The Beverly Hills Planning Commission is reviewing a proposal for a reimagined mixed-use development at 55 N. La Cienega Blvd., the former site of The Stinking Rose restaurant. Developer Westland Development Group is harnessing the power of the recently passed State Density Bonus Law, AB 1287, to propose a seven-story building housing 140 units, stepping up from the previously approved five-story, 105-unit project.
The project, which falls under the jurisdiction of "stacked" density bonus provisions, will include 11 very low-income and 11 moderate-income units within its 140 residential offerings. The revised project also calls for around 19,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, a notable increase from the prior plan. Despite being exempt from parking requirements due to its proximity to the future Metro Purple (D Line) Station, the project generously includes 172 spaces for both commercial and residential use, according to Urbanize LA.
The new building's amenities are designed with modern urban living in mind, offering features such as a rooftop deck, fitness rooms, and a swimming pool, all sketched out by the involvement of Kevin Tsai Architecture, as detailed by Urbanize LA. Its location, directly opposite the future Metro station, allows this hub to contribute toward the blossoming of the neighborhood into a more transit-oriented and vibrant community.
The Beverly Hills Planning Commission's report outlines the intent to hold a public hearing, inviting feedback on the project while aiming to conditionally approve the development plan and density bonus permit. The assessment mentions that the proposed mixed-use building will enhance the city’s residential rental market, "without causing displacement of existing residents or removal of existing dwelling units from the rental market," as the City of Beverly Hills Planning Commission reported.
The developer's approach to the project also includes a focus on pedestrian-friendly features, such as open-air dining spaces to vitalize the streetscape. While the project is exempt from standard parking requirements, Westland Development Group opts to provide a three-level subterranean parking structure, which is more than what state law demands, a move that potentially enhances the appeal for both future residential and commercial tenants, as per the City of Beverly Hills Planning Commission.
