Hauser Wirth and Schimmel – a new Los Angeles arts centre located in a converted flour mill – held its grand opening ceremony yesterday (13 March) with the launch of its inaugural exhibition.

Architect Annabelle Selldorf and local studio Creative Space have retrofitted seven interconnected late 19th and early 20th century buildings in the city’s arts district.

The result is a 100,000sq ft (9,300sq m) complex featuring galleries, a bar, an ARTBOOK bookstore and an outdoor courtyard and sculpture garden with murals that engage the architecture of the complex.

A restaurant called Manuela – named after project partner Manuela Wirth – will open later this year. Located in the heart of the complex, the eatery will serve as the gallery’s ‘living room’. Food will be themed around the American South, and prepared over an open fire. Breads will be baked with locally-milled grains in homage to the building’s former function.

The first exhibition at Hauser Wirth and Schimmel is Revolution in the Making: Abstract Sculpture by Women, 1947 – 2016, which is showcasing nearly 100 works exploring how women have changed the course of art through sculpture.

Future exhibitions will promote important contemporary art and the centre will organise public programmes and educational activities to illuminate and add to the urban culture of Los Angeles.

Art collectors Hauser & Wirth own five other gallery locations, including branches in Zurich, London and New York. For this project they have partnered with Paul Schimmel, formerly the curator for LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

Hauser & Wirth’s next initiative will be construction of a major new building on West 22nd Street in the West Chelsea Arts District of New York City.