The Chamber is proud to present a Photo Retrospective of Century City.
This unique exhibit features an archive of rare photographs open to the public, free of charge, in the Chamber office, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information, please call 310-553-2222.
Thank you to the sponsors of this exhibit: Century City Realty, Fox Entertainment Group, Copy Page, Held Properties and Watt Management Company. A very special thank you to John Bauroth and the staff of Century City Realty for generously providing many of the photographs and historical information regarding the inception of Century City.
As we reflect on this area's growth over the past four decades, it is important to recognize the progress of each time period marked by visionary business executives and innovative architects that have made Century City a vibrant business community. Careers have been built, relationships have been formed, mega business transactions have been closed, and grand buildings have been constructed in Century City.
To glimpse the future, one must understand the past which is a mosaic of ideals, strategies, stories and events brought to life by the people who created them. Only by archiving history and photographs, we can view the progress that has taken place.
To adapt to demands imposed by population, economic and cultural shifts, change is inevitable. Each decade of Century City’s history has been marked by such change and presented in our Photo Retrospective. This exhibit is dedicated to the founders of Century City, and to the generations of people
who live, work, and contribute to this very unique and very special community.
preserving history sponsors:
photographic sponsors:
photographic timeline 
CLICK TO ENLARGE
photo credits: 20th Century Fox, ALCOA, ATAS, Jerry Fredrick, Candace Kentopian, Century City Chamber of Commerce, Century City Inc., The Reagan Library, Milius J. Romyn, Julius Shulman, Spence
1961
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April 17, 1961 - The Aluminum Company of America entered in a joint venture to purchase and develop the 176-acre property. The plan was to create a “city within a city.”
Architectural Meeting, (L-R) I.M. Pei, Architect, Century Tower Apts.; Minoru Yamasaki, Architect, Century Plaza Hotel; Pietro Belluschi, Dean of School of Architecture, M.I.T.; Frederick J. Gebers, Executive Director, Century City; and Welton Becket, Century City Master Planner. |
1963
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The first office buildings completed in Century City, designed by Welton Becket, Gateway West in 1963 (right) and Gateway East in 1964, form the northern entrance of Avenue of the Stars. |
1964
| Century Square (now Westfield Century City) opened in 1964 as an innovative 15-acre, open-air shopping center with 30 acres of underground parking for 2,700 automobiles. |
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June 1, 1966 – Century Plaza Hotel, designed by Minoru Yamasaki and developed by Century City Inc., a subsidiary of Alcoa, opened its doors. A double room cost $30 a night at the 750-room hotel. Prince Philip was the first of many royal visitors. |
1969
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An advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, dated July 18, 1969 proclaims Century City as a “Modern Acropolis… An environment created today for business of tomorrow.” |
1972
| ABC Entertainment Center opened. Cabaret premiered at the ABC Entertainment Center’s movieplex. That same year, Follies debuted at the Shubert Theatre. |
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1974
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Circa 1974
View of the newly built Century Plaza Towers from a section of the Hello Dolly! set on the back lot of Fox Studios. |
1976
| May 17, 1976 - This helicopter shot freeze-frame photo was taken on the night of the 28th Annual Emmy Awards at the Shubert Theatre. A monumental effort was required to create this stunning opening for the live show. |
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1984
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Century Plaza Hotel Tower, later The St. Regis Hotel, opened on December 27, 1984 with President and Mrs. Reagan as the Tower’s first official guests. |
1987
| The City of Los Angeles adopted a resolution November 7, 1987 that recognized Century City as a leading center of business, recreation, shopping and residential life at the Bestside Gala at the Century Plaza Hotel Tower. |
2001
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Century City had its own angel when, Century Plaza Towers commissioned Angel of the Century, a six-foot statue as part of a citywide art project. |
2004
| November 17, 2004 - St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announced the sale of its Century City property, St. Regis Los Angeles, and its conversion into residential units. |
2005
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The Century City Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 25th Anniversary of its annual Golf Tournament, one of the largest chamber golf tournaments in the country at Robinson Ranch Golf Club in Santa Clarita, CA. |
In December 2005 Westfield completed the first phase of “The Makeover of the Century” by adding 71,000 square feet of additional luxury shops and building the first Dining Terrace in the United States along with a new 15-theatre flagship AMC movie theatre, setting Westfield Century City as the premiere shopping destination in Los Angeles.
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2007
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2000 Avenue of the Stars at Century Park debuted on January 18, 2007. Superblock project offers tenants, visitors and guests a comprehensive
array of amenities and services including a lushly landscaped, 4-acre park, destination dining, a Promenade of Cafes and a Cultural Pavilion.
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| In March 2007, construction began on The Century luxury condominium residences. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, this 42-story tower is located on nearly 4 acres of landscaped gardens. The Century will offer an exceptional array of services and amenities including an on-site restaurant. |
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