The building welcomes pedestrians at a small yet very pleasant corner plaza that has respected pre-existing, valuable trees and palms on the site. The podium and large planters purposely share the same tan brick siding in order to create a friendly atmosphere for pedestrians and separate the ground floor from the floating white box that defines the upper levels. The large planters double as a public/exterior sitting area while scarlet bottlebrush and olive trees provide shade to the sidewalk and main entrance. It is because of these details that the building truly feels like it has always been part of the neighborhood.
Once inside, a modernist two-story lobby, reminiscent of the great halls of yesteryear, receives the residents. Designed with noble materials and luxury fixtures, the double height space allows the lobby to be completely naturally lit. This space also offers access to a shared fitness center area and an open-to-sky patio with shaded sitting areas along the perimeter of the building.
The Doheny offers 35 spacious and luxury apartment units. These carry the same care for materials and textures from the exterior facades and the lobby into the everyday living experience. Wide open views of Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills, contemporary kitchens, black aluminum windows with matching matte black fixtures, and large private balconies are some of the features that define the 1 and 2-bedroom units. On the top floor, premium penthouse units with double height living spaces and open mezzanines coronate the project, including a trellis canopy that tops out the building.
A main feature of the building’s elegant exterior are the black-framed metal storefronts and facade details that provide a stark contrast with the smooth white stucco. At the same time, the solidity of the volume is challenged by the dematerialization of its edges and the use of different finishes that subdivide the faces in smaller portions. The trellis “crown” on the top of the building provides shade to the upper units and balconies, while the south-facing continuous balcony protects the apartments from direct sun.
The Doheny is a mix of medium and large-sized luxury units and loft-type apartments where each unit is designed with attention to contemporary details and spaciousness. The challenge was to design a living environment that reflects and respects the scale and gestalt of the surrounding community. The result is a building which anchors, both literally and metaphorically, the intersection of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Los Angeles.
Albert Group Architects is a Los Angeles based architecture firm founded in 1979 by Stephen Albert, A.I.A. With more than 40 years of experience and an international team, Albert Group offers design sensitivity combined with technical expertise and attention to detail. The firm’s portfolio includes a wide variety of programs and scales that successfully deal with the city code, schedules, and budgets. Albert Group pursues quality over quantity and believes in offering the city architecture value as well as social and environmental responsibility.
2021 CRE Awards: The Doheny Brings 35 Luxury Units to LA Hot Spot
