The new Edition hotel going up on the southeast corner of Sunset Boulevard at Doheny has gotten attention because it will be managed by Marriott, and because its creative mastermind is Ian Schrager, who moved from life at Studio 54 to become the creator of the boutique hotel concept.
But little has been said about the New York developers, Steve Witkoff and Howard Lorber, who are behind the project. The Real Deal, a commercial real estate website, recently interviewed Witkoff and Lorber about the West Hollywood Edition.
“Why did L.A. make sense as the next new market for the Edition?” The Real Deal asked. “It’s not Los Angeles for us. It’s West Hollywood, which we regard as maybe the toughest barrier to entry market in the country,” said Witkoff. “It’s very difficult to get approvals and entitlements there. I think it’s even tougher than San Francisco. This was a pristine site. It’s the absolute closest site in West Hollywood to Beverly Hills. You have these sweeping city and ocean views from the top of the hotel. This area has become kind of a magnet for posh new hotels.”
More about Witkoff and Lorber’s vision for the West Hollywood Edition and their view of the WeHo market can be seen on the Real Deal website.
Pristine? isn’t this the lot of the famed and recently destroyed Scandia Restaurant building by Ed Fickett, AIA and also the location of Frank Sinatra’s office, a structure that could easily have been incorporated into the odd jungle facades (drought, anyone?) from the last design iteration I have seen? So, not so pristine.
Mike – that was another concern that had already been dealt with by the PC. Don’t remember specifics, but there were some at all times limits/barriers put in, and a not too late at night cut off time in the outside area.
I was wrong. Mt. Sanger, please run for City Council where your expertise and views can really have an impact !
Another change was the cut-back in retail square footage. I read the PDF and I’m happy about that. One concern of mine is the roof-top club/bar: How noisy at night will it be? Also, the original square-footage for retail was over 18,000 Sf. and 148 rooms, Now it’s down to around 370 sf. for retail and around 190 rooms.
Low voter turnout, as anyone who knows anything about elections in cities with educated residents, is almost always a sign of voter satisfaction with their government. High turnout is usually the result of dissatisfation. Steve Martin is smart enough to know this, but also smart enough in terms of his ongoing battle with our successful city smart enough not to admit it.
This project, as originally approved, had an incredible design which unfortunately has been lost. The City Council approved this project with an on-site night club with 50 less parking spaces than the codes require and provided for the demolition of a rent controlled building on Doheny. If it were not for the loud complaints of Jeanne Dobrin, the 20 condos on Harratt would have been long term rentals instead of housing. While I understood the Council’s infatuation with the original design, the current design is pedestrian, at best, so the original basis for the concessions are now gone. Once again… Read more »
Mr. Sanger – I still think you would be great on the .PC.
West Hollywood is quickly being over built with hotels with no end in sight. No major research has been conducted and this over development will change the landscape in West Hollywood in a very negative.
Oops, site not sight above. Mike – the entrance to the hotel not being on Harrad was a main concern of my Phyllis/Wetherly niehgbors, particularly because we are one way and Hilldale is closed after 7. The PC had already addressed that before neighbors got worried.
Mr. Morin – I live two blocks from this sight. As a home owner, I welcome this project. I did speak at a Planning Commission meeting about some concerns I and other neighbors had. It turned out the PC had already addressed these things before we raised them. They don’t need me – they clearly based on my neighborhood experience are doing a fine job. I can only judge by projects near where I own, and on that basis, I commend them. I am not one of those mindless NIMBY types who fortunately are a small minority here despite being… Read more »
I live a mere two houses away from this project. All I can say is that I’m glad that there isn’t any construction activity on weekends. I was concerned about increased traffic on Harratt, the street I live on, but was assured that the only traffic to and from the site will be for the owners of the 20 condos that will be part of the hotel.
Mr. Sanger – May I humbly suggest you submit an application to be a member of the Planning Commission. Your point of view would be warmly welcomed.