A seven-story mixed-use development at 55 N. La Cienega Blvd. has taken another step forward following an approval issued by the Architectural and Design Review Commission on Sept. 17.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the design for the building, which will be developed at the former site of The Stinking Rose restaurant.
The project will include 140 residential units, 22 of which will be earmarked for very low-income and moderate-income households. Reaching a height of approximately 86 feet, the new building will feature a rooftop deck with a bar, pool and lounge, as well as three levels of subterranean parking.
Developer 55 Del Norte, LLC initially proposed a five-story mixed-use building with 105 residential units, which was approved in June 2023. That design was modified following changes made to California’s State Density Bonus Law in 2024, which allows developers to construct additional units than would otherwise be permitted if they include a certain number of affordable housing units in a proposed new development.
The law was put in place to encourage the creation of more affordable housing in the state.
At its March 13 meeting, the Beverly Hills Planning Commission approved the updated design for 55 N. La Cienega Blvd. in a 3-2 vote, with conditions. On July 1, the Beverly Hills City Council held an additional review of the project at the request of then-Mayor Lester Friedman and then-Councilmember John Mirisch. The council approved the development in a 4-1 vote.
Members of the Architectural and Design Review Commission at their Sept. 17 meeting were tasked with considering the building’s façade elements, including signs, walls, fences and landscaping.
According to a staff report, the building will be designed in a modern, contemporary architectural style and will use a variety of exterior materials, including mostly monochromatic white marble tiles and white stucco. The center of the building and its private balconies will be recessed.
On the rooftop and in common balcony areas, drought-tolerant landscaping will feature flowering plants and trees. Along the rear property line, which overlooks Le Doux Road, a 20-foot hedge will serve as a privacy buffer.
Most commissioners expressed their appreciation for the development’s aesthetics.
“I think this is a really attractive project,” said Commissioner Evan Meyer. “With any of these projects at this scale and size, it’s tricky to get that feeling of, sort of, reducing mass. So, I think what you’ve done here with the modulation, recessing that centerpiece, bringing up the landscape to the second floor and higher levels … [is] very nice.”
Commissioner Jeffrey Daniels, FAIA, said that the development will bring much-needed housing stock to the city.
“I want to applaud the whole team for bringing a project like this,” he said. “I think the city desperately needs additional housing, and … the addition of a large-scale residential component [in that area] can only be a good thing.”
Noting that she would like to see more color and more trees in the project, Vice Chair Terri Smooke nevertheless called the project “lovely.”
“Since the materials you’ve selected are all very calm, very pale, if you could figure out ways to just bring in some [color], maybe through greenery,” she said. “I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but just to animate the building more than it is right now.”
According to Michael Forbes, the city’s Director of Community Development, all city approvals required for the project are complete, with the exception of building permits. Construction drawings have been submitted to the city and are under review.
“Once plan review is complete and approved, building permits for the project can be issued,” Forbes said in an emailed message. “However … it is the developer’s decision based on economic and other factors to determine when they want to pull permits and begin construction, and we do not have any indication of when that will be for this project.”
