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Arquitectonica's 8850 Sunset development gets a revised look

2023-05-10T16:47:00-04:00

Arquitectonica has released an update to its previously proposed redevelopment project at 8850 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood.

The former site of the notorious Viper Room will now feature an increased number of affordable housing units and market-rate condos while retaining its planned 5-star hotel component, which has been reduced from 113 to 90 rooms.

8850 Sunset Boulevard. Image courtesy Arquitectonica

The revised concept also comes in a new envelope with curved balcony decks and one less full story. The Viper Room itself will be revised and expanded to meet “today’s entertainment standards” with a memorabilia display, upgraded stage, better soundproofing, and a recording studio all included inside. LED mesh window coverings appear also to have been removed from the updated facade.

8850 Sunset Boulevard. Image courtesy Arquitectonica

Also part of the update is an added public plaza at street level and breezeway connected to a new “park-like” interior courtyard at the center of ...

Arquitectonica replaces Morphosis on the former 'Viper Room' Sunset Strip redevelopment

2022-03-04T15:10:00-05:00

A significant change has been made in the redevelopment of West Hollywood's landmark Viper Room as an originally-planned design from Morphosis has been nixed in favor of a more conservative scheme from Miami-based Arquitectonica.

The previous design team had originally anticipated breaking ground on a much-maligned twin-volume scheme this year with an end date expected for 2025. As of now, there is no word as to a cause for the change in direction from Silver Creek Development Co. available to the press.

Rendering of the previously proposed 8850 Sunset Boulevard development. Image courtesy of Morphosis/Kilograph.

Updated plans reveal a more colorful, pared-down design that is more in keeping with other commercial and residential developments located along WeHo's 8- and 9000 blocks of Sunset Boulevard. The new 12-story building features a lively rooftop space atop a mixed-used program defined by a south-facing setback and terraced facade with LED-lit mesh window coverings and a host o...

Morphosis-designed 8850 Sunset Boulevard releases environmental study, updated project timeline

2021-09-20T12:03:00-04:00

An updated timeline for the controversial 8850 Sunset Boulevard development has been provided along with new draft environmental study detailing changes to the West Hollywood site.

According to its developers, construction of the Morphosis-designed building is now set to begin in 2022 with a completion date slated for 2025, nearly a full year off of the project’s timeline when last updated in September of 2019.

The planned 15-story hotel and apartment development features a split design, united by a skybridge that helps to separate the volumes and frame a 120-foot-wide opening adjacent to Los Angeles’ famed Viper Room nightclub.

The updated timeline still requires approval from the city of West Hollywood. Archinect will have more details once a groundbreaking date is announced.

Residents despise proposed Morphosis' Sunset Strip development

2019-10-14T11:30:00-04:00

The Morphosis-designed Sunset Strip development Viper Rooms recently sparked much debate among Archinectors, and now it has ignited further dispute among WeHo residents. "Residents erupted in anger when West Hollywood city staffers announced Thursday night that the aesthetics of a Morphosis-designed redevelopment of the Viper Room on the Sunset Strip would not be considered in a state-mandated environmental analysis," reports Curbed LA.

The backlash came at a public community meeting held by the city of West Hollywood "to update the residents on the project, review the environmental impact report process, and get feedback from the community." But, it's tough to get feedback when the majority of participants detest the proposed design. According to Curbed LA, only one of the thirty people in attendance approved of the design.

The majority, however, feel that the avant-garde look doesn't "belong on Sunset Boulevard," but "could be in Dubai or Vegas." Moreover, it appears that due to s...

Morphosis-designed Sunset Strip development: timeline details emerge

2019-09-23T15:30:00-04:00

According to an initial study distributed by the City of West Hollywood, construction of the proposed development - which is being called 8850 Sunset Boulevard - is anticipated to begin in May 2021. Work would conclude after approximately 32 months, with project delivery expected in February 2024.

The exuberant 15-story mixed-use development on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood first emerged as a new proposal in December 2018.

Urbanize LA has now shared more refined project details for 8850 Sunset Boulevard, including a proposed timeline with an anticipated kick-off in May 2021.

Morphosis unveils wild new design for a hotel to be built on the infamous Viper Room site on Sunset Strip

2018-12-17T14:47:00-05:00

The project, which would rise at 8850-8878 Sunset Boulevard, calls for the construction of a 15-story building featuring 115 guest rooms, ground-floor commercial space, and various guest amenities. The proposed development would also incorporate 31 condominiums, 10 units of affordable housing, and parking for up to 300 vehicles.

The 15-story, 200-foot-tall design is composed of two drastically different volumes separated by a large open gap. The volume on the east side of the lot appears to be a relatively standard steel and glass orthogonal structure, while the form on the west side of the lot is a highly articulated, fluid structure that brings Zaha Hadid's forms to mind. The base of the two structures in the concept design rendering appears to provide some outdoor space, perhaps an outdoor amphitheater, above the ground floor commercial level.