Grand Central Market Getting ‘Rejuvenated’ With COVID-19 In Mind

Grand Central Market is undergoing an overhaul in DTLA, at 317 S. Broadway, according to several permits filed recently with the City of Los Angeles. The historic building, which has stood since 1917, is looking to make some COVID-19-forced changes. However, one of the applications obtained this week by What Now Los Angeles (WNLA) states that the overhaul does not involve any construction in order to maintain Grand Central Market’s historic and cultural value. Instead, the space will be “rejuvenated” to further celebrate the diversity of culture within the L.A. area. while adapting to a COIVD-19 world.

Max Block, a representative for Grand Central Market, told WNLA this will be more or less a “reformatting” of the development’s floorplan. They’ve had to strip seating in the main hall, but they’ll put seating back in when it’s safe to do so, and the local laws allow it. While these changes have been occurring throughout the pandemic, Grand Central Market remains open to the public. “That’s basically it,” Block said. “No new dining room and no new architectural work.”

A large majority of the work being done at Grand Central Market will be on the first floor, mostly incorporating more seating areas and three “flex-spaces.” The most notable change is a new system that allows guests to order from all of the food hall’s vendors from a single booth, a sort of takeout option that includes Grand Central Market’s vast amount of food options as a one-stop-shop. This setup aims to ensure COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing are more easily maintained, and is live as of this week. Grand Central Market is also looking to host comedy nights on the rooftop area, according to the filing.