Unanimous Vote Paves the Way for a New Upscale Restaurant Replacing the Beloved 50-Year-Old Seafood Landmark
The California Coastal Commission has voted unanimously to approve the demolition of the longtime Gladstones restaurant in Pacific Palisades, clearing the way for a new oceanfront restaurant backed by chef Wolfgang Puck and developer Thomas Tellefsen, and designed by architect Frank Gehry.
The approval, granted October 8, comes just months after Gladstones reopened in July following the Palisades Fire.
According to an updated fact sheet from the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, the existing structure will be torn down and replaced with a two-story, Gehry-designed restaurant at Will Rogers State Beach. The project, developed through a public-private partnership between Los Angeles County, California State Parks, and PCH Beach Associates, has been in planning since 2018.
The County describes the redevelopment as an effort to “revitalize a well-known coastal site” and improve public amenities. The new plan will remove 41 parking spaces and add a Metro and Big Blue Bus turnaround, requiring the restaurant to provide monthly transit passes to employees.
The County’s fact sheet defends the plan, citing multiple public meetings and outreach sessions held since 2018, including presentations to the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) and the Los Angeles County Beach Commission.
Gladstones, a casual seafood landmark dating back to 1972, has long been a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The restaurant’s demolition marks the end of an era on the Westside waterfront, with some community members mourning the loss of its laid-back atmosphere in favor of a high-profile development bearing big names in architecture and fine dining.
The Coastal Commission’s approval follows nearly seven years of negotiations and public review. Construction timelines and the demolition of Gladstone’s for the new Gehry-designed restaurant have not yet been announced.
