LOS ANGELES – (Realty News Report) – Wayne Ratkovich, a Los Angeles-based real estate developer who led a national panel of experts on a proposed redevelopment of Houston’s Astrodome, has died at the age of 82.
Ratkovich was best known as the founder and CEO of The Ratkovich Company, a Los Angeles development firm that for more than 40 years pursued projects “to profitably produce developments that improve the quality of urban life.” His career combined large-scale commercial ventures with a deep commitment to historic preservation and urban revitalization.
In December 2014, Ratkovich traveled to Houston to lead a national advisory panel assembled by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The panel conducted an in-depth study of the vacant Astrodome, the landmark stadium that opened in 1965, and explored options for its adaptive reuse.
“We quickly realized that the historic value of the site made retaining the Astrodome structure essential,” Ratkovich said during the 2014 visit.
The ULI panel released its report in March 2015, recommending that the entire 350-acre Astrodome complex be reimagined as a landscaped civic park anchored by a reactivated Astrodome. The panel suggested converting the stadium’s underground levels to parking while transforming the dome’s interior into a flexible, multi-use facility that could extend the game-day experience for fans attending Houston Texans NFL games and support a broader mix of public and cultural activities.
“Our vision for the Astrodome is one of a grand civic space that enhances the entire NRG Park complex,” Ratkovich said at the time.
The Astrodome, which is owned by Harris County, remains vacant and has not yet moved forward into a comprehensive redevelopment.
Ratkovich was an international leader within the Urban Land Institute. In 2011, ULI named him a Life Trustee, a distinction awarded to only a small number of members across the organization’s history. He also served on ULI’s Global Board of Directors and was a Trustee Emeritus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
In Los Angeles, Ratkovich’s firm rehabilitated roughly 18 historic buildings, restoring them for modern use while preserving architectural character. Notable projects included the James Oviatt Building in downtown Los Angeles and the Pellissier Building with the adjoining Wiltern Theatre in the Miracle Mile area.
“The greatest thing Wayne did is shine a bright light on historic buildings in downtown and beyond,” said Linda Dishman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy. “He pioneered the transformation of underused buildings into destinations people wanted to visit, including the Oviatt, the Fine Arts Building and the Wiltern. As a trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, he championed preservation across the country. He was a towering figure and will be greatly missed.”
One of Ratkovich’s most prominent urban interventions in Los Angeles was The Bloc, a reinvention of the former Macy’s Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. He redesigned the previously fortress-like complex to better integrate with its surroundings, creating the first direct underground connection from a private development to a subway station in the city and enabling seamless access between The Bloc’s tenants and visitors and Los Angeles’ transit network.
“Wayne Ratkovich was a true visionary in urban development, city building, and placemaking and exemplified everything a real estate developer should be,” said Clare De Briere, Americas chair and member of ULI’s Global Board of Directors. “His focus on creating thoughtful, beautiful, and engaging places made everyday life better for everyone who experienced them.”
Ratkovich’s work combined commercial success with civic-minded design and a long-standing devotion to preserving historic buildings. His leadership at ULI and his local projects left a lasting impact on Los Angeles and on the broader practice of urban redevelopment.
Sept. 27, 2023 Realty News Report Copyright 2023
Photos by Ralph Bivins, Realty News Report Copyright 2023
File: Astrodome. ULI. Astrodome Vision Advisor Wayne Ratkovich Passes