frank gehry to transform 8150 sunset boulevard with mixed-use development
image by adrian scott fine/L.A. conservancy

 

 

 

known for his expressive architectural structures, it has been announced that frank gehry will design a mixed-use development in the district of los angeles known as ‘the gateway to sunset strip’. the site had its heyday back when the garden of allah hotel entertained figures such as f. scott fitzgerald and orson welles who were regulars amongst other old hollywood stars. it was then demolished to currently host some not as glamorous establishments such as a 1960s chase bank building with a distinctive zigzag roof designed by kurt meyer, an aged strip mall with various fast food joints. gehry has been appointed to step in and revitalize this historic and valuable 110,000 sq feet plot, by providing the future generation with improved and more diverse facilities. the vast project, plans to have an abundance of restaurant and retail space, 249 residential apartments, a central plaza with outdoor landscapes that promote pedestrian and bike access.

 

a statement released from real estate investment firm townscape partners comments: ‘the initial design principles focused on environmental sustainability, open spaces and pedestrian and public transit accessibility.’

 

a project of this scale has undoubtedly attracted dispute between the developers and community activists. located at the intersection of a popular route, the local residents argue that the development will dramatically increase the traffic and in turn, will jeopardize the neighborhood’s architectural identity. however, gehry’s scheme is only in its early days, due for release this spring coming and townscape developers stated they plan to provide ‘an environmentally sensitive building that complements and contributes to the historic architecture in the neighborhood’.