As part of the $100-million reimagining of the property at Hollywood and Highland, the Babylon-themed elephants are being demolished and removed.

The project includes a full renovation of the property and updating of its central courtyard as it transforms into Ovation Hollywood.

Gaw Capital USA, a Hong Kong and Los Angeles-based real estate private equity firm, in partnership with DJM, a San Jose and Los Angeles-based private equity real estate developer, unveiled their vision and plans for the shopping center last August. The revamped Ovation Hollywood will reflect the modern-day global city in which it is located.

“Hollywood is as much an idea as it is a place,” said Stenn Parton, chief retail officer at DJM. “The idea of Hollywood is optimism – dreams and ambitions feel more tangible when you’re here. Our reimagining of Hollywood and Highland into Ovation Hollywood is about creating a place that captures this idea.”

Upon completion in late 2021, Ovation Hollywood will include 135,000 square feet of retail space, two floors of nearly 100,000 square feet of creative office space, 85,000 square feet of dining, 65,000 square feet of entertainment areas and 40,000 square feet of event space. With an emphasis on a refreshed tenant mix and updated merchandising, DJM is planning to bring an updated tenant mix to the property.

The original courtyard and the elephants were designed to pay tribute to Hollywood’s silent film era and recreated structures from the original set of D. W. Griffith’s 1916 film “Intolerance.” The elephants and tower are being removed because of their connotations to Griffith and his previous film, “Birth of a Nation,” which included bigoted portrayals of Black Americans, according to the property’s owners.

“The Babylonian-themed courtyard is a replica of an antiquated film set from an intolerant time that we’ve always planned to remove for the reimagining of the property,” said Chad Cress, chief creative officer at DJM. “Our goal for Ovation is to create a space that is forward-looking and celebrates Los Angeles’ diversity, history and optimism.”

The removal process of the elephants began on July 29, and work on the tower will continue over the coming weeks. The updated façade of the tower, which frames the Hollywood Sign, will feature a sunburst relief design to mimic klieg lights used on film sets.

Gaw Capital USA and DJM are working with the design and architecture firm Gensler on Ovation Hollywood. Other changes include a simplified facade and color scheme, a new concept for the tower, an easier to navigate layout, updated landscape design, new art pieces, enhanced outdoor space and new businesses.

For information, visit ovationhollywood.com.