A Huge Glass Sphere Wants To Be LA’s Next Landmark

Los Angeles is home to all kinds of interesting buildings, like the famous Capitol Records in Hollywood, or the Theme Building near the Los Angeles International Airport. Now, West Hollywood is considering adding to the list with a nearly 50-foot glass sphere hovering over Sunset Boulevard.

The West Hollywood Planning Commission Sunset Arts & Advertising Subcommittee reviewed the developer’s plan for the “Sphere on Sunset” during a special meeting Thursday.

It’s intended to be an iconic destination between Olive Drive and Kings Road, tucked between the Pendry West Hollywood and the Best Western Plus / Sunset Plaza Hotel, according to the plans. It looks like a smaller version of the new Las Vegas Sphere, but this one isn’t supposed to be a performance venue.

Inside, the three-level sphere is designed for live broadcasting with podcast space, a reception, and greenrooms. It also includes a rooftop terrace and a media-themed plaza that would be open to the public 24/7.

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The outside would be covered in three different digital billboards that will take up roughly 2,000 square feet. Built out of steel and glass, some of the billboards would show typical advertising, but the rest could be used by the city for arts programming.

The developer has also been working with a graphic design firm to create an outdoor presentation of the history of the broadcasting and entertainment industries called “The Experience,” according to a staff memo.

“The circular interactive display will include an historical timeline, images, and artifacts that the public can meander through allowing a deeper understanding and appreciation for these industries and Sunset’s role in the formation of these industries,” the memo states.

An “Orb Information Center” will be at the center of the display. The circular structure will be covered with colorful-images of billboards that will help guide visitors to different parts of the experience and a “spectacular” view of the southern basin.

Screenshot of The Sphere Proposal via the West Hollywood Planning Commission Sunset Arts & Advertising Subcommittee.

City officials said in the memo that the Sphere proposal is unique. They expect the billboard and building combo to draw people out of their cars and into the area, which could help the sphere become a destination.

However, they do have some concerns about the project.

The sphere is supposed to hover 8 feet off the ground, which city officials noted could be problematic for people taller than 6 feet. Buildings are typically required to have at least 12 feet of clearance space, but the sphere may need to be at least 14 to 15 feet off the ground because of the scale.

City officials noted it’s still unclear how the huge glass orb would be supported. It would need to be suspended independently of the nearby apartment building, but it’s uncertain what that system would look like.

They also want to make sure the sphere won’t dump water down onto pedestrians during heavy rain, and they want to know how all of the glass will be cleaned and maintained.

For the digital billboards, the developer will need to make sure they comply with West Hollywood’s policies for hours of operation, brightness, and renewable energy.

The project now needs to get a recommendation for zoning and permits, which will be a part of its application package presented to the full Planning Commission. The sphere proposal would then need to go to the West Hollywood City Council for final approval.