City of West Hollywood
Home MenuMelrose + Norwich: Weaver's Walk
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The new public space on Melrose Avenue at Norwich Drive will be created by moving the curb on the south side of the street and restriping the roadway to make it more consistent with the rest of the street. The site, which was previously sidewalk and diagonal parking, is approximately 7,200 square feet in area, excluding adjacent sidewalks, and will be divided into three segments by driveways providing access from Melrose Avenue to the adjacent properties. It will be transformed into a park-like space with landscaping, trees, seating, public art, and other amenities. The previously proposed design for this space that was presented in various public meetings from 2020 to 2021 is now being reimagined, and the City restarted the effort with a new design team, artist, and with renewed input from the local community.
WEAVER'S WALK
Melrose + Norwich: ‘Weaver’s Walk’ is a strolling garden featuring large specimen oak trees, pollinator-friendly landscape areas designed by Pamela Burton & Company, and a newly commissioned artwork by Los Angeles-based artist Karon Davis entitled Before Picasso. It will be an impactful habitat garden that increases site permeability and overhead shade canopy while providing the neighborhood with a natural area of respite.
Conceptual Site Plan
The primary circulation path through the space is ‘Weaver’s Walk’. This pedestrian foot path weaves through the landscaped areas and features graphic patterning typical to West African Guro cloth textiles. An ADA-accessible permeable path sweeps through the pollinator gardens, creating an intimate garden experience that includes seating in the form of both boulders and custom benches. Ample storefront circulation is maintained across the site’s property line and concrete from the existing two driveway footprints will be replaced with permeable materials.
Rising above a grove of flowering redbud trees, Davis’s figural sculpture Before Picasso is evocative of West African Guro Loom Pulleys. Paying homage to the Design District’s textile industry, the enlarged loom pulley and accompanying ‘Weaver’s Walk’ create ample moments for visitors to become immersed within the garden.
Through the thoughtful combination of public art and landscape design, ‘Weaver’s Walk’ will be a uniquely identifiable place within the Design District. Prioritizing shading and vegetation, it will be a moment for users to slow down and enjoy a moment of contemplation and respite.
SCHEDULE
The utility undergrounding and site preparation work has been completed, and bidding for construction is underway. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2025.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
April 15, 2024 City Council Staff Report
May 1, 2023 City Council Staff Report
Design District Streetscape Project
QUESTIONS AND MORE INFORMATION
For any questions or additional information, please contact Michael Barker, the City of West Hollywood Project Architect in the City’s Urban Design and Architecture Studio, at mbarker@weho.org.