Beverly Hills - 90210
There can be few more prestigious addresses than One Beverly Hills, but the site there is now “poised to become a striking and dynamic mixed-use project.”
Foster+Partners, in conjunction with landscape architect Mark Rios, have redesigned the seven hectare site encompassing the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
The site’s two main lots were under separate ownership for nearly 65 years, but in 2018 Alagem Capital Group and Cain International bought the neighbouring parcels of land, allowing for the unified development of the enormous site.
One Beverly Hills is set to become a dynamic mixed use area.
Located at the intersection of Wiltshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard, the triangular plot consists of two residential buildings, a luxury hotel, casual dining and retail pavilion, and 4.5 acres of publicly-accessible elevated botanical gardens.
Overall, One Beverly Hills’ eight acres of gardens will include more than 300 species of plants and trees, as well as more than two miles of walking paths. Merv Griffin Way will remain open, but be covered by an elevated platform to allow the botanical gardens to stretch across the site, and the Wilshire Boulevard entrance will be realigned to Whittier Drive for improved traffic flow.
The Botanical Gardens provide nine distinct garden experiences, with sculptures, shaded seating areas, and water features such as pools and ponds. This gives the site cohesiveness, with individual gardens reflecting the diverse landscape of Southern California. The selected plant species will all be water smart given the region’s propensity to drought, and create a natural cooling system.
The triangular site will hold two residential buildings, a luxury hotel, a casual dining and retail pavilion, and vast, publicly-accessible elevated botanical gardens.
There are several entrances to the gardens, with more than one mile of public pathways and trails, all designed for LEED Platinum and WELL certifications, focusing on the well-being of residents. Much of One Beverly Hills is publicly accessible, making it a shared city resource.
Beverly Hills used to be an agricultural flatland, and the designers were committed to recovering an authentic Southern California landscape through organic architecture that merges with the environment.
The buildings are designed to complement the landscape, with slender white balconies and soft edges that curve and recede. Plant covered residences also break down the inside/outside boundary.
“The design of One Beverly Hills is sensitive to the history and rich traditions of California,” says David Summerfield, Foster+Partners head of studio.
“Set within lush greenery, the organic architecture and the landscape come together to form a symbolic gateway that is very much of its place.”
Overall, One Beverly Hills’ 3.2 hectares of gardens will include more than 300 species of plants and trees.
Landscape architect Mark Rios adds that, “the native landscape of Southern California provides endless inspiration for natural beauty and organic sustainability. The One Beverly Hills Botanical Gardens will create a horticulturally-rich terrain and lush escape for Beverly Hills residents and visitors.”
Foster+Partners have focused on sustainability, utilising low embodied carbon materials, an underground parking garage and site wide water filtration. Moisture-sensing landscape irrigation indicates when plants need more water, and greywater is used for 100% of One Beverly Hills’ irrigation.
According to Armstrong Yakubu, a senior partner at Foster+Partners, the design, “is all about working with nature, with buildings set within the landscape and opening up the interior to the outside. The result is a sustainable ensemble that is in tune with its surroundings.”
The site sits at the intersection of Wiltshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard.