Century City: A Complete Los Angeles Neighborhood Guide

Century City is one of the most recognizable neighborhoods on the Westside of Los Angeles. It is known for high-rise buildings, luxury condos, major businesses, shopping, restaurants, and its connection to the entertainment industry.

But its is more than an office district. People live here because they want access to work, dining, shopping, transportation, and city life in one location. Also, the neighborhood sits close to Beverly Hills, Westwood, UCLA, and other popular Westside communities.

If you are thinking about buying a home or condo in Century City, this guide helps understand the area, housing market, lifestyle, transportation, and nearby attractions.

Where Is Century City?

Century City is in West Los Angeles.

It sits between several well-known communities, including Beverly Hills, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Rancho Park, and West Los Angeles. It is also part of the City of Los Angeles’ West Los Angeles Community Plan area. The plan includes Century City, West Los Angeles, Pico-Robertson, Cheviot Hills, Rancho Park, and Sawtelle.

Furthermore, one of the neighborhood’s most important streets is Avenue of the Stars. The wide boulevard runs through the heart of the neighborhood and is lined with office towers, hotels, residential buildings, and other major properties.

What Is Century City Known For?

Century City is best known for four things:

• Business and office towers
• Luxury residential buildings
• Shopping and dining
• Its history with the film industry

Also, the neighborhood grew from land that was once part of the Fox Studios backlot. Today, it has a very different look. Its skyline is filled with office and residential towers, and the area has become one of the major business centers on the Westside. The neighborhood’s history is still easy to see. The Fox Studio Lot remains nearby, while buildings such as Fox Plaza and the former Century Plaza Hotel are closely tied to its history.

A Short History

Century City’s story starts with the movie business. 20th Century Fox used a large parcel of land in West Los Angeles as a backlot. The site was used for film production and movie sets. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the studio property transformed into a major mixed-use development. The City of Los Angeles notes that about 260 acres of the Fox backlot were developed into Century City after the backlots were cleared.

The first major buildings helped establish the neighborhood as a new business and residential center. The Century Plaza Hotel opened in 1966. The hotel quickly became one of the area’s most famous landmarks.

Today, the neighborhood still combines entertainment, business, shopping, hotels, and residential life. That mix is one of the reasons it remains so distinctive.

What Is It Like to Live in Century City?

Living in Century City offers a more urban experience than many other Westside neighborhoods. Much of the housing is in condominiums and high-rise or mid-rise buildings.

That can be a major advantage for buyers who want:

• Building amenities
• Security and controlled access
• Concierge services in some buildings
• Views
• Pools and fitness centers
• Less exterior home maintenance
• A central Westside location

Furthermore, there is also a strong business presence in the neighborhood. That means this neighborhood can appeal to people who want to live close to where they work. At the same time, the neighborhood is close to quieter residential areas such as Cheviot Hills and Rancho Park.

Is Century City Walkable?

Yes, parts of Century City are quite walkable.

Walk Score currently gives Century City a 71 Walk Score, which places it in the “Very Walkable” category. It also reports a Transit Score of 54.

That does not mean every part of this neighborhood is equally easy to navigate without a car.

But residents in the core of the neighborhood can reach many restaurants, shops, offices, and services on foot.

This is one of the biggest lifestyle differences between Century City and many other parts of Los Angeles.

Shopping and Dining

One of the area’s biggest attractions is Westfield Century City Mall. The shopping center offers a large mix of stores, restaurants, cafes, entertainment, and services. Westfield’s current directory lists dozens of food and drink options, including Eataly, Din Tai Fung, Javier’s, Katsuya, Ramen Nagi, Terra, True Food Kitchen, Sweetgreen, Shake Shack, and many others. That gives residents plenty of choices without needing to drive across Los Angeles for every meal or shopping trip. For many buyers, this convenience is a major part of the appeal.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Century City is an urban neighborhood, but outdoor recreation is still close by. Nearby Cheviot Hills Recreation Center offers tennis courts, basketball courts, sports fields, a children’s play area, a seasonal pool, picnic areas, and other recreational programs.

Other nearby parks and recreation areas include Century Park, Roxbury Park, and facilities around Cheviot Hills. This gives residents access to green space without giving up the convenience of living near major business and shopping areas.

Final Take: Should You Consider Century City?

Century City offers something that can be hard to find in Los Angeles: a highly urban lifestyle without giving up access to some of the Westside’s most desirable neighborhoods.

You can live close to restaurants, shopping, offices, entertainment, parks, Beverly Hills, and Westwood. The neighborhood also has an interesting history. What began as a major Fox Studios backlot became one of Los Angeles’ best-known business and residential districts.

Today, it continues to change. New transportation options, development, and investment are shaping the neighborhood while its core identity remains intact. Lastly, if you are considering buying or selling a home or condo in Century City, don’t rely on a broad online estimate alone.

The right strategy starts with the specific property, building, recent comparable sales, current competition, and your goals. If you are thinking about buying or selling in Century City or another Los Angeles neighborhood, let’s talk about your plans and the market that matters to you.

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