At long last, Building Los Angeles’ first foray into Venice. According to an e-mail tipster, excavation recently commenced on the vacant parcel at the southeast corner of Rose and Rennie Avenues. A quick perusal of LADCP records indicates that this lot, located at 542 E. Rose Avenue, is the future home of a (very) small mixed-use development. According to a 2011 presentation given to the GRVNC, a group of three Venice residents are planning for a low-rise structure that would contain just two condominium units above a ground floor restaurants. Designed by the Reed Architectural Group, the new building will rise three stories and feature exterior materials such as smooth trowel plaster, brick veneer, exposed concrete and metal paneling. The firm previously designed a similarly petite mixed-user a few blocks east on Rose Avenue in 2010. Their new project will rise across the street from “The Frank,” a 70-unit apartment building opened by Gerdling Edlen in 2012. All things considered, 542 Rose Avenue is an attractive project that fits in well with the scale and aesthetics of the Venice neighborhood. It should make a positive contribution without ruffling any feathers.