Century City, California - Definition

The high-rise buildings along Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood appear to blend in with those of Century City when seen at a distance, although they are separated by over three-fourths of a mile.

Once a backlot of 20th Century Fox, which still has its headquarters in the area, the studio sold the land to developers after spending vast sums of money on the costly production of the Elizabeth Taylor vehicle Cleopatra. Century City was developed as a master-planned commercial district in the 1960s. Its gleaming high-rises stand in stark contrast to the small apartment buildings and single-family detached homes in the lower-density neighborhoods surrounding it, and were some of the first skyscrapers built in Los Angeles after the lifting of earthquake-related height restrictions in the early 1960s.

Century City is an important business center, and many law firms and executives--particularly those with ties to the film, television, and music industries--have offices there. Its Westfield-owned shopping mall is one of the major retail centers in Los Angeles.