Will Serve Hospital And Corporate Needs

The first state-of-the-art heliport designed to serve both trauma air transport needs and corporate clients in Downtown Los Angeles was unveiled at 10 am on Thursday at the formal dedication of the Robert F. Maguire Heliport.

Located at 240 West Venice atop the Grand Avenue Garage, a 15-story, 1 million-square-foot structure owned by Maguire Investments, the heliport will for the first time enable helicopters carrying patients to access the Leavey Trauma Center at California Hospital. That will greatly expand the hospital's abilities to serve the emergency trauma needs of Los Angeles. The Robert F. Maguire Heliport can accommodate Los Angeles County Fire, Los Angeles City Fire and emergency medical services helicopters.

In addition, the heliport will fill a void for corporations doing business in Downtown Los Angeles. Maguire Aviation helicopters will provide service to its corporate clients. The heliport by air is four minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, five minutes from Santa Monica Airport, seven minutes from Van Nuys Airport and 14 minutes to John Wayne Airport.

Located by the 10 Freeway, the heliport provides immediate access to corporate and entertainment venues such as the Los Angeles Convention Center, Staples Center, USC and LA Live.

As evidenced by the name, development of the heliport was spearheaded by real estate developer and aviation entrepreneur Robert F. Maguire III, whose buildings dot the Los Angeles skyline. The 15-story garage was originally a requirement in the building of Library Tower, now the US Bank Tower, the West's tallest building.

"The most important function of this heliport is to save lives," said Maguire, chairman of Maguire Investments and Maguire Aviation. "But the additional function is to service the Downtown business community."

The Robert F. Maguire Heliport grew out of a unique partnership between a hospital institution and private enterprise aimed at meeting the needs of both. Heliport Consultants in Thousand Oaks consulted on the project.

FMI: www.maguireaviation.com/