Downtown Los Angeles has taken a significant step toward enhancing its urban landscape and pedestrian experience with the completion of a new pedestrian plaza between two of its most iconic landmarks: Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live. The project, overseen by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), involved closing a portion of Chick Hearn Court, a stretch of 11th Street renamed in honor of the legendary Lakers broadcaster, transforming the area from a busy traffic street into a pedestrian-only space.
Chick Hearn Court runs between Figueroa Street and Georgia Street and was previously a heavily trafficked road. Closing it to vehicles allowed for its redesign as an extension of Peacock Plaza at L.A. Live, an outdoor open space that features numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues attracting both locals and visitors.
Peacock Plaza serves as a lively hub within L.A. Live where crowds gather before and after sports games, concerts, and other events held at Crypto.com Arena, which is home to the famous Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers basketball teams. By integrating Chick Hearn Court into this plaza, the pedestrian space was significantly expanded, facilitating easier and more fluid movement between the arena and the entertainment district.
The design of the newly pedestrianized street closely follows previous conceptual plans, with new additions including digital signage mounted on pylons among rows of palm trees, giving the area a distinct and welcoming character that reflects the city’s identity. Walking paths have been widened to encourage foot traffic, outdoor seating, and public gatherings, creating a safe and comfortable environment free from vehicular noise and hazards.
This project is part of a larger, multi-million dollar renovation underway at Crypto.com Arena. The extensive updates aim to modernize both the interior and exterior of the venue to elevate the experience for attendees. A notable feature of the renovation is the introduction of large windows that open views toward the downtown skyline to the north, creating a strong visual connection between the arena’s interior and the vibrant city beyond.
Moreover, the new pedestrian corridor improves connectivity to other key downtown destinations. It offers a convenient and pleasant walking route to the Los Angeles Convention Center, which is expected to undergo a major expansion later this year. This upcoming development will bring increased visitor traffic, making pedestrian-friendly infrastructure essential. The plaza also links to the J.W. Marriott hotel complex, which is planning its own expansion, although the timeline for this project may be influenced by current economic conditions.
AEG’s initiative to transform Chick Hearn Court aligns with broader urban revitalization efforts aimed at making downtown Los Angeles more walkable, lively, and accessible. The project supports reducing vehicle congestion near major venues, creating inviting public spaces for social interaction, supporting local businesses through increased foot traffic, and enhancing the overall visitor experience for residents and tourists alike.
While the plaza offers numerous benefits, its long-term success will depend on effective maintenance, programming of activities to keep the area engaging, coordination with ongoing construction projects at the arena and convention center, and favorable economic factors influencing future development.
In conclusion, converting Chick Hearn Court into a pedestrian plaza connecting Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live marks an important milestone in downtown Los Angeles’ urban evolution. The project not only honors a beloved sports figure but also creates a safe, attractive, and connected public space that encourages walking, social engagement, and economic growth in the heart of the city. As Los Angeles continues to grow and redefine its downtown core, projects like this pedestrian plaza demonstrate how thoughtful urban design can enhance quality of life and cultural identity.
