Westside Neighborhood Council facilitates addition of Flagship Art Film Venue at Westside Pavilion-

The WNC's Land Use Committee investigated and worked with the Westside Pavilion owner (Macerich) on plan details to renovate the former Westside Too site located at the southwest corner of Westwood and Pico Boulevards. Based on the work of our Land Use Committee, the WNC was able to provide substantial, meaningful input and help bring to reality the conversion of the upper two floors of the existing 3 floor retail center to house a 12-screen Landmark Theatres "art-house" theater complex of approximately 2,000 theater seats that will contain stadium seating, be architecturally distinct and be per Landmark Theatres the largest and best art film complex in the country. The WNC process confirmed that many in our community are excited about this proposed foreign and independent film venue being housed in our neighborhood. As a significant protection against concerns related to large sized auditoriums and among other conditions designed to protect our neighborhood, the WNC worked with Macerich and Landmark Theatres to assure that no theatre auditorium will exceed 300 seats. The project will also include ground floor restaurants facing Pico and retain the existing Barnes and Noble bookstore as well as retain community appreciated uses such as a community room at the site.
Construction is underway for opening in summer 2007. The WNC is proud of its part in this project because, among other things:
A) the project will stand at the intersection of Pico and Westwood Boulevards, a crucial spot in the WNC envisioned Rancho Park Village
revitalization.
and-
B) the Land Use Committee process employed regarding this project has served as a model for efficient, meaningful community involvement in real estate projects in our neighborhood. |