Unveiling of the Grand Avenue Project 2006

Eli Broad, city officials and executives from The Related Companies announce plans for phase one of the Grand Avenue project.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Eli Broad inspects the new design model.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Architect Frank Gehry speaks at a media briefing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Overall of the press confrence by Eli Broad, Co-chair, Grand Avenue Committee, city officials, executives from The Related Companies and architect Frank Gehry as they unveiled the design for the mixed-use development in phase one of Grand Avenue.  (Francine Orr / LAT)

Eli Broad, co-chairman of the Grand Avenue Committee, left, joins Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, center, and architect Frank Gehry to unveil the design for phase one of the $1.8 billion Grand Avenue revitalization effort today in Los Angeles. The project is intended to bring nightlife to an area that is nearly deserted after office workers go home.  (Nick Ut / AP)

CREATING AN ‘URBAN MIX’: Architects Frank Gehry, right, and Craig Webb display a model for their Grand Avenue project, which they will unveil today. It would include residential and commercial buildings and is expected to cost about $750 million.  (Al Seib / LAT)