November 22, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Rumor Control: Might Rick Caruso Buy the Munger Property?

The Barry Building
The Barry Building

I was told a while back that Caruso Affiliated, run by Brentwood’s Rick Caruso, was in discussions with Charlie Munger to buy the site of the proposed Green Hollow Square. It’s where the Barry Building now sits and where Duttons Books used to be.

The building is all boarded up, closed because of seismic issues that Munger chose not to address.

Charlie was never a fan of the building and hoped to knock it down to build Green Hollow Square, which met with fierce resistance from neighborhood activists who feared added traffic burdens in the area.

According to my source, the rumor that Caruso might buy the property came from one of the parking lot attendants behind the property.

I emailed Caruso Affiliated Spokesperson Liz Jaeger and asked if there was a deal in the works. After looking into this, she said, “We do not have a deal.”

I asked if there were any conversations underway.

She responded: “Sorry, I cannot help you.”

“Cannot or will not?”

I didn’t hear back, which makes me think something might actually be going on here.

As far as I’m concerned, it would be a good thing if Caruso took over the property. It would be a shame to watch it continue to rot away over the next several years.

I also contacted the Office of Historic Resources, which oversees the granting of historic protections to buildings.

As part of its campaign to block Munger, activists convinced the city to grant the Barry Building protections based on the building’s 1950’s-style architecture.

I asked Manager and Principal City Planner Ken Bernstein, if there were a way the community could “undo” the historic protections and get the Barry Building knocked down.

He said there is nothing that specifically prevents a protected building from being knocked down, but there is a process that any new property owner would have to undertake in order to get approval, including a new Environmental Impact Report.

Bernstein said he hoped somehow a future owner would decide to keep the building and fix it up.

Back when Munger was pushing Green Hollow Square, there were lots of ideas floating around that included saving the building and building a bigger project around it. But that was a deal-killer for Charlie; he really didn’t like the Barry Building.

In my back-and-forth emails with Jaeger, I let her know that I had written some editorials over the years suggesting a retirement home/assisted living facility at that location would make for a wonderful addition to the community.

Many in Brentwood have told me how much they like this idea. When it’s time for us to move out of our homes and into a retirement village, where will we go? Currently, there is nowhere in Brentwood, and there’s a built-in market for this here. It also seems like an idea activists could support, since presumably the traffic impacts would be minimal. Even activists get old.

If there needs to be a blend of housing and retail in order to make this economically viable, surely there’s a way for creative people of good will to figure this out. Maybe a new retirement village could be built on top of some light retail? I’d like to see a small movie theater, a Mexican restaurant and a craft beer place. And a bookstore. And how about a public swimming pool while we’re at it?

I hope to meet with Caruso one day – at Early World, a building he now owns – and do some serious brainstorming. Maybe you’d like to join in.

If Caruso feels welcomed by the community – something poor Munger never got to experience – he might push harder to make something happen. Fingers crossed.

Have any ideas for the Munger property? Please send them to: jeffhall@brentwoodnewsonline.com. I’ll forward them to Liz Jaeger.

 

Related Posts

5 Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Succeed in the Gaming Industry

October 15, 2024

October 15, 2024

Gaming is one of the most competitive industries in the world. For entrepreneurs, this industry offers many opportunities but also...

8 Places to Spend Crypto in LA

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its innovative spirit, and as cryptocurrencies gain traction, many local businesses are...

The Best Sites Where You Can Buy TikTok Followers

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

TikTok has been popular as a social media platform with its creativity and popularity. Since it’s the case, many of...

Bitcoin Mining in Los Angeles and Its Economic Impact

August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

Once a quirky computer pastime for the geek squad, bitcoin mining has become a significant economic force in places like...

How to Stay Safe While Enjoying Digital Entertainment in West LA

August 5, 2024

August 5, 2024

Recent developments have shown that so much of people’s daily lives are centered on the internet. A 2021 survey conducted...

Why Choose Local Florists for Your Flower Delivery?

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Finding local florists has become easier than ever with the advent of digital marketplaces. Opting for Nashville flower delivery near...

8 Essential Things to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

April 16, 2024

April 16, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

8 Essential Things to Do After a CarAccident in Las Vegas

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

Foreign Currency in International Business Expansion

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

Business has transformed into a whole different dimension. The interconnectedness across countries is increasing the feasibility of business expansions. It...

How to Select Quality Solar Panels and Installation in California

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

As solar energy becomes more affordable and popular, many homeowners in California are considering installing solar panels. However, not all...

Celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas: A Winter Wonderland of Fun and Festivity

November 15, 2023

November 15, 2023

As the festive season approaches, Las Vegas transforms into a glittering winter wonderland, offering a unique and magical Christmas experience....

Navigating Oxnard’s Public Transportation System: A Driver’s Guide

November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Whether you live in Oxnard or want to visit, it’s useful to know how to get around this coastal city....

15 Tips For Keeping Burglars Out Of Your Business

October 16, 2023

October 16, 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of business security, the persistent threat of burglary perpetually looms overhead like a dark cloud. The...

US Gambling Laws

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Whilst casino gaming is a significant part of the American culture, US gambling laws are ever-changing. Prior to the Unlawful...

Reasonable Renting in The City of Angels

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

What would it be like to wake up in a bustling metropolis filled with endless possibilities, set against rows of...