The general lack of office space in West Hollywood, combined with the increased interest in low-rise office due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, led us to update and revise our plans for the Melrose Triangle. The modifications are designed to address two of the city’s most pressing issues, the lack of housing and a shortage of office space. We believe the results will enhance the project’s attractiveness for tenants and neighbors alike.

Our updated plans increase the number of on-site residential units to 77 apartments. As compared to the project approved by the City in 2014, we also have reduced some of the retail square footage while adding much-needed low-rise office space.

Under the revised plan, Melrose Triangle contains 225,300 FAR square feet of office space, 60,000 FAR square feet of commercial space, 77 residential units, including 24 units of affordable housing, and 524 subterranean parking spaces. By contrast, the previously entitled project included 137,064 FAR square feet of office space, 82,021 FAR square feet of commercial space, 76 residential units with 16 earmarked as affordable, and 884 parking spaces.

The inclusion of residential units in the Melrose Triangle project is intended to help the city of West Hollywood address its jobs-housing balance. Moreover, the apartments are intended to foster the sense of community in the area and offer individuals currently working in West Hollywood the opportunity to live closer to their place of employment.

No agreement has been reached with a prospective tenant, but discussions are ongoing with a number of entertainment and technology firms interested in relocating to West Hollywood. The project’s size and location on the West Hollywood-Beverly Hills border make it a highly desirable site.

An addendum to the environmental impact report will be prepared to analyze the revised project, and public hearings will be held before the Design Review Subcommittee and Planning Commission to provide opportunities for community input.

The pandemic has created a number of different health and safety challenges for our families and communities. Melrose Triangle will help address that shortfall by adding low-rise office space to the regional office market in these times when sensitivities are increased about working in high-rise office environments.

Open space is a centerpiece of the project’s revised design. The prior design involved a central motor court in the middle of the property.  The modifications propose replacing that motor court with a large central courtyard that will be publicly accessible via two pedestrian paseos running through the site.  That courtyard will also contain outdoor dining and retail uses to help activate the site.  In addition, large, publicly accessible spaces will anchor each of the project’s three sides. In total the project calls for 23,407 square feet of open space, as required for this gateway site. The project’s design intends to re-brand Santa Monica Boulevard as a pedestrian-oriented main street and aims to attract retailers who will support that urban philosophy. Melrose Avenue and Almont Drive will continue to foster the City’s dedication to design spaces that support art and creativity and similar gestures for the pedestrian experience.

No determination has been made at this time, but the Charles Co. intends to contract with a partner on the affordable units and has begun to have discussions with third-party operators experienced in managing and programming  these types of residences.