The Avenues – The Epicenter of LA Style
Suzanne Rheinstein, profiled in our last blog post, has owned Hollyhock, the antiques and decorative arts store, for over 20 years. Hollyhock is an exclusive resource for designers and discerning shoppers. Originally opened as a neighborhood shop, it is now located in a charming cottage in a section of West Hollywood known as The Avenues. When we searched for a site for the Design Bloggers Conference, the Sofitel, located in the heart of this district, turned out to be the perfect venue. What better place to have a conference devoted to interior design bloggers than a hotel located at the epicenter of LA style? You’ll certainly want to take the opportunity while you’re in LA for the conference to stroll through this amazing district!
The Avenues is the West Coast’s economic center for the design industry with over 1.5 million square feet of showrooms, shops and galleries for you to stroll, with the Pacific Design Center (AKA “The Blue Whale”) as the districts’ anchor. The Avenues district encompasses the streets of Melrose Avenue and Robertson and Beverly Boulevards in the heart of West Hollywood.
This pedestrian-friendly district houses over 300 of the most exclusive and eclectic businesses, including 100 antique and contemporary furniture and interior design stores, over 30 art galleries, 30 restaurants and coffee houses and over 50 high-end fashion and lifestyle related businesses, catering to an international clientele. From traditional to contemporary, art to antique, haute couture to haute cuisine, The Avenues district is truly a destination unto itself – a vibrant oasis of inspiration in which visitors can easily walk store to store, gallery to gallery, and explore the latest trends and exquisite craftsmanship.
Back in the 1950s, this unique neighborhood held only a handful of shops, studios and cafes catering to the design trade. Later, in the 1960s, businesses like Phyllis Morris Originals became “designers to the stars”, and brought more and more style-seekers into the area, slowly transforming it into one of the most distinguished design districts in the country.
Be sure not to miss gems on The Avenues such as restaurants and cafés like Melrose Bar and Grill, Cecconi’s, Le Pain Quotidien, and Urth Caffe, spas like Kinara and Lulur, and unique bookshops like Bodhi Tree. The Avenues is also home to some of the hottest boutiques like John Varvatos, Maxfield, Phyllis Morris, Stella McCartney, James Perse and Williams Sonoma Home. Plus new to the avenues – Visionary, Balenciaga, and Alberta Ferretti. Also, take a peak inside art galleries like Pop Factory, Glass Garage Fine Art, George Stern Fine Arts and Trigg Ison Fine Art. Naturally, celebrities are attracted to the exclusive, unique nature of this district so keep your eyes peeled for a sighting!