Following six hours of presentations, public comment and discussion regarding a proposed development at 9600 Wilshire Blvd., the Beverly Hills Planning Commission at its May 1 meeting moved to continue deliberations to June 10.
The evening’s discussion centered on a request from developer Saks Global to create a plan to establish size, height and density limits unique to the approximately 4-acre project site, which encapsulates the current Saks Fifth Avenue buildings.
“These buildings are not just stores to us,” said Douglas Adams, the senior vice president of development for Saks Global. “They are our West Coast flagships.”
The proposal for new developments at 9600 Wilshire Blvd. was first submitted to Beverly Hills in 2022. The project is bordered by Wilshire Boulevard, Bedford Drive and Camden Drive, and extends approximately halfway down the Bedford and Camden blocks toward Charleville Boulevard.
The project includes the construction of four new buildings and renovations to existing buildings. Two of the new buildings will be mixed-use residential structures, and two will be commercial buildings featuring a boutique hotel, spa, membership club, retail space and office space. The project will feature a total of 76 residential units.
The development also includes the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the existing Saks Fifth Avenue Women’s building, the construction of new public outdoor space and an underground parking structure with 744 spots.
In November 2024, the proposal was revised to reflect community feedback. If the project is approved on its anticipated timeline, demolition will begin in October 2026 and work will finish in September 2029.
At the hearing on May 1, commissioners listened to public comment both in support and in opposition to the project for just under three hours.
Cultural Heritage Commissioner and local realtor Josh Flagg, who spoke in his capacity as a resident of Beverly Hills, said the project fills a need for real estate that is otherwise not being met in the city.
“Having sold so many homes in Beverly Hills, I can tell you that there is a true lack of luxury product in the apartment and condo space,” he said. “When someone asks me for a condo in the heart of Beverly Hills, I have very little options aside from the Maybourne, where very few condos are even ever available.”
Recreation and Parks Commissioner Tara Riceberg, also speaking in her capacity as a resident, added that 9600 Wilshire has the potential to revive Wilshire Boulevard and beyond, and to bring much-needed rejuvenation to the area as well as funds to the city.
“We all know Beverly Hills is having a bit of a financial glitch,” she said. “Beverly Hills needs activations and projects that are going to lure tourism. We need those dollars. We need business tax, revenue occupancy tax, the business tax licenses; we need a destination.”
Those who spoke against the project were largely concerned with its impact on traffic, noise and the surrounding environment. Some were members of the Southwest Beverly Hills Homeowners Association, who have spoken out against the project since its inception.
“We have all this development surrounding us, impinging on us,” said resident Fern Seiser. “Our lifestyle simply will not exist. Our southwest Beverly neighborhood is in jeopardy.”
Several representatives for the nonprofit organization Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development Los Angeles spoke about the noise level that would be generated from construction, as well as concerns about diesel particulate matter emissions.
Planning Commission Vice Chair Jeff Wolfe inquired as to whether further mitigation efforts could be undertaken to reduce noise.
In response, Adams said that the loudest portion of construction would occur when concrete is being poured, and that the company has agreed to give extra notice to residents, monitor the sound and install a temporary 20-foot sound wall along the south edge of the project.
Once the meeting hit the six-hour mark, the commission moved to continue the deliberations to their June 10 meeting. The suggestion was made by Planning Commission Chair Terri Kaplan.
“It’s late, and I think the project and the community are better served in my opinion if we do this deliberation portion of this with fresh, well-rested minds,” she said.
