News Summary
The development project at 8844 Burton Way in Beverly Hills has faced scrutiny following significant changes, increasing its height from 20 to 26 stories. Community concerns have arisen regarding the reduction of affordable housing units and the transparency of the process. Another towering project at 125-129 S. Linden Drive has also sparked criticism, highlighting a trend of rapid urban development in Beverly Hills amid local governance challenges.
Beverly Hills, CA – Plans for a significant development project at 8844 Burton Way have drawn community scrutiny following an increase in both the height and size of the structure. The project, which is spearheaded by the development group Crescent Heights, has seen modifications that boost its height from 20 stories to 26 stories, resulting in a building that will rise approximately 309 feet, up from the previous height of 223 feet.
The revised application for the 8844 Burton Way project was submitted to the city in March and July of this year. The updated plans now call for a total project size of 492,029 square feet, which is a slight increase from the earlier proposal of 480,686 square feet. Concerning parking, the original plan’s allocation of 277 spaces has been raised to 318 spaces in response to community requests.
Despite the expansion in height and floor area, the project maintains its commitment to provide 200 housing units. However, there has been a notable reduction in the number of affordable housing units. The plans originally included 40 lower-income units, but now propose only 14 extremely low-income units and eight moderate-income units.
The controversial builder’s remedy provision under California law, which permits developers to bypass local zoning codes if a certain threshold of affordable housing is met, plays a pivotal role in this project. Beverly Hills has experienced challenges with its housing element compliance, specifically being out of alignment for approximately three years from 2021 to 2024, allowing this provision to be invoked.
Residents of Beverly Hills have expressed concerns regarding the transparency surrounding changes to the project. Local advocacy has emerged from community members, particularly focusing on the need for greater communication regarding development processes. Concerns are prevalent about maintaining the character of Beverly Hills amid such rapid urban development.
In addition to the Burton Way project, another major development is underway at 125-129 S. Linden Drive. This project has escalated from 19 stories to a towering 36 stories, increasing its height to approximately 400 feet. This development will introduce an additional 185 residential units, totaling 350 units within the plan, of which 61 are designated as affordable housing. Also featured in this project is a proposed 80-room luxury hotel, which further amplifies local concerns regarding potential impacts on the community.
Developer Leo Pustilnikov has made headlines following a successful lawsuit against Beverly Hills to expedite the application process for the Linden Drive project. This move underscores the ongoing tension between city governance and developer initiatives. Ken Goldman, president of the Southwest Beverly Hills Homeowners Association, publicly criticized the continued increase in development size, questioning the motivations behind such rapid changes.
In addition to these developments, the Beverly Hills Planning Commission is currently evaluating plans for a new mixed-use project at 9600 Wilshire Blvd., which sits on the site of the existing Saks Fifth Avenue store. This proposed development has attracted criticism from residents over concerns about its scale, as well as anticipated traffic increases and noise pollution, all of which contribute to unease over the density of incoming projects.
Complaints regarding these developments have been consistent across the community, with emphasis on traffic implications, construction noise, and overall project density being significant concerns. The city is also grappling with multiple builder’s remedy lawsuits and other development proposals that continue to challenge local regulations.
Adding to the roster of developments is the One Beverly Hills mixed-use project, valued at an estimated $5 billion. This ambitious project plans to feature two 28-story skyscrapers and an extensive redesign of the Beverly Hilton hotel. It is projected that construction will create over 2,500 jobs and aims for completion by late 2027.
As Beverly Hills witnesses a surge in tower developments amid ongoing controversies, the community’s response remains critical in shaping the future landscape of this iconic city.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Press: Linden Project Doubles in Size in Beverly Hills
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills
- Beverly Hills Courier: Saks Fifth Avenue Development Moves Closer to Approval
- Google Search: Beverly Hills development projects
- Daily Journal: Judge Beverly Hills Unlawfully Blocked Mixed-Use Housing Development
- Google Scholar: Beverly Hills housing development
- GlobeSt: Cain Developments’ One Beverly Hills to Deliver Vibrant Social Hub in LA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Beverly Hills development
- Commercial Observer: Beverly Hills Tallest Building Builders Remedy Housing
- Google News: Beverly Hills affordable housing
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
