Grimshaw Architects and Foster & Partners are among six finalists to design a masterplan for Union Station in Los Angeles.

The shortlist, chosen from 22 entries, includes EE&K Architects/ UN Studio, Gruen Associates/ Grimshaw Architects, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, NBBJ/ Ingenhoven Architects, Moore Ruble Yudell and IBI Group/Foster & Partners.

Los Angeles Metropolitan Transport Authority (Metro), which earlier this year bought the site for a reported $75 million (£48 million), is expected to approve the shortlist at a board meeting in December.

Once the decision is ratified, each team will develop its approach, vision and proposal for the site, which covers 15.4ha of land as well as the main station, which was built in 1939.
Metro said: “In 1997 Catellus, the former owner, entered into a 25-year development agreement with the City of Los Angeles, which has been assumed by Metro in its purchase of the property in 2011.

“Under this agreement and the Alameda District Specific Plan the property is entitled for over 6 million sq ft [560,000sq m] of commercial development.”

The brief asks architects to include a commercial development, parking options, an infrastructure development and financing strategy as well as a connectivity plan between the station and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Bids will then be assessed by an advisory committee, set up by Metro, including representatives from the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, architects and transport operators.

Teams are scheduled to make public presentations in February 2012 and a final selection will be made by the board in April.

It is hoped that the masterplan will be complete by August 2013.