Restoration of the Los Angeles Union Station South Patio revitalized a 25,000 SF historic courtyard through a fusion of preservation and engineering innovation. The scope included foundation waterproofing, removal of contaminated soil, regrading for ADA compliance, landscape renewal, and reinstallation of nearly 100,000 historic bricks using 3D-mapped dry-lay methods.

Comprehensive upgrades to drainage and substructure systems were performed to eliminate chronic leakage issues and integrate with a station-wide infrastructure plan. Enhancements also included new lighting, structural supports for future art installations, and complete landscape restoration, ensuring long-term sustainability and functionality.

By balancing the artistry of historic preservation with the precision of modern construction, Pankow extended the life of one of Los Angeles’s most beloved public spaces, reaffirming the firm’s expertise in complex, heritage-sensitive projects.

Restoring a Legacy Brick by Brick

The Los Angeles Union Station South Patio Restoration represents a masterclass in blending historic preservation, sustainability, and design innovation. As part of Union Station’s ongoing revitalization, Pankow was entrusted to restore the 25,000 SF South Patio, one of the most recognizable outdoor spaces at the 1939 Art Deco and Mission Revival landmark.

The work required an exacting approach to maintain the historic authenticity of the site while upgrading infrastructure concealed below. Beneath the iconic brick pavers, Pankow installed new waterproofing, foundation reinforcement, and an entirely new drainage network, addressing decades of water intrusion and soil contamination. Excavation reached depths of 16 feet, removing more than 4,700 cubic yards of compromised soil while protecting the building’s structure above.

Above ground, the project’s artistry unfolded one brick at a time. Approximately 27,000 SF of original 1939 brickwork—up to 100,000 individual bricks—were meticulously cataloged, mapped, and relaid using 3D scanning and dry-lay methods to maintain geometric accuracy. Each pattern was verified through two rounds of architectural review to ensure the reinstallation matched the original design intent. Where replacement was required, new bricks were blended seamlessly with historic material, restoring the surface to its original vibrancy.

Accessibility upgrades, regraded paths, new sub-slabs, and ADA-compliant routes, were executed without altering the patio’s historic geometry. At the same time, new lighting, landscape restoration, and infrastructure for future art and wayfinding installations ensure the site will serve as both a historic landmark and a functional modern gathering space.

Throughout construction, the project uncovered archaeological artifacts and remnants from early 20th-century Los Angeles, including ceramic fragments and early infrastructure. Each discovery was documented and preserved in partnership with local archaeologists, ensuring that the restoration honored not only architectural history but the cultural stories embedded in the site.

This restoration, built on nearly a decade of partnership between Pankow, Morlin Asset Management, and Architectural Resources Group, demonstrates how innovation and stewardship can coexist. The South Patio now stands renewed, ready to welcome visitors for another hundred years.