8500 Melrose is a situated at a prominent corner site and serves as a gateway into the city of West Hollywood. The building stands at the confluence of La Cienega Blvd and Melrose Avenue. A new grand marquee marks the intersection and is an extension of the roofline that extends the building out into the city. The reimagined building possesses an iconic presence and (re)establishes a strong connection with the city.

The project is a remodel of an existing building that was constructed in the mid-eighties. The existing building was rendered in a postmodern style and 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 that replaces the original. The retail spaces were brought forward to meet the street at the ground level and the interior spaces were pulled back away from the street at the second level. A bold new front elevation consisting mostly of glass offers optimum transparency making a strong connection to the neighborhood.

The 64,000 mixed-use building is comprised of retail, commercial and office spaces along with parking at grade and at the subterranean level. The building massing is broken down and made more accessible to the public. A central courtyard opens to the street, the extensively landscaped and skylit central court is highly visible from the desirable shopping street. The exterior space is accented by a dramatic circular stair that is cantilevered off a single vertical column. Multiple outdoor terraces are added at the second level along with a new public walkway that spans the void and overlook Melrose Avenue. The new design enhances the visibility / accessibility for each retailer. Optimal flexibility is offered with the open plan.