LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
Despite the protest of some of its neighbors, the church-turned-boutique-hotel in Silver Lake will be a new spot for you to eat, drink and dance. The hotel project at 1629 Griffith Park Blvd. from Dana Hollister (4100 Club, Cliff's Edge, Brite Spot) has finally secured the license to both operate a bar and let its patrons dance. According to a Facebook post from FE Design & Consulting, the firm that will be working with Hollister on renovations, the hotel will have a restaurant, a rooftop patio and "a full line of alcoholic beverages." The design firm includes among its clientele Little Tokyo's Wolf & Crane, Traction Brewpup and Sprinkles Cupcakes.
After years of delays, the project finally got approval from the L.A. Planning Department to begin last fall. However, the project wasn't given the go-ahead to have a bar or host special events or let anyone dance. It was a real Footloose situation. Or more accurately, neighbors were worried that the hotel would disturb be noisy, cramp parking availability and, according to Silver Lake resident Lucia Marano, would disrupt "the fabric and feeling of the community." Other neighbors disagreed, saying they'd much prefer a fun hotel to the 83-year-old church remaining eerily vacant. It looks like the Footloose crowd lost this round.