A future Hollywood office tower will get yet another haircut in order to settle a lawsuit filed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Los Angeles Times reports.
As part of an agreement reached between developer Hudson Pacific Properties and the nonprofit, the building on Sunset, near Bronson, will be reduced from 15 to 13 stories.
Hudson also agreed to eliminate a proposed supermarket that would have gone in on the ground floor. The building has also been “redesigned to reduce noise” of delivery trucks coming and going at the site, according to the Times.
AHF sued after the city approved the tower, arguing it had “improperly changed planning and zoning rules for the developer,” the Times said.
The foundation’s president, Michael Weinstein, referred to the agreement as “yet another legal victory” for the group.
The AHF was one of the major donors of a defeated ballot measure that would have severely limited development in Los Angeles. It also has a lawsuit pending against another Hollywood development, the Palladium Residences, which would rise by the AHF’s headquarters.
The Sunset and Bronson building, named Epic, is not quite living up to its name. Originally proposed as 18 stories tall, it was chopped down to 15 stories last year after neighborhood took issue with its height.
Epic is also being sued by the owners of a nearby apartment complex, who were upset at a driveway being installed right next to their building. The driveway would have been used by trucks going to the supermarket. The redesigned project will direct trucks to the building’s parking garage instead, and the apartment owners’ lawsuit is in settlement talks.
Hudson Pacific has another office project, Icon, at Sunset and Van Ness.
- AIDS nonprofit reaches deal over contested Hollywood office high-rise [Curbed LA]
- A developer is naming this Hollywood building Epic [Curbed LA]
- Trimmed down tower on Sunset in Hollywood inches toward approval [Curbed LA]
- A decisive defeat for Measure S: LA voters reject anti-development measure [Curbed LA]
Comments
AHF was the primary source of funding behind Measure S, which thankfully lost badly. Just think of all the social services they could have provided with that money.
By Tim Fogarty on 06.30.17 3:32pm
I think it was the source of something like 98% or 99% of the funding – meaning they were the only major donor. If you are contributing less than a few percent of the overall funding total, you are not a "major" donor. So much money down the drain that could have gone to a better cause. There should be a special circle of hell for Weinstein and how he is abusing this foundation and what should be its beneficiaries.
By disqusted on 07.02.17 1:16pm
Meanwhile AHF sits on the 21st floor of their building, taking more and more money AWAY from AIDS with all of their development lawsuits. What staggering hypocrisy.
By HowardTDuck on 06.30.17 3:57pm
Well, maybe I won’t loose my view of the Hollywood sign every time I step out onto Bronson Ave. where I work. Glad to hear that this project was toned down, though. Bronson and Sunset is a pain for those who are forced to navigate this street while the nearby middle, high and 2 elementary schools are in session. I say this because I have been here since 1979. BTW, those AIDS organizations are a sham, IMO.
By michael_weho on 06.30.17 4:37pm
The apartment complex with the driveway deserves to have their voices heard, but AHF can fuck right off. Eliminating a supermarket from the neighborhood over their own petty dispute with the city, because they don’t want their high-rise view to be blocked, is about the most evil thing I can imagine a corporation doing.
Next we’re going to be reading about how the AHF is funding warlords in South Sudan so they can manipulate the oil market or something.
By Tom James on 06.30.17 5:22pm
As a gay man, I wish the AIDS non-profit would stop masquerading as a health centered organization when it seems to be a power-hungry obstructionist MESS.
By dr61752 on 06.30.17 6:06pm
It did a lot of good work until Weinstein started going on his corrupt, power-mad ego trip a decade or more ago…get him kicked out of there, put someone who is competent and actually cares about the HIV/AIDS community, and it could do good work again. I’m hoping a donor will sue at some point over the defenseless misappropriation of funding to non-related projects and ballot measures.
By disqusted on 07.02.17 1:18pm
Disappointed to hear about the removal of the grocery store… They do know people live here, right?
By Infinite3Ent on 07.02.17 10:12am
The removal of the supermarket from the plans is unspeakable. I live in this area and there is a definite need of a supermarket. (I prefer a large chain such as Albertsons or Ralphs). The neighborhood at the moment does not have a sufficient grocery store within the walkable area. In the vicinity, you have Jons (Santa Monica/101) and Food 4 Less (Sunset and Western) in East Hollywood or Little Armenia. There’s a Traders Joe’s (Sunset/Vine) but they don’t carry all supermarket items. The Pavilions way over near Hancock Park (Melrose and Vine) or Ralphs on (La Brea/Fountain) or Sprouts (Melrose / La Brea). There’s nothing within the central Hollywood area. It’s seems like Downtown LA when they didn’t have a supermarket at all.
To rid the area for something that the community really needs is just awful, just because you don’t want your view blocked. AHF is horrible and someone needs to look at revoking their non-profit status.
By Hollyhood on 07.02.17 12:01pm
There’s also the Hollywood Farmer’s Market, but you have to be available to grocery shop on a Sunday morning to take advantage. There’s also the Gelson’s on Bronson & Franklin. But a grocery store here would have prevented a lot of car trips from nearby folks who could now walk to get their groceries.
I agree AHF needs a lawsuit, specifically targeted at corrupt and evil Michael Weinstein. He is a cancer in Hollywood, and should be a pariah in the HIV/AIDS community for how much money he has stolen from them for his personal crusades.
By disqusted on 07.02.17 1:21pm
These people need to get a life. Standing in the way of progress. Hollywood is a ghetto and needs to be refurbished and desperately needs infrastructure. The taller the better.
By Rudolfop on 07.03.17 12:18pm
The guy from AHF should resign if he wants to focus on fighting building heights. Their mission now seems to be to raise money for him to sit in HIS high rise and lord over Hollywood.
By Mildred Fillmore on 07.06.17 9:23am