A long vacant building on West Hollywood’s western border is scheduled to reopen as a six-room hotel with a restaurant as part of its newly attained status as a local cultural resource.

Runners in the L.A. Marathon on March 18 passed 9091 Santa Monica Blvd. as they made their way through West Hollywood. John Keho, the city’s interim director of planning and development services, ran in the marathon and recorded a personal best time. (photo courtesy of Lauren Meister)

The West Hollywood City Council voted 4-0, with Councilman John Duran absent, to approve the designation of the property at its March 19 meeting. The red brick building, located at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Doheny Drive, was built in the early 1920s. The city’s Historic Preservation and Planning commissions voted to support the project.

As part of the council’s vote, the city will enter into a Mills Act agreement, a statewide program allowing local governments to provide tax abatement to private property owners for preservation and restoration of qualified historic buildings.

“Each time I pass by this building, I wonder why this treasure of a building is boarded up, and marvel at its unrealized potential,” said Taylor Megdal, of Megdal and Associates, the property’s applicant.

Megdal said a restaurant, filling approximately 2,600 square feet, including 320 square feet of outdoor dining, will likely be secured by this summer.

“We are so excited to present our vision for bringing this nearly 100-year-old building back to life and prominence,” he added.

The building is 5,250 square feet. The six hotel rooms will range in size from approximately 225 to 420 square feet, according to the city’s community development department. There will also be a 225-square-foot lobby lounge area at the top of the stairs at the entrance. The billboard on top of the building will remain.

Victor Omelczenko, of the nonprofit West Hollywood Preservation Alliance, was among the residents who spoke in support of the project.

“This building has served as a highly visible anchor at the western gateway into our fine city, and the WHPA believes that it sustains sufficient integrity to be designated as a cultural resource, and plans for its adaptive reuse are very well thought out,” he said.

The building previously has hosted retail space, including a Maxfield clothing store, and four apartment units in its upper level, according to a city staff report. It has been vacant for more than 20 years.

“I think it’s a very smart way to bring back what was once great about the building, but also bring it into the 21st century and have it be consistent with the culture and nightlife that we do have on that side of town,” Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath said.

Last year, Chattel Inc., a city preservation consultant, said the building “appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation.” The firm said it “represents a streetcar commercial block dating to 1924, has a unique location and represents an established and familiar visual feature of the city.”

“Staff finds that this project would be a positive addition to activate the western edge of the City and would ensure the continued use and maintenance of a local historic resource,” according to the city’s community development department.

The website wehopreservation.org has an interactive map with historic and culturally significant properties throughout West Hollywood.