Playa Vista, the 1,087-acre mixed-use, high-density project in

Playa Vista, the 1,087-acre mixed-use, high-density project in Los Angeles finally began construction of buildings in the winter of 2000 after more than a decade of planning, design, infrastructure development, legal battles, and a change of ownership. The project has also gone through a change in the design team. Original architects Elizabeth Moule & Stefanos Polyzoides, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, Moore Ruble Yudell, and others are no longer involved. Current architects include Barry Berkus, who in the past has been critical of the New Urbanism, Robert M. Hidey Architects, McLarand Vasquez, and the Steinberg Group. The current owners of Playa Vista are Goldman Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley Group, who in 1997 purchased the project from Maguire Thomas Partners, the original developer. Maguire Thomas faced foreclosure after failing to make loan payments on the debt. The developers are following the land plan created by the original designers, which was permitted prior to the change of ownership. The details of buildings and public spaces, however, are likely to be significantly different with the current developer than what was planned by Maguire Thomas and their team. The outcome of these details will determine whether or not Playa Vista is embraced as an important project in the movement. Playa Vista has garnered significant recognition recently, including an Ahwahnee Award from the Center for Livable Communities in Sacramento and was designated by President Clinton as one of five PATH (Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) pilot communities in the US.