City officials sign off on celeb-backed Arts Club on Sunset Strip

The West Hollywood City Council gave final approvals for the Arts Club late Monday evening, paving the way for another posh members-only club to rise on the Sunset Strip.

All but one councilmember signed off on the project after local residents and workers commented on the project, according to a representative from the city. The West Hollywood Planning Commission had already approved the project in early June.

Developers London & Regional Properties, a U.K.-based firm, and VE Equities are behind the project, which has been in the works for over three years.

With the City Council’s blessing, the joint venture will now build a 120,000-square-foot, nine-story building on the site of the adult store Hustler at 8920 Sunset Boulevard. It will be anchored by the first U.S. outpost of the fancy Arts Club, a private institution founded in London by Charles Dickens and friends.

A full membership at London club, which is only open to applicants over 30 years old, costs the equivalent of $2,580 in British pounds annually, plus an extra $2,580 “joining fee,” according to the club’s website.

The new West Hollywood club, which is backed by actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her business partner Gary Landesberg, will include private restaurants, bars, screening rooms, office space, fitness center, spa and public art gallery. As with many other West Hollywood fixtures, there will be a rooftop deck with a swimming pool and cabanas.

Membership at the Gensler-designed property will be limited to artists, architects, writers and other creative people.

In addition to 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, the club will occupy four of the building’s upper floors. Construction is expected to last about 32 months.

WeHoville first reported the news.

The new members club will open just a few blocks from SoHo House, another swanky private club that already has a few locations in L.A. It’ll be joining more historical institutions like the Jonathan Club, California Club and the Los Angeles Athletic Club.