Department of City Planning City of Los Angeles

Michelle Levy leads Los Angeles’ Urban Design Studio, where the team is currently updating the City’s Adaptive Reuse Ordinance to help facilitate the conversion of existing buildings for new housing. The Urban Design Studio is actively developing policies and programs aimed at creating a more vibrant and walkable public realm, and high-quality design throughout the City. Over the last 17 years, Michelle has led citywide and neighborhood-level policy programs including the City's first Citywide Design Guidelines, the update of the Open Space Element of the General Plan, several Complete Streets plans, as well as affordable housing and Transit Oriented Community projects. Prior to joining the City of Los Angeles, Michelle worked in New York City and the Bay Area. She has a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a B.A. in Architecture from UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design. She is currently pursuing professional certification in Landscape Architecture at UCLA.

Speaking at the Following:

Oct 31

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

WLI Presents: How the City of Los Angeles (Public and Private) is Innovating Commercial to Residential Conversions

11:40 AM – 12:10 PM
Los Angeles Convention Center - West Hall, Exhibit Hall A - Area A

With the commercial real estate market shifting, outdated or vacant office and retail properties present an obvious opportunity for housing adaptive reuse. This creative idea seems straightforward, but it is not as easy when it comes to real life. It becomes extremely challenging under the complicated California land use and building policies. See how the City policy makers, the developers, and the designers come together to work out a feasible plan. Hear the lessons learned, and the plans for Los Angeles moving forward.