Giant Tesla Diner movie screen erected in front of apartment balconies in Hollywood

A four-story-tall movie screen in the parking lot of Tesla’s Hollywood Diner & Drive-In is now blocking the view from a nearby apartment complex.

The diner located at 7001 Santa Monica Blvd., which features superchargers for electric vehicles and two drive-in movie screens, opened to the public on Monday. And while its futuristic design has drawn attention, it was the placement of one of the giant movie screens that caught the eye of KTLA’s Mark Kriski.

“Shoot one of the big screens there,” Mark asked cameraman Dave Lopez and reporter Ellina Abovian Tuesday morning. “There’s an apartment building directly behind … What happens to those people with their balconies, and their view?” Mark asked.

“They lost their view,” Ellina responded. “It is a big hindrance out here. People had a view of West Hollywood and now that view is lost.”

It was unclear if anyone was currently living in the units behind the screen. Ellina attempted to get information from residents at the building, but “people don’t want to let us into their home at nine in the morning. Understandably so,” she said.

Undaunted, Ellina did talk to restaurant patron Roman to get his thoughts on the diner. “This just looks fantastic. It looks good on the eyes to drive past it and see it.” 

Ellina then directed his attention to the movie screens, asking if someone living in the apartments would be excited as everyone else. “Probably not,” Roman said. “That is a huge ouchy for their eyes.”