The Historic Formosa Gets a Second Chance

The Formosa Café, a restaurant space in the West Hollywood Gateway, is getting a second chance. The historic restaurant, which opened in the early 1940s, shuttered suddenly in the beginning of the year to shock—and backlash—from L.A. residents. Now, Colliers International VP Gabe Kadosh, has negotiated a new lease with 1933 Group, on behalf of owner Clarion Partners, to revive the historic property. 1933 Group will create a more experience-driven atmosphere while maintaining the integrity and character of the original property.

“It is an interesting situation. There is a lot of history there, and there aren’t a lot of historic-preserved freestanding buildings around anymore in all of Los Angeles,” Kadosh tells GlobeSt.com. “This property has this great Hollywood history with Frank Sinatra and presidents that have dined there. You also have the entertainment industry with all of the movie studios and production studios. This was the go-to spot for many years for people in that industry.”