VISITING CENTURY CITY
Surrounded on three sides by either Westwood, Bel Air or Beverly Hills, Century City is a high profile commercial office and shopping complex housing the offices of the entertainment industry's leading agents, top music publishers, PR execs and high level entertainment attorneys. In addition there is a well layed out shopping mall featuring some of the biggest names in retail, huge selection of eating venues and a movie theatre.
Century City is often described as the heart of the business side of the entertainement industry. Home to one of the world's most prestigous talent agencies, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and numerous offices of high powered entertainment attorneys, music execs and PR firms.. Sandwiched between Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Westwood, the far south end of Century City is home to the studio of 20th Century Fox. It is from this studio that Century City got its name. The studio used to own all the land the current day office buildings occupy as a backlot that was as exciting as present day Universal Studios. After a series of box office flops in the 1960s, including the movie Cleopatra, the studio sold 160 acres of the land to the City of Los Angeles to avoid financial ruin. From this sale from the studio along with the city's committment to develop the area came the name of Century City.
CENTURY TOWERS
Today Century City is a hustle bustle area of glass high-rises, shopping and accomodation. Many of the high- rises have been included in many featured films. The signature buildings of Century City are the Century Towers (also known as twin towers). Along Avenue of the Stars is the FOX officer tower that was featured in Die Hard. Next to the Fox Plaza building is a brand new high rise currently under construction that will house multi million dollar condominiums. One high profile resident set to move in at the penthouse is Candy Spelling, widow to television producer mogul, Aaron Spelling.
HYATT CENTURY PLAZA
The main hotel in Century City is the Hyatt Century Plaza. Located on Avenue of the Stars, the hotel cannot be missed with its huge fountains and arch shape front. The Hyatt Century Plaza hosts many high profile celebrity attended events throughout the year and is an official designated hosting point for the US President when visiting LA.
20th CENTURY FOX STUDIOS
At the intersection of Avenue of the Stars and Pico Blvd (make a right on Pico if coming down Avenue of the Stars) lies the 20th Century Fox Studios backlot. Founded in 1913 by William Fox, the Fox lot is one of Hollywood's most historical backlots, some of the mega block busters this studio has produced include Titanic, Star Wars, Alien, X-Men, Home Alone, Die Hard, Planet of the Apes, Shallow Hal, and many others. Today the studio lot produces dozens of tv shows and has an expansive backlot of soundstages, street facades and special effects houses. Even though the general public is not allowed into the front gates of the studio, the layout of the studio is easily viewable for any pedestrians or those driving by on PIco.
WESTFIELD SHOPPING MALL
In the heart of Century City is the Westfield Shopping Mall, home to such high end retailers as Bloomingdales, Louis Vuitton, Lucky Brand Jeans, Banana Republic and many others. The Westfield Shopping Mall also plays host to a variety of dining options. Some of the better known restaurants in the area are Houstons, Pink Taco, Gulf Stream and Rock Sugar. In addition there is an extensive food court on the upper level that offers a variety of culinary options from sushi, to pizza to steak to burgers.
TOP THINGS TO SEE:
1. Hyatt Century Plaza
2. A Drive by of the 20th Century Fox Lot on Pico
3. A good lunch or dinner at either Pink Taco, Houstons, Rock Sugar or Gulf Stream
PARKING AT CENTURY CITY
Parking at Century City is extremely accessible. The main parking garage is accessible off of Santa Monica Blvd (when coming form either Beverly Hills or Westside/Beaches). Parking is free for the first 3 hours and a maximum of $10 after.
GETTING TO CENTURY CITY
FROM LAX:
Take the 405 north (to Sacramento) to the Santa Monica Blvd exit. Exit east (make right) and proceed 2 miles to Avenue of the Stars. Make a right.
FROM HOLLYWOOD, WEST HOLLYWOOD, BEVERLY HILLS
Take Santa Monica Blvd east to Avenue of the Stars. Make left at Avenue of the Stars.
FROM BRENTWOOD/BELAIR:
Take Sunset Blvd east to Beverly Glenn. Make a right on Beverly Glenn, cross Wilshire. Make left on Santa Monica Blvd and Right on Avenue of the Stars.
FROM SANTA MONICA:
Take Santa Monica Blvd west to Avenue of the Stars. Make left at Avenue of the Stars.
FROM VENICE:
Take Washington Blvd east to the 405. Take the 405 North (to Sacramento) to the Santa Monica Blvd exit. Exit east (make right) and proceed 2 miles to Avenue of the Stars. Make a right.
