Construction Underway at Existing 76 Gas Station

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Changes are now underway at a gas station located in the heart of the Village area.

Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks at an existing 76 gas station, located at 15400 West Sunset Blvd.

The space will be partially demolished, undergo a 1,956-square-foot expansion of the existing convenience store and install a new, 1,861-square-foot, second-story office.

Owner Robert Munakash said he has had equipment removed so far, and the goal is to officially begin the project by September 1.

When presented to the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board in May 2021, Stacey Brenner—who was representing Munakash—said materials for the space would consist of black canvas awnings, concrete, brick, metal sheet roofing and more.

Brenner added the changes will not generate an increase in noise or traffic. The property owner will maintain ownership and use the proposed office space for personal use only; the office space will not be leased or operated for outside uses.

The project also requested a 10% adjustment to the required parking because the space is too tight, Brenner said.

“[Munakash] has garnered more than 75 supporters of this proposed remodel to this gas station and convenience store,” Brenner said during the meeting. “There are several benefits of the project: It meets city policies and goals and their objectives, it is compliant and compatible with the surrounding uses and neighborhood, it’s a high-quality design that enhances the community.”

As part of its changes, the location will no longer offer auto repair services.

With the auto repair service closing shop, Munakash wanted to let the community know his mechanics can still be found locally: Tony Ramos relocated to Shell on Sunset Boulevard and Fernando Campos is at 76 in Brentwood on San Vicente Boulevard.

“Both of these mechanics have been working for 30-plus years at my site,” Munakash said. “I wanted to make sure that they were relocated to an area within the community to keep serving and provide great service.”

He said the repair shop closure comes after noticing the demand for service repairs decline since he purchased the space in 2008.

“Cars are lasting a lot longer, so service repairs aren’t as often as they were before,” Munakash said. “And a lot of cars in the community … are served at a dealership, so we can’t work on it or they have a maintenance program.

“The one thing that I am grateful for is we have a great reputation in the community of being honest and delivering great service, it was a tough decision in that respect … But it’s going to be fantastic, we’re excited to get this thing going on the ground. I think it’s a great complement to the community.”

He said the project is slated to take nine months.