Gruen Associates is proud to be the architectural designer and landscape architect of the new Terasaki Budokan state-of-the-art facility in Little Tokyo. Developed and owned by the non-profit Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC), the sports complex officially opened with ribbon-cutting events spanning two days, March 11th and 12th, 2022, though the facility completed construction with limited use in 2020, throughout 2021 and early 2022 due to the pandemic and adherence to Covid protocols. Such activities included a Golden State Warriors practice game, serving as an in-person voting center for the 2020 Election, limited use of the gym and indoor/outdoor community spaces and our own Gruen Associates holiday party in the exterior courtyard in December 2021 to name a few.
Read the latest Urbanize LA article on the ribbon-cutting:
https://urbanize.city/la/post/ribbon-cutting-makes-terasaki-budokans-opening-official-little-tokyo
There is also a great article in the Los Angeles Japanese daily newsletter, Rafu Shimpo, which delves into the the legacy of this project’s 30-year history from conception to funding, design and construction as well as the community’s excitement for a new sports events center and recreational/community space for gatherings of all types. The article is available as follows or per subscription:
https://rafu.com/2022/03/ltsc-announces-grand-opening-of-terasaki-budokan/