via flickr.com/dwabyickMusic / NewsElliott Smith mural removed to make way for a wine barA section of the wall that appeared on the late singer-songwriter’s ‘Figure 8’ artwork and had become a memorial to the artist has been taken awayShareLink copied ✔️February 1, 2017MusicNewsTextSelim Bulut Since Elliott Smith’s death in 2003, a wall on Los Angeles’ West Sunset Boulevard has been a memorial to the artist. The wall was the same one that the late singer-songwriter had stood in front of for the cover of his album Figure 8, with fans often making the pilgrimage to cover it with lyrics and handwritten messages and take photos in front of it. Now, however, it’s been removed – to make way for a wine bar. Back in November, CoS reported that the mural would be removed to make way for a new venture called Bar Angeles – presumably named after Smith’s song “Angeles” – that would be opening in 2017. Last night, Twitter user Daniel Ralston shared photos of what remains of the wall, which has been cut away to make way for windows. According to CoS’ initial reports, the part of the wall that’s been removed will become a “focal point” of the bar’s interior design. Aah yes. Much better than the Elliott Smith wall. Good call, wine bar. pic.twitter.com/2IrhkcDo7Y— Daniel Ralston (@danielralston) January 31, 2017I should note: they left part of it up but this still looks completely nuts to me. Assuming this is the final design, of course.— Daniel Ralston (@danielralston) January 31, 2017 It should be pointed out that the section of the wall that’s missing is not where Smith stood for the Figure 8 cover – that remains intact. Wade McElroy, who is opening the bar with Russell Malixi, told Rock NYC, “We are replacing the old door and putting in some windows/storefront on the east side of the mural... We need some light in the room and a connection to the pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk. We are leaving the west side intact, the part that was on the Figure 8 album cover and that people like to take pictures in front of.” Still, something is definitely lost by cutting away a part of the picture, and it feels especially crude to put a bar there given that Smith’s songs often focused on alcohol addiction. Check out the images of the mural today above, and listen to “Angeles” below. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MORETOMORA are the dance-pop superduo out to ‘connect unexpected people’If Geese are a psy-op, so is everything else Nike Airmaxxing with singer-songwriter Simone RuthA deep dive into the fan-led SOPHIE archive projectThe secret history of Black British musicSilvana Estrada: ‘Bad Bunny is my hero, but Latin America is a continent’ The ultimate guide to music festivals in 2026Stop calling Justin Bieber’s Coachella set ‘lazy’Xaviersobased’s online obsessions: NBA 2K, skate videos and NickelodeonQueer nightlife is thriving in Bucharest’s abandoned backroomsThe rise of Rico Ace in 5 tracksSwedish House Mafia unpack their Miami Ultra festival mega-setEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy