About

A new neighborhood in an old industrial corridor, growing up around generous green spaces, eclectic buildings, a rich mix of uses, all on a human scale.

Quick Facts

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Practice Theme

Housing For All, Renewing the Public Realm

What We Did

Mixed-Use, Adaptive Re-Use, Urban Design, Architecture

Size

7.6 acres; Over 2 million sq. ft. Residential, Creative Office, Retail & Hotel

Project Details

Downtown Los Angeles map, Cold Storage circa 1895.

Studio One Eleven’s open and flexible master plan for Fourth & Central connects with the neighborhood, providing diverse buildings, a rich mix of uses, and abundant green space – all human-scaled and accessible.

A key driver for the Fourth & Central is addressing the City’s housing shortage and affordability imbalance with a significant residential component that will create a new source of much-needed housing across a range of affordability levels.

The site represents the constant evolution of Downtown Los Angeles. During the 1800s, this was the Southern Pacific Rail Depot site, a cold storage facility, and a mix of other uses. With the closing of the rail depot in 1939, the site transitioned to an expanded cold storage facility in the post-WWII years.

Within the master plan, Studio One Eleven and Adjaye Associates individually designed an assemblage of ten buildings, with a mix of uses that reflect the area’s dynamic character and weaves the development back into the fabric of the adjacent neighborhood. The buildings comprise a broad range of heights, massing, and architectural styles to create diversity and interest.

A system of alleyways, plazas, and passages connects the development, creating a cohesive environment that blends into the surrounding urban context. The porous open space aims to promote pedestrian and multimodal connections while enhancing walkability and access throughout the neighborhood.

Commercial uses are located strategically throughout the project area to create a livable community that serves workers, visitors, and residents alike. Ground-floor programming will feature a variety of neighborhood-serving retail stores and restaurants.

Prior Site Conditions

“Fourth & Central is part of the evolution of DTLA into a dense, walkable, bikeable, and durable 21-century community that preserves the character and history of the neighborhood. We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to add a mix of housing options and community-minded placemaking so close to the job-producing and creative core of Los Angeles.”

– Mark Falcone, President and CEO, Continuum Group