WeHo’s Design Review Subcommittee will review a proposal at their meeting Thursday for a new billboard at 9039 Sunset Boulevard, home to the 1Oak nightclub, which would replace current signage with state-of-the-art digital displays.
Currently, the building features a traditional two-sided rooftop billboard and a two-panel marquis sign on the front façade. The existing rooftop billboards each measure 672 square feet, while the marquis screens total 400 square feet. In a significant upgrade, these will be replaced with a two-sided, full-motion digital billboard on the roof, and a static digital billboard on the front façade, wrapping around to the east.
The new rooftop digital billboards will measure 960 square feet per face, amounting to a total of 1,920 square feet of digital display. The lower static digital billboard on the facade will cover 743 square feet. Unlike its counterpart, the static digital billboard will display a single image without animation, changing content at most every four weeks.
In terms of dimensions, the new digital billboard on the east will be 70 feet, 11 inches high measured from grade and 35 feet, 8 ½ inches from the roof surface. The static board on the façade will stand at 33 feet and 9 inches from grade. The static billboard dimensions include a south-facing section measuring 34 feet and 2 ¼ inches by 18 feet and 1 ¾ inches, and an east-facing section of 18 feet and 4 ¾ inches by 18 feet and 1 ¾ inches.
This project aligns with the goals of the Sunset Boulevard Off-Site Signage Policy, focusing on innovative design, sustainability, and public realm enhancements. A notable feature is the use of mass timber in constructing the main feature, known as the “Stand,” which connects the rooftop billboards with the lower façade billboard. This renewable material contributes to the project’s sustainability goals and lends approachability to the structure. The Stand will connect the rooftop and lower façade billboards, introducing a vertical element in mass timber construction.
The applicant plans to reuse the existing rooftop steel structure for the new billboards. The eastern portion of the façade will be clad in upcycled wood.
Hurdles do exist for the project. The new static digital sign on the front façade will encroach beyond the property line by approximately 2 feet and 11 inches, a slight reduction from the current marquis sign’s encroachment. This aspect will require careful consideration during the planning process.
Public realm enhancements, aimed at improving the pedestrian experience along Sunset Boulevard, form a crucial part of this proposal. These include a space for pedestrians to learn about sustainable materials used in the project, a native species planter with seating facing the front façade and a ride-share loading zone.
Under the Sunset Boulevard Off-Site Signage Policy, the proposed billboard is considered an alternative project due to its size and scope. It exceeds the allowable combined square footage of digital and static displays set by the policy, necessitating a development agreement that outlines the public benefits derived from the new billboards.
These benefits include minimum annual payments based on value, requirements for green energy practices, and public and arts programming. The project will exceed 2,663 square feet of combined digital and static billboard area, with more than 1,000 square feet of digital sign face.
The next steps for the proposed billboard involve a review by the Planning Commission, focusing on the development agreement, zoning map amendment and sign permit. City Council will subsequently review these elements for final approval.
