Los Angeles Downtown Report: A Struggle for Vibrancy
A recent survey has placed Los Angeles among the least vibrant downtowns in the world. According to Gensler’s 2026 City Pulse report, L.A. scored low on vibrancy, particularly when compared to cities like New York, Chicago, Sydney, and Shanghai.
In a survey of 35,000 residents, only 65% regarded downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) as lively. This is a stark contrast to over 80% who found the other cities vibrant. In fact, L.A. ranked as the 20th lowest globally and 11th among 34 U.S. cities.
Kelly Farrell, managing director of Gensler’s L.A. office, emphasized the need for more people to return to downtown for work, shopping, and dining to improve its vibrancy. “L.A.’s main issue is that businesses have left,” she said. “We need to bring offices and people back so they can enjoy everything downtown has to offer.”
Despite some bustling areas, the overall image of downtown L.A. remains a concern. Gensler’s report points out that a successful downtown should feature a mix of shops, offices, housing, walkability, and cultural spaces.
Historically home to government, finance, arts, and sports, DTLA has seen a decline in office occupancy since the pandemic, leading to fewer visitors and struggling businesses. The Los Angeles Office of Finance indicates a significant rise in businesses leaving downtown over the last two years, following a brief post-pandemic pause. Neighborhoods like South Park, the Fashion District, Central City, and Pico-Union have reported the highest business closures recently.
Current data reveals that nearly 40% of office spaces in the Financial District are vacant, along with 30% of retail spaces.
A key factor in revitalizing downtown is ensuring that people linger and engage with the area. According to Gensler, the amount of time spent there is more important than just the number of visitors. Unfortunately, L.A. has had difficulty encouraging locals to return.
Safety concerns significantly impact businesses and visitors. Issues like vandalism, assaults, and theft have led some to avoid downtown, despite a reported 10% decrease in crime since last year. Capt. Kelly Muniz of the Los Angeles Police Department noted that as more people return to downtown, crime rates may continue to decline.
Farrell remains optimistic, stating that a busy downtown can improve safety. “Having a larger population can help reduce crime,” she remarked. “As more stores fill up, we often see crime go down as well.”
She also noted that survey results can vary from year to year. As more offices return to downtown, perceptions of vibrancy are likely to improve.
In summary, while Los Angeles downtown faces notable challenges, there’s hope for a revival as businesses and people begin to return.
