Westwood High-Rise to Get a New Face

A $21-million make-over of Westwood Center is underway to reposition the aging office building in the tight Westwood office market as a competitor with newer properties.

When complete in December 1999, the 22-story building will have floor-to-ceiling windows of silver blue-gray glass in place of its concrete facade and aggregate panels.

The structure will feature an upturned metal canopy on the penthouse floor that will be visible from much of the Westside when the building is illuminated.

In addition to the redone exterior, the elevators and building systems, including the plumbing, will be replaced.

The building has 15 tower floors and seven levels of parking, with 314,000 square feet of office and retail space. It is probably best known as home of Monty’s Steakhouse in the penthouse. Developer Arden Realty Inc., a West Los Angeles-based real estate investment trust, purchased the property at 1100 Glendon Ave. early this year.

The Westwood landmark was built in 1965, originally designed by the late Paul Williams.

Nadel Architects of Los Angeles designed the project, and the interior is being done by Shlemmer & Kamus Interiors & Architecture.