In a recent transaction reported by the Commercial Observer, Regal Ventures has successfully acquired the expansive 37,900-square-foot retail property situated at 8500 Sunset Blvd. in the heart of West Hollywood. This significant acquisition adds to Regal Ventures’ diverse real estate portfolio, marking a strategic move in the dynamic Los Angeles market.

Thriving Tenants and Full Occupancy

The newly acquired property boasts full occupancy with an array of thriving tenants, including the renowned Fred Segal, the high-energy boxing gym Rumble, the acclaimed Tesse restaurant, and the stylish Kith apparel store. These businesses contribute to the vibrant commercial landscape of West Hollywood, making the property a valuable asset for Regal Ventures.

Estimated Value and Strategic Investment

The Commercial Observer estimates the selling price for this prime retail space to be approximately $30 million, reflecting the property’s strategic location and the stability provided by fully-leased, reputable tenants. This acquisition aligns with Regal Ventures’ commitment to making strategic investments in real estate and underscores the continued allure of West Hollywood as a key market for commercial ventures.

Regal Ventures: A Growing Presence

As Regal Ventures expands its footprint in the real estate market, this acquisition further solidifies its position as a discerning player in property investment and development. The company’s focus on properties with strong tenant profiles and strategic locations aligns with the thriving business landscape along the iconic Sunset Boulevard.

This latest venture by Regal Ventures represents not only a noteworthy addition to their real estate portfolio but also underscores the ongoing vitality and attractiveness of West Hollywood’s commercial real estate market. The fully-leased property at 8500 Sunset Blvd. stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of premium retail spaces in this vibrant and dynamic district.

Tristan Schukraft Acquires The Abbey: A New Chapter in West Hollywood’s Iconic Legacy

In a recent development, entrepreneur and MISTR owner Tristan Schukraft has acquired The Abbey Food & Bar and The Chapel from David Cooley, marking a significant transition in the landscape of West Hollywood’s renowned establishments. Cooley, the visionary behind The Abbey’s transformation into a sanctuary and hub of activism during pivotal moments like the AIDS Crisis and the fight for marriage equality, has passed the torch to Schukraft.

Preserving Legacy, Embracing Evolution

Schukraft, celebrated in the West Hollywood LGBTQ+ community for his ventures, which include MISTR, a telemedicine provider, and LGBTQ+ hotel and nightlife venues in Puerto Rico, intends to honor The Abbey’s rich legacy while introducing fresh perspectives that resonate with the evolving LGBTQ+ community and his distinctive hospitality approach.

Continuity in Leadership

The existing management team, led by General Manager Todd Barnes and Assistant General Manager Kiki Farahat, will remain at the helm, ensuring a seamless transition. The anticipated completion of the sale in the coming months, pending ABC license transfers, will officially mark Schukraft’s ownership, ushering in a new era for The Abbey.

Embracing Tradition, Embracing Change

As Schukraft prepares to take the reins, The Abbey and The Chapel’s vibrant schedule of events and parties will continue as planned. This transition reflects a harmonious blend of preserving tradition and embracing the changes needed to cater to the dynamic LGBTQ+ community. West Hollywood eagerly anticipates the unfolding of this new chapter in the iconic legacy of The Abbey under Tristan Schukraft’s stewardship.

Reimagining the Sunset Strip Skyline

Empire Property Group has set its sights on transforming the iconic Sunset Strip’s landscape. In a recent revelation presented to the Planning Commission’s Design Review Subcommittee, the developer has laid out ambitious plans for a high-density apartment building on N. Larrabee Street. This visionary project is a significant step toward redefining urban development just north of Sunset Boulevard.

Prime Location and Innovative Design

Nestled within the R4A Zoning District, the proposed six-story structure will occupy a generous 13,343 square-foot double lot on the east side of N. Larrabee Street. The blueprint showcases a comprehensive vision, accommodating 24 dwelling units, with four designated as affordable housing. Notably, the site features a pronounced cross slope drop of over 13 feet in a southwesterly direction, a unique topographical element that presents both design challenges and innovative construction opportunities.

Architectural Evolution

To bring this vision to life, three existing residential structures on the lot are marked for demolition. The current site boasts a substantial curb cut that spans a significant portion of the frontage. The revamped lot will incorporate both at-grade and subterranean parking, providing space for 34 vehicles. Access to this parking facility will be facilitated by a strategically positioned driveway ramp at the site’s southern end.

Innovative Architects at the Helm

Driving the project’s architectural vision are Levin-Narino Architects, known for their innovative urban designs. The Larrabee development, as illustrated in preliminary sketches, promises a contemporary aesthetic characterized by a harmonious fusion of painted cement plaster, stone veneer, and wood. The design layout distinctly follows the classic tripartite style—base, middle, and top, aligning the building’s facade approximately 13 feet from the property line, in harmony with neighboring properties.

Enhancing the Urban Landscape

The proposed layout integrates a street-facing garden along the sidewalk, graced by three new peppermint trees. Despite infrastructural constraints, such as utility boxes and power poles, the front yard’s potential is maximized within the existing parameters.

A Comprehensive Approach to Urban Living

Diving deeper into the building’s design, it becomes evident that the structure is a testament to modern urban living. It adheres to setback lines while incorporating innovative elements, such as box bays and private balconies extending into the setbacks, aptly termed “allowable projections.” Leveraging the state’s density bonus laws, the project plans to house 24 dwelling units, exceeding the base density that typically accommodates 16. The unit distribution comprises four one-bedroom units designated as affordable housing and 20 two-bedroom units available at market rates.

Parking Solutions and Sustainable Features

Parking is a pivotal component of the design, with two-thirds of the 34 proposed spaces configured as tandem parking. The design also accounts for the site’s unique topographical challenges. To optimize space and ensure each dwelling unit receives a designated parking spot, city staff recommendations suggest relocating the parking garage entry.

Aesthetic Appeal and Sustainability

The building’s facade seamlessly combines three primary materials: stone tile veneer, engineered wood, and exterior composite wall panel siding. Complementary accents in wood and metal promise to enhance the overall visual appeal. Committed to sustainable urban development, the proposed design incorporates solar panels on the roof, aligning with the city’s climate action goals, although further optimization may be required.

With Empire Property Group’s innovative approach, this new development promises to redefine the urban landscape just north of the Sunset Strip, introducing high-density living options to this iconic area. Michael Thomson will keep you informed on this exciting real estate project as it continues to evolve.

West Hollywood’s iconic Halloween Carnaval is fast approaching, and this year, it’s set to be nothing short of spectacular, with over 100,000 people expected to attend. Danny Rivas, the Director of Community for West Hollywood, recently presented a comprehensive update to the Public Safety Commission, shedding light on the extensive preparations underway.

Street Closures and Traffic Measures 
To accommodate the festivities, Santa Monica Boulevard will be closed from Doheny to La Cienega. Additional traffic measures will be in place east of La Cienega up to Holloway to ensure pedestrian safety. These precautions are essential, given the anticipated crowd sizes.

Enhanced Security Measures 
The city’s event services team is actively coordinating with multiple public safety agencies, including the West Hollywood Sheriff Station and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Emergency Operations Bureau, a specialized unit of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, will also be involved. They are all set to provide increased manpower and resources, including a medical tent equipped for emergencies, akin to the resources deployed during the city’s Pride events. Security measures, especially in the evening, will be notably enhanced.

Road Closures and Unique Cannabis Activation
Road closures will begin as early as 10 a.m. on Halloween day and be fully implemented by noon. Notably, a specific segment of San Vicente between Melrose and Santa Monica Boulevard will be closed starting at midnight, affecting traffic patterns. While there will be fewer stages this year, attendees can still expect various entertainment options, such as DJs and decorative installations along Santa Monica Boulevard. Food trucks and vendors will also be part of the event’s offerings. In an unprecedented move, the city is in the final stages of approving a special cannabis event activation between La Peer and Robertson, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to this year’s carnival.

Business Participation and Safety Enforcement 
Local businesses in the area have been encouraged to file for special event permits, allowing them to extend their activities and operations beyond the usual limits for the event. The city has waived the fees associated with these permits to incentivize business participation. City code enforcement staff will be fully mobilized to ensure adherence to all rules and regulations, including monitoring occupancy levels, security protocols, and the structural integrity of temporary outdoor dining spaces. They will also address the issue of illegal street vending.

Public Safety Messaging
In response to concerns about pickpocketing and similar incidents during large events, the commission has proposed embedding public safety messages within electronic signs throughout the city. Rivas, while acknowledging the merit of this idea, pointed out the logistical challenges. Electronic signs have limitations in terms of text display and frequency of messages. However, exploring the idea in strategically important locations using changeable message boards is under consideration.

Virtual Meeting and Expectations
Given the massive number of attendees expected, which could exceed 100,000, plans are already underway for a virtual meeting involving the business community, the sheriff’s station, and the city’s community safety department. The meeting aims to emphasize the importance of public safety measures during the Halloween event.

West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval, one of the world’s most unique Halloween gatherings, returns in 2023. It is set to draw thousands of costumed revelers to the City’s Rainbow District along Santa Monica Boulevard on October 31. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Stay Safe and Celebrate Responsibly
Revelers are reminded not to drive under the influence, as even one drink can impair safe driving. The City recommends ride-sharing services and transit options for a secure and enjoyable Halloween celebration.

West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station can be reached 24/7 at (310) 855-8850 for safety or security concerns, and in emergencies, please call 911. The City’s Block by Block Security Ambassadors program also offers 24/7 support at (833) WEHO-BBB or (833) 934-6222, as well as (323) 821-8604 for calls or texts.

Citywide Residential Permit Parking will be lifted between 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, and 12 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

Unveiling West Hollywood‘s Colorful Past

Discover the Fascinating History Behind 8439 and 8477 Sunset Blvd

A Journey Through Time

Once an Unincorporated haven for less-than-legal activities, West Hollywood‘s history is as captivating as it is notorious. Nestled between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, this iconic area became a playground for vices like gambling and prostitution, thanks to its celebrity-laden foot traffic along Sunset Blvd. The 1920s saw the rise of speakeasies and gambling halls on what we now know as the Sunset Strip, cementing its shady reputation.

8439 Sunset Blvd: The House of Francis

You may have driven past the Italian Renaissance revival-style building at 8439 Sunset, but did you know it was once home to the “classiest brothel on the Sunset Strip,” the House of Francis? Madam Lee Francis catered to Hollywood‘s biggest names, with her alluring courtesans earning up to $1,000 a week during the Depression. Legends like Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Spencer Tracy, and Jean Harlow were among her clientele, and rumors even suggested that MGM had a corporate account here.

The End of an Era

Madam Francis managed to thrive by generously sharing her earnings with law enforcement and elected officials. However, her reign came crashing down in 1940 when she was arrested and convicted of operating a house of ill repute. Her memoir, “Ladies on Call: The Most Intimate Recollections of a Hollywood Madam,” immortalizes her exploits.

Rod Stewart’s Sojourn

8439 Sunset passed through several hands until rock star Rod Stewart and a partner acquired it in the 1970s. Stewart later became the sole owner but had a change of heart after a harrowing robbery in 1982. Today, the building, now known as Piazza Del Sol, houses offices for renowned movie production companies like Miramax and a trendy Japanese restaurant.

The Clover Club and the Changing Times

The Sunset Strip was once home to numerous concealed gambling dens, but the grandest of them all was the Clover Club at 8477 Sunset. Hidden behind mirrored doors, it hosted celebrity gamblers who could wager up to $10,000 in a single night. In 1949, a crackdown on vice dens reshaped the landscape, pushing gambling rings towards the bright lights of Las Vegas. Tragically, the Clover Club was reduced to ashes in a fire in 1952.

A Modern Twist: Urbn Leaf West Hollywood

Today, 8477 Sunset Blvd. houses Urbn Leaf West Hollywood, the Sunset Strip’s first legal adult-use cannabis dispensary. A testament to changing times, it’s a far cry from the vice-ridden past. Explore West Hollywood‘s captivating history, where every corner has a tale to tell. #WestHollywoodHistory #SunsetStrip #HistoricalTales