BEVERLY HILLS, CA— The Beverly Hills City Council granted Hotel Development Group, based in Santa Monica, CA, unanimous approval to build the first new hotel here in 15 years, a 133-room luxury boutique hotel on a vacant, full-block site on Wilshire Boulevard. The site is two blocks from the Golden Triangle, home of Rodeo Drive. Its the first new hotel approved since the 196-room Peninsula Hotel in 1987. Securing the approval took over three years. The developer, Steven Crowe, navigated a rigorous design and environmental review by the City, and overcame strong opposition from some local residents. The hotel site on Wilshire Boulevard, the premier commercial street in Los Angeles, has been vacant for over 15 years. Other uses were proposed for the former Cadillac dealership site, but were rejected by the City and local residents, fearing they would create too much traffic. The City Council emphasized the relatively low traffic and potential bed tax revenues in approving the hotel. The new four-story hotel resembles a large private residence and surrounds a private outdoor garden courtyard with fountains, sitting areas, function space and outdoor dining. Hotel Development Group secured the site, created the development plan, and assembled the development team for the owners, BHG Holdings.
