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Choose FIGat7th for a straightforward open-air shopping trip with a recognizable fashion mix, Target, Nordstrom Rack, fitness, and a food hall. Choose The Bloc if direct access to 7th Street/Metro Center, dining and entertainment in a mixed-use complex, or visitor amenities matter more. The centers are close enough to include both in one downtown outing.
Which center is better for your kind of visit?
| Choose | Best fit |
|---|---|
| FIGat7th | Open-air shopping, fashion and everyday retail examples, fitness, and a food-hall stop. |
| The Bloc | A Metro-connected visit focused on dining, entertainment, or the complex’s listed visitor amenities. |
This is a comparison of documented strengths, not a claim that either center has the better complete tenant lineup. The available listings do not provide equally complete, current directories for both. Check each center’s live store listings and hours before setting out.
What can you shop for at FIGat7th?
The Downtown LA Alliance describes FIGat7th as an open-air lifestyle center and lists Zara, H&M, Nordstrom Rack, Target, Bath & Body Works, Gold’s Gym, and TASTE Food Hall as examples. These are useful indicators of the center’s retail and food profile, not a guarantee that every listed business is open or that the list is complete. Check the [Downtown LA Alliance FIGat7th listing] and the center’s current directory before visiting.
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Which one is closer to Metro?
The Bloc has a direct station connection: its [official visit page] says rail passengers can exit 7th Street Metro Center via Hope Street and enter the center at plaza level. FIGat7th is also close to the station; its [official directions page] says it is directly across the street. If seamless station access is the deciding factor, The Bloc has the clearer documented advantage.
#1 Best Overall
How do parking prices compare?
These are the centers’ published rates as shown on their undated live visitor pages and accessed in 2026. Rates and rules can change, so confirm them before driving.
| Center | Published parking details | Validation or conditions |
|---|---|---|
| The Bloc | Validated self-parking: $1 for the first hour, $3 for the second, and $4 for the third; prevailing daily rates apply afterward. | Alamo, JOEY DTLA, HATCH, and UNIQLO customers can validate in-store. Other retail visitors should take a parking ticket and receipt to the valet desk. Source: The Bloc’s visitor page. |
| 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 costs more. The center lists 500 shopping and dining parking spaces. Source: FIGat7th’s directions page. |
The published figures are not perfectly like-for-like: The Bloc lists hourly validated rates, while FIGat7th also states a free initial period and specific parking-level conditions. For either garage, confirm the applicable rate, validation process, and daily maximum or prevailing rate for your visit.
Rank #2
What if accessibility or visitor amenities matter?
The Bloc
The Bloc says accessible parking is available on all nine parking levels and lists ADA-compliant access ramps, elevators, and directional signage. Its visitor page also mentions portable charger rentals at two ChargeFuze locations. If you rely on your phone for transit directions or maps, you can check whether a charger is available; bringing a power bank is optional, not a requirement.
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The FIGat7th directions page provides parking information but does not give enough accessibility detail for a direct comparison with The Bloc’s published information. Contact the center directly about a specific access need before 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: October 8, 15, 22, and 29, and November 5. Check the [FIGat7th listing] to confirm the schedule before making it part of your plans.
The Alliance describes The Bloc as hosting live music, dance, theater, art installations, fitness classes, and food-and-drink tastings. A comparable current event calendar for both centers is not established by those listings, so check [The Bloc’s Alliance listing] and the venues’ own event pages for the date you intend to go.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
How to choose before you go
- Pick FIGat7th when the main goal is an open-air shopping trip with fashion and everyday retail examples, a food hall, or a market date that fits your schedule.
- Pick The Bloc when the station connection, dining and entertainment setting, or its stated visitor services are the deciding factors.
- Compare parking based on your exact plan, including duration, validation eligibility, and—at FIGat7th—which level you use.
- Check the live details for the particular store, event, hours, access support, and parking rules you need. Center information can change.
- Consider visiting both if you have time; their proximity makes a combined outing practical.
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.
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