Two years have passed since the well-attended groundbreaking ceremony that was supposed to mark a new beginning for one of West Hollywood’s most beloved landmarks, but still today the once-bustling French Market remains shuttered and empty.
The original development plans — a renovation of the historic building plus new construction on the parking lot, ultimately housing two restaurants and a subterranean bar, plus office and retail space — suffered some unexpected setbacks, according to Jake Stevens, Vice President of Faring, which owns the property.
But Stevens told WEHOonline this week that he and his firm are getting close to bringing the French Market back to life.
“The French Market will soon be returned to West Hollywood as a dynamic restaurant concept,” Stevens said. “We are proud to bring this historic structure into the future as a new dining establishment for our neighborhood, while at the same time restoring and preserving the charm of the original French Market.”
If y’all complain about gay iconic landmarks closing, then get off Grindr. That’s what really killed it. Do we really think everyone went to the restaurant to eat, or go to a bar to get drunk?
I am the most YIMBY person you will meet, but Faring is a con artist and a blight maker.
I drank the Kool-Aid in 2019 with the dog and pony show orange folder routine in front of neighborhood meetings and city council. After a number of emails and explanations, nothing has been accomplished. No big deal anymore. Paraphrasing: “And who is supplying the funding for this project?” Answer: “me” I thought that was cool, but it was supposedly not true. What happened? I feel partially responsible because I was one of the people that told them what I felt about Robertson Lane and it was positive. A total waste of time with only a stupid city proclamation to show… Read more »
I’ll believe it when I see it. Faring has been the “get nothing done” developer for a long time: Norm’s: thankfully saved from some hideous “reimaging” – but they never built out the parking area into anything, which was bad idea from the start. The Factory Project/Roberson Lane/Whatever: So Faring had all the buildings demolished then something changed. No money? No need for another hotel? No idea what businesses will pay the exorbitant rent for the new spaces? Now a “rethinking” of the whole project. How many years now? It’s a blight in an otherwise interesting non-residential area of the… Read more »
I’m not even gay and I ate there weekly since it opened did my mailing shipping and other shipping for so long it was terrible when it closed
Oh Please. Let me hold my breath….
new concept in dining????? THE FOOD WAS GREAT AND INEXPENSIVE AND GREED GOT IN THE WAY- just should have left it alone…a charming atmosphere and packed eatery.
Faring’s Plan: destroy all historic gay places through stagnant neglect.
It reminds me of what happened to the Boom Boom Room in Laguna years ago. Over a decade later it still sits vacant…but they got the gays out.
Currently The French Market is being used as a crack house. The Sheriff’s office is aware but can’t go and clean it up because the owners won’t return calls and give permission to enter the premises. Let’s be real with each other this blurb appears to be a PR stunt. I think some more research needs to be done and speaking to the Community Safety Director for the city will give you some. We don’t want a repeat of the Sierra Bonita explosion! So Mr. Stevens could you call the Sheriff’s office back so you can at least clean out… Read more »
I hope they have onion soup and zucchini sticks.
And that bran muffin
Promising, exciting, and who knows a new reality show to compete with Vanderpump Rules would Rock!!!!!
Even casual observers of commercial real estate in this area know this firm should be called “not faring well”.
I actually LOL’d. Good one.
How about no more extensions on their permits or entitlements? Call it the new WeHo “S^it or get off the pot” policy..
So the building can sit there empty even longer? Explain how this would help revive that block.