Redevelopment Plans Crystallize for Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

All images: Capri Capital Partners and RAW International

As construction continues on a new subway station at the intersection of Crenshaw and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevards, a bold development scheme is in the works for an adjacent shopping complex.

Capri Capital Partners, the Chicago-based owner of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, is planning to redevelop their 43-acre property with over 2 million square feet of new office space, housing, retail space and hotel rooms.  According to a master plan created by planning and design firm RAW International, the proposed development would replace a series of surface parking lots and low-rise commercial buildings which flank the mid-century shopping center.  The centerpiece mall, anchored by a Macy's department store, would be preserved and rehabilitated as part of the project.

Six Stories of Office, Retail and Residential Space Coming to Washington Blvd.



Who said that the Blue Line can't spur development?  Well, it hasn't been able to for most of its 23 year life, but perhaps that is starting to change in the stretch of Washington Blvd. adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles.

This project, which dates back to 2008, was revived in the July 30th bi-weekly case filings published by the City Planning Department.  The project description reads as follows:

233 W Washington Blvd, 90015

DEMO FAST FOOD REST. GPA FROM LIGHT MANUF TO COMNTY COMM AND ZC FROM M2-2 TO C2-2 TO ALLOW 92 RES UNITS W/ 25,000 SQ FT 1ST FLOOR RETAIL AND 25,000 SQ FT 2ND FLOOR OFFICE. 6 STORIES, 286 SUB PARKING.

286 parking spaces seems excessive for a location directly across the street from the Blue Line's Grand Ave. Station, but I suppose the developer deems it necessary to make the retail and office space attractive.  25,000 square feet is fairly large amount of retail space.  It wouldn't surprise me if they're looking to attract a grocery store to the location.