The Los Angeles City Council has upheld the approval of a proposed mixed-use apartment complex in Studio City, rejecting a bevy of appeals from project neighborhoods who have sought to block the project's construction.

Riverwalk at Studio City - a joint venture between Genton Property Group, RC Development, and Torino Companies - is planned for a site12555 Ventura Boulevard, and calls for replacing existing commercial buildings with a series of two-to-seven-story structures containing 814 apartments, approximately 76,000 square feet of commercial space, and parking for more than 800 vehicles on four subterranean levels.

View looking northeast from Ventura BoulevardMVE + Partners

The City Planning Commission authorized multiple bonus incentives and waivers to permit larger structures than would otherwise be allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, a 46 of the project's apartments are to be set aside for rent as affordable housing at the very low-income level.

MVE + Partners is designing the residential component of the project, with AO is serving as retail design consultant.

The appeals, which were rejected at the recommendation of Planning Department staff, argued that the project violates zoning rules, poses a public safety risk, and should have been ineligible for the CEQA exemption granted by the Planning Commission pursuant to AB 130. 

Aerial view looking southwestMVE + Partners

A letter from 4th District Councilmember Nithya Raman, who represents Studio City on the council, states support for the project due to its provision of access to the Los Angeles River, as well as a commitment to preserve an existing 1950s bowling alley sign which remains at the property today. The river also notes that the project team had agreed to provide $675,000 in additional community benefits to ensure access to the river and the planting of trees.

The proposed project sits along a stretch of Ventura Boulevard which could be transformed by development in the years to come. To the west at Coldwater Canyon Avenue, the Sportsmen's Lodge is to be redeveloped with a mixed-use residential complex with 520 homes. Likewise, a smaller residential-retail complex is slated to replace a stretch of commercial buildings directly across the street from the Riverwalk site.

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