The second largest city in the U.S. constantly recreates itself, always adding to its list of brand-new blockbuster attractions. The following is a brief synopsis of upcoming sites to see.

2014

ACCOMMODATIONS

Ace Hotel (Downtown) – The Ace Hotel has opened a new Broadway location in Downtown L.A. The hip and artsy hotel resides in the historic United Artists building, which has been remodeled to include 180 hotel rooms with an array of amenities and a 1,600-seat entertainment venue that will showcase live performances. The hotel is also home to L.A. Chapter, the main restaurant concept, and a rooftop pool and bar. This location is the sixth Ace Hotel and the second location in California. www.acehotel.com/losangeles;

Erika Oman, Nadine Johnson & Associates, Inc. 212.228.5555; erika@nadinejohnson.com

The Line (Downtown) – This Koreatown based property opened March 2014 and is the result of a partnership between The Sydell Group, noted chef Roy Choi, Sean Knibb, the Houston Brothers and art and design collective Poketo. The property resides on Wilshire Blvd. and is to Roy Choi's new restaurant POT, which features Korean cuisine through the eyes of an American, and the greenhouse pool deck space, The Commissary. www.thelinehotel.com

Micheal Tavani, 212.604.0318, micheal@m18pr.com

Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott (Downtown) –The $172-million, 373,000-square-foot hotel project in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles opened in July 2014. The new hotel development is comprised of a 23-story high-rise, housing a 174-room Courtyard by Marriott and a 218-room Residence Inn by Marriott. The property also includes 11,754 square feet of meeting facilities and 5,100 square feet of restaurant space. www.LALIVE.com, www.news.marriott.com.

Laurie Goldstein, 301.380.5296, laurie.goldstein@marriott.com

AIR SERVICE

One World (LAX) – One World Airlines will expand its business lounge at the new Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The new business lounge will be jointly owned by Qantas, Cathay Pacific and British Airways, with Qantas being the managing airline. The lounge will be more than double the size of the current lounge, offering almost 600 seats and will include a wine bar, open kitchen, a communal fire place and central glass atrium. When completed, travellers will be offered fresh, regional dishes, passed tray service and a buffet of self-service offerings. In addition to an extensive range of international wines, the wine bar will serve signature cocktails, bar snacks and full barista service. The new lounge is expected to open in the second half of 2014. www.lawa.org

Nancy Castles, 310.646.5260, ncastles@lawa.org

ARTS & CULTURE

Discovery Cube Los Angeles (Valley) –This 71,000 square footinteractive museum is set to open Fall 2014 at Hansen Dam Recreation Center located in the North Valley of Los Angeles.  Discovery Cube LA will have a blend of traveling and permanent exhibits from a simulated tour of California's natural resources to immersive technology-based learning experiences.  www.discoverycube.org/la

714.913.5018, news@discoverycube.org

Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) (Downtown) –Housed in the historic, newly-restored Italian Hall, which was originally constructed in 1908 as a social and cultural center for the Italian community, IAMLA is located adjacent to Olvera Street in Downtown. The interactive museum documents the history and continuing contributions of Italian-Americans, it also highlights the once-vibrant Italian community in early Los Angeles with historical photographs and memorabilia, plus an oral history and research archive. IAMLA was selected to receive a National Trust for Historic Preservation grant to help develop design and exhibit concepts. www.italianhall.org

Marianna Gatcho, 213.485.8432, info@italianhall.org

Wende Museum (Westside) – In 2014, the Wende Museum will move its collection, including 10 pieces of the Berlin Wall, to a newer, larger location, near Culver Boulevard and Overland Avenue in Culver City. The collections of the Wende Museum concentrate on preservation of cultural, political artifacts and documentary materials that are at-risk or critical to scholarly investigation, and personal artifacts and histories of the Cold War. www.wendemuseum.org

Justin Jampol, 310.216.1600, ext. 302, jjampol@wendemuseum.org.

ATTRACTIONS

Universal Studios Hollywood (Hollywood) – Universal Studios Hollywood unveiled the highly anticipated 3D experience, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, in April. The 3D Ultra-HD motion simulator ride brings the Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment blockbuster, “Despicable Me,” to life. The attraction is adapted after the one at its sister park, Universal Orlando Resort, however it will have a few touches unique to Los Angeles. www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Audrey Eig, 818.622.2962, audrey.eig@nbcuni.com.

2015

ACCOMMODATIONS

Sheraton Los Angeles and Macy's Shopping Plaza/THE BLOC (Downtown) – The historic Downtown L.A. building is undergoing a $160 million transformation and name change into a modernized and street friendly destination called THE BLOC. Plans include opening up the structure to allow for more light, street-accessible stores and restaurants, and internal access to the Metro subway stop directly under the building. The building will still be anchored by Macy's, high-end theater Alamo Drafthouse and more than 400,000 square feet of outdoor retail space providing visitors with prime dining and shopping locations. The 700,000-square-foot luxury office tower and 485-room Sheraton Hotel will be completely renovated to compliment the new premium shopping, dining, business and leisure destination. The renovation of the 2.4 million-square-foot property will begin early 2014 and is expected to be completed by fall 2015. www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton; www.theblocdowntown.com

Tim McGill, Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles, 213.612.2610, tim.mcgill@starwoodhotels.com ; Elizabeth King, Macy's, 213.628.9311,elizabeth.king@macys.com; Spring Harris; The Bloc- Edelman for The Ratkovich Company, 323-761-6599, spring.harris@edelman.com

AIR SERVICE/TRANSPORTATION

Renovation of Terminal 5 (LAX) – Delta Air Lines and Los Angeles World Airports have announced plans for a $229 million renovation of Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX). The construction project has already begun and is scheduled to take place in several phases with full completion in 2015. www.lawa.aero

Nancy Castles, 310.646.5260, ncastles@lawa.org 

Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension (City-wide) – The Metro Gold Line, which currently runs from Pasadena to Los Angeles Union Station, will extend its service east along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The three phase project is expected to be complete September 2015. www.foothillextension.org

Albert Ho, 626.305.7038, AHo@foothillextension.org