When a developer essentially forced out the operators of Irv’s Burgers on Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, it probably thought its big problems were over.
Meanwhile, the Sonia Hong family is thriving with Irv’s Burgers at a new site on Route 66 in West Hollywood. And the developer has run afoul of the local preservation commission for not adequately keeping the old Irv’s Burgers structure in its plan.
According to WeHoville.com:
Members of the West Hollywood Historic Preservation Commission last night expressed doubts about whether a plan to incorporate the building housing the former Irv’s Burgers into the adjacent Beach Nation would adequately preserve the culturally designated burger stand. […]
Beach Nation is an outdoor cafe on the northeast corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sweetzer. Its owners asked the Commission for permission to build a storage area, enclose part of the outdoor patio and build an outdoor dining counter at Irv’s Burgers, effectively making Irv’s a kitchen for Beach Nation. They had to seek the Commission’s approval because West Hollywood in 2005 designated the hamburger stand as a cultural resource, noting that it was one of the last such stands on the historic Route 66. The burger stand was built in 1947.
The features of Irv’s Burgers that were determined to define its character included its corrugated roof, open patio and lunch counter and a large sign that now says “Irv’s Burgers.” The Beach Nation proposal included restoring the corrugated roof and keeping a sign identifying the building as a burger stand. But several Commission members questioned whether other changes would integrate the burger stand into Beach Nation so much that it would lose its separate identity.
“If you want to make cohesive site here, you don’t do it by trying to make Irv’s into Beach Nation,” said Commissioner Edward Levin. […]
The Hong family, owners of Irv’s Burgers, were evicted last year by Standard Oil Investment Management, the owner of the lot on which both Beach Nation and the burger stand sit. Standard Oil had proposed increasing the Hong’s rent from $4,250 to $7,000 a month and making them pay for improvements to bring the property up to city building standards.
WeHoNews also has a more acerbic take on the Irv’s building situation.
Irv’s originally was a Queen’s Burgers stand in 1950. The original building stands empty at 8289 Santa Monica Blvd. George Motz, host of the Travel Channel’s “Burger Land,” has cited Irv’s as having one of the best burgers in the country.
A few commissioners questioned the decision to designate Irv’s a cultural resource. Regardless, it shows once such a designation is bestowed, it’s hard to weasel out of it, no matter how much clout or money Standard Oil Investment has.
Meanwhile, the Hongs’ newly relocated restaurant continues to draw crowds and raves for its food and hospitality. If one believes in karma, it seems to be working in this situation.
Historic preservation on Route 66 remains important, but it’s the people who give the indelible memories.
(Hat tip to Scott Piotrowski; image of the original Irv’s Burgers by Ben K. Adams via Flickr)