clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
City building and skyscrapers are in the foreground. In the distance are mountains. It is sunset. Getty Images

Mapping the rise of LA’s tallest towers

These towers will forever alter the city’s skyline

View as Map

Last week, developers of one of Downtown LA’s most anticipated projects—Metropolis—announced it was officially complete. The enormous development near LA Live has opened its four towers—18, 38, 40, and 56 stories, respectively—slowly over the last three years, but the development has already filled in a visual hole in the skyline between the Financial District and LA Live.

It’s not the only visible change on the horizon.

Plenty of other skyscrapers and soaring high-rises are set to reshape the city’s constantly changing profile in the next decade.

Dozens of ambitious—and plain-old-tall—projects are planned around the city, especially in Downtown LA. But a growth spurt is also in the works for Koreatown, and a smattering of neighborhoods to the west.

This map tracks the tallest buildings that are planned and under construction right now around LA.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

77 stories on Figueroa

Copy Link

This skyscraper is gunning to top the Wilshire Grand—and it won’t use a spire to do it. At 1,107 feet, the building would rise just a bit higher than the 1,100-foot-tall Wilshire Grand. “Who doesn’t want bragging rights?” Jeff DiMarzio, whose firm is designing the project, told Curbed.

It would hold 599 hotel rooms, 242 condos, nearly 37,000 square feet of amenities, and almost 29,000 square feet of commercial space.

An aerial view of buildings. In the center is a very tall skyscraper that towers over the other buildings. Courtesy of DiMarzio Kato Architecture

70-story high-rise

Copy Link

Rising 70 stories, this towering residential building from developer Crescent Heights will bring almost 800 new apartments to Downtown Los Angeles. At 770 feet, it would also be among the city’s tallest buildings.

City buildings and tall skyscrapers. It is sunset and the sky is purple. Courtesy of Liner LLP

66-story mixed user

Copy Link

This tall skyscraper is in the running for the title of the third tallest tower in Los Angeles. It would rise next door to Hotel Figueroa and across from the iconic The Original Pantry Cafe. The developer, Justin L. M. Leong, wants the tower to hold 220 hotel rooms, 200 condos, 94,080 square feet of commercial space, and 617 parking spaces. Construction could finish as soon as 2023.

An aerial view of buildings and tall skyscrapers. Via Department of City Plannning

Trio of towers

Copy Link

Called “Olympia," this project would bring three towers to a parking lot across the street from LA Live. The towers would rise 65 stories, 53 stories, and 43 stories, respectively. In addition to commercial space and more than 1,000 units of housing, Olympia would feature “open, green, and public spaces,” including a public pocket park along Georgia Street and a plaza at the corner of Georgia and Olympic.

An aerial view of three towers on a building. The towers are full of windows and balconies. Courtesy City Century

64 floors of residential units

Copy Link

Planned right beside the FIGat7th shopping center, this 64-story building from developer Brookfield would include 781 units of housing and three commercial units. Marmol-Radziner is the design architect for the project and Large Architecture is the architect of record. Some early demolition started on the site in the summer. It’s projected to be complete in 2022

A group of buildings. In the center of the buildings is a plaza with trees. Rendering courtesy Brookfield

Angels Knoll with 64-story skyscraper

Copy Link

Bound to transform Bunker Hill, this mega project directly across from Grand Central Market was approved by the city in December. Plans from developers Claridge Properties, MacFarlane Partners, and the Peebles Corporation call for a 64-story skyscraper and a 42-story high-rise. (They originally called for an 88-story skyscraper and a 24-story tower, but the plans were rejiggered last month.)

The towers would contain 180 condos, 261 apartments, 500 SLS and Mondrian hotel rooms, plus shops and restaurants, and a charter elementary school. The Handel Architects-designed buildings would be set back off the corner of Fourth and Hill streets, leaving room for a landscaped plaza.

A group of buildings. There are trees in front of the buildings. The buildings are tall and have multiple windows.

63-story skyscraper 

Copy Link

The design of this tower by Koichi Takada Architects was inspired by the California redwoods. It’s working its way through the city’s approval process as a 63-story building (54 stories atop a 9-story podium). Located at 11th and Hill, it would hold 528 condos.

A large building with an elaborate entrance that has a metallic pointy awning. There are people walking outside of the building. Via Department of City Planning

57-story 'gigantic urban tree'

Copy Link

There’s no word yet on many feet this skyscraper would rise, but, at nearly 60 stories, it could become one of the tallest buildings in the city. Architects Nardi Associates have designed this unique skyscraper in South Park to hold a hotel, housing, convention center, restaurants, and shops. The facade would incorporate LED signs and live plants, making it look like a “giant urban tree,” says the firm’s website.

A tall building with geometric structures on its facade. Courtesy Nardi Associates

60-story tower at Hill and Olympic

Copy Link

Developer Onni plans a 60-story tower here, with 700 apartments atop a podium of 1,075 parking spaces and 15,000 square feet of retail space. The four floors of above-ground parking are wrapped by retail at the ground level and residential on the upper floors.

Via Department of City Planning

Two 58-story towers

Copy Link

The design of these two towers, inspired by industrial warehouses and incorporating local art, might help them fit into the Arts District, but they’re certainly going to stand out. They’re the first skyscrapers proposed for the neighborhood, and, if built, they’re bound to alter it forever. Called 6AM, the 58-story towers, which would hold housing, a school, offices, and retail, would be mainly framed in concrete, leaving large blank spaces that are intended to "encourage murals and other evolutionary art responses."

An aerial view of many city buildings and skyscrapers. Courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

53 stories with cantilevered pools

Copy Link

Developer Jeffrey Fish’s 53-story tower at Pershing Square would not only be one of the tallest buildings in the city, but one of the boldest. It’d be the first skyscraper in LA with pools that would jut out from the facade, over the city below. The pools, which would be suspended from condos, would be made of glass, so daring swimmers could take in amazing views.

A tall skyscraper with many windows. The top of the skyscraper has a haphazard arrangement that resembles jenga pieces. Renderings courtesy of JMF Enterprises

Times Mirror Square towers

Copy Link

Canadian developer Onni Group has plans to completely reimagine the Times Mirror Square complex (the former home of the Los Angeles Times), demolishing part of the property and erecting two high-rises. The 37-story and 53-story towers would include 1,127 residential units, along with 34,572 square feet of commercial space.

Two tall towering buildings. Images via LA Department of City Planning

Towering Convention Center hotel

Copy Link

Planned directly opposite the Los Angeles Convention Center, this 53-story project includes 1,024 hotel rooms in an area where city officials have been desperate to add more accommodations for visitors. The Gensler-designed structure would replace a 100-unit apartment complex built in 2004.

In the foreground is a tall skyscraper and a pedestrian plaza with trees. In the distance are more city buildings. It is sunset. Courtesy of TriCal

52-story 'gateway' to DTLA

Copy Link

Architecture firm Gensler has drawn up a fanciful design for this 52-story tower proposed for the site of the Toyota of Downtown LA dealership, making it very visible to motorists on the 10 Freeway. It's intended as a "gateway" to DTLA, and it would be comprised of 336 residential units, a 250-room hotel, and retail and offices.

In the foreground is a highway with cars. A large building with an unusual facade is on one side of the highway. The building facade is made of mixed materials. Courtesy of Gensler

Residential tower duo

Copy Link

One of multiple South Park projects from developer Mack Urban and AECOM Capital, this development would include two residential towers right across the street from one another at the intersection of Olive and 11th streets. The shorter tower would rise 51 stories, while the taller structure would soar 60 levels above the street.

An aerial view of various parking lots and the tops of buildings and skyscrapers. Google Maps

Tri-towered mega complex

Copy Link

(Slowly) under construction now, these three towers are part of a huge development called Oceanwide Plaza, which will feature a 166,000-square-foot open-air retail area and an approximately 700-foot LED ribbon sign. A posh hotel and 504 condos are also planned. When complete, the towers will rise to heights of 40, 40, and 49 stories, respectively, on a site across from LA Live.

A tall skyscraper amongst other various city buildings.

A pair of South Park towers

Copy Link

This major project was originally proposed as three buildings, but developer Shenzhen Hazens later reworked plans, and the project is moving forward as a 49-story residential tower and a 29-story hotel.

A tall blue building with a lower level that is glass. There are palm trees outside of the building. There are other buildings surrounding it and a street in front of it. Renderings via Department of City Planning

Hollywood Center

Copy Link

Now re-branded as Hollywood Center, the project formerly named Millennium Hollywood is slowly moving forward after a judge halted construction in 2015 due to concerns about traffic and safety. The reconfigured project would include two residential towers rising 35 and 46 stories, respectively.

A rendering of two towers and a collection of low-rise buildings slated to rise around the Capitol Records building. Courtesy of Hollywood Center

Century Plaza

Copy Link

A major overhaul of Century City’s Century Plaza hotel will include a pair of glassy 44-story residential high-rises with 290 luxury residences between them. The new Fairmont Century Plaza, which holds 400 hotel rooms, is scheduled to open in April.

The tops of two tall skyscrapers. Both skyscrapers have many windows on the facade. Courtesy of DBOX for Next Century Partners

41-story residential high-rise

Copy Link

The area around Fig&7th was already buzzing up with the construction of Wilshire Grand, then along came plans for this 41-story tower with a mix of housing and street-level shops and restaurants. The City Council approved plans for the project in July.

World Trade Center redevelopment

Copy Link

Prolific Koreatown developer Jamison Services wants to demolish a portion of the World Trade Center on Bunker Hill and put this 41-story tower in its place. The high-rise would hold 570 condos and connect, via sky bridges, to the Westin Bonaventure and the L.A. Grand Hotel Downtown. 

A tall towering skyscraper. Via department of city planning

Lake on Wilshire

Copy Link

This 41-story residential tower would sprout up alongside a historic building that would be converted from a medical office to a hotel. In addition to apartments or condos, the new tower would hold a "learning, cultural and performing arts center" and an 850-seat theater.

A tall building with a colorful glass entrance area. There are palm trees next to the building. It is sunset and the sky is purple and pink. Courtesy Los Angeles Planning Department

39 stories in the Financial District

Copy Link

Called the Eighth, Hope, and Grand Project, this 39-story project from developer Mitsui Fudosan America is set to include 547 housing units, 7,500 square feet of restaurant space, and a 37,000-square-foot charter school for kindergarten and grades first through five.

A tall building that has terraces with trees.

36-story mixed user

Copy Link

Just east of Wilshire and Western in Koreatown, this 36-story tower with housing and a trio of restaurants (one "high quality," one high turn-over, and one fast food) would replace a lawn often used by locals as a makeshift park. It remains to be seen what will happen with the project, as that grassy area became a city landmark last year.

A tall skyscraper. There is glass lower level. Los Angeles Planning Department

'Transformative' mixed user

Copy Link

Supporters of this big South LA project say it has the power to transform the neighborhood. Opponents agree. Approved unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council in 2016, the development would add a 20-story hotel next to The Reef, an existing 12-story building that serves as "creative habitat" for artists and entrepreneurs, and two high-rise condo towers, one that soars to 32 stories and the other to 35 stories. Its future is uncertain; In 2017, developers announced the property was for sale.

An aerial view of many city buildings and tall skyscrapers.

520 Mateo

Copy Link

Developer Carmel Partners had originally proposed this project as a 13-story tower. Now, at 35 stories tall, it will hold 125,000 square feet dedicated for shops, restaurants, and offices live/work units,

An aerial view of Los Angeles. There are many buildings of varying heights. Via Department of City Planning

35-story residential tower

Copy Link

Harridge Development Group is planning to convert Koreatown’s Wilshire Galleria into a hotel and add a 35-story tower and seven-story condo structure on the same site. The high-rise building would contain 335 condos, plus retail space.

PerLA on Broadway

Copy Link

Construction is underway now on this 35-story condominium tower in Downtown LA's Historic Core. Developer SCG America says it's looking to attract first-time buyers with its 450 units priced in the low $400,000s, though the two-bedroom units in the building start in the $800,000s. The first floor of the building will house shops and restaurants.

A tall blue building with multiple windows. Courtesy of SCG America

Brentwood high-rise

Copy Link

Not all of LA's tall buildings are east of the 405. This long-planned Brentwood development would rise 34 stories, with 376 apartments.

Rendering of tall Brentwood apartment building Los Angeles Department of City Planning

33-story residential tower

Copy Link

Developers looking to build in Downtown LA are not focusing solely on South Park. Interest has spilled over into the Fashion District, where, in 2016, plans were filed for this dark, 33-story residential tower called 7th&Maple.

A tall building with many windows. Courtesy of Realm Real Estate

Koreatown condos

Copy Link

This Koreatown mixed user would replace a Denny's across from the Wilshire/Vermont Metro Station with 33 stories of condos, office space, retail, and restaurants.

A tall city building. Rendering via Department of City Planning

32-story residential tower

Copy Link

Just west of the Line Hotel and across the street from the Purple Line's Wilshire/Normandie stop, this 32-story tower would be part of a larger mixed-use complex developed by Jamison Services, which is on a building spree in Koreatown.

An aerial view of city buildings and skyscrapers.

31-story mixed user

Copy Link

This 31-story new mixed-user by developers Jamison Services and Hankey Group would bring apartments and retail to a corner lot where Wilshire Boulevard and Hoover Street meet, across from Lafayette Park, on the border of Koreatown and Westlake. Construction is well underway.

In the foreground is a building with multiple windows. In the distance are many city buildings. It is evening. Courtesy of BuzzBuzzHome

Loading comments...

77 stories on Figueroa

This skyscraper is gunning to top the Wilshire Grand—and it won’t use a spire to do it. At 1,107 feet, the building would rise just a bit higher than the 1,100-foot-tall Wilshire Grand. “Who doesn’t want bragging rights?” Jeff DiMarzio, whose firm is designing the project, told Curbed.

It would hold 599 hotel rooms, 242 condos, nearly 37,000 square feet of amenities, and almost 29,000 square feet of commercial space.

An aerial view of buildings. In the center is a very tall skyscraper that towers over the other buildings. Courtesy of DiMarzio Kato Architecture

70-story high-rise

Rising 70 stories, this towering residential building from developer Crescent Heights will bring almost 800 new apartments to Downtown Los Angeles. At 770 feet, it would also be among the city’s tallest buildings.

City buildings and tall skyscrapers. It is sunset and the sky is purple. Courtesy of Liner LLP

66-story mixed user

This tall skyscraper is in the running for the title of the third tallest tower in Los Angeles. It would rise next door to Hotel Figueroa and across from the iconic The Original Pantry Cafe. The developer, Justin L. M. Leong, wants the tower to hold 220 hotel rooms, 200 condos, 94,080 square feet of commercial space, and 617 parking spaces. Construction could finish as soon as 2023.

An aerial view of buildings and tall skyscrapers. Via Department of City Plannning

Trio of towers

Called “Olympia," this project would bring three towers to a parking lot across the street from LA Live. The towers would rise 65 stories, 53 stories, and 43 stories, respectively. In addition to commercial space and more than 1,000 units of housing, Olympia would feature “open, green, and public spaces,” including a public pocket park along Georgia Street and a plaza at the corner of Georgia and Olympic.

An aerial view of three towers on a building. The towers are full of windows and balconies. Courtesy City Century

64 floors of residential units

Planned right beside the FIGat7th shopping center, this 64-story building from developer Brookfield would include 781 units of housing and three commercial units. Marmol-Radziner is the design architect for the project and Large Architecture is the architect of record. Some early demolition started on the site in the summer. It’s projected to be complete in 2022

A group of buildings. In the center of the buildings is a plaza with trees. Rendering courtesy Brookfield

Angels Knoll with 64-story skyscraper

Bound to transform Bunker Hill, this mega project directly across from Grand Central Market was approved by the city in December. Plans from developers Claridge Properties, MacFarlane Partners, and the Peebles Corporation call for a 64-story skyscraper and a 42-story high-rise. (They originally called for an 88-story skyscraper and a 24-story tower, but the plans were rejiggered last month.)

The towers would contain 180 condos, 261 apartments, 500 SLS and Mondrian hotel rooms, plus shops and restaurants, and a charter elementary school. The Handel Architects-designed buildings would be set back off the corner of Fourth and Hill streets, leaving room for a landscaped plaza.

A group of buildings. There are trees in front of the buildings. The buildings are tall and have multiple windows.

63-story skyscraper 

The design of this tower by Koichi Takada Architects was inspired by the California redwoods. It’s working its way through the city’s approval process as a 63-story building (54 stories atop a 9-story podium). Located at 11th and Hill, it would hold 528 condos.

A large building with an elaborate entrance that has a metallic pointy awning. There are people walking outside of the building. Via Department of City Planning

57-story 'gigantic urban tree'

There’s no word yet on many feet this skyscraper would rise, but, at nearly 60 stories, it could become one of the tallest buildings in the city. Architects Nardi Associates have designed this unique skyscraper in South Park to hold a hotel, housing, convention center, restaurants, and shops. The facade would incorporate LED signs and live plants, making it look like a “giant urban tree,” says the firm’s website.

A tall building with geometric structures on its facade. Courtesy Nardi Associates

60-story tower at Hill and Olympic

Developer Onni plans a 60-story tower here, with 700 apartments atop a podium of 1,075 parking spaces and 15,000 square feet of retail space. The four floors of above-ground parking are wrapped by retail at the ground level and residential on the upper floors.

Via Department of City Planning

Two 58-story towers

The design of these two towers, inspired by industrial warehouses and incorporating local art, might help them fit into the Arts District, but they’re certainly going to stand out. They’re the first skyscrapers proposed for the neighborhood, and, if built, they’re bound to alter it forever. Called 6AM, the 58-story towers, which would hold housing, a school, offices, and retail, would be mainly framed in concrete, leaving large blank spaces that are intended to "encourage murals and other evolutionary art responses."

An aerial view of many city buildings and skyscrapers. Courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

53 stories with cantilevered pools

Developer Jeffrey Fish’s 53-story tower at Pershing Square would not only be one of the tallest buildings in the city, but one of the boldest. It’d be the first skyscraper in LA with pools that would jut out from the facade, over the city below. The pools, which would be suspended from condos, would be made of glass, so daring swimmers could take in amazing views.

A tall skyscraper with many windows. The top of the skyscraper has a haphazard arrangement that resembles jenga pieces. Renderings courtesy of JMF Enterprises

Times Mirror Square towers

Canadian developer Onni Group has plans to completely reimagine the Times Mirror Square complex (the former home of the Los Angeles Times), demolishing part of the property and erecting two high-rises. The 37-story and 53-story towers would include 1,127 residential units, along with 34,572 square feet of commercial space.

Two tall towering buildings. Images via LA Department of City Planning

Towering Convention Center hotel

Planned directly opposite the Los Angeles Convention Center, this 53-story project includes 1,024 hotel rooms in an area where city officials have been desperate to add more accommodations for visitors. The Gensler-designed structure would replace a 100-unit apartment complex built in 2004.