Open-again, closed-again Irish pub Tom Bergin’s is set to give it yet another go under new management. The announcement comes just as the developer that purchased both the Tom Bergin’s property and an adjacent parcel has filed paperwork on a new, 209-apartment complex designed to wrap around the landmarked pub building, demolishing a number of older, rent-controlled units in the process.
Curbed reported on the new development which, at eight stories, looms high above the house-like pub building. The Tom Bergin’s structure and front signage received landmark status, which requires they be preserved as is, but its parking lot will become part of the new development. A tree-dotted walkway, described as a “small paseo,” will separate the historic pub from the apartment building and its multilevel parking garage.
The two small buildings that would be demolished to create the new complex at 800 S. Fairfax currently house 40 apartments, some of which are covered by rent control. In the proposal, the developer–reported to be Chris Clifford of Colliers International–states that 28 of the new apartments would be designated as affordable housing units. The developer is planning to take advantage of the city’s “transit-oriented communities” program, which encourages denser developments near public transportation, and the 28 units may help it qualify for that status.
Clifford’s office has not responded to Los Angeles requests for comment about the project.
As plans for that project move forward, Tom Bergin’s itself will likely reopen on Saturday, December 14. From then on, the pub would be open for dinner and drinks on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and brunch on Sunday. Website and social media accounts for the pub all remain deactivated as of now, but a Facebook page maintained by a group of Tom Bergin’s enthusiasts does post updates.
The pub’s new operators are Fran and Dave Castagnetti, identified by Eater L.A. as having previously run Firefly in Studio City, Union in Pasadena, and Michael’s in Santa Monica. The blog reports that they will bring over chef Erik Punzalan, previously of The FLATS, Hyde Sunset, and Firefly, to head up the kitchen, which will continue to turn out traditional Irish pub grub.
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