Nokia Theatre Jump Starts L.A. Entertainment District

Construction is under way on Nokia Theatre, the first part of a new development plan that creates a downtown sports and entertainment district on 28 acres surrounding the Staples Center in Los Angeles. ELS Architecture, Berkeley, Calif., and Anschutz Entertainment Group, Los Angeles, are designing the 200,000-sf, 7,000-seat indoor live performance theater. Floor plans have traditional seating such as boxes, as well as newer concepts like club membership, accommodations for VIPs, and private party rooms. The venue is slated to open in 2007.