LOS ANGELES, CA (TIP): With hard hats on and applause echoing across the construction site, community leaders, developers, and local workers gathered this week to celebrate a major milestone for the Kali Hotel at Hollywood Park: the ceremonial raising of the final structural steel beam.
The moment represented far more than the completion of a framework. It marked the steady progress of a vision that began when the hotel first broke ground in October 2024 and underscored Inglewood’s continuing transformation into a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and now world-class hospitality.
A Landmark in the Making
When complete, the Kali Hotel will be the only hotel permitted within the Hollywood Park Specific Plan. Rising 12 stories, it will become the district’s second-tallest structure, with its rooftop restaurant and bar offering sweeping views across Los Angeles. Even airline passengers descending into nearby LAX will be able to spot the landmark from the sky.
City officials and developers hailed the project as a foundation for hundreds of future jobs, thousands of memorable guest experiences, and a lasting addition to the city’s skyline.
“This is about more than just steel and concrete,” one speaker said. “It’s the foundation for opportunity, community pride, and a lasting future.”
Vision and Leadership
Developer Stan Kroenke, owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Rams, was credited as the driving force behind Hollywood Park’s larger vision. The district — already home to SoFi Stadium and numerous entertainment and cultural venues — is expanding into a thriving ecosystem where residents and visitors can live, work, play, and soon stay.
“Stan continues to set the standard for what’s possible when you combine real estate and sports expertise,” said Otto N., president of Kroenke Holdings. He also highlighted the dedication of the more than 220 field workers whose skill and effort have brought the project to this stage. “You are the ones making this happen every day,” he added.
Mayor James Butts emphasized the local impact of the development, highlighting the role of TEC Constructors and Engineers, an Inglewood-based, minority-owned firm integral to the project. “Inglewood is a place where ambitious projects don’t just get built — they get built right, by our neighbors, for our community,” he said. TEC has not only ensured safety and efficiency on site but has also created opportunities for other local businesses, including partnerships with the Greater Los Angeles African-American Chamber of Commerce.
Precision, Safety, and Scale
Brian Maguire, president of Clayco, detailed the scale of the project. Nearly 50,000 cubic yards of earth have been excavated, 24,000 cubic yards of concrete poured, and more than 500 tons of steel set. Remarkably, all this has been achieved with zero recordable safety incidents over the past year.
“The success of this project is the result of vision, partnership, and teamwork,” Maguire said. “It’s not just about concrete, steel, and glass — it’s about what happens when people come together with commitment and pride.”
Clayco also recognized two workers, Luis Borja and James Castillo, for their exceptional contributions to safety and professionalism, underscoring that the project’s progress has been driven by individual dedication as much as by corporate partnerships.
A Personal Dream Realized
For Dr. Kali P. Choudhury, the visionary behind the hotel, the day carried deep personal meaning. He reminded the audience of his own journey to the United States with almost nothing, and how he built his estate in the city of Hemet before expanding his wings to Inglewood.
“This hotel is more than a building — it is a dream realized through vision, friendship, and strong support,” Choudhury said, noting that the Kali Hotel is only part of a larger vision that includes Kali Square, a new development planned for downtown Los Angeles.
Choudhury also spoke movingly about his late wife, who passed away in June, and thanked the community for their outpouring of support. “When I first came to California, I worked at a nearby hospital and walked the streets of Inglewood imagining what this city could become. Now, together, we are transforming that vision into reality.”
Looking Ahead
As the steel beam was lifted 150 feet into the sky, the crowd cheered, recognizing it as a symbol of Inglewood’s ongoing resurgence. The Kali Hotel is scheduled to open in September 2026, adding a major hospitality destination to a city that has already hosted the Super Bowl, welcomed millions of visitors to SoFi Stadium, and is preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
The hotel — and the broader developments to come, including Kali Square in downtown Los Angeles – stand as powerful symbols of growth, resilience, and community pride. With every beam set and every milestone reached, Inglewood is not just constructing new buildings, but building a new chapter in its history.
( Advertorial submitted by Rajeev Bhambri)
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