SPECIAL REPORT: Tim Slattery

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What brought you to this project?

Hart Howerton had been working with Wilson-Meany and Stockbridge (Capital Group) on the master plan for Hollywood Park prior to the addition of the stadium. That plan, a mixed-use urban infill development, was for approximately 240 acres south of and contiguous to the 60-acre parcel that Stan Kroenke purchased in 2014. Originally, both parcels were part of the race track parcel. When Mr. Kroenke and Stockbridge, the owner of the 240-acre parcel, combined forces, the site was made whole again.

Title: Principal

Company: Hart Howerton, New York and San Francisco

Project: The design of the Hollywood Park development surrounding the stadium.

What projects prepared you to take on the Hollywood Park development?

A number of us on the project team have worked on a variety of urban infill developments, some of which have included stadiums. Working with HKS, the stadium architects, we were able to balance the specific qualities of the site with the needs of the stadium and the other components.

What design features are most noteworthy?

Hollywood Park is conceived of as a village with a mix of uses that bring people together. To reinforce this, a 25-acre park network connects all of the uses of the development, the center of which is a large park with a lake, a rarity in the region. We wanted Hollywood Park to be a place where one could easily live outdoors and is decidedly walkable. More than 1,500 flights a day approach (Los Angeles International Airport) over the site, so we wanted to create a place that looks beautiful from the air, one that catches the eye. We refer to this view as “the fifth elevation.”

What are your biggest challenges?

There is almost 100 feet of grade change across the site and the site needed to be graded to retain most of its storm water. Additionally, its proximity to LAX meant that there was a height limit across the site. These two challenges informed the organization of the open space network and was an inspiration to embed the stadium into the site, allowing access at grade to different concourse levels.

What impact will the stadium have on Inglewood?

The development will open up the 300-acre parcel, which was formerly only accessible at races or at the casino, by introducing a street and open space network that connects to the surrounding streets of Inglewood. In addition to the stadium, the planned retail, dining and entertainment venues, parks and trail networks, employment uses, and new residential uses will become resources for the surrounding neighborhoods and for the L.A. region.

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