In a strategic move blending sports and urban development, the Los Angeles Rams are relocating their practice facility to Woodland Hills, heralding a shift in the Warner Center district’s landscape. This transition, part of a broader real estate development by owner Stan Kroenke, promises to transform the predominantly car-centric Warner Center into a more vibrant urban space.
The Rams’ shift from Agoura Hills to Woodland Hills was officially announced at an outdoor shopping center recently acquired by Kroenke, who has assembled a 100-acre parcel for future development, including the new Rams’ headquarters. This relocation centers the Rams within Los Angeles, closer to their game-day home at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ COO, emphasized the significance of establishing a strong presence in L.A. The move to Woodland Hills aligns with this vision, situating the team in a thriving urban center, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
Initially, a temporary practice facility will be established on a site next to an unoccupied office tower purchased by the Kroenke Group in Warner Center in 2022. This facility, similar to the current setup at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, will include practice fields and modular trailers for team operations.
Looking ahead, Kroenke plans a more permanent and expansive training facility and team headquarters. This development is part of a proposed mixed-use complex that may feature stores, restaurants, hotels, and residences.
City Councilman Bob Blumenfield praised the facility as a valuable addition to the neighborhood with minimal traffic impact, according to the report. The development aligns with Los Angeles city officials’ push for dense mixed-use development in Warner Center, aiming to transform it into a vibrant urban district.
The Warner Center, initially envisioned in the 1970s as a “downtown” for the Valley, has yet to fully realize this goal. Kroenke’s development could catalyze this transformation, moving away from the current landscape of isolated office buildings and parking lots.
Kroenke’s $325-million purchase of the Village in Woodland Hills is a testament to his commitment to building a sports-centric development, mirroring the success around SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. This development in Inglewood, when completed, will be a massive entertainment and residential complex, dwarfing even Disneyland in scale.
With the additional 100 acres in Woodland Hills, Kroenke is poised to become a major real estate developer in the Los Angeles region, potentially building and operating up to 7 million square feet of property as envisioned under the city’s Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan.
The Kroenke Group, led by billionaire businessman Stan Kroenke, is a formidable force in the real estate and sports world. Known for its expansive portfolio, the group owns and operates shopping centers in 39 states, encompassing 40 million square feet of space. Beyond its retail ventures, the Kroenke Group has made significant strides in sports-related developments and ownership.
