Producer’s Estate Wins Appeal Against Los Feliz Complex

The granddaughter of Z. Wayne Griffin, a 1950s-era television and radio producer, has pushed back a union-backed appeal trying to block a 181-unit apartment complex in East Hollywood.

Kristin Harrison, co-trustee of the Pasadena-based Z Wayne Griffin Trust, was approved by the Los Angeles City Planning Commission to build the seven-story building at 4579-4627 Hollywood Boulevard, Urbanize Los Angeles reported. It would replace a Goodwill store.

The appeal was filed by the union-affiliated Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility, citing insufficient environmental review. A staff report recommended denial of the appeal.

Harrison had filed plans in April 2023 to build the block-long project at Hollywood Boulevard and North Lyman Place, close to the Vermont/Sunset Metro station.

Burbank-based Chandler Partners is now affiliated with the development, according to project plans calling for 181 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments atop 15,400 square feet of ground-floor shops and restaurants. The project would also include a semi-underground parking garage for 238 cars.

The developer will employ Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit a larger development than would be allowed by zoning rules in exchange for 20 affordable apartments for extremely low-income level households.

The W-shaped white apartment building, designed by Los Feliz-based Warren Techentin Architecture, would have a community room, a recreation room, two courtyards, a rooftop terrace and a pool deck.

The complex would contain exterior balconies and large floor-to-ceiling windows, according to a rendering.

Plans encompass multiple parcels that have been owned by the Griffin Trust and another family trust for years, according to property records.

Griffin was behind such movies as “Key to the City,” “Family Honeymoon” and “Lone Star.” He also produced the radio show “Burns and Allen,” and the television series “General Electric Theater,” hosted by Ronald Reagan. He died in 1981.

The proposed development is the latest project near Sunset and Hollywood boulevards, according to Urbanize.

A similar 202-unit, mixed-use complex is coming to the east. Proposed projects include a 29-unit mixed-use project next to the Vista Theater and a 28-unit project across the street at 4620 Hollywood Boulevard.

— Dana Bartholomew