Located at the intersection of 4th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, the Fourth & Central project represents a bold re-imagining of an industrial legacy site into a multi-building mixed-use community. The development spans roughly 7.6 acres and is envisioned as a major catalyst for neighborhood transformation in the heart of the city.
Vision & Strategic Positioning
Fourth & Central is conceived to respond to multiple strategic objectives: housing affordability and supply, walkable urbanism, office and employment growth, transit-oriented development, and sustainable design. The site is positioned adjacent to the historic Little Tokyo and the Arts District, bridging diverse urban fabrics while promoting inclusive growth.
Key strategic drivers include:
- Expanding downtown Los Angeles’s residential capacity.
- Supporting mixed-income housing with affordable and very low-income units.
- Promoting pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented development.
- Introducing publicly accessible open spaces and new pedestrian linkages within a formerly industrial zone.
Master Plan & Core Components
The master plan encompasses ten buildings across three main parcels—North, South, and West—integrating residential, office, retail, and open-space functions into a cohesive urban framework.
Project Team:
- Developer: Continuum Partners
- Architects and Planners: Studio One Eleven and Adjaye Associates (Sir David Adjaye OBE)
Core Components:
- Total floor area of approximately 2.3 million sq ft.
- Around 1,500 residential units, including roughly 220 to 250 affordable units.
- More than 400,000 sq ft of office space for creative and professional tenants.
- Approximately 100,000 to 145,000 sq ft of retail and dining venues.
- Over 90,000 sq ft of publicly accessible open spaces, plazas, and landscaped paseos.
- Building heights ranging from 2 to 30 stories, with a maximum height of 364 ft.
Development & Investment Potential
With an estimated cost of $2 billion, Fourth & Central is one of Los Angeles’s most ambitious infill redevelopments. The project converts an underused industrial site into a dynamic live-work district that blends housing, employment, culture, and leisure.
Key investment highlights:
- Major residential supply boost in a high-demand market.
- Office space designed for the city’s expanding creative and technology sectors.
- Retail and food offerings benefiting from proximity to the Arts District and Little Tokyo.
- Substantial open-space network enhancing walkability and lifestyle appeal.
- Commitment to fully electric, greenhouse-gas-neutral operations.
Sustainability & Innovation
Sustainability is at the core of the project vision. Fourth & Central is designed to operate as a fully electric, net-neutral community, with energy-efficient systems and a focus on reducing emissions. The adaptive reuse of a historic cold-storage structure exemplifies resource-conscious urban renewal. The plan includes more than 400 new trees, shaded pedestrian corridors, and water-efficient landscaping to improve both livability and environmental performance.
Challenges & Considerations
Despite its promise, the project faces several hurdles:
- Community Relations: Concerns about gentrification and cultural impact from adjacent neighborhoods such as Little Tokyo.
- Environmental Impact: Construction activity and building scale introduce challenges in emissions control and heritage preservation.
- Market Volatility: Economic fluctuations could influence demand and phasing for residential and commercial components.
- Urban Integration: Success depends on how effectively the project connects with surrounding communities and transit networks.
Urban Impact & Legacy
Upon completion, Fourth & Central will deliver over 1,500 new housing units, 400,000 sq ft of office space, 100,000 sq ft of retail and dining venues, and vast public open spaces. Its integration of mixed-income housing and community-oriented amenities positions it as a model for sustainable urban growth in Los Angeles.
By linking the Arts District and Little Tokyo through a revitalized pedestrian network, the project has the potential to reshape downtown’s southeastern edge and set new standards for inclusive, design-driven urban regeneration.
Summary
Fourth & Central is a landmark mixed-use development redefining downtown Los Angeles through a combination of housing, commerce, and open space. Guided by sustainable design, thoughtful architecture, and community vision, the project aims to create a vibrant, accessible, and resilient urban neighborhood.
Project Facts & Figures
- Site Area: ~7.6 acres
- Gross Floor Area: ~2.3 million sq ft
- Residential Units: ~1,500 (including ~220–250 affordable)
- Office Space: ~400,000 sq ft
- Retail/Dining Space: ~100,000–145,000 sq ft
- Open Space: ~90,000 sq ft
- Building Heights: 2 to 30 stories (max ~364 ft)
- Estimated Development Cost: ~$2 billion
