McCarthy Breaks Ground on $72M Sustainable Administration & Workforce Building at Los Angeles City College

McCarthy Building Companies (McCarthy), one of the largest and most diversified commercial construction companies in the U.S., with design partners Steinberg Hart, recently broke ground on the $72M Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building at the Los Angeles City College (LACC). Situated at the center of campus, the four-story, 67,230 square-foot building will welcome students and educators to serve a variety of educational and administrative needs while helping the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) meet its sustainability goals.  

The Cesar Chavez Administration & Workforce Building’s exterior will augment the overall historic design of the campus with the interior featuring modern instructional and sustainable elements. It will also be constructed to advance the district’s goal of achieving net zero by 2040. Sustainable features include an 80 kW AC solar array system and battery energy storage system (BESS) capable of providing up to eight hours of backup power. Additionally, the enhanced central quad will include native vegetation and incorporate light colored paving alongside a Solar Reflection Index (SRI) ‘cool’ roof to reduce the overall urban heat island effect. All sustainable features of the Cesar Administration & Workforce Building will meet LEED Gold certification standards 

Located at 855 N. Vermont Avenue in East Hollywood, the new building will serve as a gateway to the LACC campus, providing sweeping views of the iconic Hollywood Hills. The development will incorporate natural light throughout to enhance productivity in a prosperous environment. The east- and west-facing lobby facades will have a fritted curtain to regulate temperature within the building, reduce glare, and provide ample privacy, while capturing the design essence of the Los Angeles City College campus.  

“We are excited to bring the Cesar Chavez Administration & Workforce Building to Los Angeles City College as it will offer a variety of much needed resources while also serving as an anchor to welcome students and staff,” said Michael Kim, Sr. Vice President at McCarthy Building Companies. “This is our tenth project with the LACCD, and it is such a pleasure to create robust educational facilities that produce significant learning outcomes.” 

Notable features of the new Cesar Chavez Administration & Workforce Building include instructional rooms, IT help areas, campus safety operations, a multi-purpose room, and areas dedicated to campus resources and faculty services. The building will also feature a fourth-floor outdoor terrace, providing an inviting gathering space with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills – allowing students and staff to unwind.  

LACC, established in 1929, is the oldest of the Los Angeles Community Colleges and has played a pivotal role in launching major educational institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles. Today, the campus serves one of the region’s most diverse communities of East Hollywood, Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Echo Park. The Cesar Chavez Administration & Workforce Building will reflect LACC’s unique history while also serving as a welcoming point for students and staff from all walks of life.  

The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building is scheduled for completion in early 2027, funded by Measure CC. McCarthy Building Companies is a trusted contractor with a strong track record of delivering major facilities for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), including the Los Angeles Valley College Monarch Center and the Los Angeles Harbor College West Parking Structure. McCarthy also brings extensive experience from building academic and residential facilities at leading institutions such as UC Riverside, UC San Diego, Cal State Long Beach, and Cal State LA. Current projects include UC Riverside’s new Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Facility and the Housing and Dining complex at Cal State San Marcos. 

About McCarthy Building Companies 

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy) is the oldest privately held national construction company in America. With more than 160 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients, McCarthy is committed to delivering superior results and creating great experiences for everyone. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program in all phases of the project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer, McCarthy is ranked the 17th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2024). With over 8,000 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Channelview, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.