Whoa: New High-Rise Apartment Building Headed to West LA

Here's something you don't see everyday: something tall planned west of the 405 freeway.  According to documents just released by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, West LA-based Douglas Emmett Inc. intends to construct a new 34-story residential tower at 11750 Wilshire Boulevard.  The Landmark Apartments, first spotted moving through LADCP last December, would rise 338 feet above ground and contain 376 one and two bedroom units.  A conceptual site plan drawn up by Gensler indicates that the apartment tower would stand on the southern side of the property, replacing a low-rise structure which previously housed a Pavilions supermarket.  In addition to the standard outdoor pool deck, residential amenities would include a lobby, lounge, fitness center, recreation room, and bicycle storage area.  The project also includes a standalone 4,700 square foot retail structure, which would directly front the corner of Wilshire and Stoner Avenue.  Although no renderings of the project are provided by the LADCP documents, the design is described as consisting of "a slim, concrete frame lined with floor-to-ceiling glazing accented by light metal and fritted glass panels."  Construction would last approximately 30 months, with completion anticipated in 2017.  Sounds awesome, so bring on the Westside NIMBY gauntlet.

Residential High-Rise Proposed in West LA

11750 Wilshire Boulevard

We don't hear much talk about skyscrapers in-between Century City and Downtown Santa Monica, but some recent events might change that.  A filing with the Department of City Planning indicates that a sizeable mixed-use development is on the way at 11750 Wilshire Boulevard.  Specifically, a 376-unit residential high-rise accompanied by a one-story retail building.  The 2.8 acre parcel, which straddles the West LA - Brentwood border, is owned by Santa Monica based Douglas Emmett, Incorporated.  The property currently houses the 17-story Landmark II office tower, a surface parking lot, and a low-rise structure which contained a Pavilions grocery store up until earlier this year.   While the case filing is mum on details about the height of the proposed tower, the small surface parking lot offers little in the way of easily buildable real estate.  Unless the plan also calls for the demolition of the former Pavilions location, there's nowhere to go but up.  Coincidentally, this project would be located directly across the street from another tall residential building that recently made the news.  The mid-century Barrington Plaza, also owned by Douglas Emmett, was the site of an 11th floor apartment fire back in October.  The 52 year old tower is not equipped with an emergency sprinkler system, as its construction predates the state law which mandates their presence in all high-rise buildings.  It's probably safe to assume that whatever rises at 11750 Wilshire won't have the same problem (knock on wood).

• Case Information Summary Sheet (LA City Planning)
• West LA Pavilions Closes (Brentwood Patch)