The Graffiti Covered DTLA Skyscraper

Image by Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Oceanwide Plaza was once a $1 billion project that has now captured the attention of a global audience, not for its decadence but for an unprecedented scene that caught everyone by surprise. In what seemed like an overnight overtaking, the building has been covered in graffiti. Los Angeles is known for its street art, which some consider a nuisance, others a staple in Los Angeles aesthetic culture.

The Oceanwide Plaza has been abandoned since the 2019 developers had to pull out of their billion dollar project due to bankruptcy. The project was being developed by Oceanwide Holdings, a Chinese publicly traded conglomerate. This definitely speaks to the larger concern of foreign investment in American cities and the conditions left behind when their projects go unfinished. I’ve travelled to many countries and far too often is the scene of abandoned real estate projects from foreign investments and hopefully that doesn’t become a common scene here in Los Angeles.

Perhaps this will become one of the most legendary graffiti scenes that will draw tourism like any other landmark in Los Angeles, at least until the next developer takes over.

See the incredible footage here.