$150M Lulu's Place Athletic Complex Breaks Ground Near LAX
Construction has begun on a $150-million athletic and education complex just north of LAX, marking one of the largest philanthropic investments in Los Angeles history. Lulu's Place, which will occupy 31 acres of previously vacant land north of Westchester Parkway, will feature tennis courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, walking paths, and a dog park. These facilities will be open to the public, offering academic, athletic, and wellness programs free or at a low cost to local children.
Named in honor of the late Carol "Lulu" Kimmelman, a former LAUSD teacher and member of USC’s 1983 national championship women’s tennis team, Lulu's Place reflects her commitment to the transformative power of sports.
"My four children and I are deeply committed to honoring Lulu's legacy and her passionate belief in the power of tennis and other sports to impart valuable life skills that are essential for personal growth and academic success," said Doug Kimmelman, the project's lead donor and Lulu's husband, in a news release.
Entirely funded by philanthropic donations, Lulu's Place is supported by organizations including the United States Tennis Association, the USTA Foundation, Tiger Woods' TGR Foundation, the Karsh Family Foundation, Cedars-Sinai, Providence, the Ballmer Group, Alfred E. Mann Charities, the Rose Hills Foundation, the Hirsch Family Foundation, the Joseph Drown Foundation, the LA84 Foundation, and the Walt Disney Company. The land is leased long-term from Los Angeles World Airports.
A new TGR Learning Lab, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, will also be established at St. Bernard High School as part of the project, focusing on STEAM education for students from under-resourced communities.
Designed by Rios, Lulu's Place will include a welcome center, program offices, athletic training facilities, and buildings providing healthcare services to student athletes.
The project is expected to be completed in approximately two years.
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