LOS ANGELES, California — Porn mogul and publisher Larry Flynt’s well-known Hustler store in Hollywood will be closing, as the famed Sunset Strip prepares to undergo an upscale makeover which will include a wave of luxury hotels, residences, restaurants, and retailers.
The landmark House of Blues will also be bidding adieu to make way for the Sunset Strip’s luxury upgrade, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The House of Blues will be demolished to make room for a 149-room hotel, 40 condominium units, five affordable housing units, a parking structure, a restaurant, and two rooftop pool decks, according to a projected visual on the Hollywood Reporter‘s website.
The Key Club closed its doors in March of last year in light of the anticipated upgrade.
Hustler will reportedly be replaced by a hotel. The proposed new construction is said to be the historic erection of the James Los Angeles hotel, marking the first time in 30 years that the Strip will receive a ground-up hotel. A public hearing before the Hollywood City Council on October 20 will unveil renderings of the plans.
The James Hotel Group so far has locations in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Miami’s South Beach, and New York’s Soho neighborhood.
Hustler Hollywood’s flagship Sunset Boulevard location will be relocating to Hollywood Boulevard. It was the first of the brand’s 13 locations throughout the United States. The store opened in 1998 as a way for Flynt to exploit the brand following the launch of his Hustler magazine in 1974.
The sidewalk outside of the Hustler’s entrance contains hand and footprints of porn stars Ron Jeremy and Jenna Jameson, among others.