“Responding to the environment, shaping experiences, and creating memories”—we hope that the insights we've gained from our ongoing practice in nature-oriented cultural and tourism projects can inject fresh vitality and immersive experiences into this globally recognized destination: Universal Studios Hollywood.

— Zhu Peidong

Amid the post-pandemic recovery, the aging Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Hotel, a key hospitality hub adjacent to Universal Studios Hollywood, is undergoing a major expansion and brand upgrade. The project involves the addition of a new 15-story tower next to the original 40-year-old structure, featuring 395 guest rooms, two pools, multiple dining venues, and a spa. The new tower will introduce Hilton’s upscale Curio Collection—a brand known for its emphasis on local character and bespoke experiences—creating a twin-hotel model with differentiated offerings under one roof.

The new tower’s parallelogram floorplate continues the multi-directional spatial grid implicit in the site’s layout, forming a harmonious parallel alignment with the existing tower. The façade design employs a modular framing system with quad-directional variation, generating a dynamic grid facade that responds to changing daylight and climatic conditions—inviting surprise and delight across the day.

As a prominent regional landmark, the hotel’s expansion seeks not only to reshape the skyline of Hollywood and Universal City, but also to redefine the guest experience through localized storytelling and rich sensory engagement. On January 22, 2025, the proposal received full Entitlement approval from the Los Angeles City Council, and is now pending final construction permit issuance.