8500 Melrose is a situated at a prominent corner site and serves as a gateway into the city of West Hollywood. The project is a remodel of an existing building. A grand marquee marks the intersection and is an extension of the roofline that extends the building out towards the city.

The existing postmodern building was clad with a heavy granite facade. The owner sought a new design that would attract new life into the building. The result is a reimagined, reconfigured project. The retail spaces were brought forward to meet the street and interior spaces were pulled back away from the street at the second level. The building massing is broken down and made more accessible. A bold new front elevation offers optimum transparency making a strong connection to the city.

The mixed-use building is comprised of retail, commercial and office spaces along with subterranean parking. The new design enhances the visibility / accessibility for each retailer. The reimagined building possesses an iconic presence and (re)establishes a strong connection with the city.

Material Used:

1. Alucobond – Facade Cladding – Plus Collection

2. Steelogic –Facade Cladding – Corrugated Metal Panel

3. Master Glass – Curtain Wall System – Spider Glass Curtain Wall

4. Pilkington – 4-Way Column Fitting – Brushed Stainless Steel

Once a structural eyesore in the heart of West Hollywood, 8500 Melrose has been redesigned to capture and emanate the bustling energy produced by the surrounding high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.

8500 Melrose was originally built as a mini-mall in the mid-eighties, employing a postmodern, almost brutalist style. The result was a heavy granite facade that no longer had a place in today’s architectural era that values sweeping glass visuals, transparency, and daylighting. The retrofit therefore entailed a substantial reconstruction of the exterior skin.

Los Angeles-based Tighe Architecture effectively merged two distinct architectural treatments to create a bold and dynamic identity. What begins as a granite envelope is seamlessly pulled back to reveal an all-glass aesthetic that is both striking and inviting.

C.R. Laurence manufactured and supplied the architectural glazing systems needed to realize this key visual statement. The company’s Spider Fittings were utilized to engineer the expansive glass wall. DRS Door Rails form the glass entrances that serve to complement the surrounding motif. Finally, C.R. Laurence’s ICC-ES approved GRS Glass Railing System is featured prominently on the second-floor terrace, enhancing sightlines while ensuring occupant safety.