West Hollywood’s Historic Planning Commission on Monday will review local hotelier Jeff Klein’s plans for turning the long dilapidated San Vicente Inn into an upscale urban inn.
The four bungalows that make up the inn, which is on the west side of San Vicente Boulevard just north of Santa Monica, were built around 1899 in what was then known as the Town of Sherman after Moses Sherman, a railroad developer. They have been designated historically significant because they were the homes of some of the very first residents of what now is West Hollywood.
The bungalows were converted into what became a “clothing optional” gay inn, which eventually became known as a center of illegal drug use and prostitution. Since acquiring the property last year, Klein has ejected drug users who were regular occupants and cleaned up the inn’s exterior and courtyard.
He is proposing to convert the property into a 32-room inn. While the original Sherman-era buildings will be preserved, Klein also is proposing to erect a four-story building behind the bungalow at 850 San Vicente that will house the majority of the guest rooms.
Klein is owner of the Sunset Tower hotel on Sunset Boulevard. That building, which was designed by noted architect Leland A. Bryant, opened in 1931 and is considered a leading example of Art Deco architecture in Los Angeles and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Klein purchased the Sunset Tower in 2004 and restored it in 2006. It is known for its Tower Bar and celebrity guests.
The Historic Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. at the Plummer Park Community Center, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. at Martel.
Horrible design, go back to the drawing board on this. For a “high end” hotel this needs better standards than some non-descript condo attachment that is not at all related to any buildings nearby. I’m stunned by the tackiness.
Great idea, but anyone that thinks this design compliments the existing building needs to go back to architecture school.
WeHo Fan is right…a business can’t dictate what the sexual orientation of your guests will be. That would be ridiculous and against the law.
Yeah, disappointed in the addition’s design. Not really in line with the character of the original structures. But, happy to see that these historic homes will be renovated and the whole property cleaned up and enhanced for the neighborhood.
Sorry to tell you this Brian Holt, but state and federal civil rights laws prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation for reasons of race, color, and sex/gender. Unfortunately for you, that means “straights” are allowed anywhere in West Hollywood too. My straight friends and I will see you at the newly renovated San Vicente Inn!
Missed opportunity to me with these designs. They’re building additions that look like every other box development in the area. Why can’t they be a bit more courageous and innovative with the architecture and build the hotel to match the bungalows? Or at least an upgraded version of it. Add a peak roof to the development and it would already match better. I’m so tired of all these new buildings in Weho looking exactly the same.
Will it remain gay oriented, catering to gay clientele? Or is to become another “straigh” hotel in an fast becoming homogenized, non-gay neighborhood??
love this! looks exciting!