Redevelopment of Hollywood and Hudson Building Proposed

Developers are seeking permits to create five commercial spaces, business offices and a four-story parking garage with 108 spaces at a building on Hollywood Boulevard at North Hudson Avenue.

The Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council's Planning and Land Use Management committee heard a presentation Monday night on the project planned for 6523-6529 Hollywood Boulevard.

The presentation was given by Michael Gonzales, an attorney for the building owner.

“The point of the master plan is to allow flexibility," Gonzales said. "The plan is for up to four restaurants and one bar. The bar will not exceed approximately 1,675 square feet. The restaurants will range from 1,769 to 2,677 square feet. The largest restaurants are along the boulevard.

“The existing structure is the historical element of the Holly Cinema Theater," Gonzales continued. "We are keeping the roof line and we are keeping the existing mural. We are proposing to demolish the warehouse structure that is all the way down Hudson. There will also be approximately 4,000 square feet of office space along the second space.” 

The building currently houses a hair salon, thrift store, Scientology center and a warehouse for studio rentals.

Gonzales said it's possible that the space could be developed for retail rather than restaurant use. The flexibility he is seeking would make for a better marketing strategy, he said.

“I don’t see any further public convenience being served by having additional nightclubs or full-line restaurants,” said Oliver Netburn, a member of the planning and land use committee. “There are enough restaurants. There are enough businesses in the area. Hollywood isn’t suffering because of the lack of full-line alcohol in restaurants.”

David Carrera, the panel's chair, disagreed with Netburn’s position.

“I would say we do not have enough restaurants," Carrera said. "We do not have any viable retail and we sorely lack parking. So it’s kind of like one of those deals with the devil.”  

According to Gonzales, the garage will also attract national retailers, which, he said, will not come in without parking.

“There will be parking for use by the site. The remaining parking will be open for community uses, but it will be paid parking,” he said.

The project is going through the conditional use permit process and developers will prepare building plans after that stage is completed.

The cost of the project has not been determined and there are no tenants yet for the new building, Gonzales said.

“I think it’s great," said David Ambroz, beautification co-chair of the neighborhood council. "I think we need the parking. I think when they fill in the tenants, that they come back and chat with us. That would be great. I do have a concern that I think it’s ugly as sin in terms of the parking structure. It’s once again the open concept parking structure. There needs to be some kind of aesthetic consideration.”

Gonzales said he would be willing to look into alternatives to the open concept parking structure.