Case Study

Robertson Lane Creating Community Connections

West Hollywood, CA, USA

The Challenge

The client asked HKS to design a project that ties a neighborhood together by breaking down the scale of the city blocks and enhancing pedestrian connections not currently found in this area by activating the street space.

The Design Solution

Beginning at the hotel site, designers introduced a mid-block pedestrian lane between Robertson Boulevard and La Peer Drive that creates an active lifestyle experience with high-end boutique retail shops and several restaurants and clubs. This will be the first piece of a larger vision to connect multiple blocks and encourage foot traffic throughout the neighborhood.

The Robertson Lane project is anchored by a nine-story, 100-room luxury hotel, office tower, and a 10,000-square-foot Event Center with spaces to host banquets, weddings, and meetings for more than 500 people. On the roof of the hotel, there is a pool environment that also serves as one of the food and beverage venues along with a world-class, all-day dining restaurant. A three-level, below-grade parking structure with parking for 750 vehicles will serve both the hotel and the neighborhood.

From a sustainability perspective, the process of designing an energy-efficient building started with an eco-charrette during the Schematic Design phase to establish project sustainability goals and to ensure each team member aligned with them. Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) pertaining to envelope, lighting and HVAC system were analyzed for energy cost savings and associated payback periods. Strategies included reducing lighting power density to help significantly decrease energy use in the building.

The Design Impact

By transforming West Hollywood, Robertson Lane will bring both social and economic benefits to a prime area of the city and create a strong synergy with the existing neighborhood fabric. The site contains a historic building built in 1929 for the Mitchell Camera Company. Often referred to as “The Factory,” the building is a prefabricated industrial structure that has served the local community in many ways. In the 1970s and 80s, for example, it served as the site of a world-famous club known as Studio One and today it remains an important West Hollywood icon.

This project will be LEED Gold status under LEED v4 Hospitality.

Project Features

  • 9 story, 100-room luxury hotel
  • Office tower
  • 10,000 sf (929 sm) Event Center with spaces to host banquets, weddings, and large meetings
  • Multiple food and beverage outlets on different floors of the project
  • Retail space
  • Roof-top pool environment that also serves as a food and beverage venues
  • World class all-day dining restaurant
  • Three-level, below-grade parking structure that will provide parking for 750 vehicles
  • LEED Gold status under LEED v4 Hospitality

Awards

  • 2021 Westside Urban Forum – Honor Award
  • 2020 Southern California Development Forum Design Award