Three luxury townhouse developments in Los Angeles have been left in a state of disrepair after nearly ten years of stalled construction, prompting local residents to demand action for the site to be cleared.
The location, referred to by locals as “Silver Lake’s Graffiti Tower,” showcases derelict building frames at the intersection of Glendale Boulevard, shrouded in worn tarps.
Initiated in 2017, the project saw more active construction starting in 2019, with the timber structure added in 2023. Yet, despite resembling housing, it continues to deteriorate, drawing in homeless individuals and accumulating trash both inside and outside.
“We’ve essentially dubbed it the Silver Lake Graffiti Tower. Not exactly a monument, but that’s just how it feels,” local activist Debbie Slater remarked.
The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council expressed concerns over the lack of progress in recent years.
According to Slater, following the onset of COVID-19, construction nearly halted. She noted that neighborhood residents were anxious about the presence of vagrants, leading them to file complaints with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, which then secured the site.
The property belongs to Hardy Wronske, head of Everelle Build Company, known for completing multiple projects around the city.
This week, a visit to the location revealed the wooden frames of the three units, laden with graffiti.
Despite repeated attempts to reach out for comment, Wronske did not respond, but earlier this year, he claimed through an email that his wife, Regina O’Brien Ronske, was still actively working on the project.
She stated, “Although we’ve faced some challenges this year, we’re currently busy on-site and prepping for a cursory MEP inspection soon, while minor exterior work continues.” She expressed optimism about seeing substantial changes by late March or April.
However, Slater’s fears center on safety; she stated, “When I look at this, it doesn’t seem safe anymore. It might be structurally sound, but I doubt it’s safe from a health perspective.”
Nikos Konstan, a member of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Association, criticized the city for not thoroughly evaluating projects, while acknowledging the bureaucratic hurdles that exist for developers.
He remarked on the gap between ambitious visions and actual capabilities, suggesting that the city’s scrutiny of project sophistication is lacking amidst complex regulations.
The property is under the jurisdiction of councilmember Nithya Raman, whose office stated they are collaborating with the Department of Building Safety (DBS) to tackle project delays.
Recently, DBS issued a compliance order to the property owner, mandating the removal of visible violations, including trash and graffiti, within 30 days, along with the need for additional permits to continue the work.
Future re-inspections will ensure the owner complies and the city plans to keep local residents informed throughout the process.
Despite requests for updates from DBS, they have yet to respond regarding the state of inspections or actions taken. However, sources noted that DBS paid a violation fee after visiting the site, and the case has been referred to the investigative department.
Slater believes there are systemic issues in how developers exploit existing loopholes, allowing sites like this to linger in neglect. “As long as some progress is made, they claim the project is ongoing,” she noted. “They can play this waiting game indefinitely.”
Constant argues that the city should take firmer actions, even considering using eminent domain to pressure developers while highlighting the need for legal solutions for improving these dire circumstances.
Realistically, Slater suspects Wronske might be “playing a shell game” with the city for years to come, suggesting the project may never see completion. “Either this cycle continues, or the lender will ultimately take over,” she added.
