Hauser & Wirth

Visiting the Complex

You enter through one of three doorways scattered around the block-long complex. The main entrance on East 3rd Street leads directly into ARTBOOK, a contemporary art bookstore that carries everything from Hauser & Wirth exhibition catalogs to children’s art books and design magazines. The space feels more like a carefully curated library than a retail shop.

The galleries themselves occupy former barrel storage areas, processing facilities, and what was once the employee bank building. The architects kept much of the industrial character intact. You’ll see exposed wooden trusses, peeling paint preserved for its patina, worn mosaic floor tiles, and skylights retrofitted with UV-protective glass. Some gallery ceilings soar two stories high. Others feature curved wooden vaults supported by massive timber beams.

Exhibitions rotate every few months and draw from the gallery’s stable of contemporary artists and modern masters. The scale of the spaces allows for ambitious installations that smaller galleries can’t accommodate. Most visitors spend 30-45 minutes walking through the exhibition spaces, though the exact time depends on what’s showing.

The Courtyard and Garden

A 6,000-square-foot open-air courtyard sits at the heart of the complex. This was once a covered warehouse. The architects removed the roof and Studio-MLA landscape architects designed the space around a 25-foot Coast Live Oak tree. When the tree arrived by crane, birds followed the truck to its new home. The courtyard now hosts outdoor sculpture and provides seating areas under drought-tolerant plantings.

The public garden runs along the building’s exterior and earned a 2019 Landscape Architecture Award. Agaves, yuccas, opuntias, aloes, and assorted palms stand among large boulders on dark grey gravel. The plantings function as sculptural elements themselves. At the back of the garden, you’ll find the chicken coop with herb and vegetable beds that supply Manuela’s kitchen. The chickens have become minor celebrities with regular visitors.

Martin Creed’s neon sign reading “MUMS DADS KIDS GODS” floats above the garden. Street art murals cover several exterior walls. The gallery hired a street art historian to identify and restore the existing graffiti, then commissioned new murals including Mary Heilmann’s large-scale “Pacific Ocean” on the breezeway’s east wall.

Manuela Restaurant

Manuela occupies prime real estate at the complex’s center. Chef Kris Tominaga’s menu focuses on Southern California seasonal ingredients cooked over charcoal grills and in wood-fired ovens. The restaurant sources herbs and vegetables from the on-site garden. Service runs Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch. Reservations are recommended.

The dining room features specially commissioned artworks by Paul McCarthy, Mark Bradford, Raymond Pettibon, and others. You can eat inside or on the outdoor patio overlooking the courtyard. The cocktail program uses house-made bitters and tonics. Wine Spectator gave the restaurant an Award of Excellence in 2024.

Making the Most of Your Visit

Arrive when the gallery opens at 11am on weekdays if you want the spaces to yourself. Weekends draw larger crowds but maintain a relaxed atmosphere. The breezeway connecting East 2nd and East 3rd Streets functions as a public passage, so you can walk through without entering the galleries.

Group tours are available for parties of 10 or more. Email moc.htriwresuahobfsctd-611d4d@selegnasol in advance to arrange. The gallery also hosts events including artist talks, performances, and community workshops. Check the website for the current schedule.

Street parking is available but competitive. Several paid lots operate within two blocks. The Little Tokyo/Arts District Metro station is a 10-minute walk. Bicycle racks line East 3rd Street near the main entrance.