grand la - tip of the iceberg

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Grand LA on Bunker Hill: Tip of the Iceberg for Downtown Destiny

By ABEL WEISS

Seems like only yesterday, Eli and Edythe and Lillian Disney broke ground on the site that would become Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The year was 1999. Joined by Mayor Richard Riordan, all holding their shovels, acoustic hall designers Minoru Nagata and Yasuhisa caught their footing alongside Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry.

Breaking the earth, this well-seasoned group of philanthropists and visionaries plunged their golden shovels into downtown destiny – the destiny of Bunker Hill transforming into America’s most treasured cultural epicenter.

It’s happening. With Music Center, MOCA and Colburn School firmly rooted in Bunker Hill for decades, the introduction of the LA Phil and Master Chorale at the newly constructed Walt Disney Concert Hall coupled with the legacy of Eli Broad rang the city’s highest notes. But it wasn’t over yet. As Covid forced the cancellations of many a show, construction of the Grand LA continued amid this performance Mecca.

The final piece of the Grand Design, or Grand Ave Project as it was officially named, The Grand LA would become the tip of the iceberg reaching high into our city’s skyline.

The second building designed by Gehry, Grand LA, would exist as two massive skyscrapers. The taller structure offers mixeduse luxury and affordable housing units while the smaller structure, facing north; 305 rooms inside the 28-story luxury hotel. Related Companies’ (Time Warner Center and the Bronx Terminal Market City) mixed-use The Grand LA, designed by Frank Gehry, highlights incorporate luxury accommodations for visitors and permanent residents, hotel, three levels of retail, and a 16,000 sq ft rooftop pool deck joined together at ground level with year-round concerts in the plaza.

Rick Vogel, senior vice president for a private New York real estate company and developer Related Companies, oversees the project. “What The Grand LA is doing is creating a 24/7 neighborhood that gives something to do for everybody…Hopefully, it will be in the top two of three destinations for visitors when they visit Los Angeles,” he said. There will be views… and food.

Frank Gehry’s 30-year dream awakens with interior designers by AD100 firm Ingrao Inc. Both structures offer tremendous city views.

Enter José Andrés Joining the list of prestigious chefs destined to produce the lush aromas up on the Hill comes one of Spain’s most lovable culinary masterminds. On the second day of this year, Jose Andres shocked the world with his recent announcement on Ellen that he would be responsible for the entire food program at The Grand LA’s hotel. Audiences cheered, matching the energy of Andres as he wittily spoon-fed the famed talk show host his version of “hope and new beginnings for 2022”; a spherified Mohito in the form of an intoxicating bursting tongue bubble. Andres proudly told America how excited he was to return to Los Angeles, sharing news of not only one but three new restaurants he would head inside The Grand LA. Jose Andres has long shared his savory dishes with added joy and laughter across the nation and is no stranger to hotel extravagance. At that very moment, operating restaurants in Miami, Chicago and New York; at Sahara Hotel, as many as 350 guests dined on lamb chop perfection, poolside, sipping cocktails in the electric dessert that is Las Vegas.

“I love Los Angeles! It is where we debuted The Bazaar years ago and since then, we’ve evolved with many new stories to share through food,” said Andrés. “This city welcomed me so warmly when we first opened, and I can’t wait to return to give Angelenos and the world an exciting new destination for dining in Downtown LA.”

Destiny has arrived for the visionaries of Bunker Hill, cementing downtown Los Angeles as the number one destination for life, work, and play in Southern California.

On the second day of this year, José Andrés shocked the world with his recent announcement on Ellen that he would be responsible for the entire food program at The Grand LA’s hotel.

Audiences cheered, matching the energy of Andrés as he wittily spoon-fed the famed talk show host his version of “hope and new beginnings for 2022”; a spherified Mohito in the form of an intoxicating bursting tongue bubble. Andrés proudly told America how excited he was to return to Los Angeles, sharing news of not only one but three new restaurants he would head inside The Grand LA. José Andrés has long shared his savory dishes with added joy and laughter across the nation and is no stranger to hotel extravagance. At that very moment, operating restaurants in Miami, Chicago and New York; at Sahara Hotel, as many as 350 guests dined on lamb chop perfection, poolside, sipping cocktails in the electric dessert that is Las Vegas.

Destiny has arrived for the visionaries of Bunker Hill, cementing downtown Los Angeles as the number one destination for life, work, and play in Southern California.

The Journey Into Spirituality

Begins at Art District’s Wisdome LA

Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than thyself, something more to being human than on a singular plane. Spirituality establishes a connection between our experience in this realm and the next and answers the question: If we are cosmic or divine, how do we tap in to manifest a better life for ourselves and humanity?

Thanks to Wisdome LA, your mystic journey of spiritual enlightenment awaits right here Downtown.

Wisdome LA offers a multisensory experience that combines music, dance and immersive visuals to build a deep connection to oneself. Rotating gurus and yogis, sound healers meditate under its domes to fulfill their purpose to improve mental health and support stress reduction. With 14 mystical realms of the universe with mind-blowing art and interactive augmented reality, Wisdome LA brings something new for the spirit to groove to each month.

This month at Wisdome LA, leap into the magical realms of virtual reality, iconic musical art, 3D sound, and a mindbending 360 IMMERSIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE as Think:X performs the very best of Pink Floyd’sFloyd’s music live! Beyond the Wall, ft Think:X Immersive 360 Xperience of Pink Floyd’sFloyd’s Music. Jan 21 & 22nd.

––Are you ready for Battle? Art Battle LA Returns

Art Battle® LIVE is back and coming to Wisdome LA, January 27th with a silent auction and some thunderous battle cries throughout the evening. Art Battle LA is part of a National and International Art Battle competition. This one-night tournament at Wisdome LA features 12 artists competing against a 20-minute clock and audience votes. Let the Best Art Win!

Artists competitors include; Plutos, Katherine Zhukovsky, Darren Domingo, Ariana Bennardo, CS Murphy, Michael Jon Vargas, Leekovision, JUJU, Michelle Doand Sabrina (SAB) Evan.

If mind, body, and spirit are one, then a spiritual connection is probably one of the healthiest activities we should set time away for. Wisdome LA opens its doors at 4:00 pm, Battle LA doors open at 7 pm. @artbattle @wisdome.la