Vocal LA Hotel Union Opposes Gwyneth Paltrow’s Private West Hollywood Club

The upscale Arts Club development proposed for West Hollywood could be in for a rather large snag, as Wehoville is reporting that the ambitious Unite Here Local 11 union is gaining signatures to try to put a halt to the building. Unite Here is a large Southern California union with tens of thousands of members representing the hotel, restaurant, and hospitality industries.

It’s not immediately clear exactly why the local union is trying to put up a fight regarding this particular 120,000 square foot project, which will house the London-based private Arts Club and attached restaurants, ground floor retail, membership guest rooms and open hotel rooms, rooftop spaces, and a supper club. There are also plans for a public art gallery of some kind, with the developers behind the Sunset Strip building pledging to make the space accessible for all, while also donating more than $2 million to the city of West Hollywood to help fund arts programs and other things.

Over the years the vocal union has opposed large-scale development for a variety of reasons, and they frequently picket outside of existing properties if they feel there are anti-unionization efforts taking place within. The group has also come under fire in recent years for the way it attempts to grow its base, and some legal exemption efforts that have actually led to union hotel workers making less money.

As for the Arts Club property, it’s proving to be rather popular with West Hollywood residents so far. Gwyneth Paltrow is helping to bring the development to life, and the West Hollywood City Council voted in favor of the project just last month by a 4-to-1 margin.

Unite Here has until October 8 to obtain 10% of the signatures of registered voters within the city of West Hollywood, or their proposal to overturn the approval will not make it onto the next election ballot. Assuming no other snags, expect a ground breaking next year, and an opening in 2020.

The Arts Club. 8920 W. Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, CA.

• 14 Essential West Hollywood Restaurants [ELA]