Construction of this 10-story, mixed-use building, which is located in Hollywood has been the subject of debate and legal battles for years, is finally underway. Originally proposed in early 2009, this incredibly modern structure will stand prominently in the heart of Hollywood at Sunset and Gordon, and will serve as the Los Angeles Satellite Campus for Boston-based Emerson College. The program is designed for Emerson seniors, who will live in this campus while studying in the facility and doing internships with various companies in LA.
The building, situated on a 37,000 SqFt lot, was designed by Morphosis. It will include 224 student rooms in the towers on the sides, while the glass-walled central building will contain academic facilities. The ground floor, open to the public, will include retail space and a cafe. The whole structure will sit on top of three stories of subterranean parking.
The controversy over this project started almost immediately after it was announced. One of the main opponents was Doug Rogers, owner of nearby East West Studios, who complained that his recording business would be halted during construction due to noise and vibrations. After the planning commission approved the project in May 2010, Rogers, represented by well-known development attorney Robert Silverstein, sued Emerson and the city, claiming that the city’s approval violated provisions of the California Environmental Act.
The lawsuit was finally dismissed in the summer of 2011, and now, as of the beginning of this year, work has begun. The project is set to be completed by December 2013. The only thing there now is a giant hole in the ground, but keep an eye out for this incredible building taking shape over the next two years.
Information courtesy of: Curbed LA