22 Sep Urban Renovation: West Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard Regains Its Glamor
The 1.6-mile stretch is welcoming new condos, shops, and more.
Renderings of the Sunset Strip residential building Photo: Courtesy Gensler
The 1.6-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard running through West Hollywood was once the hub of activity for the entertainment elite, serving as the home and playground of such stars as Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, and Greta Garbo. Over time, this glamour faded as legendary dining and music venues frequented by celebrities gave way to seedy strip clubs. In the last 5 years, however, the street has established itself as one of the fastest-evolving areas in Los Angeles for high-rise luxury-home developments. “Los Angeles has completely transformed as a city overall, and with that is its approach to high-rise living,” says real estate agent James Harris of the Agency. “Suddenly there is a huge emphasis on it.”
Renderings of the Sunset Strip residential building Photo: Courtesy Gensler
Other projects will debut soon, including the West Hollywood Edition, designed by Ian Schrager (an early reviver of the Sunset Strip with his Mondrian Hotel). Slated to open in 2018, the 150-room hotel will be topped by 20 condos, each about 3,000 square feet, with expansive terraces and outdoor kitchens. Architect Frank Gehry is poised to put his mark on the street as well with 8150 Sunset Boulevard, a five-building complex with two residential towers and a shopping center.
