A developer is proposing some minor design changes for a mixed-use building that is expected to have a major impact on Santa Monica Boulevard.
The building, which will be on the lot on the south side of Santa Monica Boulevard at West Knoll Drive, will be three stories high and include a grocery store, a gym/fitness studio, a restaurant/cafe and office space with rooftop parking. The 20,000-square-foot grocery store space will be occupied by Sprouts Farmers Market, a Phoenix-based chain that sells natural and organic food. In addition to the roof, parking will be provided in the existing garage at the building on the site’s west side. The project developer, Michael Talla, owns that building, which houses Capitol Drugs, the LASC clothing store and the 24 Hour Fitness gym.
The project was approved by WeHo’s Planning Commission in March 2015. The proposed design changes will be reviewed by the commission’s Design Review Subcommittee at its meeting on March 9 at the Plummer Park Community Center, Room No. 5. The center is at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. at Martel. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.
The previous design had an open stair with ornamental grillwork on Santa Monica Boulevard and West Knoll corner. The new design would move that to the Santa Monica Boulevard facade. In its place would be a two-story restaurant with glass windows on both sides of the corner.
There would be a horizontal fin system at the second floor and wood composite material on the edges and parapet. An awning is proposed above the door that could include a sign. Also, the edge of the building on the corner would be extended to the property line. The earlier design pulled it back from the property line to provide room for outdoor dining.
In his review of the proposal, Gwynne Pugh, the city’s urban design consultant, said “the combination of design changes will provide a more open and active corner, and more flexible retail space on the upper level. The materials proposed will add color and texture to the original design, and are woven through the front elevation and wrapped around the corner for a holistic approach.
“With some further refinement and attention to detail, the revision will be a good addition to Santa Monica Boulevard.”
I was hoping since it says there will be a gym there, that 24 Hour would be expanded, because as it is now, there is not nearly enough room for weights, and/or machines. It is a total bitch at rush hour, and the fact that no one likes to share when using equipment, does not help.
Living two blocks to the south of this intersection, its Finally taking flight, and its good to see the “lot” having some creativity. With parking already at a premium in the area I hope the upper decks are sufficient but I doubt it. There isn’t enough parking in the area for the Shake Shack, but we will see. Also I would like to have seen parking be below ground and have apartments on the upper desks to help our housing shortage. Plus is the entrance and exit to the building going to be on West Knoll or on Samo Blvd?
Good design, but I can’t be too excited about another Sprouts. I live midway between this, and the one at La Brea and Willoughby, and Sprouts is kind of a mixed bag. A cross between TJ’s and Whole Foods, with some things being as expensive as Whole Foods. I wonder how this will impact TJ’s business across the street, or 24 Hour Fitness next door. They probably can all survive. I’m not going to complain about having new things in this city, but it would be nice to have something we don’t already have, or didn’t just get.
One would hope, since it is the same owner, they might make some facade improvements to the 24hr/LASC building to better tie in the 2 structures.
Better design second time around.
Practically right across the street from Trader Joe’s. Nothing novel about a gym (since the 80s) or a restaurant/cafe. It is a more convenient place to shop than the north side, in some sense. We shall see.