Hotel, environmental education center and waterfront promenade factor into overhaul plan
By Gary Walker
Images courtesy of Studio One Eleven
(Click here to see more renderings)
A five-story hotel, a 30-foot waterfront promenade, a children’s playground and an environmental education center in place of the familiar decorative lighthouse are among the new attractions proposed for a ground-up remake of Fisherman’s Village.
Gold Coast Village LLC, the leaseholders in control of the 1.2-acre recreational and retail center on Fiji Way, unveiled conceptual renderings of its proposed remodel during a meeting of the Small Craft Harbors Commission on May 13.
The overhaul would accommodate an assortment of high-end retail stores and restaurants, a food court with a rooftop beer garden and attached parking garage, plus expanded bicycle and boating access.
“The conceptual plan, although in the early stages, will place an emphasis on sustainable practices and hopes to reposition Fisherman’s Village into a world-class destination that represents the best of Marina del Rey,” said Alan Pullman, senior principal of Studio One Eleven, the project’s architectural firm. “We are committed to developing a plan which meets the needs of the Marina del Rey community, focused on an inclusive visitor-centric experience.”
Fisherman’s Village currently has about 500 parking spaces. The remodel calls for 1,166 public parking stalls and 381 spaces dedicated for the hotel.
Located on the east end of the parcel, the hotel would offer 161 rooms, a restaurant and a community room that local organizations could use free of charge.
The height of the food court and parking garage on the parcel’s west side would be staggered between 33 and 44 feet.
The park-like waterfront promenade would stretch along the middle of the parcel between the water and a three-story structure with roughly 31,000 square feet of restaurant or retail space and the 5,400-square-foot environmental education center, which could feature an aquarium.
Boat docks and slips for large and small craft continue to line the waterfront.
“Waterfront activities are a key component of this project,” Pullman said.
FantaSea Yachts owner Daniel Ginsberg said the proposed remodel was “very impressive” but remained adamant that Fisherman’s Village retain its charter docks and corresponding parking.
Others mourned the loss of its quaint original structures, including the lighthouse.
“I’d hate to see it go,” said Marina del Rey resident Gene Pomerantz, who spoke fondly of attending weekend outdoor concerts at Fisherman’s Village. “It’s an iconic place.”
“Fisherman’s Village is probably the only thing left that was part of the original Marina del Rey,” said P.J. Garcia, owner of the Indy Plush sustainable clothing and toy store in Fisherman’s Village.
Last year Garcia circulated a petition against remodeling Fisherman’s Village that garnered 500 signatures.
Others, including Los Angeles County officials, argue Fisherman’s Village is underutilized and outdated.
“We hear a lot of ‘When are they going to do something with Fisherman’s Village?’ So I absolutely believe that if this project moves forward it will actually generate more tourism and economic activity in Marina del Rey,” said Janet Zaldua, executive director of the Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Michael Pashaie, one of the owners of Gold Coast Village LLC, said he appreciated nostalgia for keeping elements of the original Fisherman’s Village intact.
“I had my bachelor party there and bought my wife her first gift there before we bought the property. But unfortunately, as far as some of the building being replaced, they are kind of dilapidated and many of these structures are not safe. They were built during a time when there weren’t many seismic codes so we need to replace them,” he said.
Pashaie said he’d consider putting the lighthouse back on the table but cautioned that building a non-functioning lighthouse caries regulatory complications.
Garcia questioned the fates of Fisherman’s Village merchants, broaching the topic publicly for perhaps the first time.
Commission member Vanessa Delgado asked Pashaie during the meeting if anything could be done to help existing tenants survive the construction phase (estimated at more than two years) and find a home in the renovated Fisherman’s Village.
“When the project is finished, we’d welcome [existing merchants] back, and we’re going to give them a lower rent than market rate to try and get them reestablished again. It will be on a case-by-case basis,” Pashaie said after the meeting.
Adrienne Spellman, who opened the natural skin care Jaden Moon at Fisherman’s Village last year, welcomed Delgado’s suggestion.
“To expect us to pay the same rent as some of the large stores is unreasonable,” Spellman said.
gary@argonautnews.com
I have lived in this area for 30 years and i loved Fisherman’s Village. I frequented many of the shops and restaurants. Everyone was friendly and doing business with the people was very pleasant. Last year, I met the man who was the original developer of Fisherman’s Village. I asked him what went wrong with it? He told me that the recent owner of the Village just didn’t care about it at all and let it go down to almost ruins. The original developer was saddened by the turn of events in the last 10 years. My entire family had wonderful outings in the Village. I’m just a little reluctant to believe what is being told to us now with this article. I don’t trust the people saying how great it will be. They need to be proven by how they will take care of the property. Many of the residents now are very reluctant to believe what is being said now. Talk is cheap and the only proof will be seeing what happens in the next 5 years. It really sounds too good to be the absolute truth!! Time will tell!! I’m keeping this article and printing it out so that I, personally, can see if what I’m hearing is the truth!! At this moment, I do not trust what is being said at all. The saying is: “If it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t the truth at all!”
What in the world is the comment to me saying, “Your comment is awaiting moderation. What exactly does that mean? Who is going to give it moderation? Have you hired a special envoy to do all of the moderations? What does moderation mean in this case, in English, please?
it means that the newspaper will read your comment first before they decide to post it.
some of the keys to a successful shopping center are: (1) good mix of retailers (2)advertising by the lessor (3)public access (4)Lessor enforcing that all retailers are open during business hours (5)in modern times using credit cards and debit cards to pay for parking and (6)and effective website and social media campaign….none of these are followed at Fisherman’s Village
It looks like a suburban mall, a big boxy mall. The waterfront location and the neighborhood deserve better.
I agree with you. What has been offered is a “temporary cluster of buildings” that will become outdated in 10 years and then the county will ask for another re-do.
Thank you for reporting about the re-development and your continued reporting of our community.
What is not explained clearly is that the new multilevel parking lot will replace the current historic structures of Fisherman’s Village and Whisky Red’s which happen to be located where the best views of Marina del Rey happen to be. There are marinas throughout the world and they all look at boats. Fisherman’s Village happens to look at Mariner’s Village, the main channel, Playa del Rey, the ocean, Ballona Creek AND the boats. As a world traveler, the location of these buildings have some of the best views on planet earth. It would be a shame to place a parking lot there.
The other issue is that of “history” and successful inclusion of the past with the future. In our own backyard we have the example of “Farmers Market” and The Grove at Fairfax and Beverly. Fisherman’s Village faces the same dilemma that Farmers Market faced and today the Market is a thriving tourist AND local destination for shopping and travelers. We can do the same here.
Moreover, Fisherman’s Village has been shown throughout the world and as a current shop owner here, tourist flock to see it. I get visitors in my shop daily and not ONE of them want to see Fisherman’s Village destroyed or replaced by modern structures. The reason tourists dont shop more at Fishermans Village are too many to list here, but the most important are: (1) lack of advertising by the county and/or lessor, (2) no encouragement of more retail shops at Fisherman’s Village to replace the empty locations (3) allowing too many film studios to take over the Village without proper compensation of the lessees (4) cash only parking, and (5) leases that are very restrictive. Most successful business owners do not want to sign restrictive leases in a place that has a huge sign that says “Cash Only” parking. Total turn off.
The solution:
1- Redesign the redevelopment to include the historic buildings of Fisherman’s Village
2- Consider a different parking lot that does not have parking for 1500 cars!
3- Create a hub for public transportation that includes trolies, the double decker buses, the beach shuttle, spaces for drop offs from Uber, Lyft and taxi cabs
4- Redesign the hotel so that the shopping is placed at the bottom of the hotel like European hotels do with their shops
5- have an architect that is knowledgeable in New England and American Architecture redesign the hotel to reflect AMERICAN culture (not generic international architecture)
6- build the hotel with its 600 parking spots first, then offer leases to the existing tenants there, including the fishing boats, the rental boats, Indy Plush, Momo, Lulella, Jaden Moon, Sports Fishing, etc, just like Catalina did when they built their boat dock. Maybe invite other vendors that make things locally. Venice is full of artists, designers, jewlers, etc. Make an official Visitors Bureau with the Historical Society.
7-Preserve the ORIGINAL THREE HISTORIC BUILDINGS south of the lighthouse.
8-Offer the original tenants to move back if they want to at going market rates
9- Build a parking lot structure with 500 spaces, and spaces for green cars, smart cars, etc, where the existing parking lot is situated that is surrounded at the base with small stall shops, bike rentals, sun glasses, and have the Ballona Institute at the bottom floor with an elevator that takes visitors to a Green Rooftop that is filled with native Ballona Lagoon plants and wildlife.
This Institute can give tours across the way that generate revenue for the county and educates the public. There are NOT TOO MANY commercial locations that also include protected wildlife habitats
10-have alot of parking for bycicles, bycicle valets, scooter valets, etc. and maybe lockers for scooters and roller blades,
11-encourage walking and public transportation and cycling as a way to get here
12-advertise as much as Caruso does for the Waterside and the Grove
13- offer leases that encourages unique made in america retailers to occupy fisherman’s village and then anchor the place with restaurants from LOCAL celebrity chefs and perhaps one or two small coffee houses that include The coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or Intelligentsia and or Starbucks.
Thank you for allowing me to comment.
Plinio Garcia
Agree Plinio! The new proposal is devoid of much of the MDR character. You dont have to start from scratch to provide a thriving environment. It would be nice to know if the development team has considered preserving any of the existing structures or facilities, and if they decided not to then why. Maybe the backstory has been published but I think our community deserves better. The renderings, in my opinion, do not portray Fishermans Village nor the welcoming waterfront it claims to be.
We have our shop open 7 days a week. I have shown the renderings to many tourists from other states or from other countries. NOT ONE has agreed with the new image. Not one! They all ask the same question: Why do they want to destroy this beautiful place? Everyone knows that over time, old things become “timeless” and “priceless.”
Great ideas…..thank you.
I had my Yankee 30 sailboat in MDR for over 10 years prior to a job move. I have returned for visits many time, and walked the Marina. I have seen the current construction, and this planned work on Fisherman’s Village. For me, this is destroying the Marina I loved so much. Prior to my move of my sailboat to MDR, I was at Dana Point. Dand Point remains a historic, attractive location. It is concentrated on remaining attractive, NOT money! Unfortunately, because of the MDR changes, I will not return. I really did not really enjoy my latest walk around MDR due to it current “destruction”.
Excellent comment Richard!! You are perfectly correct and this new idea will definitely
destroy the Marina. It is exactly what you said –“Destruction.” To me, this plan is a rip off to all of us that have been here for 30 + years. And, what about a garage with 1600 spaces!! I’ll bet that absolutely nothing will be preserved!! The problem here is that no one will answer any questions. The only thing I think that might work is if the residential community will get off of their Butts to stand up and defend what the Marina is to us!! We need to attend all open meetings that will be discussing this horrible project. And, I understand that a Trader Joe’s is proposed for the parking lot on the corner of Admiralty Way and Bali, where the boats will come to their slips and be able to go right into Trader Joe’s. Won’t that be sweet? What about the traffic? Where is that supposed to go? Where will there be room for those of us that are residents? The answer is nowhere !! You better believe that I’ll be there for any meeting that will be held to explain this ridiculous project!! I have no problem speaking my mind!!
For Those of have not visited Fisherman’s Village lately, I would like to invite you to come by. It may be a HUGE coincidence, but it appears as if the entrances are broken and/or one sign directs you to another entrance that says “lot full.” If this allowed for photographs I would gladly send images. There is also a huge coincidence that there is construction only in front of the other public parking lot in the area. This has been going on for 4 weeks now. I thought it was the construction, but why is it that all of it is happening in front of all the parking lot entrances along Fiji Way?
Several weeks and still the entrances to the parking lots are blocked or broken. Is this a coincidence or a way to make the lesses give up. Business is down 60% from the same time last year even though we have more likes and more people asking about us. We get comments like “tried to visit but could not see the entrance”