Aerial photography by Hunter Kerhart shows construction is in full swing at two Exposition Park landmarks.
The Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - soon to be the "United Airlines" Memorial Coliseum - is 10 months into a $270-million renovation of the iconic stadium, funded by USC. The main venue of both the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics is finally entering the 21st century with new seats and handrails, improved audio and video equipment, and Wi-Fi.
One of the visible elements of the transformation, which is being designed by DLR Group, is a new structure installed along the south side of the stadium containing suites and a press box.
Already complete is the relocation of two video screens to restore the Coliseum's iconic peristyle to its original look.
Completion is anticipated in 2019.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Across the street from the Coliseum, the concrete and rebar pillars of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art are beginning to peek above ground level, as three tower cranes raise the $1-billion project high.
Spanning a nearly 11-acre site at 39th Street and Vermont Avenue, the museum is a legacy project for Star Wars creator George Lucas, who will use the 300,000-square-foot facility as a permanent home for his 10,000-piece art collection.
The futuristic design by MAD Architects consists of a four-story, 115-foot-tall structure which will contain a library, two theaters, classrooms, and offices in addition to exhibition space. Parking for 2,400 vehicles will also be located in a subterranean parking structure.
New public green space will be created below the elevated museum, with design coming from Los Angeles-based Studio MLA.
Completion of the Lucas Museum is anticipated in 2021.
Both the Lucas Museum and the Coliseum renovation come as the City of Los Angeles and area stakeholders create a new master plan for Exposition Park.
