LOS ANGELES | METRO Project Rundown 2.0 (non-downtown)

[craigs]

Flashy office and studio complex in Hollywood may become apartments instead


Rendering of a proposed project at Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood that would include two apartment towers and a music recording studio. It’s an alternative to another plan for the site that would have offices instead of residences. (HKS)


A street-level view of the proposed residential project at 6767 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood that would be built by Thomas St. John and Lincoln Property Co. (HKS)

Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
September 10, 2024

A new high-rise complex that would transform a key intersection in Hollywood may get a different look as developers contemplate making it mainly apartments instead of offices. The $500-million project was proposed two years ago by entertainment business manager Thomas St. John in partnership with Philip Lawrence, the owner of former Hollywood recording studio Record Plant. They asked Los Angeles city officials to approve a 13-story indoor-outdoor complex at the northeast corner of Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue that would contain offices for rent and a top-flight recording studio aimed to please the tastes of the biggest names in the music industry. It was to be known as the CMNTY Culture Campus. That vision may still come to pass, developers said, but now they also want the city to approve another large-scale project for the two-acre site that would be mainly residential.

The unusual dual-track proposal reflects how much demand for office space has fallen since the pandemic drove many businesses to work from home, while apartments continue to attract renters. It may take at least two years to reach the point construction can begin, at which time the developers will read the market and decide between housing and offices, they said.

“Due to the ongoing uncertainty in the office market arising from COVID-19 and recognizing the urgent need for more housing in Los Angeles, we began to explore a residential option,” St. John said. “By entitling two options, we will be better positioned to ensure that we can deliver a viable project at this site once all approvals have been secured.” Both designs are by HKS, the architecture firm that designed SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
. . . .

[craigs]

Here's the rendering of the proposed office/studio project for the same parcel:


Rendering of the original plan for 6767 Sunset Blvd. that would primarily contain offices for rent. The developers plan to decide later whether to build the office version on the residential version. (HKS)

[Radio5]

Originally Posted by craigs

Here's the rendering of the proposed office/studio project for the same parcel:


Rendering of the original plan for 6767 Sunset Blvd. that would primarily contain offices for rent. The developers plan to decide later whether to build the office version on the residential version. (HKS)

Why do I get the feeling the height will be whittled down to the original rendering

[craigs]

Originally Posted by Radio5

Why do I get the feeling the height will be whittled down to the original rendering

Residential wouldn't pencil out at that low height.

[ChelseaFC]

Historic Breakers Hotel renovation in Long Beach nearing the finish line, aiming for November 2024 opening

https://www.presstelegram.com/2024/0...tel-room-boom/

[craigs]

Universal City hotel expansion project clears early approval hurdle


Rendering of a planned 18-story, 395-room addition to the existing 24-story Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City hotel in Universal City. (Ankrom Moisan)


The addition would include, three restaurants, two swimming pools and an expansion of the existing three-level parking garage. (Ankrom Moisan)

Roger Vincent
Los Angeles Times
September 18, 2024

Construction of a new high-rise addition to the Hilton hotel in Universal City was approved by the Los Angeles Planning Commission, clearing a major hurdle for the long-planned expansion. The decision comes as Universal Studios and other popular tourist destinations in the region shine for hoteliers even as other properties in California’s urban centers struggle to fill their rooms.

The commission recommended last week that the City Council approve construction of an 18-story addition to the 24-story Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City hotel, which opened in 1984. The addition would have 395 rooms, bringing the total between the two structures to 890 rooms, putting that Hilton among the ranks of the largest hotels in Los Angeles County.

Hotels near popular leisure destinations such as Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood are outperforming California hotels that are intended to serve business travelers and meetings, said hotel consultant Alan Reay, president of Atlas Hospitality Group. “Big full-service hotels have been really impacted by the work-from-home movement and the pullback of the convention and meeting business,” Reay said. Universal City is “a little island that is doing phenomenally well,” he said, with average occupancy at the Hilton there at 92% last year.
. . . .

[JRinSoCal]

That Universal City Hotel is undoubtedly the ugliest building of 2024. It looks like something designed in the 1960s. WTF! Why do we get such uninspired buildings in LA?

[craigs]

Originally Posted by JRinSoCal

That Universal City Hotel is undoubtedly the ugliest building of 2024. It looks like something designed in the 1960s. WTF! Why do we get such uninspired buildings in LA?

I like it precisely because it looks like something from the 1960s.

[colemonkee]

Looks a little like The Line Hotel in Koreatown (a good thing), and definitely has some Googie design vibes to it. Could turn out really interesting and kitchy, or really awfully kitchy depending on the quality of the materials used.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by JRinSoCal

That Universal City Hotel is undoubtedly the ugliest building of 2024. It looks like something designed in the 1960s. WTF! Why do we get such uninspired buildings in LA?

The fact that it looks like it's right out of the atomic age is exactly why I love it. Love the compass stars.

[dktshb]

Mid-Century Vegas Modern. I love it.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by BrandonJXN

The fact that it looks like it's right out of the atomic age is exactly why I love it. Love the compass stars.

Me too! I totally imagine Dean Martin pulling up to it in a T-bird convertible, with this playing in the background:

• Video Link

[hughfb3]

I always thought Universal City was a County exclave and not in the City, but the article mentiiones LA City Planning Commission.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by hughfb3

I always thought Universal City was a County exclave and not in the City, but the article mentiiones LA City Planning Commission.

Per this link, 70% of Universal City is unincorporated and 30% is within Los Angeles city limits.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by craigs

Per this link, 70% of Universal City is unincorporated and 30% is within Los Angeles city limits.

Ah, you beat me to it. But here's another link from Wikipedia:
Universal City, California

Like craigs mentioned, Universal City is part unincorporated county territory and partially within Los Angeles city limits. And:

"Located within the area of Universal City is the film studio complex Universal Studios Lot and the theme park Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as the Universal CityWalk shopping and entertainment center. Within the Los Angeles city limits lies 10 Universal City Plaza, a 36-floor office building for Universal and NBC; the Sheraton Universal; and the Universal Hilton. The Metro B Line underground station of the same name is located opposite the 10 Universal Plaza."

[craigs]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

Ah, you beat me to it. But here's another link from Wikipedia:
Universal City, California

Like craigs mentioned, Universal City is part unincorporated county territory and partially within Los Angeles city limits. And:

"Located within the area of Universal City is the film studio complex Universal Studios Lot and the theme park Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as the Universal CityWalk shopping and entertainment center. Within the Los Angeles city limits lies 10 Universal City Plaza, a 36-floor office building for Universal and NBC; the Sheraton Universal; and the Universal Hilton. The Metro B Line underground station of the same name is located opposite the 10 Universal Plaza."

At 506 ft., 10 Universal Plaza is the tallest building in the San Fernando Valley and 35th-tallest in the city of LA.

[craigs]

Nothing super-exciting nor a skyscraper, but the project with a Costco with 800 apartments above has broken ground in South LA. This is said to be the first of many such developments if Costco thinks it pans out.

[Radio5]

Originally Posted by craigs

Nothing super-exciting nor a skyscraper, but the project with a Costco with 800 apartments above has broken ground in South LA. This is said to be the first of many such developments if Costco thinks it pans out.

wonder if they'll ever develop the marina del ray one. Such a huge lot.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by Radio5

wonder if they'll ever develop the marina del ray one. Such a huge lot.

If this new project works out, expect to see more of the big box + apartments combination. It certainly makes sense--Costco warehouses are massive properties in key locations that go dark relatively early. Housing makes sense.