Frank Gehry’s WeHo project could be delayed by Cultural Heritage Commission vote

Looks like the Frank Gehry-designed mixed-use project in WeHo has hit a slight bump in the road.

The city’s Cultural Heritage Commission voted Thursday to consider a 1960-built bank building, for historic cultural monument status, which temporarily curtails its demolition as part of the Gehry construction.

Gehry’s project, developed by Townscape Partners, was approved by city planning last week but construction cannot begin while the historic commission considers the structure. Demolition could be delayed up to 180 days during this process, Curbed reported.

The building, now owned and occupied by Chase bank, was designed by architect Kurt Meyer and originally built for financier Bart Lytton.

Preservationists argued before the commission that the structure bears a style distinctive from other bank buildings. Its features include a Roger Darricarrere-designed stained glass screen and a floating staircase.

Steve Luftman, who initiated the historical nomination process for the building, told Curbed that the project’s Environmental Impact Report includes an alternative design that would skirt the bank building. [Curbed] — Cathaleen Chen