A property owner that has long sought to redevelop a former railroad right-of-way that cuts through the heart of Beverly Hills has tapped the provisions of state housing law in its effort.

Lyn Konheim of BH Gateway, LLC, which owns the long, narrow strip of land at 9220 Santa Monica Boulevard, pivoted away from earlier plans to build offices on the property last year with an application to build up to 250 homes on the site. A revised application, filed in March with the City of Beverly Hills, now looks to take advantage of AB 2011 to streamline the entitlement process.

Aerial view looking southeastGensler

Based on the rules of AB 2011, which allows for the construction of housing as a by-right use on designated commercial corridors, BH Gateway can build up to 217 multifamily residential units across the site. Plans call for a total of four buildings, including:

  • a nine-story, 112-foot-tall building;
  • an 11-story, 145-foot-tall building,
  • a 13-story, 169-foot tall building; and
  • a 15-story, 191-foot tall building.

The revised project will feature 217 one-, two-, and three-bedroom dwellings, as well as parking for more than 370 vehicles in a basement garage.

As required by AB 2011 and density bonus incentives, the project will include 26 units of low-income housing distributed across the property.

View looking southeast from Santa Monica BoulevardGensler

Gensler is designing the project, dubbed the Beverly Hills Collection, with Studio-MLA serving as landscape architect. 

"Drawing inspiration from Beverly Hills' architectural heritage, the design transitions across the site from a traditional limestone expression at the Civic Center gateway to a sleek contemporary composition of glass and white metal along Beverly Boulevard," states a narrative included with the application. "Each building has a distinct character and material palette, creating a cohesive yet varied streetscape. The stepped building heights enhance the skyline while maintaining neighborhood scale and walkability. 

Plans call for multiple outdoor courtyards, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, and other amenities that create a "resort-like" living experience.

View looking southwest from Santa Monica BoulevardGensler

The project is the latest example of new housing bringing height to some of the major corridors in Beverly Hills, including the $10-billion One Beverly Hills complex now rising near the Beverly Hilton and a recently-approved Builder's Remedy high-rise along Burton Way.

The Beverly Hills Collection is also the latest Los Angeles area-development to take advantage of AB 2011, following projects located in Redondo Beach and Woodland Hills.

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