This morning, Culver City Councilman Scott Malsin sent me an email giving insight into the council's (and his own) decision-making process for the selection of Combined Properties to develop Parcel B in downtown Culver City. 

     "While each of the four submissions was strong, the Council unanimously chose the Combined Properties/Hudson Pacific/Steven Ehrlich Architects proposal. A wide variety of considerations were taken into account, among them: architectural design, respect for the urban context, the financial strength of the development team, the track record of the leasing team, and the financial return to the City and Redevelopment Agency."

      "Steven Ehrlich is a world-renowned architect based in Culver City. Not surprisingly, his firm’s design is visually striking. While it has a modern edge, it uses warm materials like brick and wood. Ehrlich’s design is extroverted and open. One particular strength of this proposal is the manner in which it preserved the “view corridors” to the Culver Studios mansion.  The taller portion of the project, which will contain its office component, is on the east portion of the site. The only view it blocks is of the Ince Parking structure. The 'grand staircase' and public plaza on the second floor are generous extensions of what will be an expanded and improved Town Plaza."

     "Hudson Pacific, Combined Properties’ business partner in the development, is a financially strong and successful owner of office properties leased to media and technology companies. Their ability to bring top quality tenants in those fields will build on and enhance the strength of those industries in Culver City.

     "I’m very pleased with the process that the City followed in making this selection. I’m glad that so many members of the public participated in it, and that there was such a strong show of support for this proposal. It’s good to see everything come together in such a positive manner."

I also thought I'd add and echo this comment from Culver City Times member Catherine Yanda from earlier today.