When the idea of a hotel was eventually rejected, Kaiser pursued building a facility on the garage roof that could be used as a restaurant, auditorium, and museum - a space that could be used for hosting conventions or social events, and would also provide room for a permanent display of Kaiser industry products, including their automobiles.  In May 1956, Henry's son, Edgar Kaiser, recommended that the firm of Osmundson & Staley be hired as landscape architects. Theodore Osmundson was responsible for negotiating the contract and served as client liaison, while associate David Arbegast developed the landscape design. Osmundson later stated that the Kaisers' desire for a roof garden was influenced by their view of the Rockefeller Center roof gardens from their New York offices.

Kaiser publicity documents at times referred to Kaiser Center as Rockefeller Center West, suggesting that, at least in Kaiser's mind, his importance in California ranked with that of Rockefeller's in New York. At one point Kaiser suggested that, as at Rockefeller Center, Kaiser Center should have an ice-skating rink in its garden.

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