The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City - a 24-story, 495-room hotel that is a familiar landmark to motorists on the Hollywood Freeway - is poised for a major expansion.

The hotel's owner, Hillcrest Real Estate LLC, has announced plans to construct a 15-story, 365-room expansion next to the existing tower, which would also feature a rooftop restaurant and other amenities such as a wellness spa.

Architecture firm Harley Ellis Devereaux is designing the project in collaboration with Anthony Chen.  A rendering portrays a glassy mid-rise structure that would replace a parking lot next to the existing hotel.

Hillcrest's plan comes as Los Angeles sees a boom in international tourism, with a record 47.3 million visits seen during 2016 according to the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.  The expansion project, which will increase the total size of the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City to 860 rooms, serves one of the region's most popular destinations - Universal Studios Hollywood.

The developer expects that following the completion of an environmental impact report, the project will be heard by both the Los Angeles City Planning Commission and City Council in 2019.