Empire Building

Gjelina Owner Starts Construction on New Abbot Kinney Restaurant

Fran Camaj already razed this existing structure at <i>1305 Abbot Kinney</i>
Fran Camaj already razed this existing structure at 1305 Abbot Kinney Photo: Yo! Venice!

Fran Camaj, the independent owner who set Abbot Kinney on fire when he opened Gjelina with chef Travis Lett in 2008, has another restaurant up his sleeves for the chic street. The native Albanian is taking over 1305 Abbot Kinney, the former home to High D High boutique, and building a new 1,248-square-foot property from the ground up. So far, a name is not being divulged, but schematics show a restaurant space is in development, with outdoor dining, a fifteen-seat bar, and room for eight four-top tables.

Camaj, who frequently draws the ire of his neighbors over Gjelina’s lack of assigned parking, currently is tasked with finding fourteen parking spaces for this new project.

Razed: 1305 Abbot Kinney [Yo! Venice!]

Gjelina Owner Starts Construction on New Abbot Kinney Restaurant