Playa Vista is a new city that was selected as one of five P.A.T.H (Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing) communities in the United States. P.A.T.H. is under leadership of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program. Playa Vista has been recognized as a model of "smart growth" project and was awarded the Ahwahnee award. Playa Vista sits on 1,087 acres located south of Marina del Rey, with Playa del Rey and Westchester to the south, I-405 on its east side, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Howard Hughes once owned large sections of Playa Vista in the early 1940s and utilized the land for his aviation empire. This site was the aerospace facility housing helicopters, airplanes, satellites, and was the center for radar and missile systems. In 1994 Hughes and McDonnell Douglas moved their site to other facilities.

Phase One of Playa Vista is currently in full effect; 3,246 new residences will be available in a variety of housing types. The housing ranges from luxury condominiums and single-family dwellings to luxury and affordable apartments. As a result, Playa Vista has created many jobs for the citizens of the neighboring areas. The world's leading video-game publisher, Electronic Arts, houses more than 600 employees at its futuristic studio at Playa Vista's Water's Edge complex. Parks, library and recreational amenities have been developed. The shops around the development's Concert Park include restaurants, bank, dry cleaner and beauty salon. Coming soon is The Campus—where the Los Angeles Clippers will soon begin construction on a new training facility for its players.

Phase Two of Playa Vista known as The Village will include additional planning for residential, park, and open space areas. The Village will also showcase commercial space that will house restaurants, grocery store, and retail stores.

Much of the Playa Vista project will be focused on restoring the Ballona Wetlands which will restore the habitat for many endangered species. Regarding humanitarianism, Playa Vista has sponsored a program called PVJOBS, which helps at-risks youths and adults find construction jobs in the area.