You’ve seen the photos. Honestly, even if you don't follow celebrity gossip, you know the vibe: a white picket fence, massive colorful umbrellas, and a wall of paparazzi lenses waiting for someone famous to finish their chopped salad. That’s The Ivy on Robertson Blvd. It’s basically the ground zero of 1990s and early 2000s "see and be seen" culture in Los Angeles.
But here’s the thing. People talk about Robertson like it’s just a movie set or a relic of the Kitson era. It’s not.
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Robertson Boulevard, particularly the stretch between Beverly Blvd and Third Street, is a weird, living organism. It’s a place where high-end fashion, old-school Hollywood power lunches, and the messy reality of urban development collide. If you think it’s just about the $30 crab cakes, you’re missing the actual story of how this street became—and remains—a microcosm of LA’s obsession with image.
What Most People Get Wrong About Robertson Blvd
Most tourists head to Robertson Blvd because they want to spot a Kardashian. They’ve seen it on Entourage or The Bodyguard. They expect a nonstop parade of red carpets.
In reality? It’s kinda quiet most mornings.
The "Golden Triangle" of shopping on Robertson didn't just happen by accident. In the late 70s and early 80s, it was actually a bit of a sleepy design district. Then came Richard Irving and Lynn von Kersting. They opened The Ivy in 1983 at 113 N. Robertson Blvd, and everything shifted. They didn't just open a restaurant; they built a stage.
By the early 2000s, Robertson was the most important retail real estate in the world for "it-girl" brands. If a brand like Kitson put your T-shirt in their window, you were a millionaire by Tuesday. But that level of hype is impossible to sustain.
The Paparazzi Economy
There was a time when the sidewalk across from The Ivy was literally a workplace for fifty guys with telephoto lenses. It was a symbiotic relationship. The stars knew if they ate on the patio, they’d get their photo in Us Weekly. The paparazzi knew they’d get their mortgage paid.
It was a performance.
Today, that energy has shifted. In 2026, the "paparazzi stroll" is less about traditional tabloids and more about TikTokers and "content creators" doing "fit checks" in front of the pink walls of the neighboring boutiques. The medium changed, but the narcissism is basically the same.
The Robertson Lane Saga
If you walk down the street today, you'll notice something jarring. There are massive gaps. Large chunks of the west side of the boulevard have been sitting dormant for years.
This is the "Robertson Lane" project.
It was supposed to be this grand, 500,000-square-foot mixed-use development that would bridge the gap between Robertson and La Peer Drive. We’re talking a luxury hotel, a ballroom, and the preservation of "The Factory"—a historic building that once housed the legendary Studio One nightclub.
But as of early 2026, it’s still a bit of a ghost town. The developer, Faring, has had to navigate soaring construction costs and high interest rates. Just recently, in late 2025, they had to pivot from the original "Robertson Lane" concept to a new proposal called "Robertson Row."
Vice Mayor John Heilman has been vocal about this. Projects that made sense in 2017 don't always pencil out in the post-pandemic economy. It's a reminder that even in the glitziest parts of West Hollywood, the "dirt" is subject to the same boring economic pressures as anywhere else.
Why The Factory Matters
You can't talk about the development of Robertson without talking about The Factory. Built in 1929 for the Mitchell Camera Company, it’s a rugged, industrial outlier in a neighborhood of sleek glass and stucco.
In the 70s and 80s, as Studio One, it was the heartbeat of the gay community in LA. It was a haven. Any future development on Robertson Blvd basically has to reckon with that history. The city council has been firm: you don’t get to build your fancy hotel unless you save the soul of that building.
The Culver City "Ivy" Confusion
Here is where it gets confusing for people using Google Maps. If you search for "Ivy Robertson Blvd," you might end up three miles south in Culver City.
There is a massive development there called Ivy Station.
It’s right at the intersection of Venice, Washington, and National Boulevards. It’s huge—500,000 square feet of office space (largely taken by WarnerMedia/HBO), apartments, and a boutique hotel called The Shay.
It’s a different world. While the Robertson Blvd in West Hollywood is about "the scene," Ivy Station is about "the work." It’s transit-oriented development at its most aggressive. If you're looking for the celebrity sightings, stay north. If you're looking for a high-end latte before hopping on the Metro E Line, go to Culver City.
How to Actually "Do" Robertson Blvd Today
If you’re planning to visit, don't go expecting 2005. The vibe is different now. It's more curated, a bit more corporate, but still undeniably "LA."
- Timing is everything: Go for a late lunch on a weekday. The Ivy is still the anchor, and yes, the patio is still the place to sit. Order the grilled vegetable salad or the lime chicken. It's expensive. You're paying for the flowers and the history.
- Check the boutiques: While Kitson is a memory, brands like Chanel and Max Mara still anchor the area. But look for the smaller pop-ups. Robertson has become a testing ground for digital-native brands trying out physical retail.
- The Indigo Seas Factor: Directly across from The Ivy is Lynn von Kersting's shop, Indigo Seas. It’s like stepping into a different century. It’s eccentric, packed with antiques, and feels completely disconnected from the "influencer" culture outside. It's the most authentic thing on the street.
- Parking is a nightmare: Just use the valet at The Ivy or the public structures on nearby streets. Don't even try to find a meter on the boulevard itself unless you have the luck of a lottery winner.
What Really Happened to the Hype?
Social media killed the Robertson Blvd of old. When celebrities can control their own narrative on Instagram or TikTok, they don't need to eat a public lunch at The Ivy just to get a photo in a magazine.
However, that hasn't made the street irrelevant. It’s just made it more exclusive.
The crowd now is often more "industry" than "talent." You’ll see agents from CAA or ICM (now part of CAA) having intense conversations over cold glasses of rosé. You'll see fashion designers scouting what people are actually wearing.
It’s a place for people who have already "made it" rather than people desperate to be noticed.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you want to experience the real Robertson Blvd without feeling like a lost tourist, keep these points in mind:
- Book ahead: The Ivy rarely takes walk-ins for the patio during peak hours. Use a reservation app or call a few days out.
- Explore the side streets: Some of the best design showrooms and smaller cafes are just half a block off Robertson on Melrose or Beverly.
- Respect the "No Photos" vibe: While the paparazzi are outside, inside the restaurants, people generally want to be left alone. Don't be that person trying to sneak a grainy zoom shot of a B-list actor.
- Watch the development news: If you're an investor or just a fan of urban design, keep an eye on the "Robertson Row" approvals in West Hollywood. When that dirt finally turns, the entire energy of the street will shift again.
The Ivy on Robertson Blvd isn't a museum. It's a survivor. In a city that tears down its history every twenty years, the fact that a flower-covered patio from 1983 is still the most talked-about spot on the block says something. It’s not about the food. It’s about the feeling that, for the price of a very expensive lunch, you’re part of the show.