A stone's throw from the iconic Chateau Marmont, 8150 Sunset Boulevard is Frank Gehry's latest Los Angeles project. Earlier in the year, Gehry was selected by US developers Townscape Partners to work on the large site on the city's landmark strip. The designs, featuring the architect's signature dynamic style, have just been unveiled.
Gehry and his team revealed a mixed-use complex of 'five interrelated and complementary structures'. The scheme includes two residential buildings - comprising some 249 units - retail, entertaining, as well as public and green spaces.
The site is located at the eastern end of the Sunset strip and faces Hollywood Hills to the north. The composition was conceived so as to create a dialogue with the surrounding buildings' scale and to relate to the area's eclectic urban fabric. A mix of heights ensures a lower profile towards the street and secures great views for the apartment units behind it. Carefully thought glazing and transparency will help the volumes appear lighter.
The team will be involved in the design in all scales, from buildings and interiors, to landscaping - in fact pedestrian spaces were central to the proposal. Sustainability is another of the project's key aspects, as the buildings are expected to achieve a LEED environmental rating of Silver or higher. Townscape Partners are aiming to break ground by early 2017.
