking better than ever.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Visit for the Art: Park at the Westfield Century City (it's cheaper) and walk over to see the Jaume Plensa sculpture. It’s open to the public and stunning at sunset.
- Grab a Drink: The lobby bar at the Fairmont is the best way to experience the Yamasaki architecture without paying for a room. Look up at the ceiling—the lighting is all part of the original New Formalism design.
- Check the Event Calendar: This address still hosts massive galas. If there’s a major awards show or political event in town, expect the street to be blocked off. Plan your commute accordingly.
- Dining Reservations: If you want to eat at estiatorio Milos, book at least two weeks out. It’s become the "it" spot for the Century City power crowd.