UCLA has made an exciting acquisition in downtown Los Angeles, demonstrating its commitment to expanding student access and engaging with the city’s diverse communities, according to an announcement on Thursday.
The university purchased the Trust Building, a historic 11-story property constructed in 1928 and located in downtown’s Historic Core on Spring Street. This acquisition signifies UCLA’s deep investment in the future of Los Angeles and the entire region, as stated by campus leaders. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Chancellor Gene Block and other UCLA officials expressed their enthusiasm for the university’s location within one of the world’s greatest cities, emphasizing how it enriches the UCLA experience and provides numerous opportunities to serve the local communities. They wrote, “We are thrilled about the possibilities this new space offers and confident that it will further intertwine UCLA and L.A., helping us to deepen the impact of our teaching, research, and public service mission.”
This acquisition follows UCLA’s previous announcement in September about the development of a 24.5-acre South Bay campus in Rancho Palos Verdes and an 11-acre residential site called UCLA South Bay Villas in San Pedro. These initiatives are part of UCLA’s efforts to reach and serve more students while also aligning with the University of California’s goals of increasing enrollment and graduation rates by 2030.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles commended UCLA for its downtown acquisition and its commitment to serving communities across the city. She highlighted downtown Los Angeles as a vibrant urban hub that offers job opportunities, a growing public transportation system, and a rich cultural scene. Mayor Bass stated, “It’s exciting to see institutions like UCLA expanding their presence in downtown Los Angeles and committing to its future as a vibrant urban hub that draws people from all over our city and around the world.”
The Trust Building, an Art Deco/Moderne-style property covering 334,000 square feet, will house UCLA Extension programs and administrative offices. UCLA Extension focuses on providing workforce education and skills training, and it will serve as an anchor at the new downtown location.
Located at 433 S. Spring St., the newly acquired site is situated in a section of downtown south of City Hall that was historically known as the “Wall Street of the West.” It is surrounded by landmarks such as the Grand Central Market, the Last Bookstore, the Bradbury Building, Broadway’s century-old movie palaces, and numerous eateries. The site benefits from its proximity to the Pershing Square Metro station and other public transportation lines, allowing easy access from various areas of the city. Additionally, Metro’s planned expansion of the Purple (D) Line in 2027 will directly connect downtown to UCLA’s Westwood neighborhood, opening up opportunities for students and faculty to engage throughout the region.
The acquisition in downtown Los Angeles was praised by Stephen Cheung, the president and CEO of the nonprofit Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. He acknowledged the potential for collaboration between higher education and the business, nonprofit, governmental, philanthropic, and local communities. Cheung stated, “Having a greater presence downtown is a tremendous way to further strengthen UCLA’s connections across our city and county.”
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