An ultra-luxury hotel envisioned for Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles by LVMH Hospitality has been scrapped after locals voted against the project.
The Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills had been earmarked to launch in 2025 on the corner of Little Santa Monica Boulevard and Beverly Drive.
There are only five Cheval Blanc mansions in the world at present, including locations in the Maldives, Paris, Courchevel, St. Barth and St. Tropez. Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills would have been the brand’s entry point into the US market.
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The 109-key hotel was billed as the “new icon for both the City and Cheval Blanc”. However, the mansion was roadblocked by locals following a citywide ballot on the controversial project.
The final decision came down to just 80 votes after 32 percent of the city provided feedback on the luxury hotel. According to data from the Los Angeles County Clerk’s Office, the final tally was 50.6% in favour of rejecting both the agreement and the city’s approval.
“We have no interest in building a hotel in a community that doesn’t want us to be there,” a spokesperson for LVMH was quote by local media saying. The French company will now instead use the precinct on Rodeo Drive to expand its retail offering.