Gladstones Replacement Project: Iconic Design, Equitable Access
Published Oct. 7, 2025; Updated Oct. 8, 2025
The County of Los Angeles, in partnership with California State Parks and PCH Beach Associates, whose partners are Wolfgang Puck and Tom Tellefsen, is moving forward with a redevelopment of the Gladstones site at Will Rogers State Beach. The existing building will be removed and replaced with a new two-story restaurant designed by architect Frank Gehry and operated by Chef Puck.
This project represents a public-private partnership aimed at revitalizing a well-known coastal site while enhancing public amenities. In addition to the new restaurant, the updated facility will feature expanded public areas, new lower-cost offerings, and enhanced environmental safeguards—all of which will be reviewed in accordance with the California Coastal Act.
Public access is a core part of the project design. The redevelopment includes new and improved spaces that are open to everyone, regardless of whether they visit the restaurant.
Benefits
- A 2,094 square foot public ocean-view deck with at least 100 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis—no purchase required.
- Widened and lengthened segment of the Coastal Trail, improving mobility access and pedestrian connectivity along the beachfront.
- A snack bar and gift shop offering snacks, beverages, and merchandise at moderate prices.
- A turnaround and drop-off area to accommodate existing bus lines, improving safety and access without creating a new transit hub.
These amenities are designed to support everyday beachgoers—not just restaurant patrons.
Project size
| Existing | Proposed | |
|---|---|---|
| Development footprint | 19,991 square feet (including restaurant and patio) | 14,200 square feet (restaurant, public deck, public restrooms, snack bar and gift shop) |
| Restaurant square footage | 10,183 square feet (one-story restaurant building) | 16,210 square feet (two-story restaurant building) |
| Restaurant height | 40 feet | 69.7 feet |
| Restaurant seating | 707 seats | 472 seats |
| Public deck | 3,100 square feet (shared with restaurant) | About 2,700 square feet* (dedicated for public; no restaurant table service)
*includes 600 square feet for public restrooms, snack bar and gift shop |
| Coastal trail | 5 – 6 feet wide, 680 feet long | 10 feet wide, about 1,160 feet long |
Transportation improvements
- To improve access and circulation, the project will reconfigure the 212-space beach parking lot to include a Big Blue Bus and Metro bus turnaround. This bus turnaround has been a required part of the project since the County issued its request for proposals to replace Gladstones in 2017.
- The dedicated bus turnaround and relocated stop will support safe drop-off and pick-up for existing bus services carrying beachgoers, employees, and visitors. This small but functional addition is not a bus transit station, but rather a layover space to help reduce congestion and better integrate public transportation into the site.
- With stacked parking via valet service, the reconfigured lot will fit up to 170 vehicles. Valet parking will be available for self-parkers at no additional cost when self-parking is unavailable.
- Nearby County beach lots north and south of the site will also continue to provide ample parking for coastal access.
- To support sustainable transportation, the project includes a Transportation Demand Management Plan. This plan requires the developer to cover the cost of monthly transit passes for employees who regularly commute by bus or rail and to implement strategies that reduce car dependence.
- Finally, County parking revenue is reinvested into coastal access and recreation improvements—ensuring that funds generated here directly support inclusive beach access for the broader public.
Community outreach
This project has been shaped by years of public input, agency coordination, and oversight.
- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors considered the project at three public meetings to advance the legislative, negotiation, and agreement phases.
- The Beach Commission considered the project at 10 public meetings, with the most recent in March 2025.
- A presentation on the project was also made in March 2025 at the Community Services Cluster meeting.
- The County has provided substantive responses to inquiries from the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) about the project.
- The PPCC considered the project at its public meeting on June 24, 2021.
- PCH Beach Associates and County staff presented the project at a public outreach meeting on June 20, 2018, in Palisades Village. The event was publicized in the local newspapers as well as noted by the PPCC and attended by interested members of the public.
The County is committed to transparency and continued public participation as the project progresses.
This project reflects years of public input and a shared vision: a revitalized, welcoming coastal space that balances private investment with public benefit. From better access and expanded amenities to long-term reinvestment in recreation, the Gladstones site is being reimagined with the community at its heart.