The iconic crescent shaped Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles has been saved from the wrecking ball, after a deal was struck between the hotel owner Next Century Associates and the Los Angeles Conservancy and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, who have been fighting to keep the building from being torn down.

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles

In June 2008, real estate investor Michael Rosenfeld’s Next Century Associates bought the Century Plaza Hotel for $366.5 million from Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

The 19 story hotel with 726 rooms Century Plaza was designed in 1966 by Minoru Yamasaki, whose design portfolio includes the World Trade Center’s twin towers.

Historic events such as Ronald Reagan’s victory party and the welcome home party for the Apollo 11 astronauts have been hosted by the Century Plaza.

Next Century Associates bought the property with the intention of tearing down the entire structure and building a $2 billion complex instead, with two 50-story towers offering retail space for shops, restaurants, condos and a new hotel.

The Los Angeles Conservancy has been fighting the plan from the very beginning. The battle picked up speed when actress Diane Keaton, a trustee for the National Trust, became the public face of the campaign to save the Century Plaza building. In April 2009, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the Century Plaza Hotel to its 2009 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Under the new agreement, the hotel will not be torn down and the LA Conservancy will not oppose new construction on the grounds surrounding the hotel. New Century Associates will redo the interior to reduce the number of rooms to 400, along with 45 condos.

Photo credit – Lizy Moromisato (courtesy NTHP)

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - 2025 Ave of the Stars Los Angeles CA 90067;  (310) 277- 2000; More info…

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