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Mixed-Use Development Headed to Santa Monica Boulevard

When the West Los Angeles institution known pejoratively as “Ghetto Vons,” shut its doors nearly two years ago, redevelopment rumors immediately began to swirl around its 2.67-acre property at 11660-11674 Santa Monica Boulevard. Now, a proposal has finally surfaced for a large residential-retail complex on the site. According to plans filed earlier this week with the City of Los Angeles, the property is to be redeveloped with a mixed-use structure that would feature a 55,000-square-foot grocery store with 24-hour operations.

Fresh Renderings for Playa Vista Office Campus

An official website has unveiled new renderings for the Brickyard, a large creative office complex currently under construction in Playa Vista. The campus, which is being developed by New York-based Tishman Speyer, will feature slightly over 425,000 square feet of office space. Plans also call for an 9,000-square-foot daycare facility, 8,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial floor area and a below-grade parking garage. The project - designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture with assistance from Gensler - includes two low-rise structures on approximately 10 acres of formerly undeveloped land.

W Hotel Announced for Downtown Los Angeles

Earlier today, developer Shenzhen Hazens Real Estate Group and Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced plans for the W Los Angeles Downtown, slated to open early in 2019. The 250-room establishment - to be located across the street from L.A. Live and Staples Center - would be the W brand’s third location in Southern California, following Beverly Hills and Hollywood. According to a press release, the proposed five-star hotel would feature a wide array of guest amenities, including a spa, an outdoor pool deck with a bar and grill, stores, bars and destination restaurants.

Los Angeles County Proposes Koreatown Developments

Yesterday, the office of Second District Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas announced that Los Angeles County has issued a request for proposals for the redevelopment of multiple dilapidated properties in Koreatown. The government-owned parcels - located on Vermont Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets - are currently developed with more than a half-million square feet of office space housing the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health (DMH), Parks and Recreation, Community and Senior Services and Children and Family Services.

Big Mixed-Use Development Planned in City West

The Downtown construction boom continues to spill over the Harbor Freeway, as yet another mixed-use complex heads to City West. Earlier this week, plans were filed with the City of Los Angeles for a new residential-retail complex near Good Samaritan Hospital and Los Angeles Center Studios. The proposed development, located on a two-acre site at 1111 West 6th Street, would consist of two buildings featuring 362 residential units and approximately 25,800 square feet of ground-level commercial floor area.

El Segundo Office Campus Hits Sales Milestone

Approximately 66% of properties are now sold or in escrow at Elevon, a 15-acre creative office campus in El Segundo. Buyers include several media and tech firms relocating from traditional Southern California tech hubs such as Santa Monica and Venice. Elevon - which was developed by a joint venture between Continental Development Corporation and Mar Ventures Inc. - consists of 15 buildings featurring 210,000 square feet of office space and 13,500 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Finding Shelter in A+D's New Home

Last week, Urbanize LA had the chance to visit Shelter: Rethinking How We Live in Los Angeles- the first exhibition at the A+D Museum since it landed in its new home in Downtown LA’s Arts District. The exhibition features works from local architecture and design firms Bureau Spectacular, LA-Más, LOHA, MAD Architects, PAR, and wHY. Shelter focuses on residential architecture in Los Angeles, and how it adapts to solve new problems and fulfill new needs as our city transforms and urbanizes.

First Component of El Monte TOD Nears Completion

Work is wrapping up on Exchange, the first component of the $110 million Gateway project that is being developed by the City of El Monte, Grapevine Advisors and Jamboree Housing. Exchange, which was designed by Santa Ana-based SVA Architects, consists of 132 affordable housing units, outdoor recreational amenities and a one-level underground parking garage. Plans call for a mixture of one, two- and three-bedroom apartments reserved for households earning 30-55% of the area median income.

One More Boutique Hotel for Hollywood

Hollywood’s insatiable demand for new hotels has generated yet another proposed development near the red-hot neighborhood twest of Vine Street. Yesterday, plans were filed with the City of Los Angeles for a new boutique inn on a nearly half-acre site at 1400 North Cahuenga Boulevard. The proposed hotel would include 176 guest rooms approximately 5,800 square feet of commercial floor area and 76 parking spaces. Located one block south of Sunset Boulevard, the project appears to correspond to the Tommie Hotel announced earlier this year by Commune Hotels + Resorts.

Runway at Playa Vista Leases Up

Less than two months after officially opening, the first apartment building at Runway Playa Vista is already nearly 66% leased. The 100-unit complex - designed by architecture firm Johnson Fain - sits within walking distance of Playa Vista’s primary commercial hub, anchored by Whole Foods Market, Cinemark Theatres and CVS Pharmacy. Runway features four total apartment buildings, comprising 420 residential units. The other three buildings are in the final stages of construction and are expected to open before the end of 2015.