Serving as an automobile showroom in 1916, the five-story brick building was transformed into a modern six-story, loft-style headquarters for entertainment giant AEG.

Located in the emerging South Park neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles, the project encompasses renovation and new construction. The scope includes the addition of ground floor lobby and a 7,000 square-foot glass rooftop pavilion. The pavilion provides additional creative office and conference space, and connects to a north-facing terrace with dramatic views of the city.

Also included in the project scope is a major structural upgrade to the existing building. This entails the insertion of a new concrete frame into the structure to comply with seismic and lateral loading codes. While a significant addition, the new structural frame occurs at the perimeter only, having no impact on the building’s existing windows and open floor plan. The steel windows are refurbished and reglazed with high-performance glass to help reduce energy usage.

A new storefront system has been installed at ground level, providing transparency and a strong connection to the streetscape. The revived Desmond Building includes 87,950 gross square feet of office space for creative professionals.

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  Sectors Office
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  Owner Lincoln Property Company
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  Architect Skidmore Owings & Merrill
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  Square Feet 94,080