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Faring will incorporate French Market Place into WeHo development
The spot is revered as an iconic LGBT hang
An iconic spot once dubbed “the gayest place on earth” is here to stay.
Developer Faring will now incorporate — not demolish — the shuttered French Market Place at 7985 Santa Monica Boulevard into its new project, Curbed reported.
Faring is now planning a ground-floor restaurant with outdoor seating, a coffee shop and creative offices for the West Hollywood site, anchored by the original 1936 French Market grocery structure.
Initial plans called for a tear down of the historically gay locale to make room for a four-story structure with 50,000 square feet of office space, 8,600 square feet of eatery space, 4,400 square feet of retail, and 3,200 square feet for a bar or nightclub.
Faring said the restaurant’s facade will be remodeled to “commemorate the LGBT civil right struggle.” Renderings suggest bronze relief-sculptures will feature the faces of prominent activists.
The new “French Market” project still needs city approval before it can move forward. Faring says the project will not exceed the permitted density or square footage limits in the zoning code.
Faring, led by WeHo native Jason Illoulian, recently took a swim in Long Beach’s waters with a $47 million purchase of 100 Oceangate Street. [Curbed] – Natalie Hoberman