More Residential Flooding into Koreatown's Western Fringe (UPDATED)

Per an LADCP case filing from last month, a sizeable multi-family residential development is headed to the western edge of Koreatown.  The apartment complex, pegged for an approximately one-acre property at 700 South Manhattan Place, would offer 162 residential units within a seven-story structure.  The project site, currently developed with surface parking and a nondescript two-story structure, spans slightly more than one acre near the intersection of Western Avenue and 7th Street.  Residents would be located just one block south of the Purple Line's current Wilshire/Western terminus, offering quick service to Downtown Los Angeles and connections to all other points on the Metro Rail network.

The new development is situated in a highly walkable section of Koreatown, with a slew of stores and eateries strewn about surrounding blocks.  Unsurprisingly, other multi-family projects area slated for the neighborhood.  The locally-based Hankey Group is in the planning stages for a similar low-rise residential development, intended for a long vacant property at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Hobart Avenue.  South along Western Avenue, a 79-unit mixed-use complex is proposed across the street from Koreatown Plaza.

(UPDATE) An e-mail tipster has noted the following about 700 S. Manhattan Place:

"The project requests three variances: (1) to allow an approximately 35% increase in density; (2) to average floor area ratios across residential and commercial zones; and (3) to permit vehicular access for a commercial zone from a residential zone.

Probably not coincidentally, these variances would be available to the project as Density Bonus incentives if the project provided affordable housing.  Density Bonus projects providing a certain amount of units covenanted for very-low or low income households are entitled to a 35% increase in density, FAR averaging and parking access from a less restrictive zone.  The variance filing appears to be a means of avoiding providing affordable units."

Office Space and Small Lot Homes Proposed Near Sunset/Western

While Hollywood NIMBYs continue with their puzzling effort to defeat the half-complete Sunset/Western Target, plans have emerged for a new redevelopment scheme almost directly across the street.  An approximately 3.5-acre property at 1350 N. Western Avenue, currently home to a cluster of low-rise commercial buildings, may be demolished to make way for a new mixed-use complex.  Although exact plans are currently unclear, the project's LADCP case filing calls for an undetermined amount of commercial and office space, in addition to a 52-unit small lot subdivision.  Construction of the project would first require the rezoning of the property, which is currently designated for use as a film processing lab.

The proposed mixed-use complex is representative of the recent uptick in development on the eastern reaches of the Hollywood neighborhood.  As easy opportunities have become fewer and further in-between near subway stations on Highland Avenue and Vine Street, red headed stepchild Western Avenue has suddenly found itself aflood with investment activity.  A few blocks north, developer Sonny Astani is planning a residential-retail development, while another investor has proposed a boutique hotel.  On the opposite side of the Hollywood Freeway, Sunset Bronson Studios is scheduled to begin a $150 million expansion later this year which will include a 14-story office tower.

• Case Information Summary Sheet (LADCP)

Plans Would Give Koreatown Plaza a Mixed-Use Neighbor

940 S Western Avenue

Looks like another underutilized Koreatown parcel is set to bite the dust, as the neighborhood continues with its development renaissance.  According to a case filing with the Department of City Planning, the property at the southeast corner of Western Avenue and San Marino Street is the site of a proposed mixed-use development.  Plans call for 79 apartment units above ground floor retail, served by a three-level subterranean parking garage.  The project is located just across the street from Koreatown Plaza, one of the neighborhood's largest shopping malls.  The case filing fails to specify the height of the proposed building, but we can most likely expect something of the wood-framed/low-rise variety (the kind of development that everyone seems to hate in Downtown).  Located just a short jog down Western from the current Purple Line terminus, Metro Rail and its various destinations are at the tip of your fingers.  As the blocks around Wilshire/Vermont Station have recently gone on a development binge, perhaps momentum is beginning to pick up near Wilshire/Western.  With a boundless supply of surface parking lots and strip malls to work with, LA's most densely populated neighborhood still has plenty of room to grow.

• Case Information Summary Sheet (LA City Planning)

Argyle Apartments Sprucing Up East Hollywood

If you take a quick walk south from the Hollywood/Western subway station and the CIM Group's underwhelming retail center, you'll notice crews hard at work on a multi-family development at the southeast corner of Western Avenue and Carlton Way.  The Killefer Flammang designed Argyle Apartments started construction earlier this year and are expected to bring 40-units of affordable housing to the market by Spring 2014.  The $17.5 million project is the work of Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH), a non-profit organization which buildings homes for low-income gay seniors (talk about your niche markets).  Amenities include a community room, outdoor barbeque grills and a children's play structure.  In addition to the conveniently located subway up the street, the Argyle Apartments are located just one block north of the under-construction Target at Sunset and Western.  Even more options for an already highly walkable neighborhood.

• The Argyle - Hollywood (GLEH)