From the Factory to Studio One to ?

The city of West Hollywood has a sad history of announcing new projects with major enthusiasm, razing the existing structure, then having the developer back out, leaving a vacant lot where a once-thriving business had been. Such is the case of 652 La Peer Drive, once the home of Studio One.

Not surprisingly, the building that came to be known as The Factory began life as a real factory, one where the cameras used in silent films were manufactured. During World War II, Norden Bombsight occupied the building and later a furniture manufacturing business used the ground floor but it wasn’t until 1967 that things got interesting. 

New owner Rob Buck transformed the site into a swinging 60s discotheque called The Factory. For a few years the club was popular with hip celebrities like Peter Lawford, Paul Newman and Steve McQueen before closing in 1972. Later short-lived tenants included the Paradise Ballroom, Spaghetti Village and Koontz Hardware.

In 1974, Boston optometrist Scott Forbes opened a nightclub called Studio One with a vision of making the spot a glamorous and exclusive place for the gay crowd to hang out. Open seven days a week from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., Studio One advertised itself as “L.A’s Biggest and Best!” The club quickly became a hotspot with the gay community with its combination of theme parties, Cabaret, exotic dancers, theater and dining. The interior was decorated with lasers, strobe lights and a fish tank in the men’s room that spouted water for hand-washing. In addition to the main room which could accommodate 1000 to 1600, the Backlot Theater featured famous comics like Joan Rivers. 

While popular with the WeHo gay crowd, Studio One was not viewed as favorably by women and minorities because of its capricious admission policies. Owner Scott Forbes concocted excuses for his doormen to limit the number of women and black gay men, like demanding multiple forms of ID or banning open-toe shoes. This led to numerous protests by gay and lesbian organizations. Studio One finally closed in 1988. The 90s brought more short-lived tenants like lesbian clubs The Rose Tattoo, The Factory and Metropolitan. By now, the property had gotten the attention of developers. 

Enter the Robertson Lane project, a “mixed-use” monstrosity including a 241-room hotel, commercial space and parking for 750 cars that was approved by the West Hollywood City Council in 2018. 

According to the site for architects HKS, “Designers introduced a mid-block pedestrian lane between Robertson Boulevard and La Peer Drive that creates an active lifestyle experience with high-end boutique retail shops and several restaurants and clubs.

“The Robertson Lane project is anchored by a nine-story, 100-room luxury hotel, office tower, and a 10,000-square-foot Event Center with spaces to host banquets, weddings, and meetings for more than 500 people. On the roof of the hotel, there is a pool environment that also serves as one of the food and beverage venues along with a world-class, all-day dining restaurant. A three-level, below-grade parking structure with parking for 750 vehicles will serve both the hotel and the neighborhood.”

Sounds ambitious – maybe too ambitious. In 2021, developer Faring announced changes to the plan which cut the number of hotel rooms to 109, halved the amount of restaurant space and doubling the size of the hotel’s gym to 12,500 square feet. The pandemic had dealt a serious blow to both the hospitality and retai markets, making the project not as attractive to the developer as it had been a few years earlier.

Nonetheless, on August 15, 2022, the WeHo city council voted 3-2 in favor of moving ahead with the project, with Mayor Pro Tempore Sepi Shyne commenting, “Robertson Lane was overwhelmingly supported by residents, businesses and community members.” She added, “This smart project will revitalize the Rainbow District and bring an economic boom to West Hollywood.” The project isn’t looking so smart these days.

There was talk about historic preservation and incorporating the existing building into the new development but we’ve all heard that one before.

In 2023, the site that once housed jumping dance clubs where LGBTQ folks could gather to enjoy and evening of fun holds just a vacant shell where not much seems to be happening. So do you have fond memories of Studio One or other clubs that occupied this building?