After nearly two years of construction, the $520-million Long Beach Civic Center development's glass exterior is now taking shape.

Vertical construction is largely complete for the new Long Beach City Hall and headquarters of the Port of Long Beach, which is located at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue.  The 11-story structures were both designed by SOM.

One block northeast at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Broadway, the steel frame of the new Long Beach Main Library is also taking form.  The 93,000-square-foot facility is rising on the former footprint of Lincoln Park, which is being rebuilt immediately south.

A later stage of the Civic Center development, which is being built as a public-private partnership with Plenary-Edgemoor Civic Partners, could late feature privately build mixed-use buildings up to 36 stories in height.  Entitlements would allow for up to 1,000 residential units and a hotel.

A residential-retail development, AMLI Park Broadway, is already under construction directly north across Broadway.

Plenary Group, a partner on the Civic Center project, may also assist in the expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center and an adjoining J.W. Marriott hotel with Anschutz Entertainment Group.