A planned mixed-use development from Frank Gehry and located on Sunset Boulevard will be moving forward after the Planning and Land Use Management Committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.
As the Los Angeles Times reports, however, a few compromises were required before the project could move forward. As it stands now, the project consists of two residential towers comprising 229 units (38 of which are for low-income residents), 65,000 sf of commercial space, and a pedestrian plaza. The project arrived at these numbers after the area’s councilman, David Ryu, said he would not support the development unless the 15-story residential tower was downsized, included more affordable housing units, and had additional parking spots added.
All of these conditions were met causing the tower to shrink from 234 feet to 178 feet, the number of parking spots to increase to 494, and the sidewalks to widened to 15 feet.
Even with the compromises, including the smaller size that makes the new tower more in line with the height of surrounding buildings, some neighboring residents are expressing a bout of NIMBYism. They believe the development will still be out of scale with the surrounding area, will ruin their views, and may produce heavy traffic in the area due to all of the new residents. Despite their concerns, the scaled-back project is moving forward.
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Mar 3, 2015
New York’s Fulton Center relies on TGP for light-flooded, underground transit hub
Fire-rated curtain wall systems filled this subterranean hub with natural light.
Sponsored | Shopping Centers | Feb 26, 2015
A color-changing gateway for Altara Center
Valspar works with developers to complete a multicolored shopping center façade in Honduras.
Industrial Facilities | Feb 24, 2015
Starchitecture meets agriculture: OMA unveils design for Kentucky community farming facility
The $460 million Food Port project will define a new model for the relationship between consumer and producer.
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Commercial real estate developers optimistic, but concerned about taxes, jobs outlook
The outlook for the commercial real estate industry remains strong despite growing concerns over sluggish job creation and higher taxes, according to a new survey of commercial real estate professionals by NAIOP.
Mixed-Use | Feb 13, 2015
First Look: Sacramento Planning Commission approves mixed-use tower by the new Kings arena
The project, named Downtown Plaza Tower, will have 16 stories and will include a public lobby, retail and office space, 250 hotel rooms, and residences at the top of the tower.
Mixed-Use | Feb 11, 2015
Developer plans to turn Eero Saarinen's Bell Labs HQ into New Urbanist town center
Designed by Eero Saarinen in the late 1950s, the two-million-sf, steel-and-glass building was one of the best-funded and successful corporate research laboratories in the world.
Office Buildings | Jan 27, 2015
London plans to build Foggo Associates' 'can of ham' building
The much delayed high-rise development at London’s 60-70 St. Mary Axe resembles a can of ham, and the project's architects are embracing the playful sobriquet.
Mixed-Use | Jan 26, 2015
MVRDV designs twisty skyscraper to grace Vienna's skyline
The twist maximizes floor space and decreases the amount of shadows the building will cast on the surrounding area.
| Jan 7, 2015
4 audacious projects that could transform Houston
Converting the Astrodome to an urban farm and public park is one of the proposals on the table in Houston, according to news site Houston CultureMap.
| Oct 31, 2014
Dubai plans world’s next tallest towers
Emaar Properties has unveiled plans for a new project containing two towers that will top the charts in height, making them the world’s tallest towers once completed.