A new development that would bring 56 condominiums and more retail space to the corner of La Brea and Hawthorn Avenue in Hollywood was approved on February 16 by the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUM).
The project, which is located between Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards, is now headed to the full city council, but already has the support of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council and Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District. LaBonge said he is interested in bringing more housing to major transportation corridors, and the new La Brea Avenue development follows that approach.
“All housing is important, and this particular location is within two-and-a-half blocks of the portal of the Red Line Subway. It is the heart of everything, and I think it will be an addition to the community,” LaBonge said.
The condominium project is being proposed by La Brea Regency LLC, which is a family-owned company based in Hollywood. Edward Sabetfard, a co-owner of the property, said his family acquired the parcel approximately three years ago, and plans to demolish two small office buildings currently located at the site. Sabetfard’s family also owns a residential building on Hawthorn Avenue directly east of the proposed project site.
The development would include four levels of condominium lofts, located on top of a single story housing 9,000 square feet of retail space. The units would be approximately 1,000 square feet in size, with four levels of subterranean parking. Five of the condominiums would be set aside for low income residents. No tenants for the retail space have been determined.
“We think it is in an especially good area, because loft units are very rare in the Hollywood area, and there is always a demand for housing in Hollywood,” Sabetfard said. “The location, we believe, is ideal, because it is close to public transportation, the Kodak Theatre and the Chinese Theatre. It’s an area that is very much in demand.”
Henry Chu, the city’s chief planning deputy that handled the project, said an environmental impact report was not required. The project was redesigned slightly during the entitlement process to remove open balconies and alcoves, and the planning department approved the project in October, Chu added.
“We didn’t believe that there would be any problems that couldn’t be mitigated, like parking or traffic,” Chu said.
Scott Campbell, president of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, said he was not concerned with traffic or parking problems generated at the site, and added that the only concerns the council had were the alcoves at ground level.
“We saw the project several times and we made some suggestions for changes with some of the design elements,” Campbell said. “We didn’t have an issue with the number of units or the retail component, but the way they designed the first floor there were some alcoves, and alcoves in our area are a place for people to sleep at night. Other than that, we did issue a letter of support.”
No date has yet been scheduled for the city council to review the project, but Sabetfard said he is optimistic it will be approved soon. He said La Brea Regency LLC is currently in negotiations for financing for the project, and that he hopes to begin the construction process in four months. The project would likely take 18 months to two years to build.
“We are in the process of putting everything together, and we are still trying to figure out how much it is going to cost,” Sabetfard said. “But I don’t see any problems, because everybody supports the project.”
photo by Edwin Folven A new condominium project is planned for the corner of Hawthorn and La Brea Avenue. The project has the support of City Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, and the local neighborhood council.
A new development that would bring 56 condominiums and more retail space to the corner of La Brea and Hawthorn Avenue in Hollywood was approved on February 16 by the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUM).
The project, which is located between Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards, is now headed to the full city council, but already has the support of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council and Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District. LaBonge said he is interested in bringing more housing to major transportation corridors, and the new La Brea Avenue development follows that approach.
“All housing is important, and this particular location is within two-and-a-half blocks of the portal of the Red Line Subway. It is the heart of everything, and I think it will be an addition to the community,” LaBonge said.
The condominium project is being proposed by La Brea Regency LLC, which is a family-owned company based in Hollywood. Edward Sabetfard, a co-owner of the property, said his family acquired the parcel approximately three years ago, and plans to demolish two small office buildings currently located at the site. Sabetfard’s family also owns a residential building on Hawthorn Avenue directly east of the proposed project site.
The development would include four levels of condominium lofts, located on top of a single story housing 9,000 square feet of retail space. The units would be approximately 1,000 square feet in size, with four levels of subterranean parking. Five of the condominiums would be set aside for low income residents. No tenants for the retail space have been determined.
“We think it is in an especially good area, because loft units are very rare in the Hollywood area, and there is always a demand for housing in Hollywood,” Sabetfard said. “The location, we believe, is ideal, because it is close to public transportation, the Kodak Theatre and the Chinese Theatre. It’s an area that is very much in demand.”
Henry Chu, the city’s chief planning deputy that handled the project, said an environmental impact report was not required. The project was redesigned slightly during the entitlement process to remove open balconies and alcoves, and the planning department approved the project in October, Chu added.
“We didn’t believe that there would be any problems that couldn’t be mitigated, like parking or traffic,” Chu said.
Scott Campbell, president of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, said he was not concerned with traffic or parking problems generated at the site, and added that the only concerns the council had were the alcoves at ground level.
“We saw the project several times and we made some suggestions for changes with some of the design elements,” Campbell said. “We didn’t have an issue with the number of units or the retail component, but the way they designed the first floor there were some alcoves, and alcoves in our area are a place for people to sleep at night. Other than that, we did issue a letter of support.”
No date has yet been scheduled for the city council to review the project, but Sabetfard said he is optimistic it will be approved soon. He said La Brea Regency LLC is currently in negotiations for financing for the project, and that he hopes to begin the construction process in four months. The project would likely take 18 months to two years to build.
“We are in the process of putting everything together, and we are still trying to figure out how much it is going to cost,” Sabetfard said. “But I don’t see any problems, because everybody supports the project.”
1 Comment
I hope this project materializes soon.
The block of La Brea Avenue (between Sunset & Hollywood) is blighted, especially on the immediate site of the project. It’s ugly right now, pedestrian-unfriendly, and invites crime and graffiti.
The sooner the new project starts, the better it will be for the community, especially considering it’s right next to the world-famous Hollywood!
I also think plenty of ground-level retail should be provided, and pedestrian conditions should be vastly improved, with better-quality sidewalks (brick-stone or tile pavement, better landscaping and plenty of trees).
For instance, the across-the-street formerly Madrone 6-story building, although massive and pleasantly urban-looking, is still a “concrete jungle” because the ground-level view is awful: same ugly concrete, unfriendly sidewalk, and barely any trees. They could have done a better job!
So, I hope this La Brea / Hawthorne project will be much better in that regard, with pedestrian-friendly conditions, open space and plenty of trees, and will create an inviting atmosphere for families and tourists alike.
Thank you!