The mid-century building that once housed Kelbo's Hawaiian restaurant at 11434 W. Pico Boulevard has been demolished, and a multifamily residential development is set to rise in its place.
The former restaurant, better known in recent years as the home of the Fantasy Island strip club, was a local landmark due to its easily recognizable imitation lighthouse. The property is currently under the ownership of the Amoroso Companies, which paid approximately $8 million to purchase the nearly half-acre site in 2018.
Not long after closing on the property, the Amoroso Companies filed an entitlement application with the City of Los Angeles to construct new apartment complex in its place. Plans call for the construction of a six-story building featuring 102 studio, one-, and two-bedroom dwellings - including 11 to be set aside as extremely low-income affordable housing - above parking for 67 vehicles.
KFA Architecture is designing the podium-type building, which will be clad with a combination of stucco and metal panels. Architectural plans show several common amenities, including a courtyard, a community room, a gym, and two rooftop decks.
Construction permits for 11434 W. Pico Boulevard are currently pending with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.
Next-door to the project site, a shopping center at 11460 Gateway Boulevard is slated to make way for a similar 129-unit development.
The project follows a similar development from the Amoroso Companies a short distance west at 11916 W. Pico Boulevard featuring 100 apartments and ground-floor retail space.
- 11434 W. Pico Boulevard (Urbanize LA)
