SECOND ROUND - DESIGN EXCELLENCE SCREENING (CLOSED)

The Design Excellence Committee has completed its review and scoring of the Round 2 Submissions. All applicants received a decision letter via email on June 24, 2022. Top-scoring proposals will have 24 months (2 years) to submit a formal application that is 'deemed complete' with the Current and Historic Preservation Planning Division to move on to the next stages of the program.

Thank you to all the applicants who submitted spectacular proposals in Round 2. And congratulations to the top-scoring projects!

Round 2 Top Scoring Report

Round 2 Design Excellence Committee Scores

Other Materials

Round 2 Sunset Arts and Advertising Program Screening Scores & Criteria 

Round 2 Submission Guide

Round 2 Evaluative Criteria Explanation Handout

EASTSIDE REEXAMINATION | LEGACY SCREENS (CLOSED)

Submission Guide

INITIAL ROUND - DESIGN EXCELLENCE SCREENING (CLOSED)

Beginning on October 14 and concluding on November 4, 2019, hopeful applicants were allowed to submit screening applications to the City. In total 43 applications were received. Following training and site visits to the Sunset Strip, the Design Excellence Review Committee began its review on the submissions in December 2019. After review of each of the projects, committee discussions, and individual site visits, and independent member scoring, the review concluded in May 2020. 

Each screening application was independently reviewed and scored based on 33 specific criteria related to design quality, economic development, public benefit, sustainability, and adaptable design. These were formulated based on the policy’s adopted design principles. Once the Design Excellence Committee members finished scoring, the seven committee member scores for each application were averaged and then sorted from highest to lowest. Final scoring sheets were independently reviewed, averaged, and rankings were certified by the auditing firm White Nelson Diehl Evans LLP.

Round 1 Top-Scoring Report

New Development & Alternative Submission Scores

Submission Types

Cultural Resource Projects (4 - 6 Top Scoring Projects): Designated or eligible West Hollywood Cultural Resource sites (https://www.wehopreservation.org/) with existing off-site advertising signs may create, modify, or improve a sign that is no larger than the existing sign area found in the 2019 Sign Inventory.

New Development/Significant Upgrade Project (4 Top-Scoring Projects): New development projects, façade improvement projects, interior remodel projects, and/or seismic upgrade projects (as defined in Sunset Specific Plan Section 8 Subsection 4.c.i) that also are developed to at least 75% of the base FAR allowed for the parcel as prescribed by the Sunset Specific Plan may add new sign(s) up to the maximum area allowed (1,500 square feet of total advertising sign area and no greater than 1,000 of digital).

Alternative Projects: Projects of exceptional design that further the vision, goals, and policies of the Sunset Specific Plan that do not qualify as either a Cultural Resources or New Development/Significant Upgrade project type. Submissions may be submitted for the following subcategories:

Digital (4 Top-Scoring Projects): Projects that incorporate digital sign technology including large-format LED, LCD, and similar projection systems to display programmable advertising content.

Creative New (Non-Digital) (4 Top-Scoring Projects) / Reallocation (2 Top-Scoring Projects): Creative New - Projects that include static off-site advertising signage in a creative format with non-programmable content (lighting and kinetic elements may be programmable). Reallocation - Creation of a creative new non-digital sign through reallocation and removal of existing non-billboard or non-tall wall sign off-site advertising signage area as found in the 2019 Off-Site Sign Survey, expanded by up to 33% of the reallocated sign area.

Advertising Conversion (Non-Digital) (2 Top-Scoring Projects): Projects for existing large format signs (with dimensions of at least 15’ x 15’) that are approved for on-site advertising to convert existing signs and expand by up to 33% to off-site, non-digital advertising content.

Other Materials

Submission Guide

Cultural Resources Score Sheet

Project Score Sheet

As part of the Sunset Strip off-site signage, the City is in partnership with Orange Barrel Media and Thomas Wiscombe Architecture to design and operate the City’s own billboard at 8775 Sunset Boulevard as a pilot digital project, (approved, October, 2018). This pilot project will provide the City and the community with the opportunity to evaluate and set the tone for creative state-of-the-art advertising along the Sunset Strip.

Background and Process

In October of 2015 the City of West Hollywood issued a formal Request for Proposals for The Sunset Strip Spectacular Pilot Creative Off-Site Advertising Sign. The City received nine applications and selected four finalist proposals that met the vision of the RFP. The four finalist teams presented their concepts to the community on Wednesday May 18, 2016.

On October 17, 2016 the City Council of the City of West Hollywood selected the winning team – Orange Barrel Media/Tom Wiscombe Architecture/MOCA/Walter P. Moore creative team to partner with the City on the Sunset Strip Pilot Creative Off-Site Advertising Sign. The concept proposes a unique site that catalyzes the Sunset Strip as a destination that honors creative media. Orange Barrel Media specializes in one-of-a-kind urban, large-format, outdoor advertising projects that engage the viewer. Tom Wiscombe Architecture provides a design that is rooted in the history, aesthetics, and forward-thinking nature of the Los Angeles region. MOCA will actively support the curation of public art experiences.

City Council Staff report approving the Final Design, November 5, 2018

8775 Sunset Boulevard Billboard Project - Final Initial Study - Mitigated Negative Declaration

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

December 19, 2017 community meeting materials presenting the proposed project to receive input from community members:

• Project Booklet
• Presentation Boards

October 17, 2016 Council Staff report

• JCDecaux and Zaha Hadid Project Management Limited [PDF]
  Dame Zaha Hadid, DBE passed away unexpectedly on Thursday 31st March 2016. Founder of Zaha Hadid Architects, her legacy is enduring and  embedded in the design studio she created.
• Orange Barrel Media, Tom Wiscombe Architects, MoCA [PDF]
• Outfront Media, Gensler, MAK [PDF]
• TAIT Towers Inc. [PDF]

October 2015, Request for Proposals