Herein, we describe a new synthetic strategy towards an analogue of the spiro-beta-lactone-gamma-lactam ring found in a class of potent antibiotics, the oxazolomycins and lajollamycin. The synthetic idea relies on the construction of two rings (beta-lactone and pyrrolidinone). The formation of the spiro-beta-lactone was accomplished by a crossed Cannizzaro reaction, while the 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidinone ring was constructed by a titanium(IV) chloride mediated chelation-controlled double stereodifferentiating Crimmins aldol reaction of Garner's aldehyde.