After nearly a decade of meticulous planning and development, an exciting transformation is underway in downtown Los Angeles. Pershing Square, once a concrete expanse, is finally on its way to becoming a greener, more accessible park. This groundbreaking project, comprising three phases, aims to revive Pershing Square’s former glory as a lush, bustling city center.
Pershing Square is a small public park situated in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. It occupies a single square block of land, and its borders are defined by 5th Street to the north, 6th Street to the south, Hill Street to the east, and Olive Street to the west. This historic square, initially christened as La Plaza Abaja by Mayor Cristóbal Aguilar in 1866, underwent several name changes before it was officially renamed in tribute to General John J. Pershing in 1918.
Initially a hub of activity during World War II, the square lost its prominence in the post-war era due to suburbanization and decentralization in Greater Los Angeles. In the 1950s, many palm trees from the park were repurposed for Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise ride. In 1952, the entire park was demolished to make way for an underground parking garage, resulting in a concrete-covered area with a thin layer of soil and grass on top, while entry and exit ramps disconnected the square from its surrounding sidewalks. Neglect continued into the 1960s, even drawing attention during the 1960 Democratic National Convention when John F. Kennedy was headquartered at the nearby Biltmore Hotel. By the 1984 Summer Olympics, the park had deteriorated significantly, leading to a $1 million temporary renovation.
In 1992, a major $14.5-million redesign and renovation of Pershing Square took place, led by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta and U.S. landscape architect Laurie Olin. The revamped park, unveiled in 1994, featured a striking 10-story purple bell tower, fountains, an earthquake fault line representation by artist Barbara McCarren, a concert stage, and perimeter seating. The majority of the block was paved, with trees planted in raised planters.
In 2015, a design contest organized by former City Councilman Jose Huizar sought to reimagine Pershing Square. The winning concept, proposed by a team led by French landscape firm Agence Ter, advocated for “radical flatness.” This concept envisioned leveling the sloped park, opening it up to the surrounding sidewalks, and introducing numerous grassy areas and trees. Although the project now follows a design by Los Angeles-based Gruen Associates, the French team’s ideas continue influencing the renovation.
The seven-year delay between the design contest and the project’s commencement was attributed to the need to address various logistical and financial details, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. John Anderson, project manager for Gruen Associates, explained in the report, “You had the competition, then you have a ‘What can we do to make that process happen’ and then some basic pricing [discussions] and realizing the price is higher than the budgets.” However, perseverance has paid off, and Phase 1A of the project, focusing on Olive Street, is finally moving forward with an estimated cost of $15 million.
The current redevelopment plan aims to revitalize Pershing Square by removing concrete walls, enhancing greenery, and making the park more visually accessible to the public. John Anderson added, “That will help make it much more amenable for the public to be in.” Moreover, the redesign will address the slopes of the park and the parking garage underneath. Plans include adding glass elevators to the parking garage and an open staircase, ensuring parkgoers feel safe and welcomed.
Despite its concrete-dominated appearance, the square serves as a venue for various events, from winter ice rinks to concerts and protests. The revitalization project aims to expand the park’s capacity, accommodating larger and more diverse events. Anderson noted in the report, “Opening the park to be a larger space actually opens up more opportunities for bigger and greater events to the public. Right now, they are limited in space.”
