Los Angeles, California, USA
One Westside project designed by Gensler has been an ambitious adaptive reuse project that transforms the Westside Pavilion shopping mall, a relic from the 1980s, into a cutting-edge urban office complex exclusively designed for a single tenant — a pioneering conversion of its kind.
The project has recently been awarded a 2023 American Architecture Award Honorable Mention by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies.
As occupancy in indoor malls declines, developers are finding creative ways to repurpose large blocks of space to accommodate a new era.
The redevelopment of One Westside demonstrates a marked shift in the industry. In 2018, Hudson Pacific entered a joint venture with Macerich to redevelop the declining mall into creative office space.
The following year, Google pre-leased the entirety of the office space, further expanding its Los Angeles footprint.
Hudson Pacific’s unique approach transformed the inward-facing mall into an expansive, state-of-the-art tech campus designed by Gensler and built by MATT Construction.
The property repurposes high floor-to-floor heights, a multi-level atrium, and skylights to maximize natural light.
One Westside transformed an existing asphalt parking lot into an amenity-laden green and hardscaped space as well as a rooftop garden deck, providing spectacular city views and an exceptional setting for group collaboration or quiet contemplation.
Today, One Westside features abundant, secure parking (3-to-1,000 ratio) equipped with VIP spaces and EV charging stations.
Vast and unconventional-sized floorplates provide hyper-flexible layouts surrounding an expansive open-air chettyar and access onto large exterior amenitized terraces and patios, which create seamless indoor-outdoor environments.
The result is sustainable and dynamic: a transit-friendly, centrally located: LEED Gold and architectural design that prioritizes human wellness.
One Westside is a perfect example of Hudson Pacific’s innovative approach and expertise in adaptive reuse.
Hudson Pacific worked with architect Gensler and structural engineer Englekirk to preserve and adapt the existing structure by cleverly removing this former shopping center’s opaque “skin” and embracing its architectural core.
As a result, the project saw a 33% reduction in embodied carbon through the reuse of steel, and 75% of construction and demolition debris was diverted from landfills.
The project also uses sensor technology for optimized water performance and features updated electrical and mechanical systems for optimal energy efficiency.
One Westside’s completely transparent exterior façade is made of floor-to-ceiling glass and architectural concrete and completely changes the way the building engages with the surrounding neighborhood, making the façade much more pedestrian-friendly and activating the street.
With the addition of Google and its many employees, the area will attract high-quality retail amenities that will positively impact the community and its local workforce.
The property also includes unique features, including 45,000 square feet of usable exterior space and multiple interconnecting interior and exterior stairways.
Previously enclosed mall space has transformed into terraces that begin on the ground level and arch up to the front of the building, and open atriums create an indoor-outdoor atmosphere for the tenant.
One Westside’s rooftop deck provides a multitude of functions and features landscaped gardens, a putting green, and Garden Stairs, which can be utilized for large-scale, outdoor gatherings.
Project: One Westside
Architects: Gensler
General Contractor: MATT Construction Corp.
Client: Laura Murray, Hudson Pacific Properties Inc.
Photographs: Courtesy of Hudson Pacific Properties Inc.
