Sunset Strip House of Blues Getting Wrecking Ball For Mixed-Use High-Rise
WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Big changes are coming to the Sunset Strip.
The world-famous House of Blues is destined for the wrecking ball and several new high-end hotels are planned for construction up and down the glitzy stretch of roadway.
KCAL9's Suzanne Marques reports the venue is slated to be demolished and replaced by a luxury mixed-use high-rise with an entertainment facility.
House of Blues owners say they are looking for a new location and have three years to find it.
But some locals are voicing concerns about plans for high-rise condos, hotels and mixed-use developments in the neighborhood, which they worry will be stripped of its charm.
"The House of Blues is one of those essential parts of the Strip. Of course, it's a low-rise building. But it's just such a special, special property," Adara Salim with Save Sunset Boulevard said.
"Wall-to-wall buildings, stunning amounts of traffic, and also lack of light and air," she said are some of the group's concerns.
Others don't see anything wrong with the changing facade.
"It's sort of the West Coast Times Square," said Mike Maglieri, whose father, now 90, opened the Rainbow Bar & Grill four decades ago.
"My father taught me years ago business brings business," he said, although he hopes music venue will maintain a presence of some kind after its demolition.
"I'm hoping whatever they develop they can incorporate the House of Blues in there," Maglieri said.
The owners of the Sunset Strip House of Blues say their landlord has been gracious. They also say their move will be planned to avoid music interruption.
The building also isn't the only one leaving Sunset.
Hustler Hollywood, on the west side of the Strip, is also leaving to make way for a development.
