The Grove

The Grove sits right next to the historic Original Farmers Market, and the two are physically linked by a free electric trolley that runs on a short track between them. The trolley itself was built on the undercarriage of a 1950s Boston streetcar, and it sets the tone for the entire complex – a deliberate re-creation of a nostalgic, mid-20th-century American downtown. The whole place is designed as an open-air main street, with a crowned roadbed and raised sidewalks that wind around a large central park. The architecture reinforces this idea, with two and three-story storefronts detailed with Art Deco-style false fronts, period-specific windows, and balconies that suggest a town that grew over time. At the heart of the central park is a large fountain, designed by the same company behind the Fountains of Bellagio, that puts on hourly choreographed shows set to music. Nearby, a bronze sculpture of two soaring angels, called *The Spirit of Los Angeles*, serves as a prominent landmark. While the design evokes a small town, the commercial side is pure L.A., with a flagship Nordstrom, a multi-level Barnes & Noble, an Apple store, and a 14-screen movie theater. A visit here is rarely for a quick errand. The park-like setting encourages strolling, and people treat it as a destination for a full day of shopping, dining, and people-watching. Combining a trip with the food stalls and produce at the adjacent Farmers Market is an essential part of the experience. The entire complex becomes a major draw during the Christmas season, when it’s filled with elaborate holiday decorations and events.