L.A. in the News - LAX Unveils New Terminal 2, Metro Opens Gold Line Extension & More

A key milestone in Westfield's transformation of five terminals at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) was unveiled in February 2016 with the grand opening of the new Terminal 2, which joins Tom Bradley International Terminal as a world-class hub for global travelers.

Westfield invested $78.3 million into the terminal and transformed nearly 76,000 square feet, including more than 15,000 square feet of new dining and retail. The upgrade brings together a vibrant design, local restaurants and signature retail, creating a more holistic customer journey.

"L.A. is the center of international travel, and this spectacular new terminal will help us broaden our global reach even further," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "With the help of our partners, we have turned this terminal into a beautiful new space — and an expression of our commitment to building the world-class airport our residents and visitors expect and deserve."

Westfield designed and managed common area improvements, from the floor to the ceiling, and relocated and redesigned an uninspiring, inefficient staircase to become the exciting focal point of the terminal and activated new revenue-generating space.

"Fresh facilities with more seating, new services, and expanded dining and shopping experiences for today's travelers are part of our $332 million investment in Terminal 2," said Los Angeles World Airports Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. "We applaud Westfield's partnership with LAWA, their investment in Terminal 2 at LAX, and their commitment to developing an experience that truly caters to the modern traveler."

The terminal design was inspired by "L.A. in Motion," which captures the energy and on-the-go attitude of Los Angeles. Three distinct shopping and dining districts are highlighted by a grand staircase that offers customers a luxurious but efficient travel experience. The new customer journey begins in the Commercial Hub, a retail and duty-free shopping district. Customers then flow into the Dining Terrace, which has been infused with local flavor and a design that offers a bright, inviting experience. From there, customers enter The Strand, a dining and shopping district that features the grand staircase and a luxurious bar with shimmering chandeliers. Westfield curated a dining collection that represents Los Angeles, including a high-end bar that sells wine from countries serviced by Terminal 2.

The new dining and retail collection features 16 new concepts, seven Southern California brands, 11 brands new to LAX and six brands that have never been in an airport before.

A closer look at the full dining and retail lineup:
•    SeaLegs Wine Bar upholds the highest standards in its selection of great wines paired with gourmet California share plates in an environment that is infused with beauty
•    Savor "boat-to-plate" American seafood at the fast-casual SLAPFISH Modern Seafood Shack
•    Enjoy flavorful Chinese cuisine "wok'd to order" at Pick Up Stix
•    Delight in a simple recipe of handmade dough and the finest mozzarella at Fresh Brothers Pizza
•    Grab organic sandwiches, salads and more with an Italian flair at Ciabatta Bar
•    Craft your own signature burger at Los Angeles-based BUILT (Custom Burgers)
•    Dine in L.A. history at Barney's Beanery, a classic American roadhouse modeled after Route 66
•    Sip on the world's best known coffees at two Starbucks
•    Discover a full range of body-shaping innovations at international phenomenon SPANX
•    Shop travel essentials at two CNBC shops or products tailored to the Hispanic traveler base at two Univision shops
•    Find the latest in electronics and cutting-edge technology on-the-go at eSavvy and InMotion Entertainment
•    Experience the glamorous duty-free lineup from DFS, a major highlight of the new Terminal 2

In addition to the all-new dining and retail program, Westfield built new gate hold rooms and bathrooms, installed new lighting, gate counters, gate information displays, flight information displays and digital directories and added new IT infrastructure to support all terminal flight operations.

Westfield is also transforming the passenger experience at LAX terminals 1, 3, 6 and Tom Bradley International Terminal, which opened in 2013. With a unique approach to each terminal, no two are alike. Westfield has invested more than $184 million at the airport to transform the customer experience. Los Angeles and LAX had a record-breaking year in 2015. The city had 45.5 million visitors, and LAX – undergoing an $8.5 billion modernization program – saw 74.9 million passengers.

For more information, visit westfieldatlax.com.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) officially opened the Metro Gold Line Extension, the 11.5-mile light rail line which extends the existing Metro Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa — making brand-new station stops in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte/City of Hope, Irwindale, downtown Azusa, and Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College.

“Whether you live in the San Gabriel Valley or downtown L.A., easing congestion is a goal shared by everyone in our region,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Second Vice Chair Eric Garcetti. “The Gold Line Foothill Extension is the first Measure R rail project to enter service, and it embodies our dreams for the future of L.A. County — a place with a truly comprehensive transit system that gets us around faster, helps us breathe easier, and moves our economy forward.”

The Gold Line Extension expands Metro rail from 87 miles to 98.5 miles. It will provide access to important new destinations in the San Gabriel Valley, including Santa Anita Park, Old Town Monrovia, Mt. Sierra College, the City of Hope medical campus, Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, downtown Azusa, Azusa Pacific University, and Citrus College. Each one of the six new stations has intermodal park and ride facilities with a combined total of more than 1,500 parking spaces, connections to local bus lines, and bicycle parking facilities. 

“The Gold Line Extension is the opening salvo in L.A. County’s transit revolution,” said Mark Ridley-Thomas, L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair. “Metro is making good on its commitment to ease traffic and fulfilling the will of voters throughout the region by building a plethora of new transit services that will make it easier to get around in virtually every corner of our great county.”

The Gold Line is now the longest in the Metro system, extending over 31 miles from East Los Angeles to Azusa with 27 stations. The Gold Line also serves Los Angeles Union Station, the region’s largest transit hub, with connections to Amtrak, Metrolink, the Metro Red/Purple Line subway, the LAX FlyAway bus, and numerous municipal bus lines serving the region.

Fares for the Metro Gold Line Extension will be the same as all Metro-operated buses and trains, with a regular one-way fare of $1.75 and $7 for a Day Pass on a TAP card. Monthly passes for unlimited travel are $100. Discounts are available for seniors, the disabled, Medicare recipients, college students, and K-12 students. 

Metro has announced that the long awaited Expo Line extension from Culver City to Santa Monica is officially opening on May 20, 2016. To coincide with the announcement, the Metro blog, The Source posted a list of things to know about the 6.6-mile extension. Here are a few highlights:

• The Expo Line will offer a convenient alternative to the highly trafficked Santa Monica Freeway. The trip between the 7th/Metro Center Station in Downtown L.A. and the Downtown Santa Monica Station is expected to take 46 minutes.
• The current Expo Line runs 8.5 miles between 7th/Metro Center and Culver City. The 6.6-mile extension adds seven stations:

•    Palms - aerial station at the intersection of Palms Boulevard and National Avenue.
•    Westwood/Rancho Park - street-level station on Westwood Boulevard, .3 miles south of Pico Boulevard and the Westside Pavilion. This is the best transfer point for buses headed up Westwood Blvd. to Westwood Village and UCLA.
•    Expo/Sepulveda - aerial station on Sepulveda Boulevard, just south of Pico Boulevard. A number of offices, retailers and neighborhoods are nearby, including Sawtelle Japantown.
•    Expo/Bundy - aerial station on Bundy just south of Olympic Boulevard. A variety of offices and retailers are nearby. The station is also about one- to 1.5 miles to the Santa Monica Airport and the neighboring business parks along Ocean Park Boulevard.
•    26th/Bergamot - street level station adjacent to the Bergamot Station arts complex in Santa Monica and across Olympic Boulevard from the Water Garden office complex. Many other offices are nearby.
•    17th Street/SMC - street level station at Colorado and 17th Street that is a .6-mile walk or bike ride to Santa Monica College.
•    Downtown Santa Monica - street level station at Colorado and 4th that is steps away from the Santa Monica Pier, the beach, Santa Monica Place, Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park, Tongva Park and the Santa Monica Civic Center.

• Trains will run every 12 minutes at most times of the day with service beginning about 4 a.m. on weekdays and ending around midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights, Metro Rail runs until 2 a.m.

• A regular adult fare on Metro is $1.75 and includes two hours of free transfers. That means you will be able to travel between Santa Monica and destinations such as Downtown L.A., Long Beach, Pasadena and Hollywood for $1.75.

UberX and Lyft have officially begun passenger pickups at LAX. The popular ride-service providers are now authorized for LAX pickups, giving travelers expanded transportation options.
Pickups by transportation network companies, or TNC’s, was allowed after a thorough policy development process that included input from stakeholders such as passengers, neighborhood groups, transportation network companies, taxicab and limo companies, and disability and environmental advocates. The services will pick up and drop off passengers on the Upper/Departures Level ONLY at curbside signs in front of each terminal marked “Ride Service.”