Chef Michael White and Blue Bottle Coffee Confirmed For Platform, a One-Of-A-Kind Center at Hayden Tract

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Earlier this week came big news that reputed New York chef Michael White of Altamarea Group (Marea, Ai Fiori, Osteria Morini) had inked a deal to open his first west coast restaurant at boutique shopping and dining complex, Platform in Hayden Tract. And guess who else is joining him? San Francisco darling Blue Bottle Coffee, launching its first Los Angeles location — inclusive of a coffee roastery, tasting room, and cafe — within the center as well.

Don't call it a mall because Platform is actually a collection of eight free-standing industrial-designed buildings (connected by meandering gardens), one of which is a 1,000 square foot auto dealership from the 1960s which will house Blue Bottle. Think roll-up garage door and all. The entire project was developed by Joseph Miller and David Fishbein of real estate firm Runyon Group and Platform is expected to commence construction later this summer.

In addition to the rooftop Michael White restaurant and Blue Bottle, three other food/drink tenants are still in negotiations to claim turf. Runyon is in talks with chefs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and also elsewhere around the country. Other potential dining ideas are a butcher shop-based concept with craft beer and a high quality dim sum joint.

In order to preserve the plaza's hip and artistic nature, Runyon is careful about the tenants it brings in, requiring all businesses, especially those with other locations, to offer a unique element here in Culver. For example, Nevena Borissova of Curve boutique has signed on to open her first lifestyle store in spring 2015, Curve at Platform. At 7,000 square feet, the shop will sell clothing but also home goods. Australian skin care brand Aesop has a space locked for its first LA location and will offer specific products not sold elsewhere in the US.

Think of Platform as an anti-mall, a collection of well-curated food, drink and shopping outlets, each of which will bring something new to the LA table. More to come.
·New York Chef Michael White Opening First West Coast Restaurant at Platform Complex in Culver City [~ELA~]