HOLLYWOOD—Bicyclists from all over Los Angeles are expected to converge on the site of Millennium Hollywood on May 7 when the mixed-use project proposed for the parking lots surrounding Capitol Records hosts its first bike-in movie night.
The event, which will feature a screening of “The Big Lebowski” under the stars accompanied by bike valet parking provided by the Los Angeles County Bike Coalition and snacks from some of LA’s best food trucks and Oogie’s Gourmet Popcorn, promises to be the first in a series of bike-friendly events put on by Millennium Hollywood both now and when the transformative transit-oriented development is built.
“We are serious when we say one of the primary goals of Millennium Hollywood is to get people out of their cars and onto the street,” said Philip Aarons, founding partner of Millennium Partners, the lead developer of the proposed project. “This will be the most bike-friendly development in Los Angeles, and our commitment to that starts now, long before the first shovel is put in the ground.”
Another example of that bike-friendly commitment will be seen on Sunday, April 21, when CicLAvia, which is being sponsored in part by Millennium Hollywood, returns to the streets of Los Angeles. Millennium Hollywood’s relationship with CicLAvia will be ongoing, added Aarons, who said he’s been very impressed by the popular bicycle-oriented event and inspired by its organizers’ commitment to making Los Angeles a better place.
In addition, Millennium Hollywood is in the process of installing modern bicycle racks on its property now so that bicyclists will have a safe and secure place to leave their bikes when they visit Hollywood.
And the commitment to bicycles will grow substantially when the mixed-use project is built and open to the public. Included in the development plans are a bike center with repair, restroom and bike rental facilities, plus dedicated bike parking for residents, employees and visitors.
“I can’t think of a nicer city to bicycle in than Los Angeles,” Aarons said. “Millennium Hollywood will do anything and everything it can to encourage biking. Our commitment to this is unwavering.”
Using the Capitol Records Tower as a centerpiece, the Millennium Hollywood project will transform 4.47 acres of surface parking lots flanking the building into a dynamic mixed-use development. The pedestrian-friendly project consists of approximately 1 million square feet of new uses that may include residential units, a hotel, office space, a sports club, restaurants, and retail space.
The project will be split between two sites along Vine Street just south of Yucca Street. Two new buildings designed by Gary Handel Architects and Roschen Van Cleve Architects will rise on the site to frame views of Capitol Records and the Gogerty Building. Handel and Roschen are collaborating with James Corner Field Operations, the landscape architects responsible for The High Line in New York City, on the design of extensive open space, street-level plazas, and enhanced pedestrian circulation encompassing more than 25 percent of the entire site.
The conceptual plan includes a development with approximately 492 residential units, 200 luxury hotel rooms, 250,000 square feet of Class A office space including Capitol Records and the Gogerty Building, 35,000 square feet of restaurant space, 40,000 square feet of sports club use, and 15,000 square feet of retail space in two structures that could be as tall as 585 feet on the east side of Vine and 490 feet on the west side of Vine.
The project, which recently received a unanimous vote of approval from the City Planning Commission, next goes to the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Committee for consideration. That hearing is expected to be held later this spring.
Millennium Hollywood’s Bike-In Movie Night will be held Tuesday, May 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot at 1749 N. Vine St. Moviegoers are urged to bring beach and/or folding chairs, cushions and blankets to enjoy the food and screening of the Coen Brothers’ 1998 cult classic starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi. Admission is free but you must RSVP to attend. For more information and to RSVP, please go to www.millenniumhollywood.net.
