City Council: HoB Sunset Must Go

The West Hollywood City Council voted 4-1 Sept. 7 to close the House of Blues Sunset – a vote that signifies nothing.

The council wants to close the Los Angeles venue, opened in 1994, and replace it with the Sunset Time project, a hotel/affordable housing development that would cover the city block that includes the HoB property just off the Sunset Strip.

The project, however, can only take place if owner Live Nation agrees to move the venue, and there are no known possible locations in West Hollywood.

HoB has no plans to move.

“We have a lease, which with renewal rights, goes through 2025, and we plan on continuing our operations at the venue and look forward to being a continued part of the West Hollywood community,” Live Nation spokeswoman Liz Morentin said.

The project, which includes 5,300 square feet of LED illuminated panels, received some negative reviews by some of the public that attended the city council meeting, but received support as well.

“It is a significant investment in the future of our community while much of corporate America is sitting on the sidelines waiting for the economy to improve itself,” one resident said, according to KNBC-TV.

“The jewel [House of Blues] has lost its luster,” another said.

However, another resident, who lives across from the venue, urged the council to vote against the housing development because the seven-story structure was the last thing the crowded Strip needed.