I am addressing the recent letter in your publication “What really happened at the June 8 City Council meeting.” I am the woman who stated, “Oh my God, I want to vomit.”

The comment was in reference to the recent decision by the Beverly Hills City Council to approve the $2 billion project, One Beverly Hills. Sincerely thinking that I was on mute, my comment was not intentional and I did apologize via chat for the rude interruption.

However, I do not apologize for the sentiment. Although unartfully stated, the comment accurately expressed my concerns and anger regarding the project.

Understandably, many might think to themselves, “Why should I feel sorry for residents of Beverly Hills?” The reason is because this project is a microcosm reflecting the ills of our country. Even for the city of Beverly Hills, One Beverly Hills is nothing other than a mecca for the mega wealthy, a shining city within a city of indifference, hubris and greed.

It symbolizes a disconnect and a contempt to the people and the city surrounding it.

We should all congratulate the developer and the Beverly Hills City Council for expediting the approval process during the worst pandemic the world has seen in 100 years. The timing was perfect, given most of the residents were isolated and feared for their lives. The only option to attend public meetings was to virtually watch through the city of Beverly Hills website. Somehow, our residents chose Netflix. I wonder why?

At the southwest gateway to our city, One Beverly Hills will welcome travelers near and far. As if traffic was not bad enough, the development is located at the geographical and regional hub connecting all parts of Los Angeles. Many have already seen the depictions of the project that the developers’ PR team have strategically placed in L.A. local papers and the L.A. Times. Touted as the new brand of Beverly Hills, I predict that the thousands who commute daily passing this luxurious development will be tantalized by the appearance. Nonetheless, it will be determined whether the new brand that One Beverly Hills represents will be appreciated or resented.

One Beverly Hills’ lowest price point for a condo is $6.5 million, with the average cost of a condo marketed at $11.6 million. I find it ironic that the architect is best known for his extraordinary renovation of the Reichstag, Germany’s symbol of democracy. Given the exclusivity that those numbers command, One Beverly Hills will attract the top 1% of buyers from the country and around the world, hardly an example of democracy.

Another irony is the description of One Beverly Hills as the “eighth wonder of the world.” One City Council member even compared the project to the Sydney Opera House. I highly doubt that historians nor the good people of Sydney would agree with those comparisons.

Predominantly private, close to 13 acres out of the 17.4 acres will be open only to the residents and guests of One Beverly Hills. Boasting eight acres of lush gardens for the city, the public gardens come with a caveat. The gardens are divided into 3.5 acres for private use and 4.5 acres for public use, divided by a high fence covered in greenery. The private garden will stay open for residents and guests until midnight. The public garden will close at dusk.

Has anyone visited a public park in this country or abroad that is divided into private and public spaces? Central Park in New York, the Tuileries in Paris and Hyde Park in London do not have fences dividing people. All are welcome.

In this time of suffering, immense inequality and intense division in this country, do we need more fences to divide us? Do we need more housing that only the very few can afford? Do we need to be reminded that too many are excluded?

I sincerely wish that One Beverly Hills was analogous to the Sydney Opera House, an architectural masterpiece for the public to share and revere. Sadly, One Beverly Hills shares more of a similarity to the Palace of Versailles: a massive and beautiful structure that housed the French royal family. We all know the legend and infamous words from this ill-fated time in history: “let them eat cake.” Whether true or not, it is taken on an important meaning and unfortunately it still applies here today hundreds of years later. Have we learned nothing from history?

There must be better options for balancing our need for revenue yet maintaining our values, our empathy, and the quality and integrity of our city.

Isn’t it time to start looking out of our ivory towers? I know this capitalist with a conscience is trying to do just that. So, after eating cake, “Oh my god, I want to vomit.”

Gay Abrams

Beverly Hills