George Wolfberg Park Wins LA Architectural Award

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon was among the winners at the recent Los Angeles Business Council Architectural Awards.

The awards, now in their 54th year, celebrate design that preserve and advance the region's legacy as a creative capital and foster "vibrant, inclusive community life," according to organizers.

“This year the LABC is honoring projects whose inspired designs build on LA’s heritage and move the city toward a dynamic future," said Mary Leslie, president of the Los Angeles Business Council. “From renewing entertainment venues and creative workspaces to reimagining parks, schools and housing, our honorees exemplify the power of architecture to serve the public good, foster progress, and build community.”

Winners from a pool of hundreds of contenders were selected by a jury of architects, construction firms, developers and other industry experts.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Netflix, which purchased the historic theater in 2020, recently completed a $70 million restoration of the movie palace.

George Wolfberg Park at Potrero Canyon won the Chairman's Award. Here's what the Architectural Awards and to say about the project:

"Potrero Canyon spans 46 acres of steep slopes along the coastline of the Pacific Palisades. To stabilize Potrero Canyon’s unstable slopes and prevent landslides, the team buttressed infill at a 2:1 slope and simultaneously restored a natural habitat. A new drainage system was installed with natural tan colored terrace drains as well as a pump station and storm drain that control water in canyon."

The park, which officially opened in December 2022 had officially been in the works since 1986, but the effort among residents to get it built began two decades earlier. Grading work began the following year, but work stopped in 2004 due to a lack of funding.

Some final elements of the park remain to be completed, including the pedestrian connection between the park and Will Rogers State Beach.