$1.2-Billion Downtown L.A. Project Draws Top Architects

Last week, a team led by architect Frank Gehry for developer Weintraub Financial Services was joined by Frenchman Jean Nouvel and Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid, creating a high-powered triumvirate of world-class designers vying to develop the site.

Planners envision a spectacular mixed-use project that would combine housing, shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities on both sides of Grand Avenue south of 1st Street.

They assert that, along with Disney Hall and the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, it would provide a springboard for the continued revitalization of downtown.

Describing the teams competing for the work as "world class," Eli Broad -- vice chairman of the nonprofit Grand Avenue Committee -- said Tuesday: "We're hopeful we'll be able to create a street where people will stay after work and one that will be a draw for the entire region."

Among the other competitors for the project on four lots owned by the city and county are designer David Childs, currently working on the development of the ground zero site in New York City, and noted British architect Norman Foster, who is aligned for the Los Angeles project with New York real estate mogul Donald Trump.

Altogether, eight teams of developers and designers have submitted applications for the opportunity to come up with plans and financing for the complex. In early January, the Los Angeles Grand Avenue Authority -- a power-sharing agency created by the city and county -- is expected to select a short list of three to five teams based on the qualifications of the designers and developers. The latter will be expected to describe in detail their anticipated funding sources -- which could be a considerable challenge given the scope of the project and the current economic climate.

Meanwhile, however, the big-name interest involving about 60 firms is raising the profile of the development, already among the largest proposals ever for downtown.

"This will be, as you might say, very competitive," said Scott Johnson, a design partner with Johnson Fain, an architecture and design firm on one of the teams. "It's the top of the hill and has a lot of physical visibility and a lot of excellent buildings around it. Everyone's waiting to see what goes in the middle. You'd want to be in there if you were an architect."