City officials, as well as representatives of Dwell Media, Klein Financial Group and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) on June 14 celebrated the renovations at 1600 Vine in Hollywood.

The renovation work at 1600 Vine will be completed this fall. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

The 375-unit structure, originally built in 2009 by Legacy Partners, has been receiving upgrades since December 2012, when workers started revamping the building’s units, common areas and its skydeck. All of the work is expected to be completed by October.

Klein Financial Group had partnered with Dwell Media and ASID to renovate four units at two of its properties, CEO Bob Klein said. The interior designers were challenged to redefine the quality that can be developed in a living space. All of the involved units received a different touch from a different designer.

“It’s a battle of brilliance here between the interior designers,” Klein said.

He said 1600 Vine was also creating four new business centers, a skydeck, event centers, a rooftop deck and more. Klein said the new amenities are “phenomenal common area spaces.”

“You’re going to understand the real excitement of living in Hollywood,” he added.

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, gave commendations to the entities involved in the projects. In reference to the views offered by the sixth-floor skydeck, he began speaking by quoting The Drifters’ “Up On The Roof”.

“Throughout the city, he has made a difference with housing,” LaBonge said of Klein. “Throughout our community, you have made a difference.”

He said 1600 Vine is located in a historical spot, as the Cobb Salad was created at the Brown Derby, which once sat at 1628 N. Vine St. LaBonge also referenced “The Wizard of Oz”.

“There’s no place like home here at 1600,” he said, adding that those in attendance should also thank Mayor-Elect Eric Garcetti and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for their work in making 1600 Vine a possibility.

Michela O’Connor Abrams, president of Dwell, also praised the partnership with Klein Financial and ASID.

“It was more than a fine finish, a color, a declaration,” she said. “It was about truly understanding how design changes the way people live and the way they think about their community, their neighborhood and the greater area that they call their city. …It was something we felt transcended a design project.”

Eight designers from ASID’s 1,000 qualified members were chosen to revamp the units. Some of the units were themed; for example, one was decked out in Boston Red Sox memorabilia.

“These eight were chosen for one reason and one reason alone — they earned it,” said Katherine Fern, of ASID.

Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said 3,500 housing units have been built in Hollywood in the last 10 years. He said the area is becoming an example of urban living in Los Angeles.

“We are delighted with what you’re doing at 1600 Vine,” Gubler said.

Danielle Guttman-Klein, of Klein Financial, said workers just finished refurbishing the flooring, waterfalls, gym, resident center and leasing center. She is pleased with the result.

“We’re doing quite a bit of reconstruction to make this really something special for residents, because we want to entice people to come live in Hollywood and live in L.A.,” Guttman-Klein said. “The community is just coming together, and we feel so lucky to be a part of that.”

She said the added community space was a necessary component to the enhancements.

“We saw the importance of bringing people together in this kind of community, where people are so used to being in their own rooms and working on their own Internet,” Guttman-Klein said. “[The business centers] bring collaboration together. That’s what we’re trying to foster here.”

She said similar work has been ongoing at Klein Financial’s other two properties — the Metropolitan Lofts at 1050 S. Flower St. and the Wilshire Vermont.

At 1600 Vine, there are 78 affordable housing units and more than 32,000 square feet of retail space. The Metropolitan Lofts have 266 market rate units, 53 affordable housing units and more than 8,500 square feet of retail space. Wilshire Vermont, constructed in 2007, has a total of 449 units, with 90 of them being designated for affordable housing. It has more than 36,000 square feet of retail space.