By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
The Pacific Palisades Design Review Board met again virtually on Wednesday, October 14, to discuss proposed changes to the historic Business Block Building—located on Sunset Boulevard and a centerpiece structure in the Palisades since 1924.
The brief meeting called for final review of new awnings, lighting, paint and a sign program for the commercial building. Applicant Mary Faria requested continuation to the October 28 meeting.
“Per the board’s request at the last meeting, we have done some paint mock-ups at the site,” Faria explained. “Those were reviewed by the owner this week and are ready for the board to review as well. We’re requesting continuation … so you have the opportunity to look at the materials and the mock-up.”
Faria explained that there are three paint samples on the north and south sides of the building, the building is painted white in a section and the three colors are painted right above. The materials have already been sent to the city for review.
The October 14 meeting marked the third time the Pacific Palisades Design Review Board has met to discuss the proposed changes, with previous meetings held in July and September.
During the July meeting, design elements for white paint and black awnings were initially proposed. The cosmetic design suggestions received pressback from the community, social media and the board.
Mark Lagola, an architectural designer for Gensler, led a presentation in September to discuss how the designs have adapted to the feedback to the “refresh,” and that plans now include a landscape update.
Two of the main features discussed at length during the second meeting were changes in the “distinctive” pink color and the striped awnings.
“Our approach is to emphasize and bring the property closer to its historical foundations,” Lagola shared at the time. “Through this lens, we feel we can showcase both the architecture of the building, while providing an attractive space for future tenants.”
The property has been owned by TOPA since the early 1980s, Lagola explained, and it hasn’t been updated much since that time.
“We look forward to looking at this and I would like to remind the board that when you’re there, not to communicate with other people about the color or discuss it until we can discuss it all together at the meeting on the 28,” DRB Chair Donna Vaccarino said at the October 14 meeting.
No one in attendance raised the board’s attention for public comment, and the board unanimously passed a motion for continuation of review.
“I think this goes down in record as being the fastest meeting we’ve had in all the years,” Board Member Barbara Kohn said.
The next DRB meeting is slated for Wednesday, October 28, and will take place via Zoom, due to COVID-19 regulations.
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