Figueroa Courtyard Is Undergoing Renovation

The 20-year-old Figueroa Courtyard in Los Angeles is undergoing a nearly $3-million make-over, complete with grounds renovation and maintenance upgrades.

Located in a five-acre block on Figueroa Street between Second and Third streets, Figueroa Courtyard comprises five contemporary office buildings ranging from two to five stories, with about 270,000 square feet of rentable space.

The $2-million renewal of the grounds began July 19, with plans to add shade trees, including 200 palms, and bougainvillea, to more than double the number of plants at the site. The center will include open courtyards, rock gardens, sculpture and two fountains.

In addition to cosmetic changes, the facility will have about $750,000 worth of repairs, including roof maintenance and elevator upgrades. Both projects are expected to be completed by Oct. 30.

Eventually, developers said, each building in the campus-style office development will have a T1 Internet connection. The grounds will have kiosks offering directions and possibly Net access.

At the end of July, the Los Angeles County Bar Assn. signed a $7.5-million lease to relocate its headquarters from 617 S. Olive St. to Figueroa Courtyard, said David Lachoff of Grubb & Ellis Management Services, the project’s leasing and management agent. The 40,000-square-foot space will become LACBA’s main training facility.

The project is designed by Chelsea Design Group of Los Angeles and Carter Romanek Landscape Architects of Santa Monica.