Construction is underway on a building on the Sunset Strip that is being transformed into a boutique hotel with a rooftop deck. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The West Hollywood Planning Commission approved renovations for the former Standard Hotel on June 5 including a new rooftop deck and an expansion of space where alcohol is permitted.

The hotel, located at 8300 Sunset Blvd, was previously known as the Standard Hotel before permanently closing in 2021. The property is currently being redeveloped by the Ian Schrager Company and 8300 Sunset Development, LLC as the newly branded Public Hotel. The renovations follow five other approvals made for the hotel property since its closing, including its designation as a local cultural resource and interior expansions.

The proposal includes a 14,016 square-foot renovated rooftop garden and deck including lawn areas, a walking track, seating areas and a central water feature. The hotel’s two existing elevators and stairwell will be extended to reach the rooftop. Hotel guests will be able to consume alcohol on the rooftop purchased from the bar or via room service. However, there will be no additional bar on the rooftop. The proposal also includes minor renovations to the building’s exterior including new steps and metal railing, while maintaining the integrity of the building’s architecture.

New glass and metal-framed sound barriers will be installed along the roof’s barrier to mitigate sound. The city staff report on the proposal also stated that the rooftop will “utilize directional speakers and sound control software to limit noise spillover and comply with the city’s Noise Ordinance.”

At the June 5 Planning Commission meeting, members of the public and the commission expressed concerns about noise levels that would come from hotel guests and events held on the roof.

Commission member Lynn Hoopingarner expressed doubt that the amount of noise from a possible 399 guests, the roof’s maximum occupancy, would not violate the city’s code or disturb people in nearby residential buildings. However, Andrew Brady, a representative of the Ian Schrager Company, who is redeveloping the property, assured the commission that the noise level study included as part of the report, which established a maximum of 57 decibels during nighttime hours, accounted for the possibility of 399 guests on the rooftop.

Brady also said there was no room anywhere else in the building to add amenities, so the roof became the only option. He added that the rooftop will only be accessible via key card for hotel guests and event attendees.

“Activating the rooftop space is critical to ensuring the financial success of the hotel restoration endeavor,” he said.

With the expectation of additional guests, Hoopingarner also expressed concerns that the hotel valet service could meet the parking demands of a typical night where the hotel would be operating at capacity without increasing queues and traffic on Sunset Boulevard. The developers conducted a queuing analysis as part of the proposal, which determined that during the busiest nights, seven parking attendants would be needed to park a total of 97 vehicles in order to avoid additional queues.

Resident David Stookey said during public comment he was concerned about the possible noise levels that would result from rooftop guests at night, especially under the influence of alcohol.

“Hotel rooftop noise is a common problem, especially where you have large crowds of young adults, amplified music and regular alcohol service in the late evenings,” he said.

However, Cathy Blaivas, another West Hollywood resident, said that the Ian Schrager Company obtaining local cultural status for the hotel revealed its intentions to put the interests of the community first in the redevelopment of the hotel.

“This won’t be the first rooftop project on Sunset Boulevard that creates noise,” she said. “I don’t know why they should be singled out.”

Victor Omelczenko, a representative of the West Hollywood Preservation Alliance, also spoke in support of the renovations and commended the developers for maintaining the building’s historic architecture.

In response to the comments, Brady assured the council of the thoroughness of the noise analysis study in addition to the noise mitigation measures planned for the project, which include sound barriers and strategically placed speakers.

“This is a boutique hotel,” he said. “This is not going to be a party hotel. There are enough party hotels on the Strip.”

Stacey Jones, a member of the commission who supported the renovations, said that it was rare for a property development team to be as prepared as Brady was to answer questions regarding residents’ concerns about a project.

“We need people in hotels on Sunset Boulevard right now,” she said. “There are parts of the Strip that are suffering.”