Apartments Headed for Marina Del Rey Arts District

Image: PK Architecture

According to an agenda from last week's meeting of the Del Rey Neighborhood Council's Community Planning, Traffic and Transportation Committee, a large mixed-use complex is planned in the Del Rey Arts District.

California Landmark, the developer of several loft projects in the neighborhood, intends to construct another low-rise residential development on a current parking lot at 4210 Del Rey Avenue.  Plans the approximately two-acre property call for a five-story structure, containing 134 dwelling units and slightly under 15,000 square feet of office space.  The apartment complex, to be known as D1 Living, would also offer 359 parking spaces for use by residents and tenants of an adjacent office building.

A case filing from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning states that California Landmark has requested a 35% density bonus, indicated that subsidized housing will be included in the development.

The project is being designed by Woodland Hills-based PK Architecture, a firm has collaborated with California Landmark on several of their other Del Rey developments.  Elevation plans included with the presentation indicate that the low-rise structure would be clad with plaster, glass and metal screening.  The building would be centered around two courtyards, with further open space provided by a rooftop amenity deck.

An exact construction timeline for D1 Living is currently unclear.  Records from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety currently show no permit applications on file.

Multi-Family Rental Projects Rising in Marina Del Rey

After stalling out amid the global recession, fancy residential developments are once again rising in Marina Del Rey's so-called "Arts District."  At 4044 S. Redwood Avenue, construction is nearing completion on a 22-unit low-rise apartment building.  The four-story edifice, designed by Venice-based architecture firm Dex Studio, features private balconies and a bright turquoise panels along its western facade.  The new residential complex replaces two single family homes, an increasingly rare commodity along the Culver City - Marina Del Rey border.

Del Rey Getting Two Low-Rise Apartment Complexes

11811 Culver Boulevard (Image: Lido Equities Group)

Take a quick trip out to the oft-forgotten Del Rey neighborhood, where the Beverly Hills-based Lido Equities Group is working on plans for a pair of low-rise apartment complexes.  The first of the two developments, a five-story building designed by Shubin + Donaldson Architects, will replace a cluster of mid-century buildings at 11811 Culver Boulevard.  Each of the project's 27 loft-style apartments will come complete with concrete floors, designer finishes, and private balconies.  Communal amenities will include a fitness center, entertainment lounge, and a rooftop deck with panoramic views of the cityscape.

According to a page on the Lido Equities Group website, 11811 Culver is slated to open its doors in Spring 2015.  However, recent events could delay that ambitious timeline.  Although LADCP has approved the project in its current form, records indicate that the Department of Building and Safety has yet to give Lido Equities the go-ahead to start construction.  At this time, 11811 Culver is also being appealed by an abutting property owner, who argues that the city erred in granting the project its density bonus.

Marina Del Rey Lofts District Gets More of the Same

Marina Del Rey's so-called Arts/Loft District may not have much in the way of art, but the neighborhood will be adding yet another low-rise residential building to the mix.  Plans were submitted to the city in early February for a 67-unit condo development at 4091 Redwood Avenue featuring 7,500 square feet of commercial space.  The new residential building would rise five stories, replacing one of the last remaining warehouse structures from prior to the neighborhood's mid-2000 development boom.  As is typical with most Westside multi-family projects, 4091 Redwood comes with copious parking accommodations.  The building would sit atop a 141-stall underground garage, containing spaces for both residents and the project's commercial tenant.  However, this section of Marina Del Rey also provides plenty of reasons to leave your car behind.  4091 Redwood would sit within easy walking distance of the recently upgraded Villa Marina Marketplace, a Costco, and a wide variety of stores along busy Washington Boulevard.  Other developers have also taken note, with a similar project proposed just one block to the east.

• Case Information Summary Sheet 4091 Redwood Ave (LA City Planning)

Mini Multi-Family Project for Del Rey

5980 Centinela Avenue

Let the stucco rise on the Westside.  Earlier this year, a nondescript single family home at the corner of Centinela Avenue and Culver Drive was unceremoniously demolished.  Fast forward to December, and an equally nondescript five-story structure containing twelve rental units has risen in its place.  The apartments are located just a short drive from a variety of Westside activity and employment hubs, including Venice, Playa Vista, Culver City and Santa Monica.  While it may not offer sweeping views of West Los Angeles like other low-rise developments this side of the 405, the building does overlook Ballona Creek, which has received a variety of community based upgrades over the past several years.  Perhaps Ballona Creek provides a realistic model for those parts of the LA River which aren't included in the Army Corps of Engineer's dramatic restoration project.  Regular neighborhood cleanups, landscaping and improved water flow have transformed a malodorous flood control channel into well patronized public space.  Other nearby projects include the Dinerstein Cos.' Millennium Del Rey and Lincoln Property Group's Runway Playa Vista.

Millennium Del Rey Has Lots of Stucco and a Little Hyperbole

Architectural renderings from the Dinerstein Cos.

Just north of Jefferson Boulevard and Centinela Avenue, Texas based Dinerstein Cos. is wrapping up construction on a development which has transformed the former site of a church into a multi-family residential complex.  The project at 5550 Grosvenor Boulevard, dubbed Millennium Del Rey, will create 196 apartments within a stucco-clad four-story structure.  Units in the LEED Silver Certified development will range from one to three bedrooms, featuring high-quality fixtures and smart home technology.  The Millennium's official website touts adjacency to the shops and restaurant of Playa Vista (yes) and Abbott Kinney Boulevard (not really).  While upscale shopping in Venice may be a little outside of walking distance (hence the project's four-level off-street parking garage), future residents of Millennium Del Rey will be located just across Jefferson from the Lincoln Property Group's Runway at Playa Vista.  It may not offer boutique clothing stores, but you can get your organic fix at the future Whole Foods Market.