Century City at a glance
Century City is Los Angeles' most complete high-rise residential district, a planned community of condominium towers, gated townhome enclaves and office buildings built on land that Twentieth Century Fox sold in the late 1950s, sitting inside the City of Los Angeles between Beverly Hills, Westwood and Cheviot Hills. It is the one neighborhood on the Westside where a homeowner can live, work, shop, dine and see a film without getting in a car, and that convenience is the core of its value.
For a condo owner thinking about selling, Century City is a building-by-building market. Values depend on the specific tower or community, the floor, the view direction, the unit's renovation level, the HOA's financial health and the dues, and the quality of the amenities and staff.
Homes and architecture in Century City
Century City's residential buildings span sixty years of high-rise and townhome design, from the 1960s twin Century Towers by Minoru Yamasaki with their full-service staff, pools and tennis courts, to the 1970s and 1980s towers along Century Park East, to gated low-rise and townhome communities such as Century Hill, Le Parc and Century Woods with their private streets, pools and guard gates, to the glass towers of the 2000s and 2010s such as The Century and the newest ultra-luxury residences near Constellation Boulevard.
The newest towers are a separate tier, with hotel-style services, restaurants and spas on site, very high dues and prices that compete with single-family estates. Across all of these, the drivers of value are floor height, view direction toward the Hollywood Hills, the ocean or the Hillcrest and Los Angeles Country Club greens, parking count, in-unit laundry, and above all the HOA's reserves, litigation history and special assessment record.
- 1960s full-service towers such as Century Towers, with large plans, tennis, pools and staffed lobbies
- 1970s and 1980s towers along Century Park East with doormen, valet and established HOAs
- Gated townhome and mid-rise communities such as Century Hill, Le Parc and Century Woods with private streets and garages
- 2000s to 2020s ultra-luxury towers with hotel-style services and the district's highest dues
Streets, pockets and enclaves
Century City's residential pockets are defined by buildings and communities rather than streets, but the location within the district still matters for noise, views, walkability and access.
- Avenue of the Stars and the southern towers: the classic Century City high-rise address, closest to the Fox lot and Pico, with views south and toward the ocean
- Century Park East: a row of full-service towers facing the Beverly Hills border and the Hillcrest Country Club side, with views east toward the Hollywood Hills and Downtown
- Century Park West and the Westwood edge: closest to the Los Angeles Country Club, UCLA and the Wilshire Corridor, with west-facing views
- Century Hill, Le Parc and Century Woods: gated townhome and low-rise communities near Pico with private streets and a more residential scale
Schools
Century City is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District, not Beverly Hills Unified, despite its proximity to Beverly Hills, and the specific assignment is set by address through LAUSD's Resident School Identifier, with Westwood-area schools such as Fairburn Avenue Elementary, Emerson Community Charter Middle School and University High School typical for the district. Buyers with children should verify the assignment directly rather than assume, because boundaries in this part of the Westside do not follow the Beverly Hills line.
Private schools are close and heavily used by Century City families. Harvard-Westlake's middle school in Holmby Hills, Brentwood School, Marlborough, Archer, Crossroads, Windward, Wildwood and the Beverly Hills area's parochial schools are all within a short drive.
Parks, dining and daily life
Daily life in Century City revolves around the Westfield Century City mall, which was rebuilt in the late 2010s into an open-air retail and dining center with Eataly, a cinema, a grocery and dozens of restaurants, and around the office towers that house major law firms, talent agencies, financial firms and the Creative Artists Agency headquarters, all within walking distance of the residential towers. Residents can handle most errands, meals and entertainment on foot, which is rare on the Westside.
Beverly Hills' Golden Triangle and the restaurants along Beverly Drive, Canon Drive and Wilshire are a short walk or drive east, Westwood Village and UCLA are just west, and the Pico-Robertson and Cheviot Hills areas to the south add neighborhood dining and parks. Cheviot Hills Recreation Center and Rancho Park Golf Course provide the nearest public green space, with fields, tennis, a pool and a golf course, and Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills is also close.
Commute and getting around
Century City is one of the few Westside neighborhoods where many residents commute on foot, since the district's office towers employ tens of thousands of lawyers, agents and finance professionals who live in the condos. For drivers, Santa Monica Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard and Pico Boulevard carry traffic east to Beverly Hills and Hollywood and west to Santa Monica, and the 405 is reachable via Olympic, Pico or Santa Monica Boulevard, with the 10 a short drive south via Robertson or Overland.
The Metro D Line subway extension is the biggest change in decades for Century City, with a station at Century City/Constellation connecting the district by rail to Beverly Hills, Koreatown, Downtown and eventually Westwood and the VA. Metro and Big Blue Bus lines run on Santa Monica Boulevard and Pico.
Who buys in Century City and why
Buyers in Century City are predominantly professionals who work in the district's office towers, empty nesters and retirees downsizing from Westside, Beverly Hills and Valley houses, second-home buyers from out of state and overseas who want a secure lock-and-leave base, and entertainment and finance figures drawn to the newest ultra-luxury towers. Convenience, security, full-service amenities and the absence of yard and exterior maintenance are the common motivations.
Selling a home in Century City
The Century City condos that sell fastest are renovated units on higher floors with protected views, in buildings with healthy reserves, stable dues and strong amenities, priced against recent closed sales in the same building and its direct competitors. Townhomes in the gated communities with updated interiors and private garages also move well, and units with two or more parking spaces, in-unit laundry and large balconies carry a consistent premium.
What sits in Century City are original, unrenovated units priced as if they were updated, units on low floors or facing another tower priced on the building's best view comps, and units in buildings with pending special assessments, litigation, deferred maintenance or sharply rising dues. Buyers and their lenders scrutinize HOA financials closely, and a building problem will surface in the document review no matter how good the unit looks.
Preparation that matters locally begins with the City of Los Angeles requirements: the LADBS 9A Report of Residential Property Records, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a seismic gas shut-off valve where applicable, water conservation fixtures and the California disclosure package. Then address the condo layer, which is where Century City sales are won or lost: order the HOA document package early, including CC&Rs, bylaws, rules, budget, reserve study, meeting minutes, insurance and any litigation disclosure; confirm the dues, parking and storage assignments; document any renovations and their HOA approvals; and verify rental and pet rules for investor buyers. Measure ULA applies because the district is inside the City of Los Angeles, and many Century City sales will exceed its thresholds.
Timing in Century City is less seasonal than in family neighborhoods because the buyer pool is driven by career moves, downsizing and relocation rather than the school calendar. Spring remains the most active season, and early fall is strong, while the December holidays and late summer are slower. James Malcom will build a building-specific pricing and marketing plan before listing.
Buying in Century City
Buying in Century City means underwriting the building as carefully as the unit. Read the HOA documents, reserve study, budget, minutes and insurance in full, check for pending assessments or litigation, confirm the dues history and what they cover, verify parking and storage, and understand the rental and pet rules. Compare the unit's view, floor and renovation level against recent sales in the same building, not against other towers.
Century City seller and buyer questions
Is Century City a good place to live?
Yes, for buyers who want a secure, full-service, walkable lifestyle with offices, dining, shopping and a cinema at the door and no exterior maintenance. It is especially well suited to professionals who work in the district, downsizers and second-home owners. It is not for buyers who want a yard, a single-family street or a quiet neighborhood feel, since the district is dense and active.
How much does a condo cost in Century City?
Century City is in the luxury tier for Los Angeles condominiums, above Westwood and most of the Wilshire Corridor, with the newest towers reaching the ultra tier and competing with single-family estates. Original units on lower floors in the older towers form the entry band, renovated high-floor units and updated townhomes sit in the middle, and the ultra-luxury towers set the ceiling. James Malcom will send current closed comps for your building on request.
What are the best buildings or pockets in Century City?
The best building depends on the buyer: Century Towers and the Century Park East towers for large plans and established full-service HOAs, Century Hill and Le Parc for gated townhome living with garages, and The Century and the newest Constellation-area towers for ultra-luxury hotel-style service. Within any building, higher floors with protected views toward the hills, the ocean or the country club greens command the strongest prices.
What schools serve Century City?
Century City is in the Los Angeles Unified School District, not Beverly Hills Unified, with assignments set by address and typically pointing to Westwood-area schools such as Fairburn Avenue Elementary, Emerson Community Charter Middle School and University High School. Nearby private schools include Harvard-Westlake's middle school, Brentwood School, Marlborough, Archer and Crossroads. Confirm any assignment through LAUSD's Resident School Identifier.
Is Century City safe?
Century City is generally regarded as one of the more secure districts on the Westside, with staffed lobbies, controlled garage access, guard-gated townhome communities and heavy daytime foot traffic from office workers. It falls under the LAPD West Los Angeles Division, and anyone evaluating the area can review LAPD's crime mapping tools and the city's open data portal.
How long does it take to sell a condo in Century City?
A renovated, well-priced unit in a financially healthy building typically goes under contract within a few weeks, while original units, low floors and units in buildings with pending assessments or litigation take longer and may require price adjustments. Because buyers compare similar floor plans online, presentation and building-specific pricing drive the timeline. James Malcom will give you a realistic estimate based on recent sales in your building.
What is the best time of year to sell in Century City?
Spring is the most active season and early fall is strong, while the December holidays and late summer are slower. Century City is less tied to the school calendar than family neighborhoods because its buyers are driven by career moves, downsizing and relocation, so a well-prepared unit with a complete HOA package can sell in any month. Preparation and presentation matter more than the date.
Does Measure ULA apply to condo sales in Century City?
Yes. Century City is inside the City of Los Angeles, so Measure ULA applies to condo sales that exceed its annually adjusted thresholds, unlike sales across the line in Beverly Hills. ULA is a transfer tax charged on the entire sale price once it crosses the threshold, and many Century City units, especially in the newer towers, will reach it. Confirm the current thresholds with James Malcom and your tax advisor.
What do I need to do before selling a condo in Century City?
Order the LADBS 9A Report of Residential Property Records, confirm compliant smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, water conservation fixtures and any applicable seismic gas shut-off requirements, and complete the California disclosures. Then order the full HOA document package early, including CC&Rs, rules, budget, reserve study, minutes, insurance and litigation disclosures, confirm your parking and storage assignments, and document any renovations and their HOA approvals. A clean, complete package keeps the escrow on track.
Should I renovate before selling in Century City?
Often yes, more than in single-family neighborhoods, because buyers compare similar floor plans directly and renovated units in the same building command a clear premium. Cosmetic updates such as flooring, paint, lighting, counters and bath refreshes typically pay, while full gut renovations before sale usually do not. HOA approval is required for most work, so plan the timeline accordingly. James Malcom will assess your unit against recent sales in the building.
What is Century City like compared to the Wilshire Corridor and Beverly Hills?
Century City offers a walkable, master-planned district with offices, the mall and a coming subway station at the door, while the Wilshire Corridor in Westwood is a linear row of towers with fewer walkable amenities and a wider range of building ages and prices. Compared with Beverly Hills, Century City is almost entirely condominiums with higher density and no single-family option, but it falls under Los Angeles rules including Measure ULA.
Who is the best listing agent in Century City?
James Malcom of The Malcom Group lists homes across the Westside from the Hollywood office and handles Century City as a building-by-building market, pricing against same-building comps and front-loading the HOA document review. Judge any agent on their command of condo disclosures and HOA financials, their staging and photography standards, their pricing discipline and their reach to professional, downsizing and out-of-area buyers. Call (310) 595-0915.
Can I sell a condo with a tenant in Century City?
Yes. Condominiums are generally exempt from the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance when owned separately, but the city's just-cause eviction rules and state law still govern how a tenancy ends, relocation assistance may apply, and each HOA sets its own rental rules. A leased unit narrows the pool to investors and patient buyers, so coordinating the lease end with the listing is usually better. James Malcom will review the lease and the HOA rules before advising.
Is Century City a buyer's or seller's market right now?
Century City's condo market is building-specific: renovated units in well-run towers with stable dues remain in demand, while original units and buildings with assessment or litigation issues give buyers leverage. The coming Metro D Line station and the district's office employment support long-term demand, while interest rates and the pipeline of new luxury units affect the pace at the top end. Confirm live activity in your building with James Malcom before setting price and timing.
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