Design District emerges as WeHo’s trendiest street

West Hollywood’s Design District is hot!   The sizzling stretch of Melrose Ave. from La Cienega to Doheny has emerged as the most trendiest shopping street in Weho.   The streets are wide, clean, walkable and there are no ‘unhoused’ persons sleeping on the sidewalks.   

The growth of “Melrose High Street” can be traced to Ben Soleimani.    The influential developer owns the majority of the commercial property along Melrose Ave. between La Cienega and San Vicente.   Over the years Soleimani has donated generously to the campaigns of city council members.   His power  cannot be underestimated.   Recently he was single-handedly able to overturn years of community input and design schematics to clear the streetscape of trees at Weaver’s Walk.. 

Soleimani calls this stretch of Weho, ‘Melrose High Street’, although the City of West Hollywood has not officially adopted that name.   Soleimani continues to brand “Melrose High’, as seen above on one of his property storefront windows.  

Today there are 5, yes 5 great places to have that cup of Java in the morning.   Verve coffee, Alfred Coffee, Strings of Life, Urth Cafe, and daily lines at the ‘Community Goods’ kiosk at the Pacific Design Center.   By comparison along Santa Monica Blvd in the same stretch there is only Starbucks, or Bottega Louie to grab your morning coffee.   On Sunset only a Coffee Bean and close by Dialog Cafe.

Many of the trendiest fashion retailers adorn this small stretch of Weho   LuLu Lemon, Ragg & Bones, the Real Reel, Hoka as well as the Restoration Hardware flagship retail location.  

Soho based Glossier, the makeup company occupies a huge showrrom and retail space at Melrose between West Knoll and La Cienega.   Farm Rio, Hale Bob, le Pere, Cutler and Gross, 8920, Maxfield Blue, Christopher Guy, are more upscale fashion retailers along ‘Melrose High’ to name a few.  When my sister came to town we walked the district.   As we passed the corner of La Cienega and Melrose she exclaimed, “Allison Olivia, my favorite shop, I’m wearing her top to the party tonite.”  There is global appeal to the brands who have chosen this stretch of Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood to call home.   

The best restaurants in Los Angeles are located along this small swatch in WeHo.   Craigs, Catch and Cecconi’s attract a celebrity clientele.   Butcher’s Daughter and Gracias Madre are two of the top vegetarian restaurants anywhere in the world and both call West Hollywood home.   There is a Zinc and a Zinque.  And don’t forget the city’s only Joe and the Juice.   New businesses  continue to open in this hi-end part of West Hollywood.  It’s the shiekest part of town.  

The design district is also home to the paparazzi, many who plant themselves along the blvd and hope to catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrity.   Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Hailey Bieber, Sophia Velgera, Brittany Spears, Drake, Justin Bieber are some of the patrons who come to WeHo to eat, shop or play.  The valet parking attendants tell the story.    This is the new Weho.  

Today the design district is a cultural destination for high caliber design, art, fashion, dining, beauty and more. Trends start here.

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