TIm Leiweke reshapes downtown L.A.

Tim Leiweke stands at the new hotel tower at L.A. Live. The tower, which includes 1,001 hotel rooms to serve the nearby Convention Center as well as 224 luxury condos, is downtown’s first new skyscraper in 18 years.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Leiweke, center, shares a laugh in his office with David Morehouse, president of the Pittsburgh Penguins, left, and Luc Robitaille, president of business operations for the L.A. Kings.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tim Leiweke, left, points out sights in downtown Los Angeles to David Morehouse, president of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Leiweke as much as any other individual is driving the changes that are transforming a major part of Los Angeles.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tim Leiweke gives Luc Robitaille a behind-the-scenes tour of the new hotel tower, which opens Feb. 15.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

“No one has built a center like that in the history of this city--or many other cities for that matter, and he clearly has been the leader,” says philanthropist and civic booster Eli Broad. Leiweke “didn’t do it himself, but it wouldn’t have happened without him.”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)