The city of Beverly Hills in California, long known for its posh real estate, has attracted a new breed of clientele – homeless people . ...
The city of Beverly Hills in California, long known for its posh real estate, has attracted a new breed of clientele – homeless people.
The Washington Engager cited one example of this new trend in a Sept. 25 piece, highlighting a picture of a homeless camp that popped up in one of the city's sidewalks. According to reports, the tent city occupied by homeless people was located in front of the office of the luxury real estate firm Altman Brothers. Managed by siblings Josh and Matt Altman, the firm is featured on the popular program "Million Dollar Listing."
TMZ reported that the encampment had been at the location since Sept. 21. However, pictures taken the following day showed the encampment no longer there. According to the outlet, "the city stepped in and had the camp dismantled."
"The homeless population has been growing out of control in California, and it was only a matter of time until the epidemic began spilling into the wealthier areas of the state," the Engager commented. "It appears that day has finally arrived."
TMZ also put in its two cents on the issue, highlighting the location of the now-dismantled tent city. "Fans of the show know folks like the Altmans have made careers selling luxury properties all across Los Angeles, so to have a homeless camp on display just steps from their business comes with some irony," the entertainment outlet said.
The Engager ultimately remarked: "Indeed, homelessness is spreading rapidly across the U.S. – but it appears that no one wants to pause and question why this is happening precisely. Is it due to drugs, politics, the economy – or a combination of all three with some additional factors added for good measure"
"Nevertheless, the issue should be addressed instead of merely applying a small band-aid to this substantial, gaping wound."
Closed stores now line once-posh district
The city, which is part of LA County, was known for its affluence as seen in television programs such as "Beverly Hills 90210" and "The Beverly Hillbillies." But nowadays, "affluence" isn't included in the adjectives often used to define the Garden Spot of the World.
Aside from the now-dismantled homeless camp, now-closed retail locations have lined up Beverly Hills. The New York Post outlined some of them in a September piece, featuring some spots captured by the Nostalgic Angelino account on TikTok.
The user's videos showcased more than a dozen Beverly Hills establishments that permanently shuttered their doors. Only empty storefronts with signs announcing their vacancy remained, shells of once-thriving businesses.
Some of the businesses Nostalgic Angelino posted include luxury staples Barneys New York and Escada, with the two having filed for bankruptcy in recent years. The former Escada store on Wilshire Boulevard remains vacant after the company filed for bankruptcy in 2022.
Other big-name stores such as Chanel, Rite Aid and Niketown have also left the Garden Spot of the World.
The Chanel store on North Robertson Boulevard shuttered for good after it fell victim to two burglaries in 2022. A building on North Bedford Drive remains closed after its main tenant Rite Aid moved out in early 2023. The former location of Niketown in the city, a once-popular stop for shoppers, is now empty.
Retail stores weren't the only ones that closed down, as restaurants like Chipotle and Starbucks also left Beverly Hills.
"The barren stores stand in stark contrast with the city's reputation for glamor and opulence, and as a place where celebrities, fashionistas and business moguls are regularly photographed by paparazzi," the Post remarked.
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