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L.A. Convention Center to Get Major Hotel Tower

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By Grace Lee
BTN Staff Writer

Developers unveiled plans on June 12 for a major hotel tower at the L.A. Convention Center, kicking off a $750-million project that promises to create hundreds of permanent jobs for the building trades crafts.

“The Building Trades crafts are very excited about the hotel project moving forward. The convention center hotel is the key to the success of the convention center and the downtown entertainment district,” said Richard Slawson, Executive-Secretary Treasurer of the Los Angeles County/Orange Counties Building Trades Council. “This project will mean not only hundreds of good paying construction jobs, but hundreds of good paying, permanent union jobs as well.”

The Anschutz Entertainment Group has been a committed partner with craft workers in this city, he said. “We’re proud of the relationship we have built over the last decade.”

The 57-story, 2 million-square foot project will include a 1,000-room hotel complex, including a five-star Ritz-Carlton and four-star Marriott Marquis, for the Convention Center.

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Slated for completion in 2010, the development will rejuvenate downtown Los Angeles and anchor L.A. Live, the 27-acre sports-entertainment complex, which is the cornerstone of the redevelopment. The project marks two decades of planning to draw a major convention hotel.

“This is what we’ve been hoping and waiting for,” said Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. “This will make Los Angeles a very attractive travel and business-show destination. To the average Joe on the street, it means people will be coming and spending more money here.”

AEG’s $2.2 billion L.A. Live project will combine entertainment, dining, retail and residential living close to the Convention Center. Among the attractions will be a 7,000-seat Nokia Theatre Los Angeles for live performances, a 15-screen Regal Cineplex, an ESPN broadcasting center and the Grammy Museum.

AEG is in discussions to bring to the site another hotel and additional condo and apartment units.

“This is an important project for the Plumbers,” said Gary Cook, Business Representative with Plumbers Local 78. “The hotel construction will not only provide a lot of good paying jobs for our members, but it will also contribute to the revitalization and renovation of downtown, which is already creating a lot of good paying union jobs for our members. Having this project start and complete will draw more construction and more jobs into the community.”

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