On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Board County Supervisors cleared the way for negotiations to begin on a concept design for a new beachfront dining destination to be designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and operated by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck at the current Gladstones restaurant site at Will Rogers State Beach.

The Board voted to allow the County’s Department of Beaches and Harbors to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with PCH Beach Associates, LLC (PCH Beach) to develop and operate a new restaurant and related amenities at the Pacific Palisades site.

“This agreement exemplifies the exciting synergy of talent, cultural and culinary work so prevalent in Los Angeles County today. Two local icons, chef Wolfgang Puck and architect Frank Gehry, are offering to combine forces with LA County to reimagine one of our legendary landmarks and transform it into a world-class, must-see, must-eat dining destination,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Chair of the Board and Supervisor in the Third District where the restaurant is located.

PCH Beach’s proposal was selected after a competitive process that began in April 2017, when the County asked for proposals to redevelop the 2.8 acre site at 17300 Pacific Coast Highway, north of Sunset Boulevard.

“We are honored for the opportunity to partner together on such an iconic California property. Drawing inspiration from the communities and landscapes that make Southern California a world-renowned destination, we will work together to deliver approachable, high-quality cuisine in a distinct architectural setting,” said chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck.

The proposed project calls for an architecturally attractive waterfront dining destination with easy access to public transit, including the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. Preliminary plans include casual dining areas serving a changing menu of locally-sourced, farm-to-table cuisine, a lounge, a rooftop bar, a public deck, small retailers including an ice cream shop, and a monument to the site’s well-known current tenant, Gladstones.

Department of Beaches & Harbors Director Gary Jones, whose Department operates and maintains Will Rogers beach under an agreement with the State Parks Department, indicated he is looking forward to the next step. “We are excited to begin negotiations with PCH Beach for a first-rate restaurant and other amenities that will serve beachgoers and the community for years to come,” he said.

The exclusive negotiating agreement is only the first step in a redevelopment effort anticipated to take several years. In the meantime, Gladstones will continue to operate under a two- to five-year agreement until the execution of the PCH Beach concession contract. That final contract will require approval from the Board of Supervisors.

Find a preliminary sketch of the concept design below. Click here to download a higher-res version.