The Tool Desk
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Which center is a better fit for your visit?
| Your priority | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion and broad retail examples, plus a food hall | FIGat7th | The Downtown LA Alliance describes it as an open-air lifestyle center and lists retailers including Zara, H&M, Nordstrom Rack, Target and Bath & Body Works, as well as Gold’s Gym and TASTE Food Hall. These are examples, not a guaranteed current directory. |
| Direct rail-station integration | The Bloc | Rail riders can exit at 7th Street Metro Center via Hope Street and enter The Bloc at plaza level. |
| Dining, entertainment and visitor services in a mixed-use complex | The Bloc | Its documented visitor amenities and mixed-use setting make it a practical choice when the outing is not just about shopping. |
| Attend a specific event | Check both calendars | Available event information does not establish a like-for-like current schedule for both centers. |
The available listings do not establish that either center has the better complete tenant mix. Check each center’s current store directory for the specific shop you want.
How do the shopping and dining options compare?
FIGat7th: open-air retail and a food hall
FIGat7th’s profile is suited to combining shopping with a quick meal or a stop at the gym. The Downtown LA Alliance names Zara, H&M, Nordstrom Rack, Target, Bath & Body Works, Gold’s Gym and TASTE Food Hall. Retailers and operating details can change, so confirm the store listing before making a special trip.
The Bloc: a mixed-use downtown stop
The Bloc is the stronger choice when you want shopping alongside dining or entertainment and prefer a complex with visitor services. The available listing describes live music, dance, theater, art installations, fitness classes, and food-and-drink tastings; it does not confirm which events will run on a particular date.
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The Bloc has the more directly documented rail connection: its visit page directs rail passengers to exit 7th Street Metro Center via Hope Street and enter at plaza level. FIGat7th is also very close—the center’s directions page says it is directly across the street from the station. If minimizing the station-to-center route is your main concern, The Bloc’s described entrance route may make it the simpler option.
Where should you park, and what can it cost?
Both centers publish low early-hour rates, but the terms differ. The figures below come from the centers’ own live pages, accessed in 2026; rates, validation rules and prevailing charges can change. Confirm the current terms before parking.
| Center | Published parking terms | Validation or conditions |
|---|---|---|
| The Bloc | Validated self-parking: $1 for the first hour, $3 for the second and $4 for the third, followed by prevailing daily rates. | Alamo, JOEY DTLA, HATCH and UNIQLO customers can validate in-store. Other retail visitors should take a ticket and receipt to the valet desk. |
| FIGat7th | 30 minutes free, then $1 for one hour, $2.50 for two hours and $4 for three hours. | Discounted rates require validation and parking on levels L1, L2 or L3. Parking on L4 or above incurs higher rates. |
FIGat7th’s directions page also lists 500 shopping and dining parking spaces. That is a venue-published figure, not an independent count. For either garage, check the posted rates and validation instructions when you arrive.
What should visitors know about accessibility and amenities?
The Bloc says accessible parking is available on all nine parking levels and lists ADA-compliant access ramps, elevators and directional signage. Contact the center directly about a particular access need. FIGat7th’s directions page does not provide enough accessibility detail for a like-for-like comparison.
The Bloc also lists portable charger rentals at two ChargeFuze locations. If you expect to rely on your phone for maps or transit, that can be a useful convenience; check availability at the center. A charged phone or an optional power bank may help, but neither is a requirement for visiting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are there events worth planning around?
The Downtown LA Alliance listing displays FIGat7th Farmers’ Market dates on Thursdays from October 8 through November 5, 2026. The Bloc listing describes a broader mix of possible programming, including live music, dance, theater, art installations, fitness classes and food-and-drink tastings. Because a comparable current calendar for both centers is not established, verify the event schedule for your intended visit date before building plans around it.
Quick Recap
A simple way to decide
- Pick FIGat7th for an open-air retail outing centered on the listed fashion and big-box examples, the food hall or Gold’s Gym.
- Pick The Bloc when the Metro connection, mixed-use setting, dining and entertainment, or listed visitor amenities are the priority.
- If you are driving, compare the expected length of your stop and check validation requirements before choosing a garage.
- If you have a specific store, access need or event in mind, confirm that detail directly with the center before setting out.
- Since the centers are close, visiting both can work if your schedule allows.
Official and local sources
- The Bloc: Visit Us
- FIGat7th: Directions & Parking
- Downtown LA Alliance: FIGat7th
- Downtown LA Alliance: The Bloc
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
