It seemed a dream match. A hotel so luxurious that prices start at $2,000 a night located on the northern stretch of Beverly Hills’ famed Rodeo Drive – a rare spot where a little more activity and glamour would be welcome. And the city would have gotten $26 million a year.
So why did Beverly Hills voters recently turn down the Cheval Blanc hotel? Part of it was the usual objection to more traffic and noise. But another part was that the hotel – which would have been nonunion – met organized opposition from labor unions.
Also in this section, a look at the difficulties in developing the north stretch of Rodeo Drive now that the hotel is out. Real estate broker Jay Luchs said leasing activity was robust because luxury brands wanted to be near the Cheval Blanc. But now, not having the hotel “leaves a dead zone where people thought there would be traffic created.”
