The project was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission on February 28, thus forwarding it to the 5-member City Council.

"We look forward to going to the City Council to demonstrate the tremendous amount of community support we have received," said Ted Kahan, President of Oasis West Realty, LLC.

Once the remodel of the Beverly Hilton is complete, it is expected to generate $11.5 million in hotel and bed tax revenue annually, an increase of over $5 million from current revenue. The current plans were first unveiled to the public in January of last year.

(Source: Beverly Hills Courier)

Unable to afford the $22 million Cahuenga Peak, PETA is in negotiations to rent the site until it’s sold. Why? Since the 138-acre mountaintop sits just west of the famous "HOLLYWOOD" sign known all over the world, PETA would like to place 45-foot high letters spelling "GO VEG" next to the sign to spell out "GO VEG HOLLYWOOD."

"We want to…urge the good people of Los Angeles to switch to a healthy, humane vegetarian diet," Lisa Lange, Senior Vice President of PETA, wrote to the listing office of Cahuenga Peak. "Millions of people would see [the sign] and hopefully be inspired to make positive changes in their lives."

The pairing of Hollywood and vegetarianism isn’t far-fetched. Many celebrities have worked with the animal rights group, including Pamela Anderson, Moby, Russell Simmons, and Alicia Silverstone.

Will the plan fly? Keep looking up to the Hollywood Hills over the coming months to find the answer.

(Source: Canyon News)

Safety concerns and the literal shadow the proposal will create over the high school have also been brought to the Council’s attention. "We want to make sure we know exactly what it is and how it affects our city," Mayor Jimmy Delshad has said of the project.

Given the existing traffic at Moreno Drive during the end of school days, many are afraid that the entrance to the new development on the same street will prove disastrous for traffic. The proposed addition of 177 new large residences could bring flow around the area to a halt.

L.A. Councilmember Jack Weiss’ office could not comment on specific measures regarding the proposal but noted that, because the building will be centrally located, it will encourage pedestrian traffic instead of auto traffic. At the very least, it may encourage people to take public transportation.

"If you’re familiar with Century City, you know that getting around as a pedestrian, particularly from the Beverly Hills side, is very challenging," Lisa Hansen from Weiss’s office said. "The vision, developed in conjunction with the property owners and Bob Hale [the architect] involves improving streetscape, making it more accessible for pedestrians…so ideally fewer people will need to drive to Century City."

SunCal’s entitlement application is being reviewed over the next several months, and they will be meeting with the City’s leaders to discuss the future of the development.

(Source: Beverly Hills Weekly)

Unveiling a new menu, new decor, and a new home for L.A.’s Upright Cabaret, the yearlong celebration of its 20th anniversary benefits not only the restaurant but The Trevor Project, the nation’s only 24-hour crisis counseling line for gay and questioning youth.

The landmark at 861 North La Cienaga Boulevard has earned its reputation as a wonderful local dining spot thanks to its delicious menu, elegant interior design, and always beautiful staff. With its recently completed facelift, dinners at Mark’s should be more exciting than ever, thanks to a huge 100-inch video set, updated lighting, carpeting, booths, theater-style marquee, and semi-private dining areas.

The anniversary party on the 28th will be closed to the public, but otherwise, we’ll be seeing you at Mark’s!

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About the Property

• Prime Cul-De-Sac
• Newer Private Gated Community
• Bright, Spacious Floorplan
• High Ceilings
• Hardwoord Floors
• Additional Maids/Office
• Family Room with Fireplace
• Huge Master Bedroom with Bright Bathroom, Inviting Tub, Walk-In Closet
• Open Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances
• Breakfast Bar
• Large Private Lot with Lush, Mature Landscaping
• Fruit Trees,
• Covered Patio for Entertaining

This home is proudly offered at $865,000.

A luxury condominium on the 38th floor in Century City recently sold for a record $15 million. But even that price won’t get you the top view. For that privilege, you’d have to double that purchase price… to an astounding $30 million.

The penthouse on the 42nd floor is still available, and the developer of the Century City development has already received an offer to pay $2,700 per square foot for a unit that will sit on half of the 38th floor. The previous record for a Los Angeles condo was $1,700 per square foot for a unit near Doheny and Sunset in West Hollywood.

What is it about the Westside that continues to prosper despite the hardships faced elsewhere? Perhaps, the homeowners in the communities of Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, West Hollywood, Brentwood, and Century City weren’t as drawn as other owners to the subprime mortgages being offered just a short while ago. Or maybe it’s simply that with so much wealth already concentrated in these areas, Westside owners have been able to absorb the increased payments more easily than others.

Whatever the reason, here’s to the continued strength of the real estate market in the Westside.

Open between 8AM and 10PM daily, clients can easily get same- or next-day appointments for many massage types: trigger point therapy, Swedish, deep tissue, sports, reflexology, and cranial sacral. But what sets the company apart is its customized body work.

"We find out what’s going on with your body. We keep records of what you asked for and what was recommended. Then, anytime you come back, whether you have the same therapist or not, we can log into the computer and find out your information," say co-owner Marcus Lansden.

One of our clients, a busy K/1 teacher in Santa Monica with a hectic schedule, is a regular massage client and attests to its benefits. "I was a swimmer in college, and massage was a regular part of our training. I’ve continued using it to this day to keep my body in balance."

Massage has also been proven to relieve stress, promote relaxation, manage pain, improve flexibility, reduce headaches, and lower blood pressure… all  things  real estate buyers in this challenging market  can appreciate!

The former Howard Hughes "sweetheart" property sitting above the famous Hollywood Sign hit the market today. Acquired in 1940 by Hughes, the majestic property remained in the late business man’s estate until 2002. It is the last privately-owned promontory in the City of Los Angeles.

The property consists of five adjacent parcels of land with the freedom to develop a single family residence and guest house on each, or a single compound composed of the entire 138 acres.

This Hollywood gem is the stuff of silver screen legends. It’s highest point, Cahuenga Peak, towers over 1800 feet above Los Angeles. It’s sure to be one of the most sought-after properties in Los Angeles in quite some time.

• Enhance the health of kids
• Improve air quality and the environment
• Create safer routes for walking and bicycling.

According to the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, obesity rates among children have more than doubled in the past twenty years. Walking or cycling to school is an ideal way to counter that statistic since only 10% of kids nationwide walk to school regularly. Even among those kids living within a mile of school, only 25% are regular walkers.

As more students walk to school, more opportunities to promote bicycle and walking safety emerge. Drivers are also reminded to watch for others, not just pedestrians and cyclists, while using the road.

And particularly important to Los Angeles residents, walking and bicycling help to improve our air quality. When children lace up their sneakers to walk or strap on their helmets to bike to school, they reduce the amount of air pollutants from cars.

Over 40 countries and millions of kids participate in the program. Congratulations to Beverly Hills for their continuing participation in this important program.

Sampras and his wife Bridgette Wilson have placed their Beverly Hills home on the market for $25 million. The 11,000 square foot, English Tudor-style home built in 1993 has been recently remodeled and expanded. Walled and gated, the private estate has five bedrooms, and 12 bathrooms, including his-and-her bathrooms in the master suite.

The home also features a detached guesthose, gym, theater, children’s play yard, pool, putting, green, and the requisite tennis court. The house sits on more than an acre of landscaped ground with a circular drive.