In September, an application filed by Tony Yeh of Century Investment, LLC with the City of Los Angeles signaled big changes for the shopping center at 11701 Wilshire Boulevard in Brentwood. Century Investments, which has owned the property for more than 20 years, is seeking approvals to raze the two-story structure and attached parking area to clear the way for a new high-rise building. Now, a staff report scheduled for the December 15 meeting of the Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners offers new details.

The proposed project, named Wilshire Barrington for its cross streets, calls for the construction of a new 24-story building featuring 152 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom dwellings, as well as well as approximately 67,000 square feet of offices and 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Parking for 397 vehicles would be located in a four-level subterranean garage and in three above-grade podium levels.

Rendering of the Wilshire Barrington towerAC Martin

Century Investments' requested entitlements include Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit relieve from zoning rules imposed on the project site. In exchange, 16 of the new residences - ranging from 616 to 1,395 square feet in size - would be set aside for occupancy by extremely low-income households.

AC Martin is designing Wilshire Barrington, which is portrayed in plans as a modern glass high-rise with an amorphous footprint facing Barrington Avenue to the east and its northern property line. The tower would place its offices on fifth, sixth, and seven floors, with residential spaces and amenities located above. Plans call for more than 24,000 square feet of common features, including a swimming pool, a fitness area, and a rooftop patio.

11701 Wilshire BoulevardAC Martin

The project, which is not proposing to make a land dedication for park creation either on site or at an off-site location, could be subject to more than $2.5 million in park fees. A staff report recommends the payment of an in-lieu fee, or some combination of an in-lieu fee and a land dedication.

While high-rise buildings are rare on the west side of the 405 Freeway, this is not the first time a developer has planned a residential tower at Wilshire and Barrington. Nearly 20 years ago, California Landmark Group sought to build a similar 24-story development across the street, although that project was eventually completed as a podium-type apartment complex. In the years since, developer Douglas Emmett, Inc. has completed work on a 34-story rental tower adjacent to the Barrington Plaza property across Wilshire.