Neighbors oppose ‘regional center’ and question entitlements

By Suzan Filipek

Not too far from the Miracle Mile, on Crescent Heights and Sunset boulevards, is an empty lot that now is for sale. It had been planned to be home to a residential-and-retail complex designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.

The backstory to this vacant piece of land is a cautionary tale that includes preservationists pitted against developers, the California Supreme Court and the mid-century modern Lytton Savings building designed by the late Los Angeles architect Kurt Meyer.

In the end, the historic bank was demolished, and the much-touted Gehry project has been abandoned.

But the entitlements and the property are now available to the highest bidder.

“Who is to say that won’t happen here?” a caller to the

Chronicle asked in regard to a project closer to home, the TVC 2050 Project at the historic Television City studio on Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard.

TVC 2050 developer Hackman Capital Partners now seeks City of Los Angeles adoption of a Specific Plan for the property that it purchased from CBS Corporation in late 2018. The request includes allowing buildings with heights up to approximately 20 stories on the 25-acre site. The request would allow 1.9 million square feet of sound stage, office and other uses, plus 1.6 million square feet of additional development.

The developer says the project will create jobs and modernize and expand the aging TV studio, originally developed in 1952.

“We know that the TVC

Project will benefit not only studio workers…but local businesses and neighbors…”

Zach Sokoloff, senior vice president, Hackman Capital Partners, told us in an earlier statement.