Empire Property Group has expanded its high-end residential portfolio with the opening of Empire at Norton, a new development at 8017 Norton Ave. just east of Crescent Heights.
“Our very first property, Empire at Kings, is part of the same vibrant community, so Norton marks a poignant return to our initial Los Angeles roots,” said Craig Berberian, principal and founder of Empire Property Group. “We love this gem of a neighborhood and can’t think of a better place to open our doors once again.”
Empire at Norton is a five-story building that will feature 34 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The project spurred controversy when it first was proposed because it replaces 21 rent stabilized housing units. Five of the units in the new project will be set aside for low- and moderate-income people. In its announcement, Empire said the rents on the other units will start at $4,200 a month. Some neighbors also objected to the height of the building, which was designed by Levin Morris Architects.
The new building’s amenities include keyless entry systems, Nest thermostats, gas fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, quartz countertops, Italian cabinetry, chef-grade appliances, ample storage, private outdoor spaces and in-home laundry. The building also has multiple open areas, a fitness center, a rooftop terrace, a pool and pieces by sculpture artist Heath Satow.
“Each one of our buildings is designed to celebrate the landscape, and Empire at Norton is no exception,” Berberian said.
$4200 for a 1 bedroom? We have gone off the deep end. So what do the low and moderate apartments have for rent – $2 and 3,000? Absolutely ridiculous in a City born to protect renters. The WeHo we created is dead.
I agree. This city has been bought by the developers, and sold by city council members. It’s shameful that the people that made this city what it is, are being forced out by big money.
Perhaps you could look into the power of the Planning Commission and how many projects are approved at that level.
Are the commissioners truly knowledgable about the mechanics and responsibilities of their position? One must not only be fluent in policy and procedure, one must possess a sense of the micro/macro position of each project including its architectural style and the surrounding fabric of the neighborhood and have the ability to give appropriate value to the various aspects.
let’s not forget these are the people pushing a dying woman out of her apartment elsewhere in WeHo. https://staging.wehoville.com/2019/02/01/elderly-woman-dying-of-cancer-resists-efforts-to-move-her-from-building-set-for-demolition/
Whoa! Let’s not confuse the issues. While no fan of this building, the public doesn’t have the full details of the arrangement Mr. Berberian may have offered to the elderly tenant of the other property. Leave room for compassion please.
Exactly!
Beautiful building, but it’s still a story too high for the neighborhood.
How so? There’s a building across crescent heights that is about the same height.
Villa Italia on Crescent Heights is a historic building that was built in the 20’s. New buildings adhere to different codes since then. The Empire building however should have been challenged on neighborhood compatibility but unfortunately the appeal that challenged the project was based on other issues. One less story would have helped but the design itself is heavy handed for Norton. The art component is also not helpful.
I don’t see why Villa Italia being built in the 20’s has anything to do with the argument of this being too tall.
Also-check out the senior living building on Fairfax/Norton. (It’s taller)
Both Villa Italia and the senior building on Fairfax are on main boulevards which, under West Hollywood code, allow for the height. Empire took advantage of concessions to build what they did on Norton a shady side street that had its own harmony. An instinctive or trained eye in the subtleties of scale and mass would easily detect its lack of harmony and thus incompatibility on Norton. Its architect is unfortunately less sensitive to these qualities than others. There were ways available to lessen its massive appearance but WH has what it now has.
This document shows the allowable building height which is 4 stories. Empire built 5 as they got some kind of concession from the city for low income units or whatever
https://www.weho.org/home/showdocument?id=36958
Various concessions are required by state law, not local ordinance, when developers include certain numbers of affordable units. These include an extra story and shorter setbacks, to name two. WeHo has no control over this aspect of the design.
Can’t wait to laugh at the idiots paying $4200 for a 1 bedroom when I walk by this thing.