Destination style: West Hollywood Explore LA’s WeHo
WE EXPLORE THE WORLD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL DESIGN DESTINATIONS. HB FEATURES EDITOR HOLLY BYRNE REPORTS FROM THE GROUND
Aplayground to the stars, West Hollywood (WeHo) is renowned for its electric nightlife, historymaking music scene and, of course, its high-profile locals. But nestled beneath the famed Hollywood Hills, this creative city has also been dubbed Los Angeles’ cultural capital. Beyond the flashing lights of neon signs and rooftop bars, there’s more to discover than cocktails and celebrities. Find design inspiration from some of the world’s leading creatives, explore streets peppered with designer boutiques, indulge in a thriving culinary scene and gaze in awe at the era-defining architecture.
SHOP
1. Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design
Martyn Lawrence Bullard is one of the world’s most celebrated interior designers, known for his colourful and eclectic style. With a client list that includes names such as Cher and Tommy Hilfiger, he’s known as the designer to the stars (flip to page 40 to see his work in the Calabasas home of Kourtney Kardashian) – although given the success of his TV series Million Dollar Decorators, he’s now a star in his own right. In 2017, he opened the doors to his atelier store (top left) where you’ll find a collection of home decor, furnishings, art and inspiration, all true to his signature style. Visit: 8550 Melrose Ave.
Bookmark: martynlawrencebullard.com.
2. The Real Real Consider yourself to be a shopaholic with a conscience? Then add luxury consignment store The Real Real to your itinerary. The store began as a first-ofits-kind e-commerce venture in 2011, but the LA shopfront (top centre) was opened in
2018, just a year after the New York flagship. Based on the concept of the circular economy, the store is essentially a resale department store – you’ll find preloved (but high-end) clothing, jewellery, fine art and home decor, so you can save on cost and guilt when you splurge on that Prada handbag. Worn out by all that shopping? There’s also an in-house cafe for recharging.
Visit: 8500 Melrose Ave.
Bookmark: therealreal.com.
3. RESTORATION HARDWARE
THE WEHO LOCATION OF THIS FURNITURE FAVOURITE (ABOVE) IS UNLIKE ITS OTHER OUTPOSTS. THE BUILDING ITSELF IS A MARVEL, GRAND IN SCALE WITH SOARING CEILINGS, AND TERRACES AND COURTYARDS. BEDROOM VIGNETTES FLOW SEAMLESSLY THROUGH TO ENSUITE SET-UPS, MAKING IT EASY TO FORGET YOU’RE IN A RETAIL SPACE. BUT, THE MOST UNIQUE FEATURE IS THE 929 SQUARE METRE ROOFTOP PARK, OFFERING VIEWS ACROSS THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS. VISIT: 8564 MELROSE AVE. BOOKMARK: RESTORATIONHARDWARE.COM
DINE
4. Formosa Cafe Movie stars, musicians and gangsters have all been drawn to this Taiwanese-themed bar since it first opened 80 years ago. And, just this year, the West Hollywood institution reopened to debut a much-needed facelift. The site’s main bar – complete with black-and-white headshots of its famous patrons, Chinese lanterns and its renowned red vinyl booths – was returned to its former glory, with new terrazzo flooring inspired by the Hollywood Walk Of Fame adding a fresh twist. A stylish addition to the iconic venue is the ‘Yee Mee Loo’ bar (above), which repurposed a stylish pagoda roof sourced directly from the Warner Bros Scenic Department. Whatever you do, don’t head for the exit without first sampling the cafe’s delicious Walnut Shrimp.
Visit: 7156 Santa Monica Blvd.
Bookmark: theformosacafe.com.
5. E.P. & L.P. According to Aussie entrepreneurs David Combes and Grant Smillie, the sweet and spicy flavours of South East Asian cuisine we love Down Under are hard to come by in the US. So, taking it upon themselves to make the introduction, they opened this restaurant and rooftop bar. On the E.P. dining level (top right), find a delicious menu fused with Chinese, Vietnamese and Fijian influences (the lobster noddles are incredible) – and you’ll likely recognise the art, with prints from Australian artist Dina Broadhurst taking pride of place on the walls. Upstairs, at the L.P. rooftop bar (top left & inset), tuck into Asian-style street food, specialty cocktails (try Where Love Lives) and views of Sunset Strip.
Visit: 603 N La Cienega Boulevard.
Bookmark: eplosangeles.com. >
6. PIZZANA
WHAT DO GWYNETH PALTROW, STEVE CARRELL AND USHER HAVE IN COMMON? THE THREE ARE ALL REGULARS AT WHAT MIGHT BE LA’S MOST POPULAR PIZZA STOP. HERE, NAPLES-BORN CHEF DANIELE UDITI FERMENTS HIS PIZZA DOUGH FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE IT MAKES ITS WAY, SLOWLY, THROUGH A WOOD FIRE OVEN, COATED IN TOPPINGS SUCH AS FIOR DI LATTE AND SAN MARZANO TOMATOES. VISIT: 460 N ROBERTSON BLVD. BOOKMARK: PIZZANA.COM.
“THE ‘CACIO E PEPE’ PIZZA AT PIZZANA IS A MUST-TRY”~
HOLLY BYRNE, HB FEATURES EDITOR
EXPLORE
7. Sunset Tower
Designed in 1929, Sunset Tower (above) is one of LA’s best examples of Art Deco architecture. Once home to the likes of John Wayne and Howard Hughes, it’s now a hotel. Visit: 8358 Sunset Blvd.
Bookmark: sunsettowerhotel.com.
8. Design District Centred on the Pacific Design Centre, this district (right) is a mecca of art, design and fashion, with more than 250 leading creatives. Block out at least half a day, with a caffeine hit at Alfred Coffee.
Bookmark: westhollywooddesigndistrict.com.
9. SCHINDLER HOUSE
THIS ARCHITECTURAL GEM, ALSO KNOWN AS KINGS ROAD HOUSE (PICTURED), WAS DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECT RUDOLPH M. SCHINDLER IN 1921 AND IS THOUGHT TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST HOMES BUILT IN ‘MODERNIST’ STYLE. TODAY, IT’S FITTINGLY HOME TO THE MAK CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHITECTURE HEADQUARTERS.
VISIT: 835 N KINGS RD.
BOOKMARK: MAKCENTER.ORG.
10. West Hollywood Peace Elephant One of three West Hollywood Library Murals, street artist Shepard Fairey’s ‘Peace Elephant’ came to life through a collaboration that involved the City of West Hollywood and Museum of Contemporary Art. The 20m x 30m artwork was created to showcase peace, creativity, freedom and tolerance – artist Shepard’s interpretations of the city’s core values.
Visit: 625 N San Vicente Blvd.
STAY
1 Hotel West Hollywood Sustainability is at the forefront of design at 1 Hotel’s first West Coast property – from its 95 energy star score to its reception desk (below) crafted from fallen trees. The hotel’s earthy style takes its cues from the beauty of the Southern Californian coast, and while materials include reclaimed timber and steel and recycled fibre carpet, it’s at no expense of comfort or luxury. A neutral and texture-heavy palette offers a reprieve from the city. Prices range from about $550* a night for a king room and $715* for a studio suite (pictured above) through to $740* for a loft suite Visit: 8490 Sunset Blvd.
Bookmark: 1hotels.com/west-hollywood.
WHAT TO PACK
WeHo weather is warm and temperate
– so if you’re in town between June and September, prepare for temperatures to reach the mid 30s (hint: sunscreen is essential). As one of the most walkable cities in Southern California, comfortable shoes are a must, no matter what time of the year you’re there. And, you can’t visit without experiencing the famous nightlife, so don’t forget your Saturday Night Best.
HOW TO GET THERE
You can fly non-stop to Los Angeles from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Expect to pay from $1443 for a return flight departing Sydney with Qantas. Flights to LA tend to be cheapest in February, and expensive in December. Once you’ve touched down, a taxi fare to West Hollywood can set you back somewhere between $60-$100 (AUD). Ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft are another popular option.
Holly Byrne travelled to West Hollywood as a guest of the West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board, visit visitwesthollywood.com.
“THE NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGN OF THE HOTEL CREATES A VERY HOMELY ATMOSPHERE”
~ HOLLY BYRNE, HB FEATURES EDITOR