Development WELCOME HOME

Local real estate firm Jamison Services Inc. has unveiled a rendering for the 4+N Lofts, an upcoming multifamily residential complex in Koreatown. The proposed development, planned for a roughly one-acre property at at 411 S. Normandie Avenue, would consist of a seven-story structure featuring 224 apartments, as well as amenities such as a pool deck, a club room a gym and a courtyard. Plans also call for a 373-car parking garage to be located beneath the building.

A rendering has emerged for 700 Manhattan, an upcoming residential-retail complex from Jamison Services Inc. Located one block south of Metro’s Wilshire/Western Station, the project would consist of a seven-story building containing 160 residential units above 10,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Plans also call for approximately 17,000 square feet of amenities, including multiple lounge areas, a pool deck, a dog run and outdoor screening areas. The project, designed by GMP Architects, is portrayed as a contemporary podium-style development.

An upcoming presentation to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission has unveiled new renderings for the Hollywood Ivar Gardens Project, R.D. Olson development’s proposed hotel at 6409 Sunset Boulevard. The project, intended for the current site of a Jack In The Box restaurants, would consist of a 21-story building featuring 275 guest rooms, 1,900 square feet of ground-floor retail space and accessory functions. Proposed guest amenities include a terrace garden, a rooftop swimming pool, a fitness center and four levels of underground parking for 135 vehicles.

This past Saturday, all eyes were focused above the Downtown skyline, as Turner Construction raised a steel tube 1,100 feet above street level to complete the Wilshire Grand’s architectural spire. When all was said and done, the 73-story hotel and office tower had officially claimed the title of the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. Our friend and frequent collaborator Hunter Kerhart captured the entire saga from the rooftop of Ernst & Young Plaza.

A series of commercial properties just outside of Marina del Rey could give way for a large mixed-use development. Last week, plans were filed with the City of Los Angeles to construct a residential-retail complex at 13450 W. Maxella Avenue. The approximately 6.8-acre site, located east of Lincoln Boulevard, is currently developed with shopping center and an associated parking lot. Its is unclear which, if any, existing buildings would be affected.

The Arts District could see another large housing complex. Last week, plans were filed with the City of Los Angeles to construct a seven-story development at 330 S. Alameda Street, a 1.3-acre property which is currently developed with an office building and a surface parking lot. The proposed building would feature 186 live-work lofts, approximately 22,000 square feet of retail space and a 402-car garage. The property sits near the dividing line between the Arts District and Little Tokyo, both of which are seeing an influx of new multifamily residential developments.

With a brusing battle over high-density developments on the horizon, the Los Angeles City Council is looking to take steps toward amending its convoluted and often controversial planning process. This past May, the Department of City planning (LADCP) and the Offices of the Chief Legislative Analyst, City Administrative Officer and City Attorney submitted a report to the Los Angeles City Council which offers potential solutions for four issues that have come under harsh criticism: System for Updating Community Plans Although an ambitious program to update the city’s 35 community plans was launched 2006, efforts have been hamstrung by limited resources and the global recession.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to approve Hudson Pacific Properties’ (HPP) planned office tower on Sunset Boulevard. The proposed development, slated for a parking lot catacorner to Sunset Bronson Studios (SBS), would consist of a 15-story building which would feature 274,000 square feet of commercial office space over 26,000 square feet of ground-level shops and restaurants. Earlier plans had called for a slightly taller 18-story structure with additional levels of above-grade parking.

A poorly maintained property in Culver City could see new life as a mixed-use complex. According to a document from the city’s Planning Devision, a new residential-retail development is proposed at northeast corner of Washington Place and Sawtelle Boulevard. Plans from applicant Farzin Maly call for demolishing the property’s existing buildings and replacing them with a five-story structure featuring 14 residential units and nearly 4,900 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

A mixed-use development is now rising near the North Hollywood terminus of Metro’s Red and Orange Lines. Located at the northwest corner of Chandler Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue, the Micropolitan Chandler will consist of a seven-story structure featuring 82 apartments and approximatley 1,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The building, designed by Killefer Flammang Architects, will also offer a podium-level swimming pool and a rooftop amenity deck. The mixed-use complex is being developed by Micropolitan, a subsidiary of the engineering firm PSOMAS.