Walk down Avenue of the Stars and you’ll see it. That crescent-shaped silhouette. It’s impossible to miss. If you've spent any time in Century City, you know the Fairmont Century Plaza isn't just another hotel; it's basically the anchor of the entire neighborhood's identity. But for a few years there, honestly, things looked a little shaky. Construction delays, a massive $2.5 billion price tag for the redevelopment, and a global pandemic that hit right as the finishing touches were being applied. People were genuinely wondering if the dream of a "city within a city" at Century Plaza Los Angeles CA was going to turn into a very expensive ghost town.
It didn't.
Instead, what we have now is a massive six-acre destination that sort of redefined what luxury looks like in a post-mall world. This isn't just about a place to sleep. We’re talking about a master-planned ecosystem involving two 44-story residential towers, nearly 100,000 square feet of retail and dining, and a hotel that feels more like a mid-century modern museum than a lobby. It’s big. It’s loud. And it’s arguably the most ambitious real estate project in Los Angeles since the original construction of Century City itself back on the old 20th Century Fox backlot.
The Minoru Yamasaki Legacy and Why the Shape Matters
You can't talk about Century Plaza Los Angeles CA without mentioning Minoru Yamasaki. He’s the architect who designed the original World Trade Center, and he brought that same sense of scale and clean lines to this project in 1966. For decades, it was the "Western White House." Every president from Ford to Reagan stayed here. Reagan actually loved it so much he basically lived there whenever he was in California.
When Next Century Group took over to renovate, they had a choice: scrap it or save it. They chose to save the soul of the building while gutting everything else. The signature crescent shape remains, but the interior was reimagined by Yabu Pushelberg. If you walk in today, the first thing you notice is the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that actually retract into the floor. It creates this indoor-outdoor flow that feels very "California," but with a high-end, international polish. It’s a far cry from the stuffy, carpeted ballrooms of the 80s.
The weight of history is everywhere. You’ll find photos of the 1969 "Emmy Awards" or the dinner for the Apollo 11 astronauts. But it doesn't feel like a dusty museum. It feels like a place where deals happen.
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Living at the Fairmont Residences
The real gamble wasn't the hotel. It was the towers. The Twin Towers—officially the Fairmont Residences—are these massive, triangular glass pillars that house some of the most expensive real estate in the city. We are talking about penthouses that command tens of millions of dollars.
Why would someone pay that much to live in Century City instead of, say, a mansion in Bel Air?
It’s the convenience. Honestly, if you’re a high-net-worth individual or a busy executive at CAA or one of the law firms across the street, the idea of "vertical living" is becoming way more attractive. You get a 24-hour concierge, a private dog park, a rooftop pool that looks out over the Pacific, and you’re walking distance to your office. In LA, being able to walk anywhere is the ultimate flex.
The units themselves are airy. High ceilings. Sub-Zero appliances. The whole nine yards. But the real draw is the "club" atmosphere. There’s a wine tasting room, a screening room, and private dining. It’s designed so you never actually have to leave the property if you don't want to.
The Spa and the Wellness Pivot
If you’re into wellness, the Fairmont Spa Century Plaza is probably the biggest draw. It’s 14,000 square feet of pure indulgence. They have these "Bio-Hacking" treatments that use infrared technology and compression therapy. It’s very much in line with the current LA obsession with longevity and performance.
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- They have a Himalayan salt room which is surprisingly relaxing for something that sounds like a kitchen accessory.
- The experiential showers use different scents and water pressures to mimic a tropical rainstorm or a North Atlantic mist.
- They partnered with Dr. Oz Garcia, who is basically the guru for bio-hacking in the city.
It’s not just for guests, either. They’ve built a local membership program because they realized that the people living in the surrounding condos wanted a high-end gym and recovery center that wasn't a crowded Equinox.
Where to Eat: Lumière and Beyond
Dining at Century Plaza Los Angeles CA has been a bit of a slow burn, but it’s finally hitting its stride. Lumière is the flagship. It’s a traditional French brasserie, but it doesn't feel "theme-y." It feels authentic. Think steak frites, onion soup that actually has a thick crust of Gruyère, and a massive seafood tower.
The patio is where you want to be. It sits right on the edge of the gardens, and it’s one of the best spots for people-watching in the neighborhood. You’ll see agents in $4,000 suits having power lunches next to tourists who are just trying to find the nearest restroom. It’s a weird, beautiful mix.
Beyond the hotel, the surrounding plaza is slowly filling up with high-end boutiques and eateries. The goal is to compete with the Westfield Century City mall next door, but with a more curated, "boutique" vibe. It’s less about the Gap and more about brands you’ve probably never heard of unless you read Vogue.
The Reality of the Market
Let's be real for a second. The project hasn't been without its drama. There were legal battles. There were concerns about the debt load. In a world where interest rates spiked and the commercial real estate market took a hit, a $2.5 billion project is a scary thing to have on your books.
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However, the "flight to quality" is a real thing. People who have the money are moving toward properties that offer security, amenities, and brand recognition. That’s why the Fairmont name matters. It provides a level of service that smaller, independent luxury condos just can't match.
Is it perfect? No. The traffic on Avenue of the Stars during rush hour is still a nightmare. If you're trying to get to the 405 at 5:00 PM, good luck. You're going to be sitting there for a while. But once you pull into that valet circle, all that noise sort of disappears.
Practical Insights for Visiting or Moving In
If you’re thinking about checking out Century Plaza Los Angeles CA, don't just drive by. Park the car and actually walk the grounds.
- For Visitors: Book a table at Lumière for a late lunch. The light hits the glass in the afternoon and the whole place glows. It’s the best time for photos.
- For Potential Residents: Check out the North Tower first. The views of the Hollywood Hills are generally considered better than the South Tower's views of the city skyline, though it’s a matter of taste.
- For Wellness Junkies: Get a day pass to the spa. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, the access to the sauna, steam room, and salt room is worth the price of a single treatment.
- The Secret Spot: There’s a small garden area behind the main hotel building that most people ignore. It’s incredibly quiet and a great place to take a breath if the city feels like too much.
The transformation of this corner of Los Angeles is basically complete. What used to be a somewhat sterile corporate plaza is now a genuine neighborhood hub. It’s expensive, it’s flashy, and it’s very "LA," but it’s also a masterclass in how to preserve history while building for the future.
If you want to experience the new Century Plaza, start by visiting the lobby at sunset. Watch the glass walls disappear into the floor. It’s a small engineering feat that perfectly summarizes the whole project: it’s about removing the barriers between the luxury of the indoors and the beauty of the California climate.
The next step is simple. Stop by the plaza. Grab a coffee at one of the kiosks. Sit on a bench. Watch the city move around you. You'll quickly see why this spot has regained its title as the center of gravity for Century City.