City Council approves Frank Gehry-designed Sunset Strip project

Townscape Partners’ Frank Gehry-designed Sunset Strip project is officially shovel-ready, three years after it was first proposed.

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the development Tuesday, shortly after the developer agreed to a scaled-back version last Wednesday, Patch reported.

The mixed-use complex, to rise at 8150 Sunset Boulevard, will have 229 residential units and 65,000 square feet of commercial space. The tallest building will be 178 feet tall. It was reduced from 234 feet via last week’s agreement, the terms of which were insisted upon by 4th district Council member David Ryu, who represents much of Hollywood.

Townscape will give the city $2 million to improve a traffic congestion.

“The way people are living in L.A. and want to experience life in the city is changing, and we are very excited about creating a next generation project, together with Frank Gehry, that responds to this movement,” Townscape partner Tyler Siegel said in a statement.

Some opponents voiced concern about the project’s size — despite the recent size reduction, nearby buildings are zoned with a 45-foot limit — but at the initial planning commission hearing, most residents were on board.

One woman reportedly said, “Would you say no to a Michelangelo?” [Patch] — Cathaleen Chen