[Valyrian Steel]

Hollywood's Huge Capitol Records Towers Get First Big Approval

The City Planning Commission's meeting on the huge Millennium Hollywood project has finally ended after approximately a million hours and: the twin tower plan passed unanimously (and appeals were denied), according to a rep. The very controversial plan would put two very tall towers on parking lots surrounding the Capitol Records Building (on both sides of Vine, just north of Hollywood Boulevard)--the catch is that developers Millennium Partners and Argent Ventures have only released "conceptual" plans that hypothesize towers of 585 and 485 feet respectively; they'd hold up to 492 residential units, 200 hotel rooms, office space, restaurants, a sports club, and retail, plus 2,000 parking spaces split above- and below-ground. But the "conceptual" part means they're asking for approval to build up to those heights and sizes--it's totally unclear what they actually will build (and they haven't released anyything but conceptual architectural renderings either; Gary Handel Architects and Roschen Van Cleve Architects are handling design). The project is also set to be surrounded by plazas and pedestrian space designed by James Corner Field Operations. Neighbors--especially ones up in the Hills--are freaking out about view-blocking and traffic and noise and so on; a nearby music school appealed the project saying construction would interfere with their business of teaching and playing music. Millennium Hollywood now heads to the City Council.

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2013/0...g_approval.php

In related news, Eric Garcetti has come out against the project.