**University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Secures New West Coast Home in Downtown Los Angeles**
The University of Michigan has announced a major expansion of its West Coast presence, finalizing a nearly 20,000-square-foot lease valued at $11.2 million at The Grand LA—an iconic mixed-use development by Related Companies in Downtown Los Angeles. The new location will serve as the West Coast home for the university’s acclaimed Ross School of Business, with operations set to begin in early 2026.
Situated on the third level of the commercial section at 100 S. Grand Avenue, the new space will host classes and events, accommodating the growth of Michigan Ross’s Executive MBA program and other initiatives.
Axiom Retail Advisors facilitated the transaction, representing the University of Michigan. The team, consisting of Paul Bartlett, Lea Clay Park, and Stephanie Skrbin, led a comprehensive search for a strategic location that would allow the university to scale its operations and deepen its presence in the region.
“The university has operated its Executive MBA program in Los Angeles since 2012 and was seeking a long-term space to scale up that and other programs,” said Paul Bartlett, an alumnus of Michigan Ross. “After several years operating out of hotels in downtown and on the Westside, the Michigan Ross Executive MBA program had grown to the point that leadership was ready to commit to a permanent West Coast presence. Since traditional office brokerage resources typically work in more limited geographies, the University of Michigan approached us to expand the scope with a broader search.”
This strategic decision marks an important milestone for Michigan Ross as it strengthens ties with the West Coast business community while continuing to offer innovative, high-caliber programming in a permanent and modern setting.
The lease at The Grand LA highlights the growing appeal of high-end mixed-use developments as locations for leading academic institutions seeking to embed themselves in vibrant urban centers.
