There is no shortage of construction projects going on in Downtown LA and, from the looks of things, it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The neighborhood has undergone a lot of change throughout the past decade, growing from a sleepy office district into today’s thriving center of luxury living and entertainment. The area’s success has not escaped the notice of investors, who have steadily developed thousands of residences, corporate offices, retail shops, and restaurants, with a significant uptick in investment over the last couple of years. DTLA hasn’t seen so much action since the the Roaring Twenties, so it will be interesting to imagine what the neighborhood will look like in another decade. Here is a list of the biggest development projects going on right now. 

Rendering Courtesy of Wilshire Grand Center

The New Wilshire Grand - 900 Wilshire Blvd.

This $1.1 billion venture was developed by the Korean developer Hanjin International and its grand opening to the public took place in June of this year. The skyscraper consists of 400,000 square feet of office and retail space in addition to 900 hotel rooms, which will bring new business and travelers to the Financial District. The Wilshire Grand didn’t just change the shape of DTLA’s landscape, but it also became the tallest building in California since it topped out in 2016.

Rendering Courtesy of California Parks

Los Angeles State Historic Park - 1245 N Spring St.

This park was closed in 2014 due to contaminated soil and, although the project has undergone several delays, renovation is nearly complete. The 32-acre attraction near Chinatown is set to reopen this year and it will have a rejuvenated central meadow, a visitors center, lookout points, improved bathrooms/parking lots, and even a promenade with regular musical performances and activities scheduled for the public. 

Rendering Courtesy of City Market South

City Market South - 11th and San Julian St.

This $2 billion city center project developed by LENA Group will span across several streets in Downtown, and the 75,000-square-foot first phase is almost finished. Ultimately the 2.5-acre development will include a multitude of restaurants, bars, office space, residential and hotel units, and retailers.

Rendering Courtesy of Metropolis Los Angeles

Metropolis - 889 Francisco St.

This $1 billion South Park project developed by the Chinese entity Greenland USA is set to open sometime in 2018. The massive structure will have several towers consisting of approximately 350 hotel rooms, 1,600 condominiums, and 70,000 square feet of retail space. The first condo tower is nearly finished and is already accepting move-ins.

Rendering Courtesy of Oceanwide Plaza

Oceanwide Plaza - 1100-1198 S. Figueroa St.

This large mixed-use center is currently under construction across from the Staples Center. The mega project is slated to be completed in 2019 and it will include three 40- to 50-story towers for condominiums and hotel rooms, at least 166,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and an enormous LED screen wrapping around the building’s west side overlooking Figueroa.

Rendering Courtesy of Metro

Downtown Regional Connector

The Metro will add three new underground stations at First and Central, Second and Broadway, and Second and Hope, which should be completed by May 2021. The transit company plans to reduce the amount of transfers, connect rail lines, and increase travel speeds throughout the area.

Rendering Courtesy of the Lucas Museum

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art - 3800 S. Vermont Ave.

This $1 billion museum in Exposition Park is being developed by Star Wars creator George Lucas with designs from Ma Yansong, one of the most celebrated architects working today. Although the expensive and futuristic-looking project is set to begin this year, it won’t be completed until 2021. The 312,000 square-foot structure will be used to display a large collection of Lucas film artifacts, animation, and art. The museum will also have a theater, library, and lecture halls.

Photo Courtesy of The Reef

The Reef - 1933 S. Broadway

This immense $1.2 billion residential and retail development has already started its first phase of construction and is set to open by 2021. The Reef will be spread throughout two city blocks which would include a number of apartment units, condominiums, a large parking garage, retail and commercial space, and a public plaza. As part of The Reef’s deal with the city, 5% of its apartments will also be set aside for low-income renters.

Rendering Courtesy of Herzog & De Meuron

6AM - Sixth and Alameda Streets or 1211 Wholesale St.

The developer SunCal is putting in an estimated $2 billion into this 2 million square-foot project with aims for the development to become DTLA’s next big cultural hub. The structures will be made up of approximately 1,305 apartments, 431 condominiums, 265,000 square feet for hotel and office space, 64,000 square feet of retail space, 18,000 square feet for education, and 18,000 square feet for the public. Construction has yet to begin and the grand opening is still unannounced.