Despite opposition, the Aloft hotel will rise in Glendale

Despite opposition from some community members, an Aloft hotel will soon rise in Glendale.

The city’s Design Review Board unanimously approved Thursday Starwood Hotels’ plans to build a six-story boutique hotel at 1102 North Brand Boulevard.

The proposal for the 85-room Aloft brand hotel drew ire from nearby residents who said the 82-foot structure is out of place in the neighborhood and that construction would cause substantial noise pollution.

The hotel plans call for the demolition of the Recess Eatery that’s currently at the address, as well as several adjacent one-story structures.

Board members countered resident concern about traffic, as the hotel would also include an underground 85-spot parking garage, by asserting that regular hotel patrons will be people on business trips, who are much more likely to use taxis or ride-sharing services instead of using nearby parking.

Board member Arthur Charchian acknowledged at the hearing the fact that the hotel will be an architectural outlier compared to the 1920s-era Stanford Arms apartments across the street and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. But Charchian ultimately supported the plan, the L.A. Times reported, and called it an asset.

Starwood Hotels announced the opening its first L.A. Aloft outpost last month. [LAT] — Cathaleen Chen