Case study: a café inside a Neil Denari building on Beverly Boulevard
A retail space in one of Los Angeles’ most recognisable small buildings became a specialty coffee shop. The project shows what a change of use involves when the building itself is part of the brief.
The Calabasas Architectural Review Panel: what it reviews and how to prepare
Building or adding on in Calabasas usually means a design review before the building permit. Sheida has served on the panel since 2020. Here is what it considers and how to arrive prepared.
LA County Health Department plan check for restaurants: what they review and why sets bounce
The Health Department approval is separate from the building permit, and it reviews things a building inspector never looks at. Here is what the reviewers check and where cafés most often get sent back.
Retail to restaurant: what a change of use actually changes
A café in a former shop is one of the most common projects in Los Angeles, and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what changes when a building’s use changes, and how to plan for it before you sign.
How to open a café in Los Angeles: the permit path from lease to opening day
Every café in Los Angeles passes through the same gates: Planning, LADBS plan check, the County Health Department and inspections. Here is the order they happen in, what each one checks, and where first-time owners lose the most time.