West Hollywood nominated the Sunset Lanai apartments to be designated based on a 2008 survey, according to associate planner Antonio Castillo. The property is a mid-century modern design by Edward H. Fickett and includes a prominent design feature of a lanai setting with a courtyard pool.
The years-long debate over whether the Sunset Lanai apartments should be designated a local cultural resource remains unsettled as West Hollywood’s City Council looks into broader issues of building improvement costs and rent control.
Property owner Edwin Silver argued against the Historic Preservation Commission’s recommendation to designate the apartment building, which is located at 1422 N. Sweetzer Ave., as a cultural resource during the July 16 city council meeting.
According to documents on the city’s website, cultural resource designation of the building is one way of elevating specific buildings or resources that deserve recognition. These resources are then protected under the City of West Hollywood’s Cultural Preservation Ordinance, which requires property owners to ask for permission before changing certain features on the property. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended the Sunset Lanai be designated a cultural resource because architect Edward H. Fickett designed the apartments in the 1950’s.
Antonio Castillo, an associate planner for the city, said the city council delayed a vote on the issue because it wanted time to consider large policy decisions.
“There was a bigger concern, and it’s not just on the building but citywide,” Castillo said. “A building that is designated goes through more scrutiny or approval, and that comes with a higher cost. So, if they (property owners) are not recouping their costs with low rent, that can be an issue for property owners.”
Silver provided West Hollywood’s City Council estimates showing that the cost to complete repairs and improvements on the Sunset Lanai would be greater than what the owners make on rent, according to Castillo,
Castillo said the city is currently working with the Sunset Lanai’s owners to address fire damage on four apartment units and to get tenants moved into those units.
The vote on the designation of the building was delayed to an uncertain date, but during the July 16 city council meeting, Councilmember John Duran said the city would revisit the issue if the owner submitted a demolition application.
